Training begins at 9.30 am at the Jersey Rugby Club, when up to 200 youngsters will be put through their paces, and for the 2003/04 season there is a longer than usual fixture list, with games organised against the likes of Richmond, Cheltenham, Basingstoke and Rennes.There are also the traditional inter-insular games – this year from the weekend beginning 28 September, for youngsters aged under eight to approaching 13 – plus no fewer than seven games pencilled in for the youth team for the season ahead.According to Jane Baines, chairman of Youth and Mini Rugby, the aim of the organising committee has been to put together a list of fixtures which will give everyone, at every level, as many games as possible.’Although the youngsters enjoy their Sunday morning training, they need to look forward to real competition,’ she said.’So fixtures secretary Mark Whiteley has made a real effort to provide all of our youngsters with games, from now until the end of the season.’They include away games in Portsmouth, Havant and Rosslyn Park and home games against Farnham, Burnham-on-Crouch and Aylesbury.’As well as the Siam Cup weekend, over 60 matches have been planned for the juniors, with Jersey entering teams in various festivals, including the Richmond festival in March.’The committee needs a big thank you for the work they’ve done over the summer,’ said Jane, ‘and I hope that rugby in Jersey benefits from that work.’Long term we want as many children as possible to get to county level.
We have a Rugby Development Officer, some keen kids and keen parents as well.
Long may it continue.’
