MALVERN are facing the challenge of the highest league they have played in by commencing pre-season training on Tuesday.

The sessions, also taking place on Thursdays, start at 7pm and are open to existing members and any other players who wish to play for the county's top junior side at any level.

Director of Rugby David Robins said: "We have attained our goal of reaching the top division in what used to be the amateur game and find ourselves, as a totally amateur club, up against a majority of sides who are paying considerable sums to players.

"However, we are not just looking to recruit at first XV level. The lower, more social sides are just as important to us so we avoid the trap of losing the old air of camaraderie as so many clubs have done since the advent of professionalism.

"We look upon them on two levels, firstly as a breeding ground for up and coming talent, via our link up with the University of Worc-ester and emerging players from our Youth section.

"Secondly, as teams where experienced ex-first and second XV players can settle down to a slightly less demanding game and pass on their wide experience to the younger members.

"This infrastructure is of paramount importance, es-pecially with the challenges we now face at the top lev-el."

Malvern open their Mid-lands division one campaign with five of the hardest possible fixtures next season.

They start away to Old Dunstablians on September 8, who were promoted from the eastern area with an unbeaten record.

Robins said: "They have multi-million pound backing and their stated aim is National League rugby.

"To this end they pay their players, many of whom are ex-Bedford and Northamp-ton squad members, and they also have several southern hemisphere men in the side.

"We then face Hereford at home, Leicester Lions (who narrowly missed promotion last term) away, Luctonians at home, then Walsall, relegated from National 3, away. This will be a severe test for Malvern, who remain strictly amateur and who will have much the same squad as last season.

"I am busy trying to recr-uit, especially for those positions where we need cover, but the lure of money is a major stumbling block.

"We want players who will commit to Malvern with no mercenary intent.

"As a small-town club we just cannot raise the sponsorship and other revenue to go semi-pro, and our players themselves wish to remain amateur."