On Saturday May 5 and Sunday May 6 over 100 junior rugby teams from across the UK took part in the Camber Sands Rugby Festival.
The Rugby Festival was so large that it had to be hosted on two sites, one at the Rye Rugby Club and other at The Institute of Grass on Guldeford Lane. At the Institute the teams played on impressive new rugby pitches, which had never been used or played on previously, with the organisers claiming them to ‘be the best rugby pitches your team will ever play on’.
The Camber Sands Rugby Festival has become one of the largest rugby festivals in the UK and was created as an end of season showcase of young talent. Awards were presented on the Sunday night by Lewis Moody MBE, former England and Bath rugby player, with the award for the largest team going to Sidcup RFC who brought along 300 members. The teams ranged in ages from under 9s to 15 year olds and they, along with their parents, were housed at Pontins Holiday Park for the weekend.
The weekend wasn’t solely dedicated to rugby with the organisers hosting an 80s Fancy Dress Party on the Saturday night. The evening started with a children’s party and competitions and later in the evening parents were invited to enjoy the evening into the early hours of the morning with entertainment including an 80s tribute band, cabaret and disco. All the parents had to do was turn up ‘dressed to impress’.
Photo: Paul McCarty