A sunny Sunday morning welcomed teams of minis to Trailfinders Sports Club for the annual Middlesex Under 9s’ Festival. Ealing RFC U9s played host to 436 players making up 38 teams from 15 clubs. We welcomed players, coaches and supporters from across Middlesex ranging from Hackney RFC in the East through Old Grammarians and Pinner in the North, to Grasshoppers and Teddington in the South.

As the sun shone down on pitches 3, 4 and 5, the rugby got underway. The grass pitches were in perfect condition, with only small patches of muddy ground in the paddock. The three Ealing under 9 teams showed what they’ve been practising over their first season of the contact game, demonstrating their tackling, offloading and running skills. After each team had their 6 matches over the course of the morning, we had several hundred tired but happy U9s on site after a great morning of rugby.

A day like this can’t happen without a lot of work from our volunteers.  The coaches kept the energy levels up and took turns to referee, and the U9 parents tirelessly marked out pitches, marshalled the schedule and gave first aid.  Particular thanks to the 1871 men, who donned the yellow vest and kept order in the car park.