THE Malvern RFC Youth Development Section kicks off the first season of the new Millennium tomorrow (Saturday) with a Registration Day.

Held at their Spring Lane HQ between 1 to 3pm for all aspiring mini and junior rugby players, it is followed by the first training session of the new season on Sunday from 10am until noon.

This will be the ninth year of operations for the Malvern RFC Youth Rugby Outfit, with the prospect of every age group from six to 19 years old being represented by a full squad of players.

This is an achievement far beyond the original expectations of the sections 'founder fathers', Terry Fleming, Dave Sanderson, Mike Fray and Paul Ferguson when they set up the Club's Youth Section in September 1992.

Malvern's Vice-Chairman of Youth Rugby, Gary Tolley said: "We have certainly come a long way since those early days.

"But what is so very pleasing is that many of the original 8, 9 and 10 year olds have remained with the Club and the are now at long last, taking their places in the senior Malvern RFC 1st, 2nd and 3rd XV teams. Mission accomplished you might say."

This season, each of the 11 year group squads will enjoy a good balance of skills training and inter-club matches over the next 34 weeks, with county cup matches and tournaments to add a little extra competitive edge to the season.

In addition, Malvern RFC is keen to expand the number of older players who have made top honours this season, with 29 players aged between 14 and 18 years old being nominated for trials with the North Midlands and Worcester County squads.

Despite the competition from well established local junior soccer clubs and the youth rugby section at Sixways, the roll call for the Malvern outfit is expected to break the 250 barrier this season with some age groups being able to field two teams on match days; a first for the Malvern Club.

Clearly, much attention will be focussed on how well the older teams progress this season, especially the Under 15's, Under 16 'Stags' and Under 18 'Colts', but with at least eight other teams taking to the field, the discerning rugby fanatic will have the chance to enjoy up to at least four rugby matches at Spring Lane each Sunday throughout the season from the end of September to the end of May.

Mr Tolley added: "There is an air of confidence and great excitement amongst the junior club members, their coaches and support staff that this is going to be an exceptional season for Malvern youth rugby.

"Everything is now in place down at Spring Lane not only for the Club to cater for the rugby needs of girls and boys of all ages, but also for the club to actively support various Malvern Hills District Council sports & recreation schemes and to help Primary Schools to establish after-school tag-rugby clubs to play in mini-leagues and tournaments throughout the year."

More details on the Malvern RFC Youth Development Section's Registration Day can be found on their website: www.geocities.com/rugby/post/ or by calling the Malvern RFC Clubhouse on (01684) 573728.