Around 500 young rugby players from across Sussex descended on Hastings & Bexhill RFC on Sunday as the club hosted one of the opening minis festivals of the autumn rugby calendar.

Youngsters representing clubs including Cranbrook, Eastbourne, Uckfield, Seaford, Heathfield and Crowborough joined the hosts for a packed day of grassroots rugby, with age groups from U7 through to U11 taking to the pitches. Unseasonably warm October sunshine provided the backdrop as hundreds of players, parents, coaches and volunteers gathered for a day which showcased the strength of junior rugby across the county.

For Hastings & Bexhill's youngest players, the festival also marked a number of important milestones as they progressed through the different stages of the game. The club's U7s experienced festival rugby for the first time, finally getting the opportunity to put weeks of training into practice against visiting opposition. Coaches were delighted with how the youngsters responded to the occasion, with the experience providing plenty to build on as they begin their first season of festivals.

H&B fielded two teams at U8 level, where the players faced the challenge of a bigger pitch and more teammates. Passing, tagging and teamwork were all on display as the youngsters demonstrated how much of their early-season training is already transferring into matches.

For the U9s, Sunday represented an even bigger step – their first festival since progressing into contact rugby. The club's Norman and Saxon sides grew in confidence throughout the day, producing some excellent tackling, attacking runs, tries and support play. With guidance from coaches and referees, both teams adapted impressively and improved with every game.

That progression through the game continued with the U10s, where players are now learning the more technical aspects of rugby around rucks, mauls and the breakdown. H&B's two U10 sides competed strongly for possession, combining their developing breakdown skills with some powerful tackling, committed defence and impressive attacking lines. Jasper ES, Enzo, Jasper B, Fin, Will and Ellie were among those singled out for strong individual performances, but coaches were particularly pleased with the sportsmanship displayed across the group. The players demonstrated the TREDS principles of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship – values which remained an important feature of the festival despite the competitive rugby being played.

Hastings & Bexhill's U11s completed the home contingent and were given a stern early-season test against some high-quality opposition. Playing under the surprisingly hot October sun, the youngsters produced a tremendous effort and showed how quickly they have adapted to the latest U11 laws, including the introduction of kicking.

The tactical development at U11 level provided a striking contrast to the first festival experiences of the U7s and demonstrated the journey young players make through minis rugby before progressing into the junior game.

But with approximately 500 children taking part, Sunday's festival was about considerably more than the performances of the home teams. Bringing together that number of young players for a single day of grassroots sport required a major effort behind the scenes, with coaches, referees, team managers, parents and volunteers all playing their part.
The club's minis chairs and volunteers worked throughout the event to keep a busy programme of fixtures running, while visiting clubs travelled from across Sussex to take part.

For Hastings & Bexhill RFC, it provided an opportunity not only to host competitive rugby but to welcome hundreds of families to the club and showcase the growing minis game in the local area. After a successful opening festival on home soil, Hastings & Bexhill's young players will now take to the road.

All five age groups are due to travel to Worthing next Sunday for their first away festival of the season, taking with them the experience gained from a memorable day of rugby in Hastings.