Fylde RFC is delighted at the emergence of a new group of talented young players through its development system. Several of these youngsters had a chance to show their potential against Sale Shark's Premiership players at the Woodlands on Saturday – and did very well indeed. Backrow Rob Taylor & Charlie Cook, prop Tom McGuinness, hookers Jake Nickson & Olly Trippier, backs Ralph Dowds, Michael Simmons & Charles Hough all featured in the game, and Dowds scored an excellent 2nd half try. All these players have played for the Fylde junior teams, their local schools, and/or the Colts & Fylde academy, called the Centre of Rugby Excellence.

It has reminded everyone associated with the Club that the youth system, including the Colts teams, are a route to 1st team National League rugby for young and ambitious local players.

The Club will be fielding two Colts teams, U'19s and U'17s, in 2012/13 for the first time in several seasons. One of the problems with the transition from 14 & 15 year old age group rugby is the fall off in number of players as they move towards the junior Colts stage. It's this stage when, in particular, the tensions between school and club rugby, academic requirements and other social pressures lead to player 'wastage'.

The new coach of the senior colts, Rob Parr, is determined to do all he can to attract more young players to the Club. “There's been a lot of talk about the Olympic legacy and the need to engage more young people in sport of various kinds. With rugby sevens emerging for the first time as an Olympic event in Rio in 2016, there will be more attention on our sport. This gives us an opportunity to attract more young players to both 7s and the 15s version of the game.

“Fylde has excellent facilities and offers the very best of environments for developing rugby talent. With the coaching input for the Colts now involving 1st team players such as Peter Altham and former Premiership player Scott Barrow then we're looking forward to more players joining us.”

“The Senior Colts age group caters for boys who have left school and are planning to go away to college and who want to play in September before they go, in December when they are home for Xmas and in April when they are home for Easter. Just because they are going away to university does not mean they cannot get involved at Fylde. Colts rugby is played on a Sunday so does not preclude boys who have some school rugby commitments on a Saturday.

“By using Scott, Pete and other 1st XV players/coaches there will be a structured player development programme for Senior Colts to aid them through the transition from age group rugby to open age rugby. Fylde runs the only U'19 Colts side on the Fylde Coast so if you are U18/U19 it is the only place to play Colts rugby!”

The next training session is on Sunday, 19th August, 10.30-12.00, at the Woodlands.

Further information from Rob Parr on 07584 504139 or e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it