Douglas RUFC will host the second annual Old Mutual International Junior Rugby Festival on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th April. Teams drawn from rugby union clubs and schools across the Island, and one team from Manchester, are lined up to take part in the tournament, and it will be supported by entertainment and sideshows for all the family. The tournament features age group matches from under 7s up to under 16s, with up to five matches being played each day. For players without a team, the organisers are putting together a Barbarians-style XV especially for the festival.
 
Gandey’s All Human Spectacular Thrill Circus will also be at Douglas RUFC’s grounds with shows from 28th April to 2nd May. The circus is famous for the amazing stunts by its team of acrobats and gymnasts – including the wheel of death, rolling globes, and flying trapeze displays. With Chico Rico the clown adding to the fun and games, the festival weekend promises to be one of this summer’s family entertainment highlights.
 
Peter Kenny, Managing Director of Old Mutual International, said: “Last year’s inaugural tournament proved to be a huge success, and we’re delighted to be supporting what promises to be an even bigger and better event this year.”
 
To celebrate its role as title sponsor, Old Mutual International will be handing out various prizes on the day and will also be providing branded giveaways. The Old Mutual International Junior Rugby Festival takes place at Douglas RUFC’s grounds just off  Peel Road, Douglas (the entrance is located on Peel Road between the Quarterbridge and the Jubilee Oak roundabout). The festival runs from 9am to 7pm each day, with the rugby matches beginning at 9.30am on Saturday, and 10am on Sunday. Marshals will be organising car parking from 9am on Saturday and Sunday morning. The Club is asking motorists arriving from the direction of Quarterbridge along Peel Road, not to turn right into the car park – instead, they are asking motorists to go around the Jubilee Oak roundabout and back along Peel Road so they can turn left into the car park without holding up traffic. 
 
April 29th could be an extra special day for Douglas RUFC as the club’s 1st XV, depending on other results over the next few weeks and the last game of the season,  might be playing at home in a play-off match to win promotion to the North 1 West division for the first time. It could provide a thrilling finale to Saturday afternoon’s entertainment.
 
For more information about Douglas RUFC, please go to http://douglasrufciom.rfu.club/ .Tickets for Gandey’s circus are available at www.visitiom.co.uk/
 
Photo - Douglas RUFC juniors will be among teams from across the Island taking part in the Old Mutual International Junior Rugby Festival on 29th and 30th April.