THIRTY children aged under six, known as ‘Micros’, enjoyed a mini rugby festival at Bude Rugby Club on Sunday.

Children travelled from Wadebridge Camels and Okehampton RFC to take part on a cool but beautifully sunny day. Bude Micros welcomed their travelling guests by Adam Paynter showing them how to play their very own game called “Stink Bomb Splat!” and that then followed into a very fun warm up together led by Mike Tame.

The main event was taking part in four different activity stations which used all their skills for scoring tries, tagging, ball handling, throwing and catching. The children showed off all of the skills they have been learning at their respective clubs over the winter months, to the gathering of onlookers. 

At the end, the children completed a comical rugby quiz with some interesting questions which had the children captivated and giggling!

Once the rugby activities were over, the micros all had refreshments in the clubhouse before receiving their goody bags.

Organiser and Bude Micros coach, James Cann, said: “We had the idea to put on an event for this age group because they are vital in any club, and at their age matches are not possible.

“We felt they would benefit from mixing with children from other clubs and a new experience. Keeping the children motivated is the challenge of any coach, we want them to have fun, be active, get muddy, feel the elements, work together and build relationships. This Micros Mini Festival was designed to bring all these things together. 

“The feedback has been amazing from spectators, children, parents and coaches. One coach said: “We haven’t stopped talking about how good your set up is at Bude! We have learnt a lot, thank you for the providing the opportunity. We will definitely keep in touch.” Such positive feedback as that make all the effort worthwhile!”

James continued: “The event concluded with a very special raffle! We had prizes as amazing as a ride on tractor, three England rugby tops, three England rugby balls, Lions caps, a Cornish Pirates book and much more. We were able to provide such super prizes due to kind donations from local firms with Harpers Feeds and Farm Supplies, Kivells, Alan Snow, Baldwins Accountants, Cornish Pirates and Dairy Crest all very kindly donated to our raffle.  Smallridge Bros Ltd kindly donated a big peddle tractor and trailer as well as printing certificates and programmes! We saw some very happy children walk out of the clubhouse.

“A big thank you to our amazing volunteer parents who ran a cake stall and made tea and coffee as part of Bude Micros fundraising.”