Spring is almost here and the Durham Tigers in particular are gearing up for the beginning of another rugby league season, which starts in April and runs throughout the spring and summer seasons.
Durham Tigers is the only community rugby club for the South Durham area and has been established since the early 1990s.
The club has been based at Sunnydale Leisure Centre in Shildon for the past six years but welcome players from across the whole South Durham area.
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 year’s 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 14’s team for this season.
Last year, the Under 14’s team swept all before them throughout the North East, winning both the league and cup despite some fierce competition.
As a result of their success the players regularly train and play at Kingston Park, Newcastle, the home of Newcastle Falcons and Newcastle Thunder, providing 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 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 added, 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 were selected for 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 McGregor-Taylor, “so that we can get our Under 12’s team up and running and introduce the game to younger players.”
Durham Tigers is recognised by the sport’s governing body, the RFL (Rugby Football League) as an Embed the Pathway club, meaning 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 is encouraged to contact Club Secretary, Phil Selby on 07949 706546 for junior players or Jen Egglestone on 07933 658153 for Open Age players.
Training is now taking place every Saturday morning at 10am at Sunnydale Leisure Centre in Shildon for players age 8-16 years and the Open Age training takes place on Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm until 8pm, also at Sunnydale Leisure Centre.
Further information can be obtained via the club website at www.pitchero.com/clubs/durhamtigersopenage.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
