More than 400 children across 48 school teams will take part in this year’s 18th Schools’ Tag Rugby Festival. Sponsored by Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management every year since inception in 1999 the Festival will take place on Saturday 25th March at the Garenne Stand at Footes Lane from 9.30am to 2pm.
Tag Rugby is a non-contact version of the game and is played in squads of 10 to 12 players, with seven players on the pitch at any one time.
The Festival is organised by Rugby Development Officer Steve Melbourne, and the team at the Guernsey Rugby Association, who are supported by volunteers of all ages from the local Rugby Academy and Clubs.
With each team wearing colour-coded T-shirts, the youngsters fiercely contest cup, plate and bowl competitions in two different age groups. Every player will be awarded a Certificate of Participation, and a special Fair Play Award will also be presented to the team and coach in each age group that has best displayed the core values of rugby throughout the Festival – Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship.
Head of Wealth Management at Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management, Guernsey, Andy Finch, said: “The Festival allows young islanders to learn a sport which requires teamwork and focus in a fun and competitive way. Rugby’s core values provide key skills for the young players to use in their everyday lives and encourage good sportsmanship.
“Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management is delighted to be supporting the Tag Rugby Festival for the 18th consecutive year.”
Rugby Development Officer Steve Melbourne, said: “We are proud to organise an event which encourages young boys and girls to actively engage in sport, and are grateful to Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management for their continued long-term support.
“We also receive a great deal of support from the island’s primary schools, which has seen the Festival go from strength to strength and bolster the local rugby community. Last year’s cup winners in the Year 5 & 6 age group ‘La Mare De Carteret Tigers’ showed excellent skills and teamwork in their games - and we are looking forward to seeing more of this in this year’s competition.”
Supporters are welcome, with refreshments available throughout the day.