Local game set to benefit from Wilkinson's heroics

ENGLAND'S World Cup glory could have a knock-on effect in Guernsey as youngsters see themselves as the next Jonny Wilkinson. Dave Parish, the Guernsey Mini/Youth Rugby Club director, is confident the national side's efforts will encourage more youngsters to have a go at the game.

'The World Cup has raised awareness of rugby, that's for sure. I imagine there will be a lot of interest from children wanting to try the game now. Our philosophy is that it is a sport for all. Participating, as much as anything, is what it is about,' he said.

'Numbers are on the up at the rugby club and have been for the past four or five years, but I certainly hope that the interest the World Cup has generated will attract even more people.

'We have 230 kids registered to the club from under-7s to under-16s, but we still hope for some more. A good number for the club would be 300. Most of our squads now have over 20 players, but our aim is for squads of 30 in each age group.'

The minis and youth players had training the morning after England's 20-17 extra-time victory and although the wet weather confined them to watching coaching videos in the clubhouse, there was definitely an added enthusiasm, according to Parish.

'It was certainly the topic of conversation and there are those who want to go out and kick a ball like Jonny Wilkinson. The vast majority watched it and everyone was wearing white and red,' he said.

'Up to the semi-finals, we had been arranging training around the matches. We encouraged kids to come in early and watch them at the club.

'For one of the games, we trained for 40 minutes, then watched the first half, trained for another 20 minutes and then watched the end. Inevitably you get kids who try something in training they have seen on the box.'

The influence of the World Cup was evident in the recent tag rugby competition for primary schools held by the Mini/Youth Club. The school teams were each given the name of a rugby nation to play under and it turned out to be a big success.

'We did try and get an association going with our tag rugby festival and the World Cup and the kids took to it well. They also got World Cup posters as a souvenir.

'I certainly hope that the positive effect it has had on the kids will benefit Guernsey rugby in the long run,' added Parish.