With the new season fast approaching and training sessions, matches and tournaments each Sunday through the coming months, Stanford Rugby Club Mini and Junior sections are looking to encourage more of the local area's young people, both boys and girls, to get involved in youth rugby.
Stanford Rugby Club is committed to building strong team ideals in a safe, enjoyable, child friendly environment.
Each team is coached by experienced RFU qualified coaches, all of whom have undergone the necessary checks to coach children. Most of the coaches are past and present players of the club. Success on the field last season saw Stanford get teams to the semi-finals of the Essex Championship and win several trophies in festivals throughout Essex and East London, major successes for a small club.
We take player safety very seriously and our focus is on building team work, fitness and technical skill. But above all we aim to make playing rugby fun for both players and parents.
They are looking for players to join established teams (Under-7s through to Under-14s) and for children under seven on the September 1 to form the section's newest team in readiness for the season. It is hoped that the youth sides will soon be feeding the 1st XV and that this will lead to success for the senior sides.
The youth section have gone from fielding 4 sides in 2003-4 to having established sides at 8 age groups for the coming season, that now involves well over 100 children. With the Cory Trust offering to pay for a new clubhouse that could be built within 12-18 months, the club is going places.
The youth section has a Social Committee, mainly populated by parents, who organise various fun days for the children and social get-togethers for the parents and coaches.
Stanford minis have toured to Hastings and Yarmouth in the last couple of years, and have had loads of fun, and will be touring Norfolk in April 2006.
Rugby will make youngsters fit, give social skills and help make some good life-long friends with a common interest. Come along to Stanford Rugby Club at the Rec on Billet Lane each Sunday at 10am and become a part of something good in the area.
Anyone wishing to take their first steps at rugby or looking for a different club to continue their progress, please come along to Stanford Rugby Club RFC on Sunday for the first session of the new season to meet all the coaches and players.
In the first instance call the club on 01375 640957, contact Kyran McDonald, mini and junior chairman, on 01375 403520 for further details or visit the Stanford RFC Mini Rugby website on http://www.stanfordminis.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ or the seniors website on www.stanfordrugby.co.uk.
Colin O’Flaherty
Press Secretary
Stanford-le-Hope Rugby Football Club Mini Rugby