It's nice to be writing this welcome after training on a cold Sunday afternoon in February. Our season is in full swing, fixtures are coming thick and fast and the Six Nations is well underway.
Unless you're Welsh, I’m sure you’ve been enjoying the excellent rugby on display, with England's 26 - 25 victory over France a clear highlight. Elliot Daly's last-minute, winning try generated a lot of conversation among our U12s on Sunday morning and a comment I overheard sticks in my mind: "Did you see his sick running line? It's exactly what we were doing on Thursday night."
I picked up on this because it demonstrates the connection between some of our youngest players and those showcasing incredible feats of skill and ability on the international stage.
No matter where you're playing, coaching or watching rugby this weekend, be it here at Dry Leas or at Twickenham, you'll find boys and girls practising the same skills as their heroes Marcus Smith, Finn Russell, Antoine Dupont and Natasha Hunt.
Those players will be supported by a similar group of highly committed coaches, passionate volunteers and energetic parents. Evidence that what we do here today, in time, has an impact that is felt at the very highest level of the game.
Which leads me to thank all of our festival volunteers for being so generous with their time, particularly Katie Starmer-Smith, Vicky Collin, Dominic Day and George Jewell who have all gone above and beyond the call of duty for our club.
Thanks also to everyone here today supporting our tournament. Your entrance fee enables Henley RFC to host such a high-quality event and your presence ensures the tournament atmosphere which we all enjoy.
Finally, thanks to all of our wonderful sponsors, many of which are local businesses and thoroughly deserve your support.
I wish the players from all clubs the very best of luck at our festival today. Please cheer them on, applaud them raucously and recognise our TREDS values wherever you see them.
Maybe one day you'll be able to watch the Six Nations and say "That's sick, I saw him do that at Henley when he was twelve."
Henley Rugby Club is looking forward to welcoming you to Dry Leas for what promises to be another successful festival of mini rugby.
Our festival is an inclusive, player-centered event with the primary goal of our players having fun while promoting the RFU’s TREDS values.
Play will start at 10:00 sharp with games in all age groups.
We recommend that all players, coaches and spectators arrive in good time to set up their tents, warm up and be ready to play.
Our car parks will be open from 08:00, coffee and bacon sandwiches will be available from 08:30 and the coaches’ briefing will start at 09:30.
The last matches in all age groups are usually finished by 14:00 and the younger age groups have often finished by 13:00.
Henley RFC follows the RFU’s Age Grade Rugby guidelines during training, matches and festivals. Full details can be found on the RFU’s website using the link below but key points we’d like you to remember today are:
Please make sure you attend the coaches’ briefing session outside the relevant age group tent before the festival starts as full details will be shared and any questions answered.
To ensure the festival runs smoothly, can all teams please try to be at the allocated pitch two minutes before the scheduled kick-off time.
