Percy Park
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Percy Park RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
Percy Park RFC is a club putting its faith in youth as they look to build a successful club that will provide for its community for years to come . Rugby Club Magazine caught up with Club Representative Keith Atkinson to find out more .
Atmosphere
He told us , “ The mood here is enthusiastic ; we have a young 1st XV and even younger 2nd XV led by Jake Smith . With the direction of former Samoan International Lome Fa ’ atau and valuable assistance given from Nili Latu , the former Tongan Captain , it ’ s easy to see why the word enthusiastic can be used . There is a youthful energy around the club which enthuses supporters especially because there is an awful lot of talent there to see … exciting times .”
Youth
“ Youth rugby is vital to us ; nearly all our 1st and 2nd team players are from our youth section . It is the one thing that we do excel at and that is developing young players and giving them their opportunity to showboat their talents .
We have former players playing their Rugby at a higher level with Newcastle Falcons , Tynedale and Blaydon RFC … hopefully one day when they have finished at the top of their game they will come back !”
Potential
“ Our Club Captain , Guy Pike , is also the Northumberland County team Captain . He is an exceptional player who also plays 7 ’ s Rugby on the International stage and fortunately he is a ‘ Park boy ’. There are others however we should mention such as Jake Smith who is one of our youngest ever second team captains . We are hoping that he can develop in that role which will hopefully take him on to greater things . To assist that development he will be mentored by a former 1st Team Captain and Coach Paul Jobson .”
Community
“ With over 300 youth members , 94 senior players plus Veterans ; a Clubhouse booked out for social occasions Thursday through to Sunday every week , a partnership with Fit4Less Gyms ( that has numerous classes using the gym and Clubhouse ), Tynemouth Cricket and Golf Clubs , Kings Priory School and North Tyneside Council I think we can honestly say that we a true community Rugby Club .”
Facilities
“ With a large number of users we identified a need to update , restructure and provide additional changing room accommodation . Simply , we didn ’ t have enough provision and what we did have wasn ’ t good enough . The existing changing room and shower areas were
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