Garstang
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Bert Cross and Rob Kerr who started running Rugby Summer camps and engaging with local schools has been critical to the overall progress of the club .
The Junior section is a credit to all involved , especially the coaches and parents and volunteer helpers in the kitchen . The goal has always been to have a colts team and Garstang have now got their very first colts team which is entering the colts league this season . It is hoped that the colts will provide the new players to support the club for the foreseeable future .”
Integration
“ The aim is to have a sustainable future with a steady feed of colts into the senior sections . To encourage this transition , the club has started to introduce the two sections ( men senior / colts ) to each other . For the last couple of seasons , we have been running summer touch rugby sessions which have had the older junior section playing with the seniors . The touch Rugby has enabled the two groups to play together in a safe environment where they can share knowledge and exchange some Banter
( nothing like seeing a young lad side stepping the first team prop , and listening to the “ feedback from his peers ”).
At this stage in the colts development programme , we are in a situation where the Colts and seniors are familiar with each other , with Colts desperate to play for the seniors and the seniors also keen for the colts to step up and play at the higher level .”
Community
“ Garstang is a small market town and Garstang RUFC plays a big part in the local community . The majority of players originate from the local area and the junior teams are also made up from schools from the local area . The club has a thriving social section and organise regular events in the Town throughout the year . We also hold an annual Summer fun day where everyone is welcome and both adults and children have a great time regardless of the weather .”
Challenges / Ambitions
“ The biggest challenge for any club is to attract new players and player retention . A successful junior section is key to attaining this goal . We are looking at starting a junior ladies team as there are none in the area and without a ladies junior section it ’ s difficult to sustain a senior ladies team for the long term . The intention is to engage with local primary / secondary schools to gauge interest and look into the possibility of setting up a new junior ladies section .
The club ’ s ambition is for our teams to keep progressing within their respective leagues . It is hoped that through attaining a successful Junior / Youth Section the Club will potentially gain a 3rd Team which will support the 1st / 2nds . The Club is also looking at finding ways to attract more ladies to the Club in an effort to sustain the ladies squad .”
22 Issue 75