Last weekend saw Newcastle Falcons host an action packed under-12 and under-11 grassroots festival, the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup.
After the success of the past three years, Land Rover remain proud partners of the thriving national tournament which took place on Sunday 29 January at Kingston Park.
The keenly contested series of matches resulted in a tight under-12 final where Durham City were crowned the winners over an impressive outfit from Morpeth, winning 5-0. In the under-11 final Northern RFC were the victors, defeating Whitely Bay Rockcliff RFC 10 - 0, who made for tough opponents and the respect between the sides at the end was clear for all to see.
Participating players at the festival also had the opportunity to meet Falcons skipper James Hudson, Alex Tait and Andrew Van Der Heijden, who took time out of their schedule to watch the young teams as well as offer some coaching tips between games.
As well as winning the festival, the young players have also won places in the prestigious Land Rover Parade of Champions where they will be presented to a sell out crowd at Twickenham during the Aviva Premiership Rugby Final next May.
Newcastle Falcons player, James Hudson, commented on the importance of grassroots rugby saying: “It is fantastic to see so many teams at Kingston Park competing and enjoying themselves. We all started at junior clubs like these so I am delighted to support such an event and have been impressed with the standard of rugby being played. ”
Melanie Magee, Newcastle Falcons community manager said: “We had 35 teams totalling 630 players competing on what was a fantastic day for all concerned.
“It is great to see so many youngsters taking part from Alnwick to Sandal, Cumbria to Whitley Bay. The standard of rugby was excellent and we were delighted that they were all able to stay and watch the Newcastle Falcons victory after the festival.
“Many thanks to all players, coaches, referees, volunteers and of course Land Rover for their fantastic support of grassroots rugby.”
The Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup attracts the finest under-12 and under-11 teams from the various regions, and as a result, it has continued to build in prestige from its inception, with participation at an all time high.
The benefit and enjoyment that the youngsters are clearly deriving from the festivals gives great satisfaction to Land Rover, who had hoped for exactly this when establishing the first ever festivals to be officiated by their long-standing partners Premiership Rugby.
Commenting on the support of the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup, Laura Schwab, Marketing Director of Land Rover UK, said: “We are thrilled that the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup is proving to be such a success and continues to build in momentum and profile for what is now its fourth year.
"It is a significant initiative which provides a unique opportunity for young players to channel their enthusiasm for the sport and to play in a national tournament.
"Land Rover’s commitment to rugby now covers all levels of the game, from Rugby World Cup 2011, to supporting the elite of the England Rugby team, as well as the young players of the future, and this is something that we are extremely proud of.”
For more information on the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup please visit: www.premiershiprugby.com/landrovercup
