THE Kent County RFU Youth Festival looks set to be the biggest and best ever with more than 100 teams and 2,000 players taking part in five different age groups.

With the support of SCA Packaging for the third year, the event starts on Sunday, with a series of preliminary rounds at various venues.

The rounds and venues are: under-13 Medway RFC; under-14 Dartfordians; under-15 Vigo; under-16 New Ash Green; under-17 Gravesend, with all teams going into the Cup, Plate or Bowl knockout competitions.

The finalists in these three tournaments qualify to play in the Grand Finals Day at Aylesford RFC on Sunday, March 24.

Kent County RFU PR Officer Steve Smith said: “This festival has been running for seven years and it seems to grow every year but more teams could still enter. There aren't many festivals like this in the county so the teams are looking forward to it.

“The kids are the future of senior rugby so it’s important we make it competitive but also fun. The Finals Day will be exciting with a few celebrities coming down and meeting the players.”

Premiership outfit NEC Harlequins will be in attendance throughout the day, with all profits going to SPARKS (SPorts Aiding medical Research for KidS).