Huddersfield
will be celebrating a very significant anniversary because it
was exactly fifty years ago when Huddersfield pioneered the
development of Mini and Junior rugby at club level.
Former club president Bob Lumley and former secretary
Martin Noble were the key men responsible for kick starting
the movement. Hitherto young players only took to the game
in the club’s Academy team, the new Mini and Junior Section
provided youngsters who didn’t attend rugby playing schools
the opportunity to take up the game at a much earlier age.
The launch was featured on BBC TV’s ‘Nationwide’
programme which showed the boys in action with reporter
Bob Langley interviewing Bob Lumley about the initiative. A
quirk of the TV involvement was that Basil Brush became the
first Honorary President of Huddersfield’s newly formed Mini
and Junior Section.
In the early 1970’s lots other clubs followed Huddersfield’s
lead with Otley, Morley and Harrogate being amongst the
first in Yorkshire to follow suit. From humble origins back
in 1969 the club Age Grade movement has grown to become
a worldwide phenomenon and every Sunday morning in
winter nowadays the county’s playing fields are a buzz with
hundreds of youngsters enjoying, learning and playing rugby
union football.
At the club plans are afoot to mark the ‘Golden Jubilee’ with
a series of special events which will kick off with a jamboree
day in September heralding the club as the ‘Birthplace of Mini
and Junior Club Rugby’. England international Luther Burrell
and England Women’s Under 20’s international Bryony
Field are two of the players who got their start in the game at
Huddersfield.
Tracy Davis is the club’s current and longest serving Chair
of Age Grade. She says, “I am very proud of all our coaches,
managers and volunteers who work tirelessly to make sure our
300 players and their families have the best rugby experience
possible. Celebratory plans are being made and I am looking
forward to our Mini and Junior Festivals in March which are
always a success and draw teams from all over the country. It
is also always a pleasure to welcome touring groups. We have
built up a good reputation for our warm hospitality and of
course the good standard of rugby we offer.”
Out of
space?
Storage soulutions
from just £3.45 per week
Reliable, Secure and Affordable
At HD1 Secure Self Storage, we pride ourselves in
providing the right storage solution at a cost-effective price.
Conveniently located within half a mile of Huddersfield town
centre, our purpose-built facility allows you to store your
items in a dry, secure environment, with handling equipment
to help you move your items from vehicle to unit.
24-hour CCTV Monitoring | Flexible Unit Space
Heated | Secure, Clean and Dry | Competitive Rates
T: 01484 484363
W: www.hd1secure.co.uk
Albert Mills, Albert Street, Lockwood, Huddersfield HD1 3PZ
www.sportyorkshire.net
9