The new Hinckley U20s have now started training again, initially playing touch games as part of the expanded senior squad training programme, and it is already proving to be the ideal environment for those players who are going to university this year to stay engaged with their local club.

The team has been set up to act a bridge between Colts and playing in a full senior XV, allowing players who have grown up together, and of a similar age to able to keep playing together during this transition whilst becoming more comfortably within the senior playing set up. It also creates a perfect environment for those players who are going to university to drop back into when around the local area, keeping that crucial connection with their local side.

Dan Johnson, last year’s Colts captain is one of those players who is going to university this autumn, but the creation of this side has made it the ideal option to allow him to stay involved with local club rugby:
‘As somebody who’s heading off to university in September, the team to me presents an opportunity to stay connected with the club, despite not being around all year. When returning home this team will be a great option for me to come and train with my old mates, keep fit and play a good standard of rugby. I also see this team as a good stepping stone for the transition from colts, to senior rugby’.

Frank Burton, another player who is starting university this year says: ‘with the u20’s I think it will make it a lot easier to dip in and out of club rugby while at uni. I think it will keep us all much more involved and closer while everyone is doing different things - then as soon as we are back I feel like I’d be welcomed back in the same as if I’d been playing every week that’s what’s good about rugby it’s like another family’.

Anyone interested in joining the new U20s side should contact Head Coach Ben Ashfield on 07841334208.