MINI RUGBY KIDS PLAYING THEIR HEARTS OUT FOR NORTHERN IRELAND CHEST HEART AND STROKE

MINI RUGBY KIDS PLAYING THEIR HEARTS OUT FOR NORTHERN IRELAND CHEST HEART AND STROKE
Around 1000 primary school children will be pulling up their red socks and playing their hearts out for Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke during the CIYMS Mini Rugby Festival, at CIYMS, Belfast, on March 29th and 30th 2014.
The annual two-day rugby extravaganza for P2-P7 children is taking place at the Belmont grounds of CIYMS RFC in East Belfast. Other mini rugby clubs playing in the festival are Ballyclare, Civil Service, Cooke, Holywood, Instonians and Lisburn.
Now in its sixth year, the CIYMS Mini Rugby Festival has chosen Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke to be its designated charity for the event. This year, the young rugby players will be showing their support on the pitch by swapping their club socks for the charity’s colour, red.
Commenting on the 2014 event, festival convenor Phil Ashcroft said:
“The CIYMS Mini Rugby Festival is eagerly anticipated by all our mini rugby players. CIYMS celebrates its 20th season of mini rugby this year and the festival tops off the season as a great weekend of rugby fun for players and their families.
He continued:
“We are delighted to be supporting Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke as our nominated charity for the festival. This year, the players are sporting the charity colours by wearing red socks and, with collecting taking place throughout the festival, we hope to be able to raise vital funds for a local charity that is doing such great work throughout the community.”
Local Community Fundraising and Marketing Coordinator with Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke, Carla Smyth, said:
“We are delighted that CIYMS has chosen to support us this year with their Mini Rugby Festival. More than 7,000 people die each year from a chest, heart or stroke illness – that’s 20 every day. As the local charity for the care and prevention of chest, heart and stroke illnesses, much of our work is focused on Prevention and Health Promotion, so it’s fantastic to be involved in an event that promotes the fun and importance of physical activity levels among children.”