Playing on

Its very early in the season, but already minds are looking ahead to 2009-10 and especially the question of how to keep those "graduating" out of U18 rugby playing the game.

I know that those of you moving into higher education will be hoping to continue to play at university - indeed the quality of the university team often seems to be as important as the quality of the courses! - but you are likely to still need a "home club" to play and train with when you are not away.

But finding a club to play for is a pretty daunting prospect. There are at least six women's clubs within 20-30 minutes of Letchworth - Hitchin, Shelford, Hertford, Old Albanians, Tabard and Saracens - but which one should you go to? What are they like? Who do you contact? Will they want you to play for them?

Until recently none of these clubs have made any sustained attempt to attract U18 graduates. Some of the most gifted ex-regional players have been invited to some clubs, but by and large the impression is that most club players seem to pack their boots away at 18, never to get them out again because no-one seems to want them. 

The RFU's Play On initiative (despite the inept publicity) is designed to try to solve this problem and - perhaps co-incidentally - several of our local women's clubs are taking steps to break down the barriers between the adult and junior games. 

Saracens, for example, have invited all girls playing in our fixture on 5th October to stay on to watch the women's game afterwards and may repeat the successful "open evening" they ran in 2006, but Old Albanians Saints are being even more ambitious. 

You have all been officially invited to join OAs at any of three special training evenings which will be aimed at all U18 players throughout the county (along with their parents and coaches!). The aim is to give players the opportunity to see the club, train with the senior side, get to know everyone, and generally feel that there is an open door at all senior clubs. The evenings will be:

• Weds 17th December, 7.15pm (OA's training pitch)
  
• Weds 28th January, 7.15pm (OA's training pitch)
  
• Weds 11th March, 7.15pm (OA's training pitch)
  

In addition OAs are hoping to visit junior clubs to meet players moving up next year.

Hopefully the other four clubs will follow these examples.