Huddersfield YMCA
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Huddersfield YMCA
RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB
Huddersfield YMCA RUFC is working hard as a modern community
establishment and are well placed to enjoy a bright future. Rugby Club
Magazine recently caught up with Chairman Damon Scholes to find
out more about the good work they have been doing lately.
“I’ve been involved with the club for a
decade now having started with the club
as a coach and took over as Chairman
this year. The role has certainly been
interesting so far; the game is changing
and evolving and we’re having to adapt
to that.
“Rugby Union clubs are struggling
in Yorkshire and the North and I think it
will be the clubs that successfully adapt
that will thrive. With this in mind, we’ve
put a lot of financial investment into our
junior system and relaunched our mini
set up.
“We have employed a part time
development officer to boost numbers
and also have a link with White Rose
Rugby who are going into schools to
help support us. This has been made
possible by generous sponsorship from
JCB helping us in the last year. Trojan
Plastics have also been a great supporter
of the club and I’d also like to thank
Alton Estate Agents, Craftworks and
the Old Wireworks at Lindley. We’re
always on the look out for companies
that want to sponsor us.
“We’re developing a really strong
structure and everyone is working hard
to do the best job that they can. We
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have some strong young sides in place
and hope to help them to continue to
develop in the coming years before
they eventually make the step up to
senior rugby. It is important for us that
they have clear pathway into the senior
game with a one club mentality firmly
established. I think that is the way all
clubs will have to go if they want to be
successful.
“In order to continue to expand we
need volunteers to come on board and
support us. If anyone is interested their
support would be greatly appreciated
and we will be sure to give you a warm
welcome. We have formed close links
with Huddersfield University and have
had players come into the club and play
for us which has helped.
“The ladies team that we formed
for the first time this year has also
evolved from the University team so the
partnership has been very positive. We
have a number of girls sides at youth
level so creating that pathway was very
important to us.
“I believe that the YMCA, with the
right infrastructure, has the potential to
play National League rugby. We will
not buy success however and our aim is
to be as successful as we can be whilst
building a set up which allows to be
sustainable in the long-term.”