As the season comes to an end Burnley Junior Rugby section has developed nicely throughout 2015/16. With John Richmond, Junior Chairman, stepping down after three successful years service, he will still be supporting the section coaching the youngsters. Anyone out there keen to lead the future rugby players of Burnley?

Back to the rugby and 2015/16 season has seen a team at every age from U7's - U13's ( 7 Sides ), with a mix U13's / U14's and U15's / U16's boys sides taking to the field against various local clubs. The girls side has seen U13's train and on occasion link up with other clubs at pitch up and play events, the U15's have shown real strength making the national semi finals. Numerous members have gone on to represent Lancashire and two played for the North of England. The U18's have partnered up with West Park St Helens and shown strong performances in the games they have played, really well coached by Dom Leck and Jason Bell.

Each Team -

The U7's have been excellent led by Mark Jackson, with help of Ryan Bradley & Paul Finnan. Numerous new children have introduced to the club at this age. The side has developed children who have never played the game. Catering for between 10 - 20 boys and girls. In the winter months they continued to keep active by hiring the local 3G pitch and had an excellent day out at the York festival.

The U8's have grown through the 2015/16 season and performed really well, when the club travelled to Sale Sharks, they played at half time, representing the club with credit. With numbers between 6 - 12 throughout the season there is always room for new players and next season they move from Tag to Tackle which is always a good time for your boys and girls to come and release some channelled aggression. This year the squad have been well led by Ian Coates, with early support from Phil Thornton. All parent support greatly appreciated.

The U9's has seen Howard Metcalf lead the training sessions and match day squad with excellent support from Jamie Hamer, who through the season has attended coaching courses. Moving forward these two will make a great coaching team, AGAIN MORE support always welcome. Moving up from the Tags last season the squad had a good player base. This season new players have arrived and fitted in really well, with 10 attending the York Festival at the end of the season. Moving forward a healthy squad of 14 have represented Burnley this year winning more than they have lost.

The U10's have shown great development at training working with Howard, next season the club will hopefully appoint two senior players to lead the team. As they have grown in the 2015/16 season to be a stand alone side. Some weeks numbers have been low, but that happens with children across the sides having other interests - cubs, other sports, etc going on, however as long as they keen doing activities and rugby is part of that all well and good. This age has possibly seen the most new recruits over the campaign and at the York Festival as the event grew, so did the team, superbly supported by senior player Dom Frankland and membership secretary Martin Evans.They should see a big season next year for this age to develop as over the last month of this season 10+ different children have trained, now the aim is to get all these available come Sunday's.

The U11's a very healthy team at the club both in numbers and ability, many have been involved for the last 3 or 4 years, but this season has also seen an increase in players with at least half a dozen new players joining and fitting in really well.
The side were also lucky enough to receive coaching from England great Neil Back following the success of coach Chris Pickles winning a national award. The team on Sunday's is also organised by Sean Ward who really encourages them from the side line. As this age group starts a new chapter in their lives as they move into secondary school, we hope all fifteen regulars continue to develop their rugby down at Holden Rd as they have real potential to become a very strong team, next stop another 5-10 players for the squad.

The U12's in season 2015/16 have managed to be represented at all their games but some weeks have been low on numbers. Therefore in the 2016/17 season numbers need to increase to continue as a stand alone team. However the regulars who have turned up week in week out of which there has been 10-12 have shown strong ability to tackle, score, scrum and ruck. Stand out performance from the boys was when they hosted a touring team and secured a win. They have also twice this season shown their ability by playing up with the U13's in friendly matches and getting good feedback from the U13's coaches.

The U13's / U14's have been expertly led by Dom Bythell, John Richmond and Charlie Haynes. Team numbers at mainly U13's have increased nicely with the clubs close links with local schools. Both ages saw players train with North Lancashire DPP Squads and 5 U13's play at Heaton Moor in the county festival against Merseyside and Greater Manchester. The U13's also hosted local rivals Colne and Nelson as a curtain raiser before Burnley's first team derby game against Pendle. Finally the side way back in pre season 2015 went on their first tour to develop friendships amongst the side.

The U15's / U16's as with most junior sport are a very difficult age to keep people interested as they find other interests. This side has regularly seen 18 - 20 children training. A credit to Michael McGee, Phil Jones and Adrian Knowles. Phil regularly developed team building whether it was walking up Pendle Hill or bag packing in local supermarkets .The players became strong mates as well as rugby players. Also players from this team showed club support as they achieved level one refereeing and have help at tag games and supported the clubs community work particularly refereeing at school tag competitions. Finally Phil last summer put together the tour of Wales in September that both the U14 and U16 were able to enjoy, making friendships and life long stories as the youngsters grow.

Across all the teams the youngsters have been a real credit and represented Burnley RUFC both home and away excellently. Thank you also to the parents who have travelled across Lancashire to numerous away rugby clubs, most Sunday's often a good hour away from Burnley your support has really been appreciated.

Finally volunteers other than the great coaches mentioned above, Selina Finnan in the kitchen on home games and training, supported by Andrea Bettany and Katherine Ireland, Martin Evans for the registering of all the new juniors who have come into the club this season. Paul Finnan for his weekly efforts as Fixture Secertary confirming or arranging games so each team has an opposition to play, plus prior to a season starts getting a full fixture list in place. Jeanette Shorrocks as the junior safeguarding officer, helping support any issues that may occur. With also numerous (12) coaches and volunteers this season gaining First Aid Qualification to oversee any minor injuries and procedures to make sure all players are well cared for.

However volunteers is also one area the club are also looking for more help, so if you want to be part of your son or daughters team but not keen to coach, come and have a word, let the coaches coach and you volunteer - collecting match fees, handing shirts out, getting children to collect water bottles in, handing food out to the opposition so we showcase the club in a good light - all jobs are based around watching your children perform and would last a very short space of time but increase the smooth running of the juniors.

Enjoy your summer here's looking at an enjoyable 2016/17 season and please encourage a friend, school mate, child or sibling to join the club and play the great game whilst developing skills such as Teamwork, Sportmanship, Discipline, Respect and Enjoyment.

Anyone wanting more information on Burnley RUFC Junior Rugby contact 07988122186

Simon Finnan

Burnley Community Rugby Coach