THE call has gone out from Malvern Rugby Club to all 17 to 19 year olds living in and around Malvern to make the final transition into senior rugby by joining the club's newly-formed development squad.

Malvern Rugby Club believes that all rugby players in their late teens, should be actively encouraged to develop and mature in a squad environment so that they can eventually be given the opportunity to progress to 1st XV status at Malvern by the time they enter their early 20s.

The Malvern development squad will take-part in a new county third team merit league and play friendlies against local sides of a similar standard.

The squad will be made up with a large proportion of young players mixed with some of the clubs more experienced senior players, including a number of Malvern's famous Twickenham campaign of 1994.

Simon Dixon, who played a key role for Malvern RFC on the Twickenham trail 10 years ago and then became a respected staff coach with Worcestershire Rugby after retiring from the game in 1999, has been appointed as the head coach for the development squad for the new rugby season.

"Training has started in earnest at Spring Lane and it would be great to see some more young faces at these sessions which start at 7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and lasts for approximately two hours," said coach Simon Dixon.

"Many of last year's Malvern U17s are attending the sessions and by training along with the senior club members, the lads are beginning to appreciate the demands and rigors of the senior game. However, I would like to more youngsters become involved, especially those young sportsmen who are currently finding it difficult to break into adult sport."

If you are, or know of, a 17 to 19 year old player who is looking to get back into the sport please contact Malvern RFC on 01684 573728 or send Simon Dixon an email for more details on simon.dixon266@ virgin.net.