Schoolchildren have given their thumbs up to a Leicester Tigers grassroots project that aims to increase rugby participation in under-represented communities.

Tigers coaches have been taking Project Rugby into schools across Leicester with the aim of engaging Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people, those from socio-economic backgrounds and people with disabilities.

More than 140 pupils from nine schools came together for a festival of tag rugby at Leicester Forest RFC and a chance to put their skills into practice.

Anah Sidat, a nine-year-old pupil at Mayflower Primary School in Leicester, said: “I really enjoy playing. I was surprised how much I would like tag rugby but it is really good fun and everyone is respectful and fair.”

Abubaki Nana, nine, who also attends Mayflower Primary School, added: “I just really enjoy playing. It is a lot of fun and it is great to play with your friends.”

The Project Rugby tag festival was attended by pupils from Overdale Junior, Uplands Junior, Bridge Junior, Krishna Avanti Primary, Linden Primary, Shenton Primary, Forest Lodge Primary, Mayflower Primary and Millfield Academy.

The children have been introduced to tag rugby by Tigers coaches, who have taken a series of sessions into the schools.

Toby Linnett, deputy principal at Krishna Avanti Primary School, said: “A lot of our children are cricket mad or football mad, so it is great for them to have the opportunity to play rugby and discover that rugby is a great sport.

“This festival is a chance to show what they can do, to put into practice what they have been doing, and to have to fun.”

Click here for more details on Project Rugby.