The 2018/19 season marks 25 years since the first-ever Leicester Tigers Prima Tiger Cup which has seen the under-10s festival grow into a national fixture in the youth rugby calendar.
At Tigers’ Round 20 Gallagher Premiership home match against Bristol Bears (Saturday, April 27), the club will welcome six youth teams to Welford Road take part in the Celebration Day festival ahead of the 3.00pm kick-off.
Youngsters from Beccles, Tamworth, Woodbridge, Hinckley, Silhillians and Old Newtonians rugby clubs will get the chance to follow in their heroes’ footsteps by playing on the famous pitch.
Supported by Prima Solutions of Loughborough, the free-to-enter festivals are open to all clubs at under-10 level taking place across Tigers academy regions.
This year saw festivals at Diss, Lutterworth, Tamworth and Mellish rugby clubs inviting clubs back to Welford Road who demonstrate the true ethos of the game.
Silhillians and Old Newtonians will play in the Prima Tiger Cup, Woodbridge and Hinckley will play in the Prima Tiger Bowl, whilst Beccles and Tamworth return in the Prima Tiger Shield.
Eric Barker, Tigers community events manager, has been coordinating the Prima Tiger Cup festivals since the first-ever one back in 1994/95.
“Who would have thought that in those early days we would still be here celebrating what is now the largest and most prestigious single age grade playing opportunity in the rugby calendar”, Eric says.
“Yes, things have changed as mini rugby has moved forward. Back when we started, it was originally knockout competition involving eight teams.
The festival now annually attracts upwards of seventy clubs recognising the efforts of young players, their coaches and supporters by championing the true values of the game.”
You can read Eric’s full programme notes in this weekend’s matchday programme available for just £3.00 from programme stalls around the ground.
Check out some highlights from this year’s Prima Tiger Cup festivals at Welford Road below.
To find out more information or to register your interest in taking part during the 2019/20 season, visit the link below or email [email protected]
