Children and teachers have given their thumbs up to a Leicester Tigers project that introduces tag rugby to primary schools.

The Nottingham Building Society Tag Rugby programme is a free six-week initiative that gives pupils in years three and four a taste of the sport.

Tigers coaches have been working in schools in and around Melton Mowbray. The programme ended with a tag rugby festival at Melton Mowbray RFC on Friday, which was attended by more than 120 children from seven schools.

Joanne Hodder, teacher at Harby Primary School, said: “It has been brilliant. It has opened the children’s eyes to other sports.

“And participating in a team game gives them that sense of working together.”

Katie Bakewell, 10, a pupil at Stathern Primary School, added: “I’ve really enjoyed the teamwork. We have all worked together, which has been great.

“It has been really good fun – we’ve really liked it.”

The Nottingham Building Society Tag Rugby Festival was attended by Buckminster Primary School, Harby Primary School, Swallowdale Primary School, Grove Primary School, Croxton Kerrial Primary School, Captain’s Close Primary School and Stathern Primary School.

Pete Talbot, Tigers rugby development officer, said: “A lot of the children will not have played rugby before and the festival is the first time they will have played in a game.

“They have really enjoyed it, the games have been played in a wonderful spirit and it is great to see so many smiling faces.”

More information on the Nottingham Building Society Tag Rugby programme is available by clicking here.