Player welfare is paramount as Sunderland plan return to action
After a tough last year or so, Sunderland RFC are back in training in line with Government and RFU relaxations of lockdown restrictions.
It has been over 12 months since the Ashbrooke side were last involved in any competitive action, so, upon their return, player welfare is at the forefront of their minds.
Buoyed by regular turnouts of 55-plus senior players, the club's management have welcomed back returning players, including brothers James and Dan Kyle, the former a former scrum-half at Championship side Richmond RFC. Also returning are former juniors and brothers Bryan and Scott Finlay.
It comes, as the club plans meetings with Sunderland Council regarding supporting wider playing facilities needed to secure the future of the club - home to 18 teams across age groups into adult rugby.
While there are plans, in July, to host the annual John Drummond Trophy v Upper Eden RFC in July, in memory of the Ashbrooke 1st XV player who represented both sides and who died at 33 in 2016, with pre-season games also pencilled against Ryton and Winlaton Vulcans - player welfare is uppermost.
"We wanted to put the players' welfare first," insisted club chairman Paul Geehan.
"It's been exactly a year since we last played and we need to look after all our players, it's going to be a long preseason.
"Each player's weight and fitness are being monitored, as well as their mental wellbeing and we need to make sure we get this right, for the players."
With the potential to put out up to four senior sides, Sunderland are looking - with confidence - to their new position in Durham and Northumberland One.
Elsewhere, the club have established a Colts' Academy for their U17-U19 players, with a playing roster of 40 players. They face their first outing of the season this week - under the RFU's adapted laws away to Horden and Peterlee on Wednesday (7pm KO) and Hartlepool Colts' Academy on Sunday (11am KO.)
The Women's team - the Flames - have returned to
training with increased numbers regularly turning out at their Hill View sessions on a Sunday morning.
Elsewhere, the club's burgeoning mini and junior section are training throughout April and May, with the possibility of some game time.
Geehan revealed that they were due to go into a joint venture with Newcastle Falcons to kick start girls' rugby in the city.
He added, "We are progressing on a programme to hopefully work with schools to deliver a girls' project at the club. It would be aimed at girls who are 13-plus, with a competition involved to see how many may be interested in playing for Sunderland."
Finally, Sunderland RFC will be hosting Haka Rugby's Tyne and Wear Elite Clinic this July. Aimed at children aged 7-18, the two day camp is a combination of rugby skills, games and learning about Maori culture - with top coaches - running on July 21/22. For more information: info@hakarugbyglobal.nz
To enquire about Sunderland RFC teams for players aged 6 plus, message Sunderland RFC via Facebook or @ Sunderlandminis on Twitter.