Member Article

Budding rugby stars get top-class training

BUDDING rugby stars in East Yorkshire have been put through their paces by players from one of the region’s top clubs.

Aspiring rugby stars from Pocklington RUFC were shown how to develop their skills in a session with players from top professional side, Yorkshire Carnegie, Leeds, sponsored by East and North Yorkshire law firm Harrowells Solicitors.

Sixty young Pocklington players from the club’s U13s, U14s, U15s, U16s sections attended the two-hour training session which was also attended by two Harrowells solicitors and keen rugby fans, head of the commercial department, Simon Black, and regulatory specialist solicitor, Matthew Rowley. The training session was followed by a questions and answers session.

Among the Yorkshire Carnegie players who took part were full back, Christian Georgiou; fly half, Harry Leonard; back row player, Jack Ramshaw and winger David Doherty.

Pocklington RUFC, Percy Road, has 16 Senior, Junior and Mini teams, ranging from a first XV, which plays in the North East One League, to an Under 6s side. The club played its first match in November 1879 and has grown constantly to around 500 members and players today. Current England player Rob Webber learnt to play at the club from the age of five and his brother Matt still plays for the 1st XV.

Pocklington RUFC’s mini and junior chairman, Gerry Childs, who helped co-ordinate the training event, says: “It was great that players from Yorkshire Carnegie were prepared to give up their time in a busy training and playing schedule to come and work with our youngsters who thoroughly enjoyed the session.

“With the World Cup approaching we have seen an influx of youngsters looking to learn the sport now the season started one month ago so this was a timely session. We’re also immensely grateful to Harrowells Solicitors for providing the sponsorship and making such an enjoyable and useful event possible.”

Harrowells Solicitors partner, Simon Black, says: “Rugby Union is a fantastic activity for young people teaching quick-thinking, teamwork and promoting a high degree of physical fitness which can set a pattern for life.

“We were pleased to sponsor and attend this training session and hope to do more in future. The more youngsters we can engage in the sport the better. It should be added that Rob and Matt Webber’s mother who does the catering at Pocklington RUFC does the best bacon butties at any rugby club I have ever visited - another good reason to come down.”

Harrowells Solicitors offers a wide range of legal services to commercial, farming and private clients. The firm has three offices in York and others in Thirsk, Pocklington, and Easingwold.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Mike Clarke Communications .