Hundreds of aspiring young rugby stars converged at Cheltenham Tigers RFC for the Defender Rising Stars Cup, hosted by Gloucester Rugby in partnership with PREM Rugby.
Twenty-three grassroots clubs from across the southwest, including Minchinhampton RFC,took part in a day of competitive rugby which showcased the passion and commitment of the game’s next generation of players.
The annual Under-11s and Under-12s festival is one of a series of nationwide events hosted by PREM Rugby clubs which provide young players the opportunity to experience playing within a professional environment against teams from outside of their immediate local area.
The Under-11s teams were judged on rugby’s core values — teamwork, respect, enjoyment, and discipline — with the focus on development and participation rather than match results.
For many of the youngsters, it was their first time stepping onto a club pitch. Cheered on by proud parents and coaches, the teams played with determination, flair, and a real sense of camaraderie.
“What a great day of rugby at the Gloucester Defender Rising Stars Cup. It was impressive to see so many young players display impressive skill and passion for the game, working together as team and showing respect for the officials and the competition,” said Gloucester Rugby star Cam Jordan.
“Despite being at the start of their rugby journeys to see so many kids displaying the values of our game will only benefit the future of our sport. Competitions such as this help young players grow and develop further into the next generation of players.”
Since the first Defender Rising Stars Festival in 2008, more than 125,000 children have taken part, with some even going on to play professionally for PREM Rugby clubs.
Minchinhampton RFC/U11/Albert Eldridge said: “We had quite a challenging group but I enjoyed it because I love rugby, it’s just fun. It was tough, but it was fun playing and I enjoyed the challenge.”
Coach Tom Godfrey added: “It’s been a big challenge for Minchinhampton but they’ve stepped up and although we haven’t scored a try, we hope we will. It’s been a lot of fun and really formative for them to play against very good teams so it’s been great.”
