The real Rugby World Cup isn't being held until September, and it's in the UK, but yesterday hundreds of Northland children took part in their own big event - the Educare Rugby World Cup Games at the ASB Stadium in Whangarei's Kensington Park.
![Hunter Whareraum, 4, was a champion tackler.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/2QWTKTWWPTMTCL4CF5RVOHQQOI.jpg?auth=a01c22bda3e8c5fc59489564c5f20e13ea14c4a63c7fa6223e5b9723e92e2623&width=16&height=13&quality=70&smart=true)
Educare general manager Marianne Walker said about 150 3 to 4-year-olds from Educare's eight Whangarei centres took part in the games, which was a fabulous event for the children and their families. Ms Walker said this was the fourth year Educare had run the games, though the theme changed yearly.
![Stella Hanekom, 3, is set to go through the obstacles.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/HOWKAUNVU7UKM5WPNBDH46JF6M.jpg?auth=7019732c6ef22939d57e991c67d82e06f2857a5f635489ec70489d5d39c1baee&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
"With this being Rugby World Cup year we had a bit of a rugby theme going on with the kids using tackle bags, throwing a rugby ball through a hoop and kicking it into a goal, but also an obstacle course, balloon volleyball, running races and the tunnel and ladders," she said.