BEN YOUNGS AND CHRIS ASHTON INSPIRE THE YOUNGSTERS

Land Rover has treated Oadby Wyggestonian RFC under 13s to a training session with two of their rugby heroes, Ben Youngs and Chris Ashton.

The lucky rugby club won the opportunity through youngster Tom Sellicks, who entered a Land Rover competition to win a training session with the rugby stars. Youngs and Ashton put the team through their paces and passed on some essential skills that they’d perfected on the rugby field.

Youngs was pleased to be at the event, “Today is all about getting back to grassroots rugby through the support of Land Rover. I’ve been here with Chris Ashton coaching 30 kids from Oadby Rugby Club and putting them through their passes. I really enjoy it, I think all players should do it and a lot of us do. These children are really supportive of us and watch us every week, it’s nice to give something back – I really enjoy teaching them a thing or two.”

Chris Ashton commented about the standard of the youngsters, “They’re good – especially for kids of such a young age, some of them are pretty impressive and it’s great to help them out where I can. You can forget the impact you have on them – the amount they look up to you and listen to you, that’s why activities like this are so important.”

Speaking on this once in a lifetime opportunity, the winning child Tom said “It was really exciting, I have watched both players on TV and it was amazing to talk to them and have a training session with them. I was really pleased to win this prize for the rest of my team. I was especially pleased to get some tips from Ben Youngs as I also play scrum-half.”

The competition was part of Land Rover’s ongoing support for grassroots rugby which includes the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup. The tournament, which began in 2008, is officiated by Premiership Rugby and run in conjunction with all 12 Premiership Clubs. Through this, over 7,000 aspiring young players take part in under 11 and under 12 festivals all over the country each year.

For more information on the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup please visit: www.landrover.co.uk/rugby