Selby's new stand highlights the club colours of red, gold and green

An explosion of interest in junior rugby has been the catalyst for a £450,000 investment in facilities at a North Yorkshire rugby club.

RFU vice-president Richard Appleby officially opened Selby's new dressing rooms and west stand at Sandhill Lane before the Heath game on 10 April.

Appleby told BBC Radio York: "They're fantastic, it's a super day all round."

Watching Selby's four junior sides, he added: "Every club seems to have more juniors than they can cope with."

"We've invested around £450,000 on the new stand and changing room complex," said youth rugby chairman Steve Cruise.

The new facilities are built to the RFU's latest specifications and include two referees' rooms, in case of female officials.

"The contractors began work in the summer (of 2009) and we had this (stand) up and running in January," Cruise added.

"We've put a major proportion of the money in ourselves, but Sport England and the RFU made a contribution."

The club celebrated the official opening with a special lunch seating 100 people, followed by two games between the four junior sides, followed in turn by the crucial game against Heath.

Perhaps boosted by the day's events, Selby won 55-7 to assure their Yorkshire One status for next season.

Coach Jamie Pocklington said: "The win is testament to our fitness. We've got the average age down from 28 to 22.

"I'm happy to announce that Alex Webster and Alex Arthur have just been brought into the Yorkshire under-20s side for the County Championship."

Selby now take on Bradford Salem in the quarter-final of the Yorkshire Shield on Thursday 22 April.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version