Youngsters enjoy tag rugby on the beach (From Barry And District News)

Youngsters enjoy tag rugby on the beach

BARRY ISLAND'S Whitmore Bay Beach has been the venue for a new Vale of Glamorgan Council sports development initiative.

Run in conjunction with the Welsh Rugby Union and Dragon Sport, the inaugural Beach Tag Rugby Festival featured boys and girls under eight years.

Aimed at maximising participation in the sport and improving skill levels, the event featured youngsters from six Vale-based rugby clubs.

Instead of playing each other, the Vale clubs - the first in Wales - are currently concentrating on tag rugby and using training sessions to help with skill development.

The sessions begin with a fun Dragon Sport warm up run by the youngsters themselves and end with tag matches.

The sports development officer in the Vale, Julian McTavish said: "The event was a great success and the children had a lot of fun. I hope they continue to enjoy playing rugby in the future.

'If the scheme is a success, it will become a template for the development of Welsh junior rugby in the future.

Anyone interested in taking their child along to one of the local clubs can contact: Barry (Dave Peters, tel 01446 404719 or 07713 418349); Cowbridge (Richard Mann, tel 01446 775198); Dinas Powys (Craig Driscoll, tel 029 2051 4343 or 07751 919351); Llantwit Major (Colin Craythorne, tel 01446 796538); Penarth (John Preece, tel 029 2070 6368); and Sully Sports (Ray Gallivan, tel 01446 701855 or 07860 928986).