Saturday saw Fleetwood U11 host touring sides from Ripon and Broughton Park and more familiar opposition in the shape close neighbours Vale of Lune.

The pitches looked resplendent in the spring sun thanks to the hard work of the ground staff who had cut the grass and marked out the pitches in the home colours. Changing rooms assigned and shirts hung for the players and the scene was set.
Fleetwood were able to field a full squad despite Saturdays traditionally being the preserve of other activities – football in particular.
What followed was an exciting and enjoyable mini festival of under 11s rugby. Each team played four short games of rugby. Watching from the touch line it was often easy to forget that these were children of just 10 & 11 because the skills which were on display were more befitting those of age groups much more senior. There were fantastic periods of flowing play and excellent support and ball handling skills on every pitch.

Each team seemed to fully embrace the RFU’s kids first philosophy as the scores weren’t important and teams weren’t talking in terms of wins and losses. They were talking about their performance in teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship in line with the RFU values. The support from the side lines was excellent with parents and coaches cheering on all efforts with their home side and the opposition receiving equal applause regardless of the colour of the shirt.

There was some spectacular rugby on display from all of the teams with coaches afterwards discussing the highpoints of each team’s particular performance and exchanging ideas with one another so as to improve all round ability.
All of the teams were impressed with the facilities present at Melbourne Avenue, particularly the 3G pitch which was in use for some of the matches.

All matches played and it was into the clubhouse for some of Kev’s fine post match feed.

The after match buzz was very much complimentary, not just about the hosts and facilities but about the visiting teams, their managers, their coaches and their parents and supporters all of who not only had played a significant part in making the event a success but also had enjoyed our impromptu mini festival in the Fylde Coast sun and were wearily ready to head home safe in the knowledge that they had contributed to, and extended their rugby family.

My thanks go out to the Fleetwood U11 squad and their families in pulling together in short notice, The ground staff who made the place look great, Kev who cooked up a treat and all of the travelling players, coaches, managers and parents who worked together to make it such an enjoyable event.
Andrew Holden
Fleetwood U11 Coach
Image Courtesy - Clean Sheets Media. @cleansheetmedia
@valeoflunerufc @broughtonparkfc @riponrugby

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