Ryland Sharks
Ryland Sharks
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Ryland Sharks
RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL CLUB
Ryland Sharks RLFC has been enjoying some positive results of late and is
building for a successful future. Rugby Club Magazine recently caught up with
Club Representative Sam Driscoll to find out more about how they have been
getting along recently.
Involvement
He told us, “I first joined the club at
under 8’s some 28 years ago and enjoyed
a lot of success, winning the league,
Warrington Cup and Lancashire Cup in
the one season at under 18’s level. Due
to serious injury in which I broke my leg
and ankle in 27 places and wrist in 9 I
was told I could never play rugby again.
I had 10 years away from the sport
but the draw of rugby league and the
club was too strong and I made my
return at the start of this season. Rylands
has always been a family club to me with
my brother playing here before going on
to NW crusaders and my dad coaching
here for five years a number of years ago.
Several of the guys in the current
squad I played with back in the glory
years and it’s that comradery that has
both kept players there and brought
players back. Plus the current coaching
staff of Robert Campbell and Liam
Lawton help to keep the focus of the club
in touching distance rather than having
too high aspirations.” from the club and spare time is at a
premium. But to be honest the lads enjoy
each other’s company and when we get
together for an event we show up in
force with our families and friends and
really get stuck in.”
The Role “Generally the mood is good as we
are getting the results and performing
well and the lads really gel well together.
However, as we are developing, getting
the commitment at training can be
a challenge which does create some
friction between those committed to
training and match days and those that
just turn up for a run out on a Saturday.
Either way, when we take away a win
“My role in the club has only really
been defined within the last few months
to help fortify the buzz and social aspects
to rugby league and the club which I am
really enjoying. The most challenging
aspect of being the social secretary and
events manager is co-ordination of the
lads as everyone lives busy lives away
Atmosphere
with thirteen men it really does demonstrate what a fantastic
club this is and the real quality we have down here.”
Present
“The season started off fairly rocky with some disappointing
performances to start, however we really started to turn it on
and got some really high scores and show reel performances
under our belt. Mid-season losses to the likes of Latchford hit
us hard but we bounced back with some real determination
and I see a sprint finish ahead for the rest of the season.
2018 is almost a trial season for us to gel as a team and really
focus on building our relationships as there are a few new faces
(and old ones returning). Rylands has been here many years
before us and will continue to prosper once we hang our boots
up.”
Youth
“Youth at the club is very important, the junior teams are so
successful and always have been; Rylands has produced some
of the big names in rugby league and still does. The club is seen
as one of the best in the North West and the youth are attracted
by the professionalism and experience of the coaching staff.
In the past the transition into the senior game has been
somewhat of a baptism of fire really when a few players take the
decision to step up at 16, 17 and 18 but nowadays 18’s training
with the open age and even the younger ages groups having
trail tag and grab matches helps bridge that gap between the
age groups.”
Community
“The club is absolutely a community club; we focus on
getting people through the gates and interested in rugby league
as a sport not just the club and we try to put on free events to
just get people here watching, playing and supporting the club.
Just recently we had a fun day wher e we put on a past
vs present exhibition match which turned rather tasty and
the past even went on to win, showing that you can’t teach
experience! But the point of it was everyone’s families being
together and catching up over rugby and a pint. It was so good
to see and be a part of.”
Challenges/Ambitions
“The biggest challenges are also the biggest rewards and
that is to do with the multimillion pound takeover of the club
by Wayne Rooney’s agent Paul Stretford. He has expressed
that he wants rugby to continue to be part of the growth of
Ryland as a club and I believe he will stick to his word, that
said if we fail to continue to grow as a rugby club and invest
time and effort it will make it hard for him as a business man
to continue to support us.
We want sustainable growth with promotion after
promotion, Rob and Liam are keen to ensure we do not run
before we can walk and we grow as one.”
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