Hinckley Rugby Club were this week treated to a day to remember at England Rugby’s Pennyhill Park training centre. Players from the under 7’s up to the under 13’s experienced a day in the life of an England rugby player which included a surprise visit from current players Maro Itoje, Jack Nowell and Jamie George.

Supported by former England Rugby winger Ugo Monye, the players were there to recognise Hinckley RFC as Quilter Kids First Champions for the impressive Kids First approach that the club is taking in up-skilling its coaches to help create a fantastic learning environment for the young players.

After receiving a special tour of Pennyhill Park, the young players ran out onto the pitch for a training session led by their coaches and supported by their England rugby heroes. The England stars joined in passing on tips and showcasing their skills to the lucky kids in attendance.

Hinckley RFC is the third of eight champions this season to be selected for the prestigious grassroots award.

Former England winger, Ugo Monye commented: “It’s fantastic to be able to give these kids a chance to train like their heroes at such a great training centre. It was amazing seeing the kid’s reactions when Maro, Jack and Jamie turned up! Hinckley Rugby Club fully deserve their Quilter Kids First Champions status. These young players certainly won’t be giving up rugby any time soon.”

On the club being named as a Quilter Kids First Champion, Liz Causon, Kids First and Youth Section Chair at Hinckley Rugby Club said: “The Quilter Kids First approach has revolutionised how we coach the kids making it more fun for everybody. Being recognised as Quilter Kids First Champions is fantastic for the club and is all down to the time and effort our coaches and volunteers have delivered in and out of the season to make sure that the kids get the best possible experience of rugby to which they can build a lifelong love for."

In addition to the training session with England rugby stars, a select group of under 13 to under 7 players from Hinckley RFC will also have the honour of playing at the home of English Rugby, on the hallowed turf of Twickenham Stadium at the end of the season. The kids from winning clubs and schools will be treated as England Rugby players for the day as they enter through the famous Rose and Poppy Gates, visit the England changing room and sing the national anthem in front of their friends and families.

Mike Mainwaring, Head of Sponsorship at Quilter, said: “The Quilter Kids First approach is all about putting children first. Aimed at Under 7 to Under 13 boys and girls, it up-skills coaches and creates a great rugby environment, so that everyone stays in the game for longer. It’s great that Hinckley Rugby Club has adopted this, with a real focus on up-skilling their coaches.”

If your child is interested in joining Hinckley RFC then contact Liz Causon at hinckleyrfcminijuniorchair@gmail.com.