Festival of Mini Rugby to kickstart Freedom of Borough honour for Rory Best

City of Armagh Rugby Club will host a Festival of Mini Rugby to celebrate Dr Rory Best OBE's conferment with the Freedom of the Borough of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon.
Pictured are Lord Mayor Julie Flaherty, Dr Rory Best OBE with members of mini rugby teams from Banbridge RFC, Dromore RFC, Lurgan RFC, Portadown RFC, and City of Armagh RFC, as well as rugby neighbours Dungannon RFC and Monaghan RFC, who will be taking part in the event. Pic: Kelvin Boyes- Press Eye.Pictured are Lord Mayor Julie Flaherty, Dr Rory Best OBE with members of mini rugby teams from Banbridge RFC, Dromore RFC, Lurgan RFC, Portadown RFC, and City of Armagh RFC, as well as rugby neighbours Dungannon RFC and Monaghan RFC, who will be taking part in the event. Pic: Kelvin Boyes- Press Eye.
Pictured are Lord Mayor Julie Flaherty, Dr Rory Best OBE with members of mini rugby teams from Banbridge RFC, Dromore RFC, Lurgan RFC, Portadown RFC, and City of Armagh RFC, as well as rugby neighbours Dungannon RFC and Monaghan RFC, who will be taking part in the event. Pic: Kelvin Boyes- Press Eye.

The festival, which will take place on the morning of Saturday, September 8, will see mini rugby teams made up of primary 5, 6 and 7 school children from across the borough take part in the competition which will run from 10am to 12pm at the Palace Grounds, Armagh.

Banbridge RFC, Dromore RFC, Lurgan RFC, Portadown RFC, and City of Armagh RFC will all be represented, as well as rugby neighbours Dungannon RFC and Monaghan RFC.

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In addition, a team from Portadown Panthers will play an exhibition match at 10am. Portadown Panthers is a non-contact tag rugby club for people age six-years-old and over with learning disabilities and Rory is the club’s patron.

Dr Rory Best OBE said: “This promises to be a brilliant festival showcasing the future rugby stars of tomorrow and I’m really looking forward to heading down to City of Armagh Rugby Club to see the teams in action. Rugby has given me so much over the years and I’m always keen to encourage young people to get involved.”

William Boyd, President of City of Armagh Rugby Club said: “The Festival of Mini Rugby will help kick start the new season for the club and will be a brilliant showcase for the sport in the borough, as well as a great way to thank Rory for the contribution he’s made to the game here. We want to encourage as many people as possible to get involved in sport and I know many of these young people will want to emulate Rory’s achievements.”

Lord Mayor Julie Flaherty said: “We, as a council, agreed to bestow the Freedom of the Borough on Rory for his great achievements on the field so it’s only right this momentous day is kicked off with a celebration of rugby. I want to thank City of Armagh Rugby Club for organising the Festival of Mini Rugby and I look forward to welcoming all the players and clubs on the day.”