From Friday 2nd September, coaches and volunteers at Ilkeston Rugby Club will be teaming up with the England Rugby Football Union (RFU), to deliver a 10 week programme aimed at encouraging new and former players back to the game.

Chairman at the club, Colin Davies has set a mandate for the coming season to lift the profile of the club within the community and to boost playing numbers. “Ilkeston Rugby is a great place to be involved with. From successful competitive senior sides, through to a thriving minis and junior section, the club really does have something to offer for anyone wanting to get involved in rugby. We pride ourselves on providing a welcoming, family environment, and offer much more than just playing on our pitches at Hallam Fields Road. There is a real focus on developing family, friendship and links with the local community. It’s an exciting time for us and we are really working hard behind the scenes to develop opportunities for inclusion across the board”.

The Return To Rugby initiative will be riding on the back of the huge success seen by the 02 Touch Rugby programme that has developed over the last six months. This is also run on a Friday night, and is a non-contact hour and a half of rugby for the family to come along to and enjoy keeping fit together.

Director of Rugby at the club Steve Quinn comments “We'll be re-introducing players to rugby through fun and invigorating game play, moving at your own pace and giving you an opportunity to get some refreshers on basic skills. So whatever your playing level, whether you want to play socially, get back into competitive playing or just simply want to get fit, we'll tailor the sessions to suit your needs.”

Players and members alike have been encouraged to reach out to their former team mates, family members, friends and work colleagues, in an attempt to boost numbers for the 10 week block of sessions with the end goal of increasing uptake of senior rugby at Ilkeston.

For more information contact
Andrew Evans minichairman@ilkestonrugby.com or 07770303167

When: Every Friday Night from 2/9/2016
Where: Initially at Ilkeston RUFC grounds “The Stute”, Hallam Fields Road, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 4AZ.