Chance to play additional rugby

LANGHOLM youth rugby players are being offered the chance to play some additional rugby in Hawick.

To avoid any confusion, Langholm will play games the same as in previous seasons at U16 and, if possible, at U15.

Hawick’s offer is for players seeking additional rugby through its own youth set-up and not instead of playing for Langholm.

Langholm is pleased the successful working partnership with Hawick Youth Rugby will continue for the forthcoming season.

David Oliver Hawick continues to help Langholm Youth Rugby as a youth development officer, working with the younger players to help develop them for the future.

Many Langholm lads, who’ve combined their age-grade rugby at both Hawick and Langholm, have gone on to play for Langholm RFC.

For Langholm players in the U15, U16 and U18 age grades for the 2020/21 season Hawick Youth Rugby will play in a newly-established National Open Conference.

This will be the highest level of rugby in Scotland for youth and club games and will produce challenging opposition against the very best club sides in Scotland.

In recent years Hawick and Langholm have worked well together and been very successful and they hope this relationship continues as they transition into the National Open Conference which will comprise Hawick, Melrose, Marr, Boroughmuir, Stirling and Ayr.

They will also participate in the National Youth League Cup at U16 and U18 level. Fixtures for U15 and U16 will be played on a Saturday, probably late morning kick-offs. U18s will play on a Saturday afternoon.

When the U18s are at home, the U15s and U16s will be away and vice-versa.

Training for the U18s will be on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Training for the U15s and U16s will likely be on Monday and Wednesday evenings, with combined and separate sessions for these two age groups.

All training will be at Volunteer Park 3G. If any players would like to be involved, contact Davie Gordon, along with their date of birth and preferred playing position.

Mark Palmer of Hawick Youth Rugby said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to get regular, high-level, competitive rugby and challenge and develop yourself as a player as well as get fit, have a bit of fun enjoy some success along the way.

“Getting involved with the Hawick and Langholm youth set-ups can only be good for both clubs.

“Playing regularly in the National Open Conference will expose them to a standard and level of rugby they may not otherwise have access to.

“Obviously, all this depends on the resumption of rugby in whatever format sometime soon.

“The hope is that when it does, even if it’s only a restricted format, our two clubs will be ready and can work together to give players access to the game.”