Newton Aycliffe Rugby Club launched their youth development programme at Moore Lane inviting school Years 9, 10 and 11 players from the town and surrounding area to learn rugby union or develop existing skills.
The club has recently had a successful senior season for 2013/2014, eventually winning the Durham County Plate and finishing 3rd in the Durham and Northumberland Division 3.
New senior players has generated a lot of enthusiasm in teaching young lads who come and try the sport. Head coach Pete Ryans assisted by old boy Eddie Presch and the current 1st XV props Bob Malvern and Ritchie Littlefair, has already trialled local lads and the numbers training are encouraging.
Training sessions for youth development take place on Wednesday at 7pm. The emphasis is on fitness and ball handling skills with lines of running and teamwork. The forwards coaches are teaching basics of scrummaging and forward play. It is hoped by the time the new season starts, there will be sufficient numbers to launch an Under 16’s squad of players to play in a league.
The club in partnership with the RFU, coordinated by the Northern RFU development officer Mathew Bryant, will be encouraging PE departments of Greenfield and Woodham to start rugby teams from that age group after the summer holidays. Both schools have agreed to participate in rugby development and those students who take up the sport may well go on to play club rugby for Aycliffe.
This is an exciting time for Aycliffe and with the Rugby World Cup in the UK next year there is a lot to aspire to. With all this going on Aycliffe’s senior squad start their pre season training this Saturday 12th July 2014, 1pm start. Training will continue on the Saturday afternoons 1pm and also Thursday evenings 7pm throughout July and August.
All new players will be made welcome. All existing players are requested to start the campaign as early as possible. The first game will be away in a friendly versus Northallerton on 23rd August. The club are on a mission to encourage as many players as possible so that a second team can be developed before the launch of the new season.
Anyone wishing to take up the sport at junior or senior level or join the club with some experience please contact head coach Pete Ryans, Mobile 07796 172599.
This is also the time to ask the local business community to dip into their pockets and offer financial support in the form of sponsorship in return for advertising via various club media. The club has good relationships with various companies in all the years it has existed and would appreciate any help they can get in order to supply club playing kit, training kit, waterproof and winter clothing, pitch furniture including advertising boarding around the pitch area.
If any business owner would like to pledge their support please get in touch with the Public Relation Officer, Stuart McLean on 07812 372675.
