A local Rugby club sponsored by Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm is looking forward to welcoming one of the stars of the show to its annual junior tournament.

Kaleb Cooper will host the lunchtime prize giving ceremony at Chipping Norton Rugby Club on April 23.

The club is looking forward to welcoming more than 600 players to the second year of its annual tournament for under 10 and under 11 boys and girls.

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As many as 60, eight and nine-a-side teams are set to compete at the club’s Greystones base, Burford Road, from seven counties, including from as far afield as Reading and Driffield in Yorkshire.

Chipping Norton Rugby Club is located just a stone’s throw away from Diddly Squat Farm which is now supporting the club.

This comes following Jeremy Clarkson’s sponsorship of local football club Chadlington FC which featured in the latest season of the hit show.

Mr Clarkson explained that this was a move designed to win over village residents who had expressed opposition to his farm.

The first under 10 matches are set to kick off at around 9.30am ahead of the prize giving ceremony, before under 11 players battle it out in the afternoon.

Chair Duncan Midwood said: “This now annual event showcases the efforts that we at Chipping Norton, and many other clubs around Oxfordshire and beyond, are doing in promoting junior rugby to a new generation of players.

“As a club, we have been sending teams to junior rugby festivals throughout Oxfordshire, and beyond, for many years now, so we decided this would be a great opportunity to promote the game closer to home in Chipping Norton.

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“Funds raised from this year’s festival will be used to develop the club’s infrastructure and facilities, as well as funding equipment and training and development courses to improve coaching for all age groups at the club.”

Get Radio will be on site with music and interviews throughout the day, whilst afternoon medals and awards are set to be presented to the winning under 11 teams by a Gloucester Rugby star.

Mr Midwood continued: “Our festival is a great opportunity for us not only to celebrate junior rugby in Chipping Norton, but to showcase it to a whole new audience within the town and surrounding villages.

“As such, we can promise a friendly welcome to anyone who would like to come and watch, enjoy the food, drink and entertainment on offer, or simply to find out a little more about what junior rugby can offer young people in the area.”

To find out more email chippyfestivalofrugby2023@gmail.com, or message us through the club’s social media channels.