Annual TAS rugby carnival to commence this weekend

The draw is done, the accommodation has been allocated and the fields are being marked in the largest primary-aged rugby carnival in Australia.

In it’s 11th year, the carnival will welcome newcomers Noosa Dolphins, Central North Juniors and Southern Districts JRC from Sydney and teams will travel from as far as Dalby, the Sunshine Coast and the NSW Southern Tablelands to experience someof the best in schoolboy rugby.

School teams include well-known Sydney and Brisbane Rugby nurseries and Tamworth, Moree and Inverell, and Alstonville on the North Coast.

Over the two days, 112 games of rugby will be played on eight school ovals.

There are nine pools of five teams across four divisions.

Making his first visit to the carnival to speak with players and supporters will be former Waratahs, Brumbies and Australian Schoolboys winger Peter Playford, who last year coached the Sydney Stars in the inaugural National Rugby Championships.

“During the past decade many friendships have been made and strengthened on the playing fields and on the sidelines,” said event convenor Will Caldwell.

“However it is so much more than a rugby carnival.

“For the players it is a great life experience, with many on tour for the first time.

For those of us involved, it is great to be working as part of a huge team from the TAS community that goes beyond those with a passion for rugby.”

The players are staying at TAS, NEGS and PLC, whilst the more than 1000 supporters have booked out accommodation in Armidale.