Rugby Club ISSUE 83 | Page 68

Okehampton FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/RUGBYCLUBMAG YHA Okehampton Book your next youth team away trip to Okehampton and get great value stays with team building activities at YHA Okehampton. Special price: 2 nights B and B with an activity £75.50pp Climbing Raft Building High Ropes www.adventureokehampton.com 01837 53916 www.yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-okehampton This is the 1st XV’s third year in the Tribute South West 1 league and the season is going well. They are sitting comfortably second in the league just 1pt behind Launceston and with a better points difference. Okehampton beat Launceston at the Cornish All Blacks home early in the season, and the return fixture on Saturday 12th January 2019 is eagerly anticipated. With the Second XV performing well and an improving Colts XV the club is having a great year so far. The strength of the club is in the Junior section. Looking at the Senior XV’s it is obvious how important a strong junior section is to a club, and it is a strength we are building on. There has to be a good chance that the club will move up a league in the final result, and if that is achieved it will be the first time the club has ever attained RFU Level 5 status. The club is buzzing at the moment, probably playing the best rugby ever in its existence, and with a slowly growing support base. Challenges for the club in the next five years are mainly associated with developing the new facility once that planning permission is attained. The funding required is considerable, but we have shown with the refurbishment of the two main pitches and stand that we can do it. The playing side will need to continue to develop to maintain the status the club has achieved. 68 Issue 83 ww John Elson, the Director of Adventure Okehampton said, “We are proud to be sponsors of Okehampton Rugby Club, as they do great work with the youth of Okehampton, building skills such as teamwork, self-confidence and respect for others. We have accommodated many different visiting Youth Teams at the Goods Shed over the years, and provided challenging adventure activities such as High Ropes, Gorge Scrambling and Raft Building that enhance their team-work skills, as well as improving balance, coordination and self- awareness.” Adventure Okehampton YHA are one of three specialist Activity centres of the YHA (England and Wales) and in 2018 were proud to have won local tourism awards for “Responsible, Ethical and Sustainable Tourism” and “Active and Sporting Learning Experience”. This year YHA are the gold award winners as the “Best Residential Experience” from School Travel Organiser magazine. YHA and Adventure Okehampton work together to support local communities and enjoy watching young people thrive in new environments and new experiences because “where you go changes who you become” and we know that those who take part in sports team residentials benefit from these opportunities. Teams from some areas could also be eligible to apply for grants from YHA’s charity to support stays at YHA’s.