TOMASZ CHADWICK: Taking rugby into the schools

The staff there have organised a ‘get into a new sport’ themed day, and I’m delighted to be able to offer rugby sessions to the pupils there for the first time.

So often with these sessions, children find that they enjoy the sport, that they’re good at it, or that it’s not as scary as they thought it was going to be.

I’m sure I’ll meet a lot of friendly faces when I go in, and the day itself will be a fantastic success for the school.

Whether the children decide to get into rugby or any other sport, it is important that they are participating, ensuring that they keep their lifestyles healthy which is what the Active Youth scheme is attempting to promote.

I must also offer my congratulations to Scarborough Sixth Form College’s Rugby side, who travelled to Thomas Rotherham College last week and put in a fantastic display of intelligent and clinical rugby.

There were a number of great performances from the players, but as a team they showed real signs of maturity in what were rather difficult conditions.

The team has already proved this year they have ability in abundance, but what’s great for me as a coach is to now see the players understanding the game a lot better and using their ability appropriately.

On Monday night we had a number of girls (mainly from Scalby School) attend our first under-13s girls only rugby session.

I’m thrilled to announce that I will now be the coach for their age group and provided things go well in the future, I’ll also be coaching our under-15s girls team too.

We are fortunate enough to have Malton & Norton RUFC so close, who have recently set up teams at both age groups too.

This should guarantee us some fixtures and some competition while we are in our infancy stage (in terms of our junior girls rugby set up).

Our under-14s took on Guisborough at home last Sunday and narrowly lost out 29-34.

Recently the under-14s have been training with our under-15s side and the players have clearly improved in terms of the physical aspects to the game.

Both Zak Kirk and Jack Simpson had fantastic performances and even though their talisman Joe Fishburn has now been ruled out with a season-ending injury, the side performed very well, pushing Guisborough right to the final whistle.

This Sunday our under-14s will be playing away at Moortown.

There was also a loss for our under-17s side, who had been drawn Hull Ionians in the Yorkshire Cup. Our junior colts conceded a couple of tries earlier on in the game and at this point I feared the worst.

But great team spirit and resolve ensured the scoring was kept to a minimum and the game was kept as a contest up until the last few minutes.

However it was not to be and Hull deservedly took the win and progress through into the next round.

It’s been a good season for our junior colts who have fell just short at times but with a tour planned in the near future, it’s not all doom and gloom and I’m sure they’ll look back on this season with fond memories.

All was not doom and gloom for our junior section though, as our under-16s were able to beat Bridlington under floodlights on Friday night.

Friday night rugby is something we’re trying to host more often as it offers a different atmosphere for those playing and watching.

We also need to be clever with how the rugby world is changing too.

Certain players as they get older have other commitments throughout the weekend and it’s important to offer ways to get around this if they want to continue playing.

A club that is willing to adapt and offer new solutions to its current players will always benefit in the long run.

I was also sat in a meeting with Breakaway Tours last week, where plans are being put in place to host another nationwide festival at Silver Royd.

On the April 18 and 19, there will be up to 60 different teams from under-sevens to under-12s playing at Scarborough RUFC.

The event itself will include entertainment, fun-filled activities and refreshments. This occasion will be a fantastic spectacle for the town to enjoy, it will also be a great way to conclude the playing season for our minis.

On the April 4 Scarborough RUFC’s first team will be taking on Bridgnorth in the National Intermediate Cup semi-final – with the winners advancing to play the final at Twickenham.

As well as this being a big day for the town, this will also be a momentous occasion for our mini/junior sections.

Instead of having an Active Youth Trainer of the Week, we are going to have our entire mini/junior set-up parade the pitch at half-time so that all of the public can see our stars of the future.

It will be a great way to showcase our younger talent, while showing them the highest level of rugby they can play at within Scarborough RUFC.

I trust the entire town will come out in force just like it did for our quarter-final, and fingers crossed, it will be a pleasant day for all involved with the club.