A NINE-A-SIDE adult and veterans charity tag rugby festival will be held at Heworth ARLC this summer – with corporate teams, pub sides and groups of friends all encouraged to enter.

The family event – which it is hoped will help to raise funds for the Debbie Plowman Happy Faces Trust – will be on Saturday, July 2, and the Rugby Football League community department will hold taster days in the run-up to it, on Wednesday, May 18, and Wednesday, June 8, both from 6.30pm to 8pm at Heworth.

Players must be aged 35 and above, although three aged from 30 to 35 will be allowed per side. It is open to males and females. Matches will take place on half a pitch and unlimited substitutions will be allowed.

Teams to have entered already include Acorn Old Boys, Southlands Old Boys, Punch Bowl Old Boys, INL Old Boys and Civil Service. There is an entry fee of £100 per team. There will also be activities for all the family on the day, with entry costing £5 for adults but free for children.

Organiser Tony Gargan said: “Entry is open to anyone. We are also hoping to attract some ex-professionals. There is an entry fee but we are hoping teams can get a sponsor or we will try to help with sponsors.”

He added: “As well as the tag rugby, where we hope to rekindle a few memories for the old boys rugby league fraternity, we are raising money for the Debbie Plowman Trust.

“Debbie, who is married to former rugby league player Chris Plowman, was left paralysed after a serious accident.

“As part of the fundraising we are hoping to attract sponsors for either a team or the programme.”

Any teams or individuals interested in taking part can phone Phil Sturdy for more details, on 07769 962915.

Anyone interested in providing sponsorship can phone Michelle on 07894 576104.