Malvern are going "local" in order to compete in the National League.

With running costs spiralling and further distances to travel, the recession has hit many smaller clubs like Malvern.

Chairman Martin Pocock has spearheaded a campaign to increase membership at the National Three Midlands side.

"We are a local club, and we want to involve Malvern people as much as possible," he told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

With probably the smallest catchment area of any team at the club's level, and the difficulties in attracting major investment, the club has embarked on a concentrated effort to raise funds.

"We have an excellent facility, for both match days and for events and functions, so we want to attract local businesses and the public to Spring Lane," says Pocock.

Whilst we are always going to lose players to university, who may not return to Malvern, we will have many who will stay in the area Malvern chairman Martin Pocock

"We can offer a good standard of rugby, a warm welcome and a great venue."

Pocock has presented a plan for the development of Malvern RFC, the key to which is bridging the gap between the successful youth section and the senior sides.

"In latter years we have had a few graduates from our youth set-up to senior rugby," he said.

"Whilst we are always going to lose players to university, who may not return to Malvern, we will have many who will stay in the area. It is this talent that we will nurture.

"It's a model that has proved successful elsewhere and I'm confident that we have the machinery in place to make it work at Malvern."

Malvern have fixed up a busy pre-season programme.

On Saturday, 15 August a side is entered in the Droitwich Tens competition.

The following Thursday, National Three South West side Old Patesians are welcomed to Spring Lane, then Upton-On-Severn are the guests a week later.

Saturday, 29 August sees the visit to Malvern of Cheltenham Tigers from South West One.

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