A huge thank you to the organisers Zurich Rugby Academy for putting together a wonderful tournament. With an impressive number of young players and teams attending, including several from outside Switzerland, the event truly felt like a rugby Volksfest – full of energy, excitement, friendship, and great rugby. Zug Rugby Club U8s entered the tournament with two teams, the Whites and the Blues, competing in separate knockout groups.

Zug Whites – Courage, Progress and Determination
The Whites had a challenging day, coming up against some bigger and stronger teams. The team showed tremendous improvement throughout the day and several players really stepped up and demonstrated how much they have learned and developed over the season.

Their final match perfectly summed up their attitude: they stayed focused, kept believing in themselves, and finished the tournament with a fantastic match win. The coaches could not have been prouder of their effort, resilience, and progress.

Zug Blues – An Outstanding Tournament Performance
The Blues enjoyed an exceptional day, progressing through the tournament with a clean sweep and earning a place in the final against the tournament's big unknown: a strong team from Milan, whom they were facing for the very first time.

The final turned out to be the Blues' best performance of the day. Against an excellent opponent, they showcased everything they have worked on during countless training sessions this season: speed, discipline, aggressive tackling, strong rucking, effective tunnels, teamwork, and relentless support play. The result exceeded all expectations as the Blues delivered a remarkable performance to win the final 6–1.

Perhaps the most rewarding moment came after the final. The Milan coaching team showed genuine respect for the performance of our Blues. They had clearly expected a more comfortable game, but were visibly surprised by the level our kids brought to the final. In particular, they highlighted the immediate pressure from the kick-off, the aggressive tackling, the speed, and the outstanding teamwork.

Following the match, we exchanged contact details and agreed to stay in touch. This could create a great opportunity for future games and help build strong rugby connections beyond Switzerland.

A Victory for the Entire U8 Squad
While the Blues brought home the trophy, this was truly a success for the entire Zug Rugby Club U8 group. From the progress shown by the Whites, to the outstanding performance of the Blues, every player contributed to making it a memorable day.

In hot and windy conditions, the children displayed determination, sportsmanship, courage, and teamwork from start to finish. A fantastic tournament, a fantastic rugby festival, and a fantastic achievement for the entire Zug U8 family. Well done, Blues and Whites. We are incredibly proud of you all.

Article from Guiseppe Imparato, U8 Coach