Tadley rugby club youngsters meet London Irish heroes

A total of 31 members of the London Irish first squad turned up on the final day of the three-day summer-holiday rugby camp for ages seven to 16, at the club in Red Lane, Aldermaston, where they demonstrated some of their special skills.
The vice-chairman of the club, Dennis Tucker, who is also chairman of the club’s young squad, Tadley Tigers, which has more than 300 members aged six to 17, said: “I was absolutely over the moon and the kids were beside themselves, eating their sausage rolls and burgers beside members of the London Irish team.”
The club scored a hat-trick of their own to secure the visit, after winning an annual competition to sell the most tickets for London Irish home games for the last three years.
Tuition at the Tadley rugby camp was followed by an open question-and-answer and autograph signing session, along with the chance to shake hands with Digger, the London Irish wolfhound mascot, and tuck into a barbecue.
The camp programme included rugby techniques such as core rugby skills, passing skills and an introduction to contact skills, while older players were taught advanced contact skills, contact management, conditioning and nutrition management, with a chance for all to make new friends and develop teamwork skills.
The young participants received a London Irish match ticket voucher and London Irish gift included in the £89 cost of the three-day camp at the Tadley club, which is currently building a new £51,000 pitch.