News

The future looks bright for Basildon Rugby club following an influx of local young players.

Over the past three years the club have been working closely with secondary schools across the district recruiting young leaders as tag rugby coaches to work with year three and four children in local primary schools.

Last season the club only had enough young players for a combined u9's and u10's team, however because of the great work the club is doing with the scheme they now have enough players for two u10's teams and an u11's team.

Basildon Council has supported the club by awarding a sport grant to help towards the cost of the new equipment needed for the large influx of additional young rugby players.

Councillor Kevin Blake, Cabinet Member for Arts and Leisure said: "This is a fantastic example of how a local team are working with the local community to build for the future. We were very pleased to assist them with a sports grant and who knows one or two of these young players may be the Johnny Wilkinson of the future!"

The club are still keen to continue getting more children involved at all age levels and are now launching the next young leader programme sponsored by Festival Leisure which will see 52 young leaders put through their pace and undergo coaching courses before delivering rugby sessions to children in 22 different primary schools.

The club would like to hear from players of all age groups and aspiring coaches who would like to get involved and can be contact Dave Hare on 07966842577.