50+ lads joined Gareth Knox and Rob Hawkins, the future stars of Bath Rugby, and 15 of Calne's own Senior team for what was a fantastic morning of laughs, mayhem and Rugby. The event was opened by the Mayor, Tony Trotman, who reminded us that he two played rugby at JBS, as a scrum half he reminisced that he was small enough to avoid the big boys and fast enough not to get caught in the first place. After a quick photo session Jimmy Dean, Bath Rugby Community Development Manager, split the boys in to 4 groups and started a series of fun drills and games. Calne's own senior players joined in the fun offering their own brand of coaching and tips.

As well as attracting 50 or more youngsters Dorset & Wilts RFU president John Wilding granted us his seal of approval. Steve Silk, Wiltshire's Sport Development Office, was rightly pleased with everyone's efforts, including a lot of his own, as was Calne RFC chairman, Sean Lambourne, who took a hands on roll getting dirty with the future of Calne's rugby.

Melksham's under 12 team accepted an invitation to join in the festivities, whose help was invaluable on the day. Once Calne's new youth section is fully up an running, with distinct age groups, we very much look forward to playing our opening games against our new friends at Melksham. Another benefit of working closely with another club in the area will be our joint ability to field teams in age groups where numbers are a little low.

The lads were all informed that the first training session will be at John Bentley school, from 10am to 11.30am, on the following Sunday, the 18th. Calne have successfully recruited a number of 'full time' coaches who will lead the session. These include current first team player Mike Palfrey who is a natural with younger children and would like to one day work professionally with children's sporting development. Alan Matthews is an experienced player, who was recruited by Steve Silk, and has a son who has joined the section. Dave Lucas made himself known to the club as a youth section coach, he has two lads who have joined the section. Nick Norgrove, at Physical Education teacher, at JBS along with first XV players Alan Wicks and Matty Arnold will also be under taking the RFU level 1 coaching course to support the youth section coaches.

The success of the new youth section can only be achieved by volunteers such as these, there is always a need for more people like this and the club would dearly like to hear from you if you can volunteer your time for the benefit of Calne's youth. It is the clubs intention to always have two adults supervising each age group. Therefore we need the likes of parents, family members, senior players, club members and first-aiders to support the coaches. We would like to hear from those who can give up one Sunday morning a month so that we may build a rota of support so that we do not over burden any one individual. Coaching experience is not necessary, but you will be required to hold pads and encourage the lads in all that they do.

The initial interest for the lads would indicate that we could run an under 12, under 13 and under 15 team and soon after, depending on next Sunday's interest, an under 14 team too.

Calne RFC committee members Peter Brummell and Graeme Robinson worked relentlessly on the day to obtain as much information from the parents as possible to get a picture of their own interest in helping to coordinate the section. Peter's efforts leading up to the event are more than worthy of praise. His ability to coordinate all the different aspects leading up to the event ensured the best possible attendance and the smoothest possible running on the day.

After a quick refreshment break, provided by Phil Thomas and Calne's Recreation Club, Bath Rugby stepped up the intensity a level with some very well controlled contact sessions. The younger lads we taught static tackling and had much fun wrestling their friends to the muddy surface. The more experienced lads played closely controlled games and got utterly filthy in the process, only their beaming smiles were visible though the mud. Fortunately first aiders Jackie and Diane were not two busy but it was great to have the peace of mind that if something did happen there were two very experienced volunteers at hand.

The day was concluded by Sean Lambourne who was obviously very pleased by the effort of the lads, the level of interest from parents, players and members of the community as a whole. He told the lads that one day they might be able to play for Bath, and the in fact former JBS, rugby playing, student Kevin Yates once wore the colours of Calne Rugby Club before moving on to Bath and Sale. Jimmy Dean handed out squad posters to those lad who he though had made the best effort of developed the furthest during the session. There was also a poster of the world cup winning England squad for everyone which was kindly donated by the RFU.

If you would like to be involved, or would like to find out more information, please contact Alan Matthews the junior section chairman. We have a full range of positions to full ranging from coaching assistance to fixture sectaries.