HELENSBURGH Rugby Club hosted its annual end of season Youth Rugby Festival with over 300 youngsters taking part.

This year Helensburgh Rugby welcomed players aged between 5-12 from seven different clubs including Garnock, Allen Glens, Loch Lomond, Birkmyre, Cartha, West of Scotland and Helensburgh rugby clubs.

Many of the clubs on the day brought their Micros along, primary ones and twos, and coaches jointly organised some games and training for them throughout the day.

The other age groups represented on the day were primary 3-7 who were allocated locations across the first and second team pitches which were marked out into appropriately sized playing areas.

The matches started on an overcast day with showers early on but the pitches were in a great condition and the teams were ready to go, which provided an opportunity for fast flowing running rugby and some high scoring games.

Although the matches were competitive with strong running and great effort displayed by all the day aimed to educate and enable the youngsters to develop and reach their potential through games.

The event also aimed to create an ethos of respect and team spirit through sport. The winners of the tournament in each age group were presented with a large cake to share with their players which went down well.

Once the tournament and presentation of the prizes were over the players and coaches were fed and watered before heading home.

Helensburgh Youth Rugby extend their thanks to all the visiting and home players, coaches and families for attending the day and creating such a great atmosphere.

A massive thank you is extended to all the volunteers and parents who made the event possible, providing home baking, setting up stalls, overseeing the barbecue and food stations among many other tasks.

The festival demonstrated the thriving youth section at Helensburgh Rugby Club and how everyone involved pulls together for the club.

Photographs for the day taken by Robert Bell of West Highland Photography.