******Fri 16th UPDATE - Ards rugby have had to revise their plans for the Fresh Fields Festival of Mini Rugby due to waterlogged pitches, therefore reducing the number of pitches playable and available for car parking.

The festival will now be split over two Sundays as follows:

Sunday 17th April: P2 - P4 teams, with matches starting at 12noon

Sunday 24th April: P5 - P7/Y8 teams, with matches starting at 12 noon

Ards RFC apologise for any inconvience this may cause our visiting clubs but also to our own players, coaches and parents. **********

Ards RFC will be assessing the grounds of Hamilton Park over the next 2 days for their suitablility to host the 2nd Fresh Fields Festival of Mini Rugby.

The recent weather has left waterlogged areas on the grounds of Hamilton Park.

The pitches required for the festival are playable however, the problem lies with the parking facilities.

With approximately 600 kids from P2-Y8 representing Ards, Bangor, Ballynahinch, Donaghadee, Hollywood and Lisburn rugby clubs, parking is at a premium.

As such, the training pitches at Hamilton Park are used for parking, this is where the waterlogged areas are located.

Obviously if they can't be used for parking then we will have no other option but to reschedule the festival.

2 options are available:

1. Reschedule the whole event to the following Sunday

2. Proceed with P2-P4 as scheduled and re-schedule P5-P7/Y8 to the following Sunday. By doing this in theory parking numbers should decrease.

A decision will have to be made on Friday.

All participating clubs have already been notified.