Caldy take advantage of playing boom in Northwest

SIMON Verbickas, head coach of National Two North pacesetters Caldy, reckons a resurgence in Northwest club rugby is fuelling the club’s promotion drive.

Wirral-based Caldy head a clutch of teams from the area doing battle to reach National One, with neighbouring Chester, Sale and Sedgley Park keeping pace.

Former Sale Sharks, Orrell and Manchester wing Verbickas told The

Rugby Paper: “There’s a fantastic resurgence of rugby here at the moment, with lots of clubs moving back up the leagues or strengthening their position where they are.

“Predominantly that is down to players who are products of their own clubs. Young players are being coached differently, playing more small-sided games, and the way the local area is going there are more good rugby playing schools around as well.

“Players are transferring to clubs more than in the past and it’s growing the game beneficially across the board. At Caldy, we have an outstanding mini, junior and colts set-up and that’s paying dividends for our first team.”

Verbickas, also an RFU community coach, believes Sale Sharks’ policy of favouring home-grown talent over imports is creating a virtuous circle.

He explained: “Some of our lads have played for Sale Jets and, under Steve Diamond, Sale are looking a lot to home-grown players.

“I played with Steve and his assistant Pete Anglesea who both have huge passion for rugby in the Northwest, which filters down.

“Andy Kyriacou, who coaches our forwards, is also involved in coaching at Sale and he’s brought a new element to what Caldy do.”

Caldy do not boast huge gates but Verbickas insists the club will be ready for National One rugby should the opportunity arise.

He added: “Caldy would support the players if they get promoted because they’re the ones who are out there driving it.

“We’ve a sprinkling of experience in Nick Royle, Louis McGowan and Jonathan Broxon, but it’s mainly a young squad.”