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MK Wolves - Statement

MK Wolves - Statement

Pete Nuttall2 Jul 2012 - 09:06
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This is YOUR Rugby League Club. And, despite a number of cancelled games recently, we've got a season to finish. And we need you to finish it.

After a disappointing few weeks where, due to lack of available players, we have had to cancel a number of away games, members of the MK Wolves committee met with a couple of senior players (Scott & Kieran) yesterday to discuss the current situation at MK Wolves RL.

We have always had a small but enthusiastic squad, and of course people will have genuine reasons for being unavailable for selection on certain days over the summer, but the dwindling numbers at training and who are declaring their availability for games, has been a real cause for concern. And the number of cancelled games is unacceptable.

We still firmly believe that Rugby League in Milton Keynes has a bright future, and although MK Wolves have yet to record a win, our performances (from players who, in many cases, had never played Rugby League until a couple of months ago) have shown we are steadily improving and can hold our own at this level of Rugby League.

Cancelling games is something we never wished to do – it is frustratiing to those who have diligently turned up to training, it is inconvenient to our opponents, and – frankly - it is downright rude. And for that, we apologise to North Herts Crusaders, St. Ives Roosters and Bury Titans.

The resolution at the meeting was to continue with the season, re-arranging the missed away trips if we can. Even if the results don’t go our way, we want to finish the season with our heads held high, rather than fizzle out due to apathy.

To make it easier to attend training, we will keep Rugby League training at Emerson Valley on a Wednesday, but move the start time back to 7pm, rather than 6.30. This will hopefully allow more players to attend after work.

Thanks to our new head coach Gareth Edwards, a Rugby League enthusiast who works locally as a PE teacher, Rugby League is being taught in Milton Keynes schools, and we have young school-age players eager for game experience. With this in mind, we aim to organise a couple of junior matches to bring these young players under the MK Wolves' banner, so when they become old enough to make the smooth transition to the first team, they can bring with them years of valuable Rugby League experience.

Furthering the push to promote Rugby League to young people in the city, Shenley Brook End school are hosting a Multi-Sports Day on 22nd July, and we will using the occasion to promote MK Wolves, with demonstrations and first team players invited to attend – details to follow.

In addition, we aim to establish a Rugby League Development Association to further the sport in the local area. The hope is that, with the support of Gareth and members of the Development Association, we can encourage more local young people to take up the sport, forming an ever-increasing pool of talent to represent the City at Rugby League over the coming years.

The long-term future of the sport in the City is positive. But it is you - the current MK Wolves squad - who form the vanguard of that bright future.

Our primary aim is to complete our first ever season as MK Wolves. Which is where you – the players – come in, as we can’t do that without you. All of you. We had a great start to the season, with bags of enthusiasm, and we want to recapture that enthusiasm for the final push.

So – we’re having a player amnesty. No matter how many training sessions you’ve missed; no matter how many games you’ve declared yourself unavailable for; no matter how infrequently you’ve been a part of this club, come to training at Emerson Valley Sports Pavilion on Wednesday at 7pm.

We have a home game against Kings Lynn Black Knights on Saturday. Let’s train like a team, and let’s face them with our heads held high at Emerson Valley, proud to represent Milton Keynes Wolves Rugby League Club.

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