Rugby Club Issue 63 | Page 43

Percy Park dual gender for all ages club), a ‘7’s’ side (Percy Park Sharks) and 300 young people from the ages of 5 years to 16 years.” Atmosphere “The mood at the club at the moment is buoyant. We understand that we are in a transition period with our senior sides. At present the players are very young and hugely talented. We have good senior coaches led by Lome Faatau, a former Samoan International and as a consequence we are all hopeful of exciting seasons ahead. Off the field we are doing well with support from local business people and the continued support of Stratstone Tyneside BMW. Every First XV game has been sponsored and I can having anything between 80 and 140 to a lunch before a first team game.” Present “On the Rugby side of this season it has been 50/50 with roughly the same amount of wins and losses culminating in a midtable position. From a players perspective Percy Park has presented more first team ties this year than in recent years so there is opportunity and our young players are grabbing it. Corporately we are doing well with good numbers of support for our home games Over the off-season our ambition is to push forward our plans for the new changing rooms and ensure that they are ready for next season.” Youth “Percy Park is all about youth rugby. There are very few senior players at Percy Park who did not play mini or junior rugby at Percy Park. On our last home game 16 of the eighteen selected players were from our junior system. All of our management committee have coached and led junior sides at the club. Says it all. We look to ensure young players enjoy a smooth transition into the senior game by holding joint training sessions with the s e n i o r s or with the senior coaches and also playing at the same time as seniors and generally being around together. We look to providing young players with an opportunity ... integrating them into the second and third teams when they are of an age to compete and then onto the First XV. The formula has not failed us yet!” physiotherapist who offers both private and NHS work. Paul Youlden, Head of Sport and Leisure at North Tyneside Council, has noted, ‘Percy Park RFC is an important community asset within North Tyneside which has an excellent track record of developing young talent. It is also an inclusive club with links to other sports clubs and schools.’ Percy Park prides itself on providing a family and friendly atmosphere and has attracted large numbers of persons to its venue. Through the years Percy Park has positively impacted on many lives and does so today for many aspiring and developing young people.” Community “Our biggest challenge will be ensuring that we don’t stand still! To attract players and parents to your club you have to provide modern facilities with a welcoming friendly environment. Our ambition is to take our young players up to Level 5 Rugby and to compete once more in the National Leagues. We want to ensure that we have a modern building that meets the demands of our members.” “Percy Park RFC is a well-established community Rugby Club with a large junior base. It is also home to a ‘gay’ rugby team, a dual gender touch rugby and a school side. Percy Park attends and holds school and club junior tournaments, hosts social functions and community life choice clubs and accommodates a Challenges/Ambitions www.sportip.biz 43