ORGANISERS say youth rugby is now beginning to flourish in Chester-le-Street after a five year programme was launched 12 months ago.

The Active Sports Rugby Union programme aims to help youngsters, aged between 11 and 15, take part in the game at their local rugby club. The programme, run in Chester-le-Street by Paul Kirsopp, is split into four stages. They are: attracting the interested, improving the committed, assessing and selecting the talented and developing the talented.

Stage one began last September with pupils from Park View Community School, Hermitage School, Fyndoune College and Pelton Roseberry School.

Each school has received five visits from coaches, followed by an inter-schools tournament at Chester-le-Street Rugby Club.

After a year in the game these youngsters are now attending regular Saturday morning training sessions at the club. Anyone keen to join the programme should call Paul Kirsopp on (0191) 4221721 or 0775 2471410