With the news that Rugby sevens is to be an Olympic sport from 2016 Diss Rugby Club mini and junior sections are hoping a new sporting opportunity will boost numbers even further.

Every weekend from September through to Easter dozens of boys and girls turn out whatever the weather to play rugby at Mackenders, in Bellrope Lane, Roydon.

The club has a strong tradition of nurturing youngsters who go through to play at Colts and senior level. Diss Rugby Club is also proud to have produced county, Eastern Counties and England players.

Chairman of mini rugby at the club, Andy Jermy, is himself a product of the club’s youth coaching, he said: “The minis and juniors play every Sunday from 10.00 until 12.00.

“You can start at any age from six and I would say come along from Sunday 2nd September and give it a go. There are two or three weeks of complimentary taster sessions before you commit to the season.”

Under sevens and eights play tag rugby with tackling introduced at under-nine level.

From there, the players progress to scrums, lineouts, rucks and mauls.

Coaching is provided by qualified RFU coaches.

Competitive matches are played every other week against clubs from Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.

The club is represented with success at festivals in the region.

If you would like more details you can contact your age group coach via the club website or just come along on Sunday mornings.

Adult touch rugby is also starting in September.

Diss RFC are launching sessions on Tuesday evenings from September. No previous levels of experience are necessary as the emphasis will be on getting some exercise and having fun.

These are non-contact sessions for all levels of fitness and will be a great way of gaining or maintaining fitness levels.

If you are interested or simply would like further information, please contact Roger Carter: roger.carter@foodbizz.co.uk or 07767 073333