Leicester Tigers welcomed five local schools to play on the pitch at Welford Road at the culmination of the a programme to grow rugby in black and minority ethnic communities.

Mellor, Spinney Hill, Evington Valley, Charnwood and Willowbrook schools all took part in the programme, which included five weeks of coaching from Tigers rugby development officers Will Hoey and Gareth Turner.
 
The programme ended with the five schools being invited to take part in a fun festival at Welford Road today, playing against each other at the world-famous home of the Tigers.
 
Using the expertise and community delivery infrastructure of Tigers and the 11 other Aviva Premiership clubs, the two-year programme will bring a new generation of people to rugby.
 
Chris Holmes, disability commissioner at the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which has provided some of the funding for Premiership Rugby, said: “Rugby is a fantastic way of bringing people together whatever their backgrounds, developing skills and providing great health benefits.
 
“Everyone should have the same opportunity to get involved in the game regardless of their ability, gender or social background.”