Rugby Club Issue 58 | Page 26

consett FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/RUGBYCLUBMAG Integration “Transition into senior rugby is why we invest in junior rugby and we have been very successful in doing this when we have had an U18’s team. We integrate them into senior rugby when they have turned 17/18 when they have no games at their own age grade. Bringing them into the senior squad to train and experience match days warming up with the 1st XV carrying water, acting as ball boys and touch judges as well as getting some game time in managed situations. We also offer our U17 and 18’s a strength and conditioning course at a local gym funded by the club.” Community Present “The mood at the club is really positive with all the investment and improved facilities now on offer. The off season has seen us recruit two new coaches in Jonathon Benson and Phil Wallis. Our plans for the season are to finish better than our fourth place finish in the last two seasons. With such a young team that keeps improving who knows what is achievable. The new 4g pitch will be invaluable with the amount of rugby being played at Consett with the expansion of junior rugby and introduction of girls to rugby at our club.” Youth “We have put an added emphasis on junior rugby because we have failed to graduate an U18’s team since 2012, prior to that we had 3 successive seasons doing so which currently makes up 85% of our 1st and 2nd XV’s. Due to the time and focus we will have junior teams at each age grade from U17’s to U6’s. Next season will be the first time in the clubs history that we will have teams at every age group from U18’s down.” 26 Issue 58 “We engage with many local charities for fundraising with our members taking part in long distant bike rides, triAthlons and the Great North Run. We also hold local fun days at our ground. We also have a girl’s rugby offering for the first time with plans to expand that to a women’s team by 2017.” Challenges “One of the biggest challenges over the next 5 years will be having enough volunteers to coach, manage and organise the number of junior teams as at some age groups we have enough players for two teams.” Ambitions “Over the next five years our ambition is to have age grade rugby at all levels, for the senior team to progress forward and keep improving. We will also be developing our facilities still further with full drainage to our two grass pitches in 2016. We also have plans for a new Gym and training barn over our all-weather training area. To under pin our vision for rugby we must continue to have three rugby development officers delivering quality coaching at all ages in schools.” www.pitchero.com/clubs/consett