Minis and Juniors Thriving at Minch

It’s been a fantastic season so far for our Minis and Juniors, and Hollybush has rarely been quieter for it. Following the success of our summer taster days, we’ve welcomed a huge number of new faces into the club, with our U6s in particular growing into a lively, energetic group. Seeing so many of our youngest players discovering rugby for the first time – and absolutely loving it – has been a real highlight. As one parent put it, “They come home muddy, smiling and desperate for next week – that says everything.”

Across the Mini age groups from U7s through to U12s, there’s been a brilliant mix of learning, laughter and development. Festivals and fixtures have given players the chance to test themselves, make friends and build confidence, with the Dursley Festival standing out as a memorable day for many. Results matter far less than the smiles, teamwork and growing love of the game we see each week, and our coaches have done a superb job creating that environment.

Our junior section continues to go from strength to strength too. The U16 Boys and Colts have enjoyed some impressive league wins, including a particularly satisfying local derby victory for the Colts. Younger junior boys’ teams have shown real progress, helped along by a special guest coaching session from Gloucester Rugby’s Jack Clement early in the season – an experience that gave everyone a real lift and plenty to talk about afterwards.

Our junior girls, playing as the Cotswold Lionesses alongside Cirencester and Faringdon, have continued their upward journey. Strong league performances from the U14s have been a key highlight, and excitement is already building ahead of the Lionesses’ first-ever tour in the spring.

There’s also plenty happening beyond matchdays. Several players from both our boys’ and girls’ teams have been selected for Player Development Groups, and our junior touch players enjoyed a hugely successful outing at the Junior Nationals, with regional call-ups, finals appearances and even gold medals coming back to Minch.

None of this happens without people. We’ve been delighted to welcome new coaches this season, including players from our women’s team who are giving their time and providing inspiring role models. And thanks to Perrin James, many of these moments have been captured on camera, creating lasting memories for players and families alike.

With our annual prize giving on Friday 15th May already in the diary, there’s plenty more to celebrate. Watch this space – the future is bright.