Jump to Main ContentJump to Primary Navigation
leicestertigers.comMattioli Woods Welford RoadContact UsTopps Tiles
Community

Tigers set for rugby takeover in Nottingham in February

Young and aspiring rugby players in Nottingham are invited to take part in a series of training sessions led by Leicester Tigers and Nottingham Moderns RFC at a club showcase next month.

Nottingham Moderns RFC – former club of current Leicester and England U20s tighthead prop Joe Heyes – will play host to a Tigers takeover on Wednesday, February 26 (5.00pm to 9.00pm), giving kids the chance to find out more about the sport, and how they can get involved in their local area.

The Tigers community team will run taster sessions for players at the club’s Wilford ground (NG11 7AA), as well as those looking to join a local rugby team, for players from Under-7s level, right up to Under-16s.

Nottingham-born Joe Heyes will also drop in at his all stomping ground to talk about life as a professional player as well as Tigers full-back and Tongan international Telusa Veainu.

The evening will be jam-packed with a variety of rugby sessions tailored to each age group, as well as specialist and skill-specific exercises before hearing from Heyes and Veainu around 8.15pm. 

There’s plenty for parents and families to get involved in, too, with the club’s roadshow vehicle, The Maul, offering activities like the Tigers Tackle Bag, Fordy's Kicking Challenge, Welford's Wheel and The Vault.

The Moderns are based just a mile and half from Nottingham Rugby’s Lady Bay ground in West Bridgford – with parking available and access via the city’s tram network (Wilford Village Tram Stop).

The Moderns minis team were recent visitors to Welford Road earlier this season, as a group joined Tigers on matchday as part of the club's warm-up experience, offering youngsters the chance to watch the first-team warm-up up close.  

Tigers rugby development officer Joe Reynolds is heading up the project, which aims to highlight the existing links between partner clubs in Nottingham and the 10-time English champions as well as encourage young players to get involved with rugby.

“The Tigers ‘patch’ is massive, and covers way more than just Leicestershire,” he said. “The club have outreach in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire as well as Staffordshire and as far east as Norfolk.

“We’re really excited to take this opportunity to show young players in Nottingham what rugby is all about, as well as how they can get involved at their local clubs. The evening is part of our Project Rugby activity in partnership with Premiership Rugby, which aims to provide opportunities for those who may not have exposure to rugby, as well as eliminate some of the barriers to participation.

“There’s going to be something for everyone right through from the afternoon into the evening, so we’re looking forward to meeting lots more of members of the Tigers Family.”

Specific tag rugby sessions for Under-7s and Under-8s, as well as limited contact sessions for young players between Under-9s and Under-11s will take place at the Moderns’ Ferryfields ground between 5.30pm and 6.30pm.

Further taster sessions for players aged between Under-12s and Under-16s are scheduled for 7.00pm and 8.00pm, with Heyes’ player Q&A taking place afterwards.

Whether you’ve been a loyal fan of the green, white and red for years or just interested in finding out more about the opportunities rugby can offer to your youngsters, you can find out more by contacting [email protected].