Maryport rugby league club is preparing for a youth festival on Saturday as the season draws to a close.
Teams from Kells, Wath Brow, Seaton, Hensingham, Lowca, Ellenborough, Cockermouth, Distington, Broughton Red Rose and hosts Maryport will be descending on the Athletic Ground for a celebration of youth rugby in West Cumbria.
Age groups Under 6s, Under-7s, Under-8s and Under-9s will be represented at the festival which gets underway at 9am.
Simon Pattinson, one of the coaches at Maryport, said: “I do think youth rugby is on the up in the area because as I have gone round watching the matches around west Cumbria I can see youngsters at the various clubs are improving and enjoying playing the game.
“We put a lot of emphasis on youth rugby at Maryport because we see it as our future, in that we want to produce our own players at the club who are going to go on and be open age players. I know it is a long process but that’s what we are focused on.
“We are looking six years down the line but the effort put in by a lot of volunteers and coaches at the club deserves to see end products. Hopefully in years to come amateur rugby league in West Cumbria will benefit from this emphasis on youth by the various clubs.
“Monday night at the Maryport club is manic. There seems to be 1,000 kids and the pleasing thing is they are all enjoying themselves.
“We are looking forward to hosting the day and welcoming parents and supporters from all the clubs involved.
“People like Ben Carter, Mark Ivison and Lisa Ivison have been heavily involved in what we are doing with youth rugby at Maryport and something like this wouldn’t be possible without them and all our coaches and volunteers.”
