Dear Players & Parents,
I'm very pleased to be sending this email to you as I have two important announcements to make.
Firstly, I'm proud to announce that we have been selected by Access Sport to be one of their partner clubs for the next 2 years.
Access Sport is a not-for-profit organisation that encourages grass-roots youth participation in sport through the existing network of clubs, in partnership with major corporations wanting to align their brands with, and invest in, community sport.
Access Sport works with it's partner sports clubs, over a two year period, helping them to promote fitness and fun through sustainable sporting programmes, which are accessible and affordable to young people.
They will provide us with signficant and sustainable funding over the next two years and will be working with us to ensure that not only are our youth participation numbers increased, but also that of coaches, volunteers and sponsors.
MRFC were specifically approached by Access Sport to become a partner club and that is testimate to the hard work we've all been doing over the last few years to raise our profile.
The second thing I am excited to tell you about is that 3 of our youth players attended the Essex County Representative trials for U17 and U18 this month.
Charlie Brennand (U17), Oliver Jardine (U18) and David Hayward (U18) all made the long trek out to Rochford RFC, which is approximately half way between E14 and France (I kid you not!) and represented the club with great pride and sophistication.
Unfortunately, Charlie was not successful in making to the second round of U17 trials, but he has come away with experience and enthusiasm to go to another level next season. We are all looking forward to improved performances from him as he leads the MRFC U17 team through the Essex U17 league this season.
We are still waiting to hear back from the Essex U18 Head Coach - Dave Paton, believe it or not - in regards to whether Oliver and David have been invited to the second round, however I'm told that both of them made quite an impression on not only the Essex coaches, but the other players as well.
Enthusiasm and team work were qualities not often displayed by our U17 team this season, but both players put that behind them and threw everything into the trials, actively getting involved in all the drills and getting to know the other trialists.
We look forward to hopefully hearing some good news from Mr. Paton this week, and especially seeing improved performances from both boys on the pitch for Millwall 4th XV this season as a result of their trial experience.
Regardless of the selection results for U18s, please join me in congratulating these 3 young men in a fantasic achievement.
Thanks,
Matt Shorrock
Youth Chair
Millwall Rugby Club
