Spring is almost upon us and it is time for people to shed their winter clothes (or maybe not!) and participate in sport. Durham Tigers in particular are gearing up for the beginning of another rugby league season which starts in April and runs throughout the Spring/Summer.
Durham Tigers is the only rugby community club for the South Durham area and has been established since the 1990’s, with Sunnydale Leisure Centre being our base for the past 6 years. The club has experienced a lot of success over the years, winning several league and cup competitions.
“This season we intend to build on last years successes and break new ground, with new teams hopefully being established at Under 12 age group as well as introducing an entirely new form of the game for both boys and girls at primary school ages” said Andy McGregor-Taylor, the recently elected Club Chairman who is also one of the established coaches for the Under 14s team for this season. Last year, this team swept all before them throughout the North East, winning both the League and Cup competitions despite some fierce competition. As a result of their success the players regularly train and play at the Newcastle Falcons and Newcastle Thunder home at Kingston Park, Newcastle which is a fantastic opportunity and experience for young rugby league players.
“We will have to work hard to stay at the top of this age group,” said 1st coach Paul Grey “but this is a challenge that we all relish. Our young players can look to the success of older players from the club and take inspiration from them”.
He was referring to the fact that several Tiger players have gone on to achieve greater things. In a recent game at Kingston Park where Newcastle Thunder played Super League club Widnes Vikings, no fewer than four former Tigers players played in the Thunder team.
Confidence is also high in the Open Age team where the new coach is keen to see the Tigers back where they belong as the dominant club in the North East.
Some of the Tigers coaches are now going into local schools to introduce the game of rugby league to a whole new audience. “We are initially looking to recruit players from Years 5, 6 and 7” said Andy McGregor-Taylor “so that we can get our Under 12s team up and running and introduce the game to younger players.”
Durham Tigers is a recognised “Embed the Pathway” club by the sports governing body, The RFL (Rugby Football League) which means that the coaching staff have been recognised as having the skills to prepare players to reach the very top of the game”.
The Tigers are keen to welcome all new players with or without experience of either code of rugby and anyone who is interested are encouraged to contact Phil Selby (Club Secretary) on 07949 706546 (for junior players) or Jen Egglestone (Admin) on 07933 658153 (for Open Age).
Training is now taking place every Saturday morning at 10am at Sunnydale Leisure Centre in Shildon for players age 8-16yrs and the open-age training takes place on Tuesday evenings at 6.30pm till 8pm at Sunnydale Leisure Centre.
Further information can be obtained via the club website www.pitchero.com/clubs/durhamtigers.
So come along and give it a go; its a great way to get fit and you get to be a part of a great club!