Young players coached by ex-England rugby captain
BBCChildren have been encouraged to continue playing rugby union by one of England's most successful players.
Former captain Owen Farrell, England's all-time leading points scorer, was in Jersey to help with a special training session organised for more than 100 young players.
He gave some advice during rugby training at Coinshare Park before he took questions from the youngsters and stayed for autographs and photos.
Coaching group Nudge helped organise the event as part of its work to bring sports stars to the island to allow children to meet positive role models.
Maisie,14, has been playing rugby since she was 11 years old and met Farrell at the training session.
She said: "It's been really good... We've learnt a lot and had a lot of tips and advice on how to improve.
"Rugby is just fun. It's a nice team game, you make loads of friends, you have fun, you get a good way to get exercise."
Bay-Zander,10, asked Farrell a question and said he hoped to continue playing rugby when he was older.
He said his father had been a player and the session had been "really exciting because Owen is really good at rugby".
"I love rugby because it's so exciting to see, when you're older, if you can be a famous rugby player," Bay-Zander added.
Farrell said he hoped the session would help encourage children to keep playing sports and to develop teamwork skills.
He said: "I think rugby is a fantastic sport for learning to be part of a team, and, for them to be out there like they were, was fantastic.
"I hope they've enjoyed it as much as they possibly can so that they keep going back to sessions that Nudge are able to provide for them."
"I've seen the amount of sport that's here on the island for such a small place, so the more passionate they get about being out there and playing with their friends, the better."
Tim Grey is a former Jersey Reds rugby player and a co-founder of Nudge.
He said he thought Farrell was "one of the best rugby players to ever come to the island" and "he's absolutely loved it, but for the kids this is something special".
"I think once you meet your hero it creates a spark and, once you have that spark, then it ignites and, hopefully, the children keep playing rugby," he added.
The coaching group has previously brought Red Rose World Cup winners Zoe Aldcroft and Jess Breach to meet young people in Jersey last year.
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