Rugby juniors need more competition

MORE competitive games are key to the development of local rugby. The number of juniors playing in the island remains healthy and there are many coaches who give up their time to help their progression, but there is no substitute for match experience, said outgoing Guernsey Mini/Youth Rugby Club director Dave Parish.

However, funds and affordable travel are required to allow the club to line up matches.

'An influx of cash would bring with it prospects of fixtures and trips away and that is a big draw. For players, it is competitive fixtures that they want to be involved in,' said Parish.

'When you go away for festivals, you can play up to five matches in a day and even after the first couple you can see a remarkable improvement.

'When it comes to any of the set pieces, the coaches can tell the players where they need to be and how to react to situations, but they get the necessary experience only from fixtures.

'It is important we get ourselves a structured season, so travel and funds are the main issues. Even if money came in, we are not going to talk silly prices to take players away.'

Guernsey can only look in envy at the £41,000 that was invested by sponsors into the Jersey RFC Academy in the recently completed season.

Add to that a guaranteed £67,000 over the next three seasons from Moore Management alone and it is no wonder things are looking rosy across the water.

Each Sarnian junior age-group side suffered defeat over the Siam Cup weekend against their more experienced opponents, although there were some close matches.

'I am philosophical about it,' said Parish. 'It was a shame about the results, but there were a lot of smiling faces on the boat coming back because the players had got to go to enjoy themselves and play in competitive matches.

'There was some fantastic rugby played at a very good standard.

'Unfortunately, the results did not go our way, but there were an awful lot of players who did the club proud.'

There are also plans afoot to have under-17 and under-18 squad members involved with senior training next season for the youngsters to garner knowledge.

Teenagers from Tim Davison's development squad such as Leighton Batiste, Robin Le Cocq and Joshua Fox have been involved with the first team squad this season, showing that the production line is up and running.

John Wood, who works with Gareth Nicolle and Doug Hayter coaching the current under-16s, said that signs were promising for that pattern to continue.

That team has been helped by their involvement in the Hampshire League this season.

'I look at the under-16s and there are two or three lads who could potentially be playing, when they hit 17, some second team rugby next year,' Wood said.

'There is some very good talent there and we have to establish a clearer pathway for them to go from the junior to the senior ranks - a path everyone can work with and everyone knows.

'It is making sure you get that integration to keep them interested but ensuring it is monitored properly.'