AN AMBITIOUS rugby club is looking for new members after an outstanding season at the heart of the sporting community as fans prepare for a World Cup year.
Darlington Rugby Club, one of the oldest in the country, founded in 1863, managed to field three men’s teams for the first time in years, as well as women’s sides, colts and a host of children’s squads.
While the first team battled it out in the County 1 Northumberland and Durham League after being promoted last year, the second team had an exceptional season finishing top of the Tees Valley Social League. They are now looking to enter the Candy League for next season.
Head coach Liam Shanahan, who switched to coaching after playing hooker for ten years at a top level, said: “Getting three teams out is a sign of real success for us.”
He said he needed 55 players to commit to the first and second teams and he’d had up to 83 involved in the season.
“The colts have been very good and we have been getting them out training with the first team. The junior side and women’s team are thriving too.
“It is a really great club with the potential to move up the divisions because of its location, infrastructure and its ten year plan. We have links with clubs in New Zealand so if there are Colts out there who fancy a gap year we can host international players and our players can go aboard.”
He said the facilities at Darlington were second to none with a Conference League standard pitch.
“Enjoyment is number one and we have a great set of players, ranging from army, students, lawyers and bricklayers and the social side of the club is very strong,” he said.
Second team Captain Chris Dargue added: “There’s a huge increase in interest in the sport. People are coming to us wanting to have a good time and there are lots of opportunities to play. Eleven of our second team played for the firsts making it a true development squad.
“We all train together and our coaches put a lot of work into pre-season training and boot camps. We have had around 50 players committing to training on a Thursday night including new ones and those returning to rugby. Now we want to get even more people coming to us.”
Over the summer there will be strength and conditioning sessions in May and June, before pre-season training begins in July, pre-season games in August, with the season starting in September, just as the World Cup gets under way in France. The first and second teams are getting new backs coaches and the club is looking at the idea of appointing a team manager.
The club is also developing its sponsorship programme and commercial side to secure its financial viability for the benefit of the sport and the town. Events include a monster truck show, charity events and a summer ball.
Anyone interested should contact the club at lshanahan2@hotmail.co.uk, telephone 07967 126059 or visit www.pitchero.com/clubs/darlingtonrfc/.