Scunthorpe
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Three seasons ago we ran five teams
and it’s not that long ago since we ran six
senior sides but due to key players and
captains retiring we have struggled and
some weeks we can barely raise three
sides. I know we are not the only club in
this predicament and it represents a real
challenge to us.
We are focusing on each game
as it comes to use the old cliché.
Clubs like ours rely on all players
being fit and we have been fairly
lucky in this regard. We invest a
lot in back room staff, especially
physio and it looks like this is
paying off. I have to say that
other clubs in our league have
been ravaged by injury and this
makes a significant difference to
their league position as our squads
are so limited in size.”
to take Scunthorpe Rugby forward –
whatever that may be or look like.”
Youth
“Youth development is crucial to us.
Although the public face of the club is the
first team and they consume the bulk of
our resources the most important part of
our club is our youth system.
We aim to be sustainable for the
future. As a senior committee we all
promote the same ethos towards our
youth sections. They are our future and
our role is to create the legacy for them
Community
Integration
“We look to ensure young players
have a smooth transition into the
senior game in a number of ways. This
happens in a number of ways. We have
representation from all levels on our main
Images courtesy of Bill Maria Photos
12 Issue 61
committee. This ensures all sections of the
club are involved in decisions that affect
them.
We also take their thoughts and
opinions on board so that we have
continuity and sustainability. On a
practical level we have our mini rugby
teams come along to meet the first team
on match day, they bring along their
parents and it’s their first taste of
senior rugby. We have ball boys
helping out on match day and
when we have our home lunches
our U16s are waiters for the day.
When the U16s are past
Christmas they train with our
Colts (u19s). In the summer we
hold a meet and greet with the
players, coaches and parents and
the senior coaches/officials of the
club as part