Harrogate Rugby Club had their first ever Presentation/Fun Day at their stunning grounds on Rudding Lane and it was a true success. With a great turn out and even better weather, it was a really enjoyable day. Mike Winterhalder just one of the organisers that made this day happen tells all …

‘The sun shone down on the 1st annual Presentation/Fun Day at the new Harrogate Rugby Union Football Club last Sunday, most of the rugby season is spent under rain clouds and in mud but for this inaugural event we were blessed with probably the sunniest and hottest day of the year so far.

The weather definitely brought the crowds out, with hundreds of families descending on the Rudding Lane ground to see nearly 400 young rugby players get presented for their commitment and effort during the 2015/16 season.

The Club president John Finnegan dressed for the occasion in his smart club blazer and tie, accompanied by his wife, officially opened the proceedings by welcoming everyone to this 1st great annual event for the club and acknowledged the commitment of these young 5 to 18 year old players. 

The players were also awarded ''most improved player of the season'' as well as the ''TREDS'' trophy, which is awarded for the player who has shown the best core values attitude during the course of the season, the core values that are strongly encouraged at Harrogate are, teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship.

Also acknowledged and presented by their Coach Laura, were the newly formed U15's and U18's ladies players, who after less than a season are developing into a dedicated squad of players.

The Junior Chairman Mark Garrett, then closed the presentation proceedings but not after fellow organizer Tim Foster had got the Junior chairman to compete in the ''chubby bunnies'' competition, where competitors have to say ''chubby bunnies'' with the maximum number of marshmallows in their cheeks, the junior chairman came 2nd with a respectable 17 marshmallows, the winner doing 19!

There were many attractions and activities to take part in for ''The Fun'' part of the day, both on the terrace and on the first team pitch from, paintballing, Zorb balls, coconut shy, dizzy dummies, golf chipping, crossbar challenge, kick the bucket, assault courses, bouncy castle, giant slides, sponge stocks, giant jenga, giant connect four, the ice cream van, the toy stall and most people's favorite was the giant dunk tank, where many coaches young players hit the target to give them an early cold bath in the giant tank!

The crowds were catered for by the clubhouse manager Anne Mitchell and her brilliant team, by either the clubhouse's extensive kitchen menu, or outside by Tom at the all day BBQ, the cake stall was also a keen favorite with the wholemade rocky road winning the 1st prize. While many of the children had a very hard choice in spending their tokens between the many stalls or on the extensive sweet stall!

On such a sunny hot day, it was hardly surprising that a very hard worked Barry behind the bar had some of the longest queues of the day!

It was a very successful 1st event, with many very tired people both young and old, returning home as it came to an end at 6.30pm.'

Pictures from the day include: The Club president opening the event, the 5 year old U6's being presented, junior Chairman Mark Garrett left, Tim Foster central, (with mic) doing ''Chubby bunnies''