YOU know Christmas is nearly here when little Santas are running around the rugby field in Knutsford.
The sub-zero temperatures did not stop Knutsford Rugby Club’s youngsters enjoying their traditional 'Santa Sunday' fun at the weekend.
There were Santa hats bobbing up and down across the playing areas at the club’s Knutsford Academy home off Westfield Drive as warm-up drills and the old schoolyard game of ‘Bulldogs’ took centre stage for children aged five to 14.
Mums and dads were supporting from the touchline, warming their hands around hot drinks and devouring the meat pies that were welcome fare on a freezing day.
“Every year we try and do Santa Sunday, despite the weather being freezing cold. To have the little kids running around in Santa hats is awesome,” said Jon Pittey, chairman of Knutsford Rugby Club’s minis and junior section.
“We always have a great turnout. The club is well supported by the parents and coaches, it’s a great event.
“We have had the kids in full Santa outfits in the past. We’ve tried to be a bit more environmentally friendly this year and not have the full outfits because they all end up in the bin. So we’ve just gone with the hats this year.
FLASHBACK: Watch Santa Sunday from 6 years ago, below:
“Normally, maybe on a slightly warmer Sunday around this time of the year, we’d have 200-plus kids running round in full suits.
“It’s a great build-up to the start of Christmas because they’ve just finished school, but it’s nice for us as a club to celebrate at the festive season everything that we do as a community club. It brings us all together which is great.”
The occasion shows how well things are going with the minis and junior section.
“The club’s thriving but obviously we always want new members and players. The numbers are growing but we’re still a very young club and still growing,” said Jon.
“The atmosphere on Santa Sunday is exactly the same as any Sunday really. It’s really busy and vibrant and the kids have a great time. We’re very lucky we’ve got such a wonderful club, supportive parents and coaches.”
Premiership rugby club Sale Sharks scrum-half Will Cliff was on hand to join in the fun.
“We get support from Sale Sharks which is great. Will does some coaching here and was with us for Santa Sunday," said Jon.
“We’ve got quite a few of our boys who are now in the Sale Sharks Academy after having gone through all the junior section here. The club’s doing very well on that front as well. There’s some talented players around.”
The section will take a break for Christmas and new year but will be back in full swing again between January 5 and 8.
“It’s not all training for these age groups,” said Jon.
“We have matches most weekends for every age group, apart from the sixes. Every age group has a complete fixture list playing clubs across Cheshire.
“A couple of the age groups do training on a Thursday night but it’s mainly matches once the season gets going.”
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