Telford Hornets festival is a success

Former British & Irish Lion Tim Stimpson, England Women's World Cup winner Tamara Taylor and international referee Wayne Barnes were united in praise of the ninth annual International Tag Rugby Festival for Children with Learning Disabilities.

The event, at Telford Hornets Rugby Club, attracted dozens of teams and hundreds of youngsters from all corners of Great Britain and Ireland for a day of sportsmanship and camaraderie.

Taylor, who helped steer England to the World Cup in France last year, took part in a handful of games on the day.

And she said: "It's been an awesome event. Telford Hornets is such a great facility and they have put on a great event.

"Everyone that I have seen from the kids to the adults and all the volunteers have had massive smiles on their faces, and were really enjoying the day.

"It doesn't matter what type of rugby you are playing, whether it is tag, contact, sevens, 15s, it is just great that everyone can get involved."

The event was organised by Telford Hornets' disability tag rugby team Shropshire Rebels and rugby charity Wooden Spoon.

Stimpson, a retired England international, is the Shropshire president of the latter organisation and he said: "We have had hundreds of kids here with special needs and learning difficulties.

"But for the day they aren't kids with special needs, they are rugby players.

"They have come from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and from all over the country to be rugby players and it is great to see. It was a privilege to be there."

The 41-year-old, who won four Premiership titles and two European Cups with Leicester Tigers, added: "It was so well organised.

"I have to thank everyone in Shropshire who donated their time and money to make it possible.

"It is important that we carry on putting back into grassroots sport to help everybody enjoy it. It teaches so many good lessons and it is such a lot of fun."

No winners were declared at the end of a busy day's play with every player receiving a medal for taking part.

But referee Barnes, who could be overseeing this year's World Cup final, added: "It was fantastic and it was a really competitive tournament.

"There's been some fantastic rugby played. The last game I refereed, it finished seven tries to six, a last-minute score won it and everyone came off shaking each others' hands.

"We should celebrate what is good about rugby and days like this are what is good about rugby – people playing the game, enjoying it as part of a team, and playing with great sportsmanship."

Rugby Football Union president Jonathan Dance, who was also in attendance, added: "It has been amazing and to see the unbridled joy of some of the young players when they have scored is just beyond words."

Retired England World Cup winners Phil Vickery and Jason Leonard had also been due to attend but were unable to make the event at the last minute.

Matches were played at two age groups, Under-15s and 15-21s, with two clubs flying the flag for the host county. Shropshire Rebels and the newly-formed Marches Marauders both entered teams.

The former fielded three teams overall and Rebels spokesman Tom Edgley said: "It was cracking. Telford Hornets have done a really good job and all the kids have enjoyed themselves,

"You get golden moments when one of the kids gets a try and you don't expect it, and everyone can enjoy tag rugby."