Tomasz Chadwick: Juniors set for new season

After an incredibly successful start for the Active Youth Scheme last year, I’m looking forward to welcoming all our existing players back to the club as they look to continue their development in the sport.

I’m also very excited to meet all the new players that may want to try rugby this season.

If you’re reading this thinking a son, daughter, nephew or niece may want to play, please feel more than welcome to attend training this Sunday at 10.30am.

Throughout September we never ask for any payment or paperwork, we want as many as possible to come to the club and see if they enjoy it.

As this is my first article of the season, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank McCain for supporting the Active Youth Programme.

Their commitment to healthy lifestyles in the younger community is a sentiment shared by all at Scarborough RUFC.

Over the last 12 months their support to the club and to me on a personal level has been unwavering. With the scheme built on such firm foundations, it’s no surprise that it has progressed so much.

I’d also like to thank The Scarborough News for the opportunity of speaking to all the readers on a weekly basis.

It’s my aim to work tirelessly to best help the community, and being able to report on my progress and offer you information on future events will certainly help to broaden the programme to as many people as possible.

The Active Youth Scheme focuses primarily on promoting healthy lifestyles in the younger community.

In addition to integrating more of the youth into Scarborough RUFC’s brilliant junior and mini setups, I’ll also be offering free coaching services to all schools in the Scarborough district as well as assisting the RFU in various rugby festivals and tournaments.

My job is to facilitate rugby and in doing so I’ll be encouraging children to get active!

You may be wondering what I do during the off season?

I must admit things do quieten down, but considering the lack of rugby activity, it’s still been quite an intensive summer.

As well as a large amount of preparation for the coming season, we’ve also hosted a number of children’s summer camps Jacarandas which have been very successful.

Although rugby can be fantastic in terms of exercising, making friends and engaging in healthy competition, I fully appreciate that the sport itself may not be for everyone.

The camps are designed specifically for children’s enjoyment, with each day being packed full of different sports and activities.

In doing this we offer a fun environment but also one where the younger ones can learn new skills

The club has invested a lot of money over the summer in restocking playing equipment and purchasing new kits, so our mini and junior sides not only look the part when playing, but have the correct and safe tools to hone their skills

The break also offered us the chance to offer further education to volunteer coaches - funded by the club.

A large number of our coaching team have now been through additional qualifications meaning that our delivery to young players will be even better than previous years.

Looking at the number of players in the club’s youth system that are now playing for Yorkshire, shows how advanced the club has become in furthering the development of its players.

We also now have a number of newly-qualified referees, which will hopefully ease the burden on our stalwarts of last season.

The likes of Darrell Conlin and Dave Coates may have more time off this year which I’m sure they and their families will appreciate!