Once in a lifetime rugby session for East Sussex youngsters

A YOUNG Bexhill resident is celebrating after winning a once in a lifetime training session with England Rugby legend Lawrence Dallaglio.

Claremont School pupil Max Lai, who's an Under 9's player for Hastings and Bexhill RFC, was one of three East Sussex youngsters who won the training session with former England captain Dallaglio, after taking part in the Sacla' Rugby festival held at Heathfield & Waldron RFC in March.

Max along with Under 8's player Theo Bevacqua from Battle, and Under 7's player Toby Clarke from Staple Cross, joined hundreds of fellow rugby players aged between seven and nine at the festival, and was excited to receive the call up to be coached by Dallaglio at an exclusive national training session at Twickenham on 5th June.

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he three players will join over a hundred other children from all over the UK, having impressed coaches at the Heathfield & Waldron festival with the core values of sportsmanship, discipline, teamwork, respect and enjoyment.

The young sportsmen were thrilled to have won a place at the training session.

Max said: "It feels great to be going to Twickenham, I am really looking forward to meeting Laurence and playing there. Teamwork is the most enjoyable part of playing Rugby and I hope to learn more about speed and dodging people at the training."

Theo Bevacqua, a Catsfield Primary School pupil said:

"I am very excited about going to Twickenham, I am very big Rugby fan! Laurence Dallaglio, Simon Shaw and Johnny Wilkinson are my Rugby heroes."

Dallaglio said he is looking forward to meeting the boys:

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"I can't wait to meet Toby, Theo and Max and am delighted that they have shown the attributes required to join me at Twickenham. These festivals are all about upholding the core values of the game, and ensuring that thousands of kids across the country are encouraged to spend more time playing sport.

"It's great that through these festivals and the national training session, we have the chance to pass on these important values."

David Henry, Heathfield & Waldron RFC Chairman said:

"We're delighted that Toby, Theo and Max were selected to attend the session at Twickenham, and hope all the children who attended the festival went away having learnt more about the game of rugby and enjoyed the competition.

Sacla's support of this festival has enhanced the experience of all the mums, dads and children who took part, and provided a great opportunity for families to share more time together."

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Sacla', the Italian pesto pioneers, recently announced a ground breaking partnership with the Rugby Football Union to support over 100 grass roots festivals in the UK, and builds on the success of the launch of the Dallaglio by Sacla' pasta sauces range last year.

Through their support of the festivals, which culminate at Twickenham on 5th June, Sacla' hope to encourage children to be more active, eat more healthily and together with their families, share in the core values of rugby.

For more information about Sacla' and Dallaglio by Sacla' visit the website at www.sacla.co.uk