JUNIOR rugby clubs around the land will once again get the opportunity to make it to Twickenham as the successful Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup returns with Sale Sharks hosting their event this weekend at Manchester Rugby Club.
The under-11 and under-12 grassroots rugby festival is part of a series of nationwide events which provide aspiring young players the opportunity to play in a competitive event and meet professional players.
What’s more, one team from each age group will receive a trip to the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final on June 1, where they will meet a Land Rover rugby ambassador, and join in a Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup Parade at half-time.
Thirty-six clubs will lock horns at Manchester Rugby Club this weekend, with the likes of Broughton Park, Eccles and Heaton Moor competing.
“Grassroots rugby has progressed leaps and bounds since the introduction of The Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup just over ten years ago,” said Sale skipper Jono Ross.
“Kids now have a grassroots competition that can really help develop key skills within the game, and that is so important when playing at a higher level.”
The events are designed to provide young players with a chance to play competitive fixtures in a format that is appropriate for their ages and stage of development, all within the spirit of rugby’s core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship.
The Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup, which has been running for over a decade, has seen more than 82,000 children take part to date, from all over the country.
With several current Gallagher Premiership stars, including Newcastle Falcons’ Callum Chick, having progressed through the competition into senior rugby.
And new for this season, Land Rover will be introducing the Junior Land Rover Discovery of The Season award, which is intended to identify and reward one youngster who has showcased the values of rugby during the tournament.
“It’s brilliant to see so many kids getting into rugby,” added Ross. “The competition has significantly helped develop rugby in this country.”
Land Rover has heritage in rugby at all levels; from grassroots to elite, sharing and understanding the values at the heart of the game. Follow @LandRoverRugby
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