History
SELBY WARRIORS ARLFC – DEVELOPMENT OF THE CLUB
HISTORY OF THE CLUB
Rugby league started in the Selby area in the late 60’s and grew during the 70’s and 80’s when the coal mining industry was at it’s peak, with seven teams at one time contesting the Selby Cup. When the mining industry began to decline, the number of teams followed suit and the last remaining team was the then Whitemoor Warriors, who were based at Barlby. Whitemoor Warriors, who were formed on 7th February 1987, decided following the final mine closure, to change the club name to Selby Warriors in the hope of attracting more players from Selby. This name change was followed three years later on with a move from the club’s original Barlby home to share the sports ground at Sandhill Lane with Selby RUFC, where it was hoped that this central base and better facilities would attract even more players. This proved to be successful and the junior section also grew as a result of the move. However, it soon became apparent that the increasing junior development could not be accommodated at Sandhill Lane, so the juniors led the way to Brayton College, soon to be followed by the ever growing senior section. Brayton College has been the base of the Selby Warriors for three years and now with fifty - five registered senior players, the club formed two senior teams for the first time in summer 2009 and is also currently running four junior teams. The club’s expansion has attracted a grant from the Drax Power Land Fill Community Fund and this in turn has enabled the improvement of the former playing fields at Foxhill Lane, in order to cope with the increased playing area requirements.
CURRENT SEASON (2009 – 2010)
The current season is proving to be very successful with the first team leading the way near the top of the Pennine League Division Four and promotion is being vigorously pursued. The new second team is also achieving excellent results and is currently lying in the “top four” of it’s own table. The formation of the second team was made to ensure that not only all the established players were able to play regularly, but also to give the opportunity to youth players from the previous season’s U -15’s to gain experience and provide a step up to open age level. The second team should also provide a strong “feeder” team, which in turn should maintain a stronger first team, with a good reserve of regular players always being available. This season, several sixteen year olds have held regular places in the second team with one of them winning the “man of the match” in the first ever second team outing at Underbank Rangers in September 2009. Further mention is worthy to former Selby youth player Gareth Ellis, who has risen from local amateur ranks to play at professional level and took part in the England v Australia test match in October 2009.
CURRENT PLAYING FACILITIES
The club is currently operating on the single rugby pitch at Brayton College, with training sessions taking place under the lights at the same ground. It has been found during the winter months, that the single pitch has been unable to withstand the amount of increased use that both the college and the rugby club have placed upon it and this has lead to numerous games being cancelled, which in turn has caused disappointment and disruption to both home and visiting teams, not to mention supporters.
With Selby High School having the designated use of the former playing field adjoining Brayton College, off Foxhill Way, negotiations have been made with Selby High School in conjunction with North Yorkshire County Council to use these playing areas. A licence has been obtained along with grant funding to permit the re – seeding of the field following the installation of a new land drain system to form two additional rugby pitches, which should satisfy the current and future playing requirements.
CURRENT POSITION
The club has already carried out the re-seeding work following the installation of a new a land drainage system in accordance with the licence agreement. It is envisaged that the club will continue to use the changing room facilities that are currently available at Brayton College for the time being, with after – match hospitality being provided by local public houses. However, owing to the imminent closure of the club’s current “home” pub, the club is now looking for another suitable venue. This will be the second move within the last twelve month period and longer term stability is being sought.
FUTURE REQUIREMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS
In order to maintain the progress of the club and to provide the best opportunities for the future development of rugby league in the Selby District, the club is also aspiring to membership of the National Conference league (N.C.L.), which runs under the governing body of B.A.R.L.A. (British Amateur Rugby League Association). In order to qualify for membership, the minimum standards criteria as laid down by the N.C.L. will have to be met, and thus far Selby Warriors are “on track” in this development, with “Clubmark” status being pursued.
One of the conditions for satisfying the minimum standards criteria is that clubs should “house within it’s own grounds a clubhouse in which essential facilities exist to provide hospitality to visiting teams”.
BENEFITS OF OWN FACILITIES
Obviously, the club and it’s visitors would benefit greatly in that a stable home base would not only satisfy the minimum standards criteria required by the National Conference League, but give the club also it’s own identity and a secure base from which to operate for the many years to come. In having stand – alone facilities, the club would leave behind it’s nomadic past and be better placed to manage it’s fixtures and functions and further strive to bring about sporting development in rugby league to the highest achievable standards for the Selby District. To this end, the club is looking to develop it’s own clubhouse and facilities at the Foxhill Lane ground. The club is proud of it’s history and possesses great ambition for the future. It would seem fitting if it could celebrate it’s twenty – fifth anniversary with a function in it’s own new clubhouse in February 2012.
NEXT STEPS
The club is currently in liaison with the Selby District Council, North Yorkshire Council and Selby High School, to discuss the following matters:-
Meeting to be held with the Planning Officers of Selby District Council on 5.11.09 to further discuss and clarify pre - planning parameters in regard of proposed facilities and to establish factors that are considered compatible with the planning criteria in the Strategic Gap area in which the playing fields are located.
Contact has already been made with the Highways Department of the NYCC, who have raised no objections to our proposals, subject to the introduction of passing places alongside Foxhill Lane (full length). This will require a land search to determine the ownership of the verges. Other statutory authorities may need to be consulted.
If adequate clubhouse requirements can be accommodated within the planning regulations, then a meeting to be held between the club, Selby High School and NYCC and land agent to see if a twenty five year lease can be obtained for the part of the field that could accommodate both clubhouse and car parking facilities.
If leasing is achievable, to obtain full planning permission and source further funding and then construct in phased steps as necessary to achieve the desired facilities.
LOCAL CONSULTATION
The club has approached the occupants of the properties adjacent to the sports field at Foxhill Lane, and has explained the intended re - use of the ground. No one has raised any concerns or objections to this
HISTORY OF THE CLUB
Rugby league started in the Selby area in the late 60’s and grew during the 70’s and 80’s when the coal mining industry was at it’s peak, with seven teams at one time contesting the Selby Cup. When the mining industry began to decline, the number of teams followed suit and the last remaining team was the then Whitemoor Warriors, who were based at Barlby. Whitemoor Warriors, who were formed on 7th February 1987, decided following the final mine closure, to change the club name to Selby Warriors in the hope of attracting more players from Selby. This name change was followed three years later on with a move from the club’s original Barlby home to share the sports ground at Sandhill Lane with Selby RUFC, where it was hoped that this central base and better facilities would attract even more players. This proved to be successful and the junior section also grew as a result of the move. However, it soon became apparent that the increasing junior development could not be accommodated at Sandhill Lane, so the juniors led the way to Brayton College, soon to be followed by the ever growing senior section. Brayton College has been the base of the Selby Warriors for three years and now with fifty - five registered senior players, the club formed two senior teams for the first time in summer 2009 and is also currently running four junior teams. The club’s expansion has attracted a grant from the Drax Power Land Fill Community Fund and this in turn has enabled the improvement of the former playing fields at Foxhill Lane, in order to cope with the increased playing area requirements.
CURRENT SEASON (2009 – 2010)
The current season is proving to be very successful with the first team leading the way near the top of the Pennine League Division Four and promotion is being vigorously pursued. The new second team is also achieving excellent results and is currently lying in the “top four” of it’s own table. The formation of the second team was made to ensure that not only all the established players were able to play regularly, but also to give the opportunity to youth players from the previous season’s U -15’s to gain experience and provide a step up to open age level. The second team should also provide a strong “feeder” team, which in turn should maintain a stronger first team, with a good reserve of regular players always being available. This season, several sixteen year olds have held regular places in the second team with one of them winning the “man of the match” in the first ever second team outing at Underbank Rangers in September 2009. Further mention is worthy to former Selby youth player Gareth Ellis, who has risen from local amateur ranks to play at professional level and took part in the England v Australia test match in October 2009.
CURRENT PLAYING FACILITIES
The club is currently operating on the single rugby pitch at Brayton College, with training sessions taking place under the lights at the same ground. It has been found during the winter months, that the single pitch has been unable to withstand the amount of increased use that both the college and the rugby club have placed upon it and this has lead to numerous games being cancelled, which in turn has caused disappointment and disruption to both home and visiting teams, not to mention supporters.
With Selby High School having the designated use of the former playing field adjoining Brayton College, off Foxhill Way, negotiations have been made with Selby High School in conjunction with North Yorkshire County Council to use these playing areas. A licence has been obtained along with grant funding to permit the re – seeding of the field following the installation of a new land drain system to form two additional rugby pitches, which should satisfy the current and future playing requirements.
CURRENT POSITION
The club has already carried out the re-seeding work following the installation of a new a land drainage system in accordance with the licence agreement. It is envisaged that the club will continue to use the changing room facilities that are currently available at Brayton College for the time being, with after – match hospitality being provided by local public houses. However, owing to the imminent closure of the club’s current “home” pub, the club is now looking for another suitable venue. This will be the second move within the last twelve month period and longer term stability is being sought.
FUTURE REQUIREMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS
In order to maintain the progress of the club and to provide the best opportunities for the future development of rugby league in the Selby District, the club is also aspiring to membership of the National Conference league (N.C.L.), which runs under the governing body of B.A.R.L.A. (British Amateur Rugby League Association). In order to qualify for membership, the minimum standards criteria as laid down by the N.C.L. will have to be met, and thus far Selby Warriors are “on track” in this development, with “Clubmark” status being pursued.
One of the conditions for satisfying the minimum standards criteria is that clubs should “house within it’s own grounds a clubhouse in which essential facilities exist to provide hospitality to visiting teams”.
BENEFITS OF OWN FACILITIES
Obviously, the club and it’s visitors would benefit greatly in that a stable home base would not only satisfy the minimum standards criteria required by the National Conference League, but give the club also it’s own identity and a secure base from which to operate for the many years to come. In having stand – alone facilities, the club would leave behind it’s nomadic past and be better placed to manage it’s fixtures and functions and further strive to bring about sporting development in rugby league to the highest achievable standards for the Selby District. To this end, the club is looking to develop it’s own clubhouse and facilities at the Foxhill Lane ground. The club is proud of it’s history and possesses great ambition for the future. It would seem fitting if it could celebrate it’s twenty – fifth anniversary with a function in it’s own new clubhouse in February 2012.
NEXT STEPS
The club is currently in liaison with the Selby District Council, North Yorkshire Council and Selby High School, to discuss the following matters:-
Meeting to be held with the Planning Officers of Selby District Council on 5.11.09 to further discuss and clarify pre - planning parameters in regard of proposed facilities and to establish factors that are considered compatible with the planning criteria in the Strategic Gap area in which the playing fields are located.
Contact has already been made with the Highways Department of the NYCC, who have raised no objections to our proposals, subject to the introduction of passing places alongside Foxhill Lane (full length). This will require a land search to determine the ownership of the verges. Other statutory authorities may need to be consulted.
If adequate clubhouse requirements can be accommodated within the planning regulations, then a meeting to be held between the club, Selby High School and NYCC and land agent to see if a twenty five year lease can be obtained for the part of the field that could accommodate both clubhouse and car parking facilities.
If leasing is achievable, to obtain full planning permission and source further funding and then construct in phased steps as necessary to achieve the desired facilities.
LOCAL CONSULTATION
The club has approached the occupants of the properties adjacent to the sports field at Foxhill Lane, and has explained the intended re - use of the ground. No one has raised any concerns or objections to this
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