It has been several years since Newton Aycliffe have seen rugby union played competitively at youth level.  The town has chiefly been a footballing community where youngsters are concerned.
Lots of other sports are available to the youth of today, unfortunately rugby union has been elusive thus far. However, things changed slightly last Tuesday evening, when Aycliffe rugby club hosted a match at Moore Lane between the town’s senior schools, Greenfield and Woodham.
The match was witnessed by several Aycliffe club players and was overseen by the schools respective PE teachers and Rugby World Cup winner Tamara Taylor, of England Ladies and Darlington Mowden Park Ladies RUFC.
Tamara who represents Rugby Football Unions Community Rugby, with the help of the headteachers and the PE teachers, has persuaded both schools to re- introduce rugby union into the schools PE curriculum.
The aim was to introduce as many pupils as possible to try the sport, and ultimately create school teams and play competitive matches against other schools in the area. Head coach from Aycliffe Rugby club Pete Ryans is also involved with coaching sessions at the schools.
The club has created a youth development training night on Monday evenings for students to develop more knowledge and skills of the game. The recent training sessions at the schools created a lot of interest in the game. For this reason Aycliffe Rugby organised the fore-mentioned match and both schools were admirably represented by keen students.
The match itself showed scoring prowess within the ranks of the Woodham players who scored most of the tries but Greenfield showed a lot of potential in tackling techniques and more importantly both teams enjoyed the game.
Considering most of the players had only trained a few times over the recent weeks during school PE time, those who watched were amazed how everyone enthused about the game of rugby. Well done to both teams!  After the match the players were treated to Aycliffe Rugby Club’s traditional food and drink (soft drinks only) hospitality. Both teams expressed a keenness to continue developing in the sport and a return match will be held early in the New Year.
Aycliffe rugby are hoping that more students become interested in the sport. The club is initially inviting any student living in or near the town from year groups 10 and 11 to come down training on Monday evenings for 6.30pm start. Floodlit pitches are available, with several CRB approved coaches on hand to pass on their skills as well as help potential players get fitter, and some training sessions may take place indoors during bad weather. The idea is to give students an opportunity to learn and play rugby on their doorstep, rather than venture to other alternative venues like Bishop Auckland, Darlington or Durham.
However any young ladies wishing to take up the sport the nearest ladies development club is Bishop Auckland. In time providing there is enough interest then younger age groups can be introduced which would be an exciting prospect for the club and the town as a great community project.
For any parent or student who would like more information on the clubs development ideas please contact Head Coach Pete Ryans 07796 172599