U17 season to start on Sunday 27th August

Full U17 training will now start on Sunday 27th August at 10.30 (until 12.00). We began on the same weekend last season and - despite it also being a Bank Holiday - had a good turnout, so there is no reason why we can't repeat that.

But this season there are even more pressing reasons to start a "week early".

The overall squad will be 50% bigger than it was last season. So in effect its a whole new team with all positions up for grabs. At least two players will be competing for almost every place in the team (only Carla at hooker lacks any obvious competition... at the moment!) and its going to take a while to work out the best combination of players. The first fixture could be as soon as 24th September - so we have very little time!

In addition county trials for the U17s this year are on 17th September. Unless you live in Bedfordshire and are intending to try out for East Mids the Herts county squad is the only gateway to the regional rugby - so its more essential than ever that you are able to make a good impression.

So if you have you heart set on any particular position, or have any ambitions to play for county or region (and hopefully all of you do) then its in you interests to be there.

Full midweek sessions for U17s will also start on 30th August, 6.00-7.30.

*** Note: At this stage it is still intended that the U14s will start on 3rd September. Rachel will be writing to everyone with more details nearer the time. ***