Autoclaves Group Sponsors Local Junior Rugby Teams

Keighley RUFC has kick-started a campaign to attract more young players – both minis and juniors.

It is being led by club officials, with full backing from main sponsor, the Keighley–based Autoclaves Group, which has pledged £5,000 through a three-year support package to promote the development of junior rugby at the club.

Autoclaves Group managing director Russell Gibson, who is himself a Keighley RUFC junior coach, said: “There is a major push on at the moment to bring about a resurgence in junior rugby across the town and wider area.

“We are fully behind it – and more than happy to support any initiatives that help spread the word and attract more youngsters into this great game.

“It’s all about opening up easy access to junior rugby at a grass roots level from the earliest years, about teaching our children and young people of the value of team spirit and camaraderie by encouraging them to get out and about, involved in and enjoying a healthy, safe and structured sporting environment.

“This can only help assist their future personal development and, who knows, they could well become the future stars of both club and country. Keighley RUFC has already seen players from the junior ranks go on to play for England U19s, Yorkshire and Premiership clubs such as Leeds and Leicester.”

Keighley RUFC currently runs both mini and junior team across the U7´s to U17´s age groups. They participate in either fun or local inter-club games, depending on age.

Club chairman David Mortimer said: “This is a clarion call to young people to come down and experience the thrills of junior rugby at Keighley RUFC.

Russell Gibson, centre, Managing Director of Autoclaves Group, presents one of the new company–sponsored shirts to Keighley RUFC chairman David Mortimer, joined by members of the Under 10–s and Under 11–s squads.

 

“Our training is fun and fully supervised by qualified coaches, and we hold the RFU´s Junior Club seal of approval. Our facilities at Utley are first–class and there are opportunities for all – both boys and girls.

“We will welcome them with open arms and our message to all kids out there is: “tell your parents you want to have a go.”

To support the campaign, information packs and posters are being widely distributed to local schools and groups.

Interested youngsters are being invited to turn up and join in at training sessions – they are held twice weekly on Wednesday evenings, 6.30-8.00pm, and Sunday mornings10.30am–12.00noon, unless games are taking place.

They or their parents can also contact Russell Gibson at Autoclaves on 01535 687450 or the club us through its website at www.keighleyrufc.com