A new under-18s rugby league has been launched in Cumbria.
Sponsored by TCL, a leading design and innovation company based in Whitehaven, the TCL-Cumbria U18 amateur rugby leagues aim to provide a measured and appropriate sporting activity for young athletes, fostering physical development, skill enhancement, and teamwork.
Ian Stephenson, managing director of TCL, said: “I am tremendously supportive of the principle to provide sporting activity that is measured and appropriate to age groups.
“By establishing a category that slots between the under 16s and open-age rugby, this must help in so many ways.”
The league’s structure acknowledges the varying rates of physical and mental development among young athletes, with a focus on player well-being.
Talks have been held with local officials, including Alan Davidson, the England Rugby League National Development Manager, to ensure the league’s alignment with best practices in youth sports development.
The launch event, hosted by Paul Farrell, PE teacher at St Benedict’s High School in Whitehaven, garnered support from Joe Elliott, Chairman of West Cumbria Youth and Junior Amateur Rugby League.
He said: “This should also help with retention and maintain playing numbers throughout all age ranges, something for all clubs in West Cumbria to build on.”
TCL’s commitment to the TCL-Cumbria U18 amateur rugby leagues spans the next five years, aiming to encourage team participation and long-term success.
Ian added: “By making a long-term commitment, this should encourage more teams to take part. The more successful it is, the greater the likelihood of extending the programme to establish inter-county leagues with Lancashire and Yorkshire, who already run under-18s competition.”
The inaugural season of the TCL-Cumbria U18 amateur rugby leagues kicks off on Wednesday April 10.
