Rugby Club Issue 48 | Page 15

GRASSHOPPERS Integration “Seeing players progress to our senior ranks is vitally important to us. To this end, our Director of Rugby, Matt Gilmore, has introduced a specific programme designed to manage the transition to senior rugby for 17 to 19 year olds. Our third team now operates as a development squad enabling the younger players to experience adult rugby within the merit leagues and to play alongside some older heads. Our coaches provide skill development and one to one coaching for the development squad. We have an excellent track record of bringing home grown players through to the seniors, including at First Team level. For one league game last season, 12 of the 18 First Team squad had come through our own Junior section.” Community “We are definitely a community club, we work closely with a number of primary and secondary schools in our community many of whom enjoy free use of our facilities. We provide coaches to schools to help supplement their own resources and help promote the game in the wider community. Our contribution to the community has previously been recognised by Middlesex County with the President’s award for Community work.” Facilities “Our facilities are well known throughout the county and wider and always attract favourable comments. We are very proud of our facilities but at the same time