A West Cumbrian youth team coach has been recalling how the delayed launch of an Under-6s side before Covid has evolved into a blossoming Under-11s side looking forward to the 2025 season.
In March 2020, Maryport Rugby League club was all set to launch their youngest ever age category team of Under-6s.
Then days before the first fixture, disaster struck and lockdown was announced and Covid closed down any hopes of getting going.
They needed to wait a full 12 months before the second attempt with the kids, who were now Under-7s who were paired up with a handful of new Under-6s coming through until they built up enough to run as their own team.
Coach Steve Newton-Lister takes up the story: “Week-in-week-out the team battled away but unfortunately numbers declined quite drastically and we ended 2021 season with only three active players.
“For the 2022 season they were now going to be under-8s and it started far more promisingly, with another handful of players joining the fold and this is where the build-up began.
“Ryan Mayne joined as assistant coach at the end of the season and since then the 2023 and 2024 seasons as Under-9s and U10s respectively have been like a rolling ball with now 24 signed on players and an extra pair of hands, Matthew Young joining as our third member of the coaching team early in 2024.
“The players are developing and their rugby is coming on in leaps and bounds, despite 70% of the team having less than two seasons of rugby under their belts.
“They have gelled as a team exceptionally well, as have the coaching team – you couldn’t find three more different lads, but they have the same key aims, in not only encouraging the development of Rugby League, but, making it enjoyable in the process.
“As a coach, I am proud of where we are, and I’m proud of how far we have come. I’m looking forward to the 2025 season in Under-11s, which is unfortunately the last year of mixed. But all is not lost as the girls in the team will simply sidestep on to the girls team for 2026 season as Under-12s.
“One thing I would say is that none of this would be possible without the people behind the scenes, and thanks must be given to Maryport ARLFC volunteers and all the coaches who keep everything moving.
“This amazing community club would not be here without them or the parents who keep their kids coming down week on week.”
