Cumbria Rugby Union

Over the last two seasons across Cumbria, Northumberland and Durham there has been a real mind shift in playing games with less than 15 players, which is having a real effect on the game no more so than at Colts level.

To quote one coach it’s better to have 20 players on the pitch having a game as them sat at home doing nothing. Games have been played with as little as 10 a side which only goes to show the determination of coaches and players a like to keep the game pumping through the veins of players across the region.

This would not have happened 3 or 4 years ago teams would of simply cried off! So why the change?

• Is it because people understand now at certain levels of the game it’s not about winning?
• Is it because we have come to realise that playing rugby with are mates means to much to us to let go?
• Is it the fact that some people have the mind-set that we don’t always have to play at 3pm on Saturday afternoon?

As a development team across the NE, Cumbria & Yorkshire we personally think it’s all of the above and we applaud the change in attitude. So can we please ask that this fantastic approach keeps going and we will support you in any which way we can to see you grow and sustain our game.

There are also examples where this is creeping in at senior level and very much encouraged to ensure that rugby goes ahead. Players willingness to pop on an opposition jersey to allow a game to go ahead is better than ever. A recent example of this was at Aspatria RUFC where the home club lent players to Millom RUFC to allow the fixture to be contested. It is great to see this camaraderie coming to the forefront of the game as we need each other to grow and develop! Keep on passing on the positive message.

Thanks to Dave Reed - RDO Northumberland for his contribution to this piece.