Leicester Tigers welcomed students to Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Tuesday, November 15 to take part in a Project Rugby Festival celebrating Multi Faith Week. 

Delivered in partnership with Premiership Rugby, Project Rugby is a competition wide initiative, delivered by each club with the aim of promoting inclusion in the game for 14–24-year-olds from different ethnicities, low-socio economic areas and /or with additional needs.  

Students from a range of religions such as Islam, Hinduism, Christianity and more all attended the festival showcasing the wide-reaching work of the Leicester Tigers Project Rugby team.  

Students had a tour of Mattioli Woods Welford Road before taking part in an adapted game format at the club’s Oval Park Training Ground, tailored to the levels of experience of those participating who had been introduced to rugby for the first time through Project Rugby. 

Speaking about the festival, Leicester Tigers Project Rugby Lead Tom Read said: “It is great to host an event that celebrates diversity and exactly what Project Rugby stands for; giving people the opportunity to experience and get into rugby has given many of these kids a new experience they haven’t had access to before.” 

Following the tour of the club’s historic home, students had an opportunity to have photographs with the Gallagher Premiership Trophy. 

Madani Boys School staff member, Mr Hulme, added: "It was a fantastic event on Tuesday and it was a great experience for both the boys and the girls.” 

“This was one of our first events we have had at Madani, and it was great to see our boys enjoy participating in rugby and competing.”