Workington Town Launch Plans For Scholarship

Workington Town have launched plans for a scholarship scheme at Derwent Park which will be in place by the start of the new season. The scholarship is a tried and tested method of developing the youth in the game and will play a huge part in developing the game of rugby league in West Cumbria. The scheme will be set up similar to world champions St Helens.

Town will invest in four under 12's, four under 14's and 4 under 16's and as part of the scheme the kids will have quarterly appraisal with their parents to discuss school grades and help identify objectives. The club will be working closely with schools and colleges to ensure that every member of the scheme achieves high grades and progress with the right attitude.

The under 12's will progress to under 14's and the under 14's to 16's, the under 16's will, if completing their objectives, take up a position with Town as apprentices. They will take up positions as Painters and Decorators, Welders, Motor Mechanics and so on, they will attend college 2 days a week and then work in the trade for 2 days with one day at Derwent Park working with Town's conditioner and coaching staff.

The key points of the scheme are as follows:-
1 Reduce under age signing of players.
2 The club will look after each members education and welfare.
3 The club will offer full medical support for each scholarship member.
4 Every member issued training kit/equipment.
5 Regular coaching sessions with Gary Murdock & his coaching staff.

Town will be looking to employ the club's very own youth development officer to expand the game through out West Cumbria. The club will be working very closely with the service centre and Cumbria's own development officer Neil Gregg.