Young team celebrates victory in recruitment bid
1st March 2010
A team of young rugby players has been saved from the brink of disaster – and is sporting a new kit to celebrate, courtesy of local civil engineering company Henderson Campbell.
Earlier this season, the Guisborough Rugby Club’s Under 14s team was on the verge of winding up after a number of players had departed.
But following a desperate plea for some new blood to come along and join them, the team has had a dramatic revival and from struggling to raise a team, the squad has now almost doubled in number.
Forwards coach Mark Eland is ecstatic about his newly strengthened side.
“At the start of the season we were down to just eleven players but we have 21 on our list now and we’ve got a great little squad together,” he said.
“We’ve had a tremendous amount of support since we made our cry for help and we couldn’t have gone on without the help of the team’s others coaches Martin Hedgley and Andy Gill.”
Mark added: “The parents of our original squad have been great and all wanted us to keep going when numbers where low - not one wanted to give in the towel. Bev Muir especially deserves a special mention for encouraging new lads from her son’s school to try out with us.”
Mark has also been very impressed by the support from one of their rival clubs, Middlesbrough RFC.
“John Burridge and the Middlesbrough under 14 squad have been fantastic and have helped us out with players and encouraged us to continue,” he said.
To add to the team’s new start, players have just received some new kit, courtesy of Guisborough company Henderson Campbell.
The MD of the civil engineering firm, Antony Henderson, has a vested interest in making sure the team look smart – his son Adam plays for the side.
“I am so pleased that the team has been able to turn around its fortunes,” Antony said.
“They are a great bunch of lads with some fantastically dedicated coaches behind them and there’s a good camaraderie in the team.
“It’s makes me very proud to see them playing with Henderson Campbell on their shirts!”
Mark Eland is now very optimistic about the team’s future.
“Our cracking new kit is the bee’s knees!” he said. “And the first time the boys wore it they beat Wensleydale by 43 to nil in a very sporting match played up in the Dales.”
The U14s train at Guisborough Rugby Club’s Belmangate ground every Thursday evening between 6 and 7.30 and always welcome new players. They then play or train on Sunday morning at 10am.