This weekend at the Stute was a very busy one as we welcomed teams from far and wide to our mini’s festival.
As the coaches, team mangers and army or helpers started to arrive the field took shape with great organisation, speed and accuracy.
With event shelters erected, flags flying and players starting to trickle in from all the teams, the Stute was filling up nicely as we waited to get under way.
Games kicked off at 10am and we were in full swing! Each pitch seeing great displays of rugby from all the teams playing.
As I made my way around the pitches the overwhelming consensus from both players and parents alike was what a great day they were having and how well organised the event was.
I would like to take this opportunity to send a massive thank you to Martin Beeson and his U13’s team of helpers who did such a great job yesterday, getting everyone parked (not an easy task with such a big number of cars), feeding the long lines and hungry folk at the BBQ tent, keeping the kids (and adults ) filled up with drinks and sweets at the tuck shop tent, making sure first aiders were on hand to tend to any injuries, the list goes on and on! You guys were amazing, thank you.
A big thank you to all our visiting teams, we are so pleased that so many team return to the Stute each year to partake in this festival and make it a great day of rugby for children and parents to enjoy.
Thanks to Lincolnshire Photographers for their great photos, if you didn’t get chance to look through the photos from yesterday please do visit their website where you can purchase pictures of the day.
There is so much planning and preparation goes into making the festival not only happen, but to be the great experience that it is for our club and visiting clubs.
This could not be achieved without the great teamwork and dedication from all of team Stute, from our Chairman, custodians, coaches, team mangers, parents, players and everyone in between, we all play our part in making Ilkeston Rugby club GREAT!

Whilst our mini’s were living the festival life our juniors were training hard to keep their game in top shape. Our U16’s boys joined the Colts for a game on Saturday, again working on making that step up to show their reediness for adult rugby.
With Easter upon us we welcome one more rugby Sunday before we have a well earned week off (maybe a few Easter eggs!)
Until next week folks…………