{"id":558970,"date":"2026-11-05T09:26:25","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T09:26:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newjerseyheadlines.com\/news\/story\/558970\/burleigh-travels-devon-big-bash-2027-to-bring-junior-rugby-clubs-together-in-support-of-my-name5-doddie-foundation.html"},"modified":"2026-11-05T09:26:25","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T09:26:25","slug":"burleigh-travels-devon-big-bash-2027-to-bring-junior-rugby-clubs-together-in-support-of-my-name5-doddie-foundation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.northcarolinaheadlines.com\/news\/story\/558970\/burleigh-travels-devon-big-bash-2027-to-bring-junior-rugby-clubs-together-in-support-of-my-name5-doddie-foundation.html","title":{"rendered":"Burleigh Travel&#8217;s Devon Big Bash 2027 to Bring Junior Rugby Clubs Together in Support of My Name&#8217;5 Doddie Foundation"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"float:right;width:250px;padding:8px 10px 10px 10px\">\n<div><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abnewswire.com\/upload\/2026\/11\/1793805712.jpg\" style=\"border:none !important\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-29\" title=\"Burleigh Travel&#039;s Devon Big Bash 2027 to Bring Junior Rugby Clubs Together in Support of My Name&#039;5 Doddie Foundation\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abnewswire.com\/upload\/2026\/11\/1793805712.jpg\" alt=\"Burleigh Travel&#039;s Devon Big Bash 2027 to Bring Junior Rugby Clubs Together in Support of My Name&#039;5 Doddie Foundation\" width=\"225\" height=\"225\" style=\"padding:0px 0px 10px 10px;border:0 solid !important\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"quotes\">\n<div>Statement from Chris Kite, Director of Burleigh Travel  &#8220;We&#8217;ve always believed that a great rugby tour should be about much more than the matches themselves. It&#8217;s about bringing clubs together, building friendships and creating memories that young players will carry with them for years.\u201d <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"font-style:italic;padding:8px 0px\">Popular May Bank Holiday rugby festival in Devon combines competitive junior rugby, adventure activities and family entertainment while helping raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease research.<\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>CIRENCESTER, GLOUCESTERSHIRE&nbsp;&#8211; November 5, 2026 &#8211;<\/strong>&nbsp;UK sports tour specialist Burleigh Travel is inviting mini and junior rugby clubs from across the country to take part in the Devon Big Bash 2027, a major youth rugby festival taking place over the May Bank Holiday weekend from Friday 30 April to Monday 3 May 2027.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Hosted at Ivybridge Rugby Club in Devon, the festival will bring together young players, coaches and families for a weekend of rugby, team bonding and memorable touring experiences.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">The 2027 event will also support <strong>My Name&#8217;5 Doddie Foundation<\/strong>, with Burleigh Travel pledging to make a charitable donation for every person travelling to the festival.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">The initiative gives participating rugby clubs an opportunity to enjoy a memorable sporting weekend while helping support research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND).<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>A Major Junior Rugby Festival in Devon<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">The Devon Big Bash has become an established fixture in Burleigh Travel&#8217;s annual rugby festival programme, traditionally attracting around 100 teams.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">The festival welcomes boys&#8217; teams from Under 7 through to Under 15, alongside girls&#8217; teams at Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 levels.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Hosted at Ivybridge Rugby Club, participating teams will have the opportunity to compete against other touring clubs and local opposition in a welcoming rugby environment.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Beyond the matches themselves, the <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/burleightravel.co.uk\/sports-festivals\/rugby-festivals-2\/\">rugby festival<\/a> is designed to encourage teamwork, new friendships and the shared experiences that make junior rugby tours so memorable.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Following the rugby, players and their families can enjoy the festival presentation and the popular Big Bash BBQ before returning to their accommodation.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">With the event taking place over the first May Bank Holiday weekend, it also offers clubs a convenient opportunity to combine their rugby tour with an extended family break in Devon.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Supporting My Name&#8217;5 Doddie Foundation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">An important feature of the Devon Big Bash 2027 is Burleigh Travel&#8217;s commitment to supporting My Name&#8217;5 Doddie Foundation.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Established by former Scotland rugby international Doddie Weir, the foundation has a clear ambition: a world free of Motor Neurone Disease.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">MND is a progressive neurological condition that affects the nerves controlling movement. It can gradually affect a person&#8217;s ability to walk, speak, eat and breathe, and there is currently no cure.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">The foundation supports research aimed at improving scientific understanding of MND and accelerating progress towards effective treatments.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Its connection to rugby makes the partnership particularly meaningful, bringing together the sporting community to support a cause closely associated with one of the game&#8217;s most respected figures.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">For every person travelling to the Devon Big Bash 2027, Burleigh Travel has committed to making a donation to the foundation.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">The initiative means that every participating club, player and family member will help contribute towards this important cause through their involvement in the festival.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Rugby, Adventure and Family Entertainment<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">One of the attractions of the Devon Big Bash is the opportunity to combine a rugby festival with a wider touring experience.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Burleigh Travel offers participating clubs a choice of accommodation packages designed to suit different budgets and preferences.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>PGL Barton Hall, Torquay<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Clubs choosing the PGL Barton Hall experience can enjoy a three-day adventure-based stay, including meals, supervised activities and evening entertainment.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Located in the English Riviera, the centre offers activities such as climbing, abseiling, Jacob&#8217;s Ladder and the giant swing, providing opportunities for team building away from the rugby pitch.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Holiday Park Accommodation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Alternatively, Burleigh Travel offers four-day holiday park options at Trelawne and South Bay.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">These packages provide self-catering accommodation, family entertainment and leisure facilities, making them particularly suitable for clubs travelling with parents and supporters.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">The choice of packages allows clubs to create a touring experience that suits their players, coaches and families while enjoying everything Devon has to offer.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Bringing Rugby Clubs Together for a Worthwhile Cause<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Burleigh Travel has been organising sports tours and rugby festivals since 1998, helping clubs experience competitive sport alongside memorable trips throughout the UK and overseas.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">The Devon Big Bash reflects that approach, combining organised junior rugby with accommodation, activities and opportunities for families to enjoy time together.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">For 2027, the additional commitment to My Name&#8217;5 Doddie Foundation gives the festival an even wider purpose.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Statement from Chris Kite, Director of Burleigh Travel <\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">&#8220;The Devon Big Bash is one of our established rugby festivals, and we&#8217;re delighted that the 2027 event will also help support My Name&#8217;5 Doddie Foundation.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">&#8220;Motor Neurone Disease has touched the rugby community deeply, and we&#8217;re proud to play our part in supporting the foundation&#8217;s important work. By making a donation for every person travelling to the festival, we hope to bring even more clubs together for a fantastic weekend while contributing to a very worthwhile cause.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Rugby Clubs Invited to Enquire About Devon Big Bash 2027<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Burleigh Travel is encouraging mini and junior rugby clubs across the UK to explore the Devon Big Bash 2027 and enquire about the available touring packages.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">With rugby at Ivybridge Rugby Club, adventure activities, family-friendly accommodation and the added opportunity to support MND research, the festival provides an appealing option for clubs planning their 2027 rugby tours.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Club organisers can view the full event proposal, including age groups, accommodation options, activities and booking information, on the Burleigh Travel website.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Devon Big Bash 2027 &ndash; Full Event Details and Enquiries:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/burleightravel.co.uk\/tour-proposal\/the-big-devon-bash-2027\/\">https:\/\/burleightravel.co.uk\/tour-proposal\/the-big-devon-bash-2027\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Event Dates:<\/strong> 30 April &ndash; 3 May 2027<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Rugby Venue:<\/strong> Ivybridge Rugby Club, Devon<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Age Groups:<\/strong> U7&ndash;U15 Boys and U12, U14 and U16 Girls<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Charity Supported:<\/strong> My Name&#8217;5 Doddie Foundation<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Telephone:<\/strong> 01285 424470<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>About Burleigh Travel<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Established in 1998, Burleigh Travel Limited is a UK-based sports tour specialist organising rugby festivals and sporting tours for clubs, schools and universities.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Based in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, the company provides organised sporting experiences across the UK and internationally, combining competitive fixtures with accommodation, activities and dedicated tour support.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Its rugby festival programme includes established events across England, providing opportunities for young players to experience touring rugby in welcoming and professionally organised environments.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Website:<\/strong> <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/burleightravel.co.uk\/\">https:\/\/burleightravel.co.uk\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>About My Name&#8217;5 Doddie Foundation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">My Name&#8217;5 Doddie Foundation was established by Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir in 2017.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">The foundation is dedicated to funding research into Motor Neurone Disease, supporting scientific innovation and working towards its vision of a world free of MND.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">The charity brings together researchers, supporters and the wider rugby community to help accelerate progress towards effective treatments.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Charity website:<\/strong> <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.myname5doddie.co.uk\/\">https:\/\/www.myname5doddie.co.uk\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Media Enquiries<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">Chris Kite Director, Burleigh Travel Limited Watermoor Point, Watermoor Road Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 1LF Telephone: 01285 424470 Website: <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/burleightravel.co.uk\/\">https:\/\/burleightravel.co.uk\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"caps\"><span style='font-size:18px !important'>Media Contact<\/span><br \/><strong>Company Name:<\/strong> <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abnewswire.com\/companyname\/burleightravel.co.uk_197431.html\">Burleigh Travel Limited<\/a><br \/><strong>Contact Person:<\/strong> Chris Kite<br \/><strong>Email:<\/strong> <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abnewswire.com\/email_contact_us.php?pr=burleigh-travels-devon-big-bash-2027-to-bring-junior-rugby-clubs-together-in-support-of-my-name5-doddie-foundation\">Send Email<\/a><br \/><strong>Phone:<\/strong> 01285 424470<br \/><strong>Address:<\/strong>Watermoor Point  Watermoor Road<br \/><strong>City:<\/strong> Cirencester<br \/><strong>State:<\/strong> GL7 1LF<br \/><strong>Country:<\/strong> United Kingdom<br \/><strong>Website:<\/strong> <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/burleightravel.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/burleightravel.co.uk\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.abnewswire.com\/press_stat.php?pr=burleigh-travels-devon-big-bash-2027-to-bring-junior-rugby-clubs-together-in-support-of-my-name5-doddie-foundation\" alt=\"\" width=\"1px\" height=\"1px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Statement from Chris Kite, Director of Burleigh Travel &#8220;We&#8217;ve always believed that a great rugby tour should be about much more than the matches themselves. It&#8217;s about bringing clubs together,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.northcarolinaheadlines.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/558970"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.northcarolinaheadlines.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.northcarolinaheadlines.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.northcarolinaheadlines.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.northcarolinaheadlines.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=558970"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.northcarolinaheadlines.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/558970\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.northcarolinaheadlines.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=558970"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.northcarolinaheadlines.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=558970"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.northcarolinaheadlines.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=558970"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}