More than 100 youngsters from local Secondary Schools met stars from the Quins women rugby team and took part in games as part of the Project Rugby Festival.

The event, which took place at the famous Twickenham Stoop used by the Quins teams, was organised in partnership between the Harlequins Foundation and the Metropolitan Police.

The Festival, which also allowed the teams to learn more about the work of the police, is designed to encourage children from across the wider community, who may not have tried rugby before, to take part in the game.

The event was organised in partnership between the Harlequins Foundation and the Metropolitan Police.

The youngsters had a chance to meet three of the Harlequins Women's players, Carys Graham, Katie Mew and Jade Konkel-Roberts, who is a member of the emergency services herself as a firefighter.

Carys said: "I think the sport as a whole allows everyone to come together, I mean you learn social skills, communitive skills as well as you have fun. A huge part of it, you're getting outside and you're getting active".

Katie Mew gave an insight into her rugby journey so far, saying: "I love it, I couldn't see my life without rugby, it's just a massive part. I love the friendships you make, the competitiveness, and just everything."

The Project Rugby Festival has stemmed from the Project Rugby programme developed by Premiership Rugby in collaboration with England Rugby

Jade Konkel said: "Project Rugby is great, it just makes Rugby accessible to so many people that maybe Rugby wouldn't be

accessible to, so to have the ability to do it through Project Rugby is incredible".

The Project Rugby Festival has stemmed from the Project Rugby programme developed by Premiership Rugby in collaboration with England Rugby to introduce thousands of young people every year into the game, showing them that rugby is for everyone regardless of ability or background.

Rob Gould, Schools Manager, who led the delivery of the Project Rugby Festival for The Harlequins Foundation said: "It was such a great day! Getting kids who might not normally play rugby taking part in a game of touch on the pitch that Quins play on is such an amazing opportunity for young people.

Students were encouraged to try on a kit from each of the units and ask questions that they might not normally have the opportunity to do.

"As well as the Rugby it was great having the different police units stationed around The Stoop, educating young people about what they do, and how they work to keep the community they live in safe."

Several workshops were held by officers from the Metropolitan Police, including members of the armed responses teams, public order branch and marine unit.

Students were encouraged to try on a kit from each of the units and ask questions that they might not normally have the opportunity to do.

More than 100 youngsters from local Secondary Schools met stars from the Quins women rugby team and took part in games as part of the Project Rugby Festival.

Inspector Chris Bright from the Design out Crime at the Metropolitan Police team said: "The festival was a really unique way in which the Metropolitan Police can engage with young Londoners on the platform of Rugby.

"We were able to deliver key crime prevention stay safe advice, break down barriers and build trust between the participants and Police.

"My thanks go The Harlequins Foundation for affording us this opportunity to work together with young Londoners striving towards our aims of more trust, less crime and higher standards."

The Harlequins Foundation is the charitable arm of Harlequins. They work with vulnerable children and young people within the Harlequins Heartlands to positively impact their lives through the power of sport.