Zimbabwean international rugby coach Liam Middleton and former England women rugby captain Catherine Spencer were the distinguished guests at last week's Old Mutual Tag Rugby U12 National Finals at Eaglesvale High School.

It was an enthralling event that involved eight teams drawn mainly from the high-density suburbs of Harare, Bulawayo, Hwange and Victoria Falls and all fielding a majority of primary schoolchildren.

Tigers from Victoria Falls edged a determined Chitungwiza Elephants 8-5 to win the competition after a hard day of running in the non-contact version of rugby.

Martin Hansford, the Tag Trust Rugby Chairman, also flew in for the event and was among the spectators.

Former Watershed College student, Middleton, was blown away with the skill level he saw on display that he could not help but admire.

“Having worked at the top of the game, to come here and see these players at a development level I have got to say some of the most talented rugby players in the world at this age group are on the field. I am hugely impressed on how good these kids are and its all nature….. the natural talent is unbelievable,” Middleton remarked.

Middleton was three months ago relieved of his post as the Canada Sevens coach after the country failed to qualify for the Rio Olympic Games sevens tournament.

He previously served as the Zimbabwe sevens coach and director of rugby at the Zimbabwe Rugby Union. He also coached in England with second-tier Bristol and Hartpury College.

His sentiments were echoed by Spencer, capped 63 times by England between 2004 and 2011, and was in the country specifically to support the event.

“I am amazed on how skilful, athletic and fast these kids are!” she exclaimed at the end of the competition.

Winners from the four tag rugby leagues represented their respective provinces. After a great brand of rugby played in the pool stages Chitugwiza Elephants and eventual winners Victoria Falls Tigers made it into the final and it was intense from start to finish as both teams put their best foot forward in a bid to be crowned national champions.

Kyros Sports business development director (Athlete Division), Nyasha Muchochomi, said the tag rugby format has been well received by parents of the participants as it is non-contact version of rugby that sees both both boys and girls sharing the field.

"This then means the skills of passing and evasive running are the key areas of focus,'' he said of an event that is beginning to take root around the country's provinces.

Muchochomi said the ex-England World Cup skipper would be working closely with the Female Inspiration Through Rugby (FITR) and The Girls Legacy Program who hosted a Symposium for 300 girls last weekend to celebrate the Girl Child Day and inspire girls through rugby.

Tag Rugby national manager Tinashe Shamu said:

"The impressive skill level is due to Old Mutual supporting us in making rugby a 10-month sport in Zimbabwe. The leagues run from January until October; very few kids around the world are playing rugby that much. These boys and girls will do great things, play for their nation one day and hopefully some become professional rugby players.”

The Tag Rugby Trust is a skills training charity that uses tag rugby as a training tool to support and enhance its training syllabus. TRT delivers a hands on syllabus in a wide variety of fields including rugby coaching.