Seven teams from Vale of Glamorgan rugby clubs have taken part in a highly successful tag rugby festival.

Hosted by the Cowbridge club, the inaugural festival involved both boys and girls under eight years of age.

Run in conjunction with the Welsh Rugby Union and Dragon Sport by the Vale of Glamorgan Council sport development unit through its rugby development officer, the pilot scheme involved six local clubs.

Vale rugby development officer Julian McTavish said: "The day was a great success and, despite wet and muddy conditions, the children produced some excellent rugby handling skills."

The aim of the scheme is to maximise participation in the sport by both boys and girls and to increase skills levels.

Currently, the Vale clubs have stopped playing inter-club matches to concentrate on skill development.

Training sessions begin with a fun Dragon Sport warm up which the children run themselves and end with a tag match in which the youngsters have a chance to put new skills into practice.

Julian added: "If this scheme is a success, it will become a template for Welsh junior rugby in the future."

The link has been forged with Dragon Sport to promote fun rugby opportunities for under 8s and also to encourage more parents to become proactive and help support their local club.

Anyone interested in taking their youngster to a local club can contact any of the following:

Barry Wolves (Dave Peters - 01446-404719/07713 418349); Cowbridge Cowboys (Richard Mann - 01446-775198); Dinas Powys Devils (Craig Driscoll - 029 2051 4343/07751 919351); Llantwit Major Lions/Leopards (Colin Crayford - 01446-796538); Penarth Bears (John Preece - 029 2070 6368) and Sully Pirates (Ray Gallivan - (01446) 701855/ 07860 928986).

The next tag rugby festival is scheduled for The Vale Hotel, Hensol, on Sunday, March 2, and further information on rugby development or Dragon Sport can be obtained from Julian McTavish on (01446) 704603 or Rachel McGuinness on (01446) 704681.