Waverley Festival 1
Mini
Rugby Festival at Cranleigh
On Sunday 2nd October Cranleigh RFC
Minis are hosting the annual Waverley Mini Rugby Festival at their Wildwood Lane
Ground. This year's Festival has been organised by Andy Leahy & generously
sponsored by Dunsfold Park Industries Limited. About 360 young players aged
between 6 to 12 & their parents,
coaches & other supporters from a number of local clubs will all be
welcomed, along with special guests for the day, the Mayor & her Consort,
Cllr Jacquie Keen & Cllr John Robini, who have kindly agreed to present the
prizes.
In addition Cranleigh RFC have the pleasure of
welcoming Peter Vernon, Chairman Surrey Central Body Rugby Development
Partnership who are responsible overseeing for the growth of the game in 34 mini
& junior sections plus 163 schools within the county of Surrey. These
numbers have swollen following
England's World
Cup victory in November 2003 as the RFU seek to build on the game's new found
wider popularity & appeal to young people of all ages, both male &
female.
Peter has kindly agreed to assist in the presentations
which will include former Cranleigh Minis & Junior player Tom Sargeant's
London & South Eastern Division U16 shirt, as well as his England U16As
shirt from last season. Tom started playing his rugby at an early age at
Cranleigh so the club are extremely proud of his achievements to date, including
being invited to be part of this season's England U18s Development Squad.
Tom's
younger sister Rose is an U14s Surrey county player & is part of the
emerging girls' rugby squad at Cranleigh, led by regional coach Gemma Frisby,
developing teams at both U14 & U17 age groups where new players, whatever
their level of experience, are always most welcome to come & join in
training on a Sunday morning from 1000 to 1200.
Another
former Cranleigh player from Tom's year group, Dominic Townsend, has recently
won a 6th Form sports scholarship to
Cranleigh
School as well as being invited to
train with the Surrey U18s squad. Dom is also been a member of the
London
Irish
Academy setup.
Also present
on Sunday will be the new Surrey Minis Chair & immediate past Cranleigh RFC
Mini & Junior Chairperson,
Liz Townsend ,
who as a result of her own & many others' efforts over many years, recently
received a Year of the Volunteer YVO5 Plaque on behalf of Cranleigh RFC at a
special presentation at Twickenham.
Editors Notes:
Cranleigh RFC is one of only 2 London &
SE Division clubs & 9 nationally to be honoured.
Cranleigh RFC last hosted the Waverley
Festival held 4 years ago; the other participants are Farnham RFC,
Guildford RFC & Haslemere RFC.
Cranleigh RFC has been awarded the RFU Seal
of Approval & Sports England Clubmark.
Cranleigh RFC thanks all their kind
sponsors, especially headline sponsor for the day Dunsfold Park Industries
Limited, for their most generous support the Waverley Festival.
For
further information please contact:
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