ZOMBIES might be taking over the High Street this weekend but on Sunday there were several sightings on the rugby pitch as a new youth development programme kicked off.
The Acorns, comprising mini, midi and youth teams at Old Brentwoods Club, in Ashwell's Road, were joined on the opening day by England World Cup winner Richard Hill MBE and deputy mayor of Brentwood, councillor Mark Reed.
Just a week before zombie film Welcome to Essex is filmed in the town, the pair joined the young players to get hands-on with a game of 'zombie rugby' in which the young players had to imitate a member of the un-dead when chasing each other.
"It was so wonderful. It was families having fun together, teaching kids how to play. It was really good to see," said Cllr Reed.
"It's great that it's all demand-led, the kids really want to play the sport."
The club's volunteer and leisure manager, Richard Austin, said: "After ten months of developing Project Acorn this marked the start of regular rugby at the club.
"Both guests joined in with some passing drills and Richard Hill answered questions from the youngsters on his rugby career.
"Senior clubmen showed their support and formed a traditional tunnel applauding the Acorn players from the pitch."
OBRFC Acorns will be running sessions on Sundays from 10am and are looking for more players, aged from under 7s to under 14s for boys and under 7s to under 12s for girls, to join the club.
To find out more contact SimonPeace@obrfc.org or JamesSavage@obrfc.org
