Wilmslow
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Wilmslow
RUGBY Union FOOTBALL CLUB
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ilmslow RUFC is a fine example of a progressive , forward thinking set up that has committed to improving the all-round experience that they offer to their local community . Rugby Club Magazine recently caught up with their Secretary Rob Milner to find out more about the good work that they ’ ve been doing lately .
He told us , “ I ’ ve been involved with the club for 47 years – it was in a group of leading clubs in the North West in the 70 ’ s which had friendly rivalries including Sale , Manchester , Gosforth , Waterloo , Preston etc . and played attractive rugby .”
“ Rugby is changing rapidly but the club has remained totally amateur . It is a challenge to keep the club viable as an entity and fun to play rugby at all levels .
“ Overall though the club is buzzing with recent investments in infrastructure and image . It is socially very good with a great bar ! But the clashes between the push over the last few years to make ALL levels competitive ; the increased physicality of the game ; the lack of definition between paid and not paid players and the changing socioeconomic habits of the young players is causing an increasing dropout rate at lower team levels .
“ There is a very good social side to the club . On the rugby scene , Wilmslow Wolves ( the 1st team ) are currently third in the league and will remain around there . The other teams including the Colts are coming out of a poor period – playing good rugby but suffering from wide inequalities of skills in their leagues .
“ Wilmslow currently has 355 registered mini and junior players this season . Whilst an administrative nightmare (!) it is very exciting to see the development of the boys through the years – currently two ex juniors are playing in the Premier League plus one has been capped this year for Scotland .
“ A good number from our youth section carry on into the Colts and we try to bed them in gently through the senior teams . A large number do leave for universities each year and we have special Christmas friendlies etc . to keep them involved with the club and their friends .
“ We have a catchment area from a large number of rugby playing schools
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