Raiders enjoy junior invasion

Telford Raiders Rugby League club is booming - with junior membership trebling in just over a year.

The number of kids training at the club, which was formed in 1985, is now around 40 - and continues to rise.

Coach Steve Manville said: "We've spent a lot of time promoting the club by way of handing out leaflets at supermarkets, and our club mascot, Darth Raider, has also raised the profile of the club within the town by attending numerous events.

"But now we have one of our coaches taking the game into schools and the impact has been tremendous.

"During the summer, our under-11s took part in a curtain raiser to the Harlequins versus Hull Super League game.

"And it was an incredible day out, to play on a professional pitch in front of a crowd and meeting the professional players as well. We'll be doing more of that next year too."

Commenting on his role in the schools, coach Paul Szehofner said: "The kids love the game and thoroughly enjoy it."

The club's progress has been highlighted by the donation of new kit by club sponsors - in the traditional colours of the county - which was shown to the public for the first time at the TCAT Superdome.

Those sponsors are Rob Younghusband, Balamory Web Design, Shrewsbury, and the Fairfield Group. '

Training is held every Saturday morning between 10 and 11.15am on the rugby pitch at Oakengates Leisure Centre.

Boys and girls between the ages of eight and 15 are welcome. Phone 01952-289671 or visit see www.telfordraiders.net