THE Malvern RFC Youth Development Section kicks off the new youth rugby season tomorrow (Saturday) with a registration day at their Spring Lane HQ between noon and 2.30pm for all aspiring mini and junior rugby players, followed by the first training session of the new season on Sunday (10am until noon).

This will be the 11th season for the Malvern RFC Youth Rugby outfit with the prospect of every age group from under 7 to under 17 years old being represented by a full squad of players despite fierce competition from local junior soccer clubs and the youth rugby section at Sixways.

After achieving a role call of 216 members last season, the Malvern outfit is looking forward to breaking the 250 barrier this season with some age groups being able to field large squads on match days.

This will be due to the club's continuing drive to set-up tag-rugby mini-leagues and festivals for local primary schools and provide support to Active Sport rugby and coaching assistance for extra-curriculum lessons at three of the five secondary schools within the Malvern Hills district.

Throughout the new season, each of the ten year group squads of the YDS and the U10/12 and U13/16 women's development groups of the Malvern Angels will enjoy a good balance of skills training and inter-club matches over the 34 week season, with county cup matches, festivals and tournaments adding the much needed competitive edge.

In addition, Malvern RFC will be encouraging the more talented players aged between 13 and 17 years old for inclusion within the North Midlands, Worcestershire and Malvern Hills development squads.

Gary Tolley, the chairman of youth rugby at Malvern RFC said: "There is an air of confidence and excitement within the club that this is going to be another exceptional season for youth rugby.

"Everything is in place down at Spring Lane not only for the club to cater for the rugby needs of the local girls and boys of all ages, but also for the club to actively support new community youth rugby projects such as tag-rugby clubs for youngsters in the rural areas around Martley and to develop closer co-operation with our friends at Upton RFC to help establish a long-awaited functional youth rugby cell to serve that corner of the district."

The annual junior club membership for youth rugby at Malvern RFC is £15. More details on the Malvern RFC Youth Development Section's Registration Day can be obtained by calling the Malvern RFC clubhouse on 01684 573728.