Lottery boost for junior rugby players

Article from http://www.northdevongazette.co.uk

29 December 2005

A Lottery fund grant of almost £5,000 will help Bideford Rugby Club junior section keep pace with the boom in interest of local youngsters.

More than 200 youngsters between the ages of seven and 16 now take part in the junior training sessions -boys on Wednesday nights and girls on Tuesday nights.

There are boys teams for every age year and a girls team, with matches every weekend. Provision of the grant will help the club provide for the growing numbers by buying portable lights and other equipment to enable an outside pitch to be used for training as well as the main club pitch.

Local businessman Chris Howells has also contributed extra tackle bags and balls.

Junior club spokeswoman Margaret Starkey said: "We must now be one of the biggest youth clubs in the region. We are open to anyone who wants to join in, girls and boys and whatever their ability. Just turn up on a Tuesday or Wednesday night.