MALVERN Rugby Club becomes the official rugby club for players at the University of Worcester from next season.

Following recent meetings with Andy Cushing, the rugby coach at the University, Malvern director of rugby David Robins announced at the club's annual general meeting that University players who are considered to require club rugby in order to improve their game will be joining the Spring Lane outfit.

Mr Robins said: "This will mean that every season there will be an intake of University rugby 'freshers' at Malvern RFC and looked after properly these players should remain for a minimum of three seasons."

He said it was intended that these players, together with the good young players already in the club and those young players that will come through from the youth section next season will form a major part of the 3rd team.

"A development XV, that if managed correctly, will surely provide healthy competition for future 1st XV recognition," said Mr Robins.

He added that following promotion, recruitment is till of course a high priority and new faces will undoubtedly been seen around the training field this summer.

"We are of course getting very close to semi professional rugby levels and recruitment can often be thwarted by clubs who are offering direct financial inducements.

"We must strive to ensure that even without payment Malvern RFC is a club worth playing for," he said.

Ladies rugby is also becoming a fast reality at the club and the youth section has produced some great prospects from the under 17 and under 16 age groups, the latter reaching the semi-final of the County cup.

MRFC officers for next season are as follows: President - W Pomeroy; Chairman - D Beech; Secretary - S Phillips; Treasurer: -J Taverner; Fixtures secretary - W Pomeroy; Director of rugby - D Robins; Chairman youth - G Tolley; Social committee chairman - K King; Communications officer - P Woods; Subscriptions secretary - M Pocock; Clubhouse committee - M Calvert; Commercial manager - A Sunter; Captain - A Longley; 2nd XV - S Fahey; 3rd XV - R Hyett; 4th XV - W Clee; Players representative - D Irish.