SPORTS-mad youngsters in Southampton got the chance to tackle the big boys when a local rugby club opened its doors to encourage the city's children into sport.

More than 50 youngsters from three city schools took part in the training day with the Southampton rugby team, as part of a sports initiative run by the city council.

The School Rugby Festival, held at Test Park in Millbrook, Southampton, was organised by the council's sports development team as part of a drive to get youngsters interested in sport.

A total of 53 pupils from Cantell Comprehensive School, Redbridge Community School and Bellemoor Secondary School took part in the event, along with several members of the Southampton rugby team and their coaching staff.

The idea behind the festival was getting professional sportsmen and women to show youngsters just how much fun it can be, and for that enthusiasm to then be carried over into term time.

Pupils at only one of the schools involved had any real experience of rugby training, so for most it was a chance to get to grips with the game as well as tackle some of the basics.

Lee Page, sports development officer at the council, said: "It went really well and all the youngsters who came along seemed to enjoy themselves as well as taking advantage of the excellent coaching on offer.

"Southampton Rugby Club has always been an adults-only club, but they have long wanted to start up a youth section.

"With money from the Sport England Fund, we were able to train some of their staff so that they were able to work with youngsters, and now the club is paying that investment back through these training days.

"What we at the sports development team are hoping is that come September and the new term, the youngsters will continue with the sport and develop into great players."