SHE MAY have missed out on the chance of walking out at Twickenham, but Cirencester RFC U11 starlet Estelle Whittle insisted she had loved every minute of her Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup experience, writes Jack Miller.

Launched during the 2008-09 season, the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup is the first national grassroots tournament officiated by Premiership Rugby and run in conjunction with all 12 clubs.

And last week Gloucester Rugby hosted their event as the top local U11s and U12s mini rugby teams met at Dean Close School.

In total more than 7,000 children will participate over the course of the campaign as they go in search of a spot in the ‘Parade of Champions’ during half-time of the Aviva Premiership Grand Final.

And while Whittle was not able to lift the U11s Cup trophy for a spot at rugby's HQ – her team going out in the pool stages despite a good victory over Broad Plain RFC– the 10-year-old remained proud of her side.

“It’s loads of fun to be here and I’ve really enjoyed myself at the festival,” she said. “Obviously it’s better when we win but it is all about having fun, really.

“I love the experience of playing rugby, and it doesn’t matter to me that I am the only girl on the team.

“Rugby is a game for everyone; I like being able to compete with the boys and I play with a girls' team as well.

“The boys are really friendly to me and we all get on very well. None of them go to my school so rugby has helped me make new friends, too.

“Festivals like this one definitely help you improve as a player as you can see how the other teams play and try and develop their skills into your own.

“It’s very exciting to know that a big team like Gloucester are here watching us, and Terry Fanolua who is here today has come in and done a skills day with us before which was really fun.”

Casting an eye over proceedings were Gloucester legends Fanolua and Adam Eustace.

Gloucester’s community rugby development manager Fanolua believes he saw more than a few players with huge potential.

He said: “They have played some outstanding rugby, and I was standing on the side of the pitch there with my mouth open as I could not believe the talent on show.

“I love coming down to watch and I always want to give as much as I can back to the people of Gloucestershire who welcomed me with open arms while I was playing at Kingsholm.

“It’s so important to get them playing in festivals like this – they can be with their friends, running out on to the pitch together, and working for one another which is what rugby is all about.”

Land Rover supports grassroots rugby and provides the opportunity for more than 7,000 youngsters to take part in the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup each season. Keep up-to-date with the latest Land Rover rugby activity by following @premrugby and @LandRoverRugby.