About 500 primary school-aged pupils from rugby clubs throughout North Otago will kick, scrum, pass and run their way through 40 games of rugby, watched by an estimated 1000 parents and supporters.
This is the sixth year the event has been held - a day of ice creams, sausage sizzles, goodie bags and other entertainment and attractions that have made it a popular community event.
After the children's games and presentations, the premier Citizens Shield club game will be played at 2.30pm between with Kurow and Valley.
The carnival atmosphere had seen the fun day become a firm calendar fixture for families from around the region, North Otago Rugby chief executive Colin Jackson said.
"Through days like this, and our intensive schools' coaching programme, we're really starting to see an increase in the number of North Otago children taking up rugby, which is positive for the sport."
Meridian has been associated with the event since the first in 2007.
Today's fun day kicks off at 10.30am and runs until 4pm, regardless of the weather.
