PRIMARY school pupils showcased their skills at an annual tag rugby festival.

Sparsholt College sport students held the event, now in its 11th years, for 15 primary schools in the area.

The aim on the day was to raise awareness of rugby and engage with the community.

This year the theme was World Cup and the primary school pupils were encouraged to decorate their tents and themselves to represent the country they had been allocated.

Due to the odd number of schools, it meant two had to merge together to create a ‘barbarian’ team.

Organised and run by Sparsholt students, the festival was held at Winchester Rugby Club.

Joanne Todd, lecturer in sport at the college, said: “The nine to 11-year-old students showed great enthusiasm, energy and sportsmanship.

“The festival helps to develop the rugby community in and around Winchester and provides valuable experience for the students.

“It was a great day for all.”

As well as practising organisational, marketing and events skills, Pierre Clarke from the Rugby Football Union delivered refereeing sessions to the Sparsholt students for the festival, enabling them to learn a new skill set as part of their sports studies.

The students also came together to create an event that would be a memorable experience for the primary school pupils, and secured sponsorship with iPro Sport so each child left with a goody bag including a iPro Sport drink and a number of other treats.