Percy Park
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Percy Park
RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
P
ercy Park RFC is a club putting its faith in
youth this season as they look to put together
a successful campaign. Rugby Club Magazine
recently caught up with Club Representative
Keith Atkinson to find out more.
Atmosphere Youth
He told us, “The mood here is
enthusiastic; we have a young 1st XV and
even younger 2nd XV led by 18 year old
Jake Smith. With the direction of former
Samoan International Lome Fa’atau and
valuable assistance given from Nili Latu,
the former Tongan Captain, it’s easy to
see why the word enthusiastic can be
used. There is a youthful energy around
the club which enthuses supporters
especially because there is an awful lot
of talent there to see … exciting times.” “Youth rugby is vital to us; nearly all
our 1st and 2nd team players are from
our youth section. It is the one thing that
we do excel at and that is developing
young players and giving them their
opportunity to showboat their talents.
We have former players playing their
Rugby at a higher level with Newcastle
Falcons, Tynedale and Blaydon RFC
… hopefully one day when they have
finished at the top of their game they will
come back!”
Last Season Potential
“I would say last season was
average for us with some great wins
and indifferent losses. That is to is to be
expected with a young side, yet more
experience has been gained and we
finished the season strongly. All bodes
well for 2017/18 season as we look to
continue to drive up standards on and
off the pitch.” “Our Club Captain, Guy Pike, is
also the Northumberland County team
Captain. He is an exceptional player who
also plays 7’s Rugby on the International
stage and fortunately he is a ‘Park boy’.
There are others however we should
mention Jake Smith who is one of our
youngest ever second team captains.
We are hoping that he can develop
in that role which will hopefully take
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him on to greater things. To assist that
development he will be mentored by
a former 1st Team Captain and Coach
Paul Jobson.”
Community
“With over 300 youth members,
94 senior players plus Veterans; a
Clubhouse booked out for social
occasions Thursday through to Sunday
every week, a partnership with Fit4Less
Gyms (that has numerous classes using
the gym and Clubhouse), Tynemouth
Cricket and Golf Clubs, Kings Priory
School and North Tyneside Council I
think we can honestly say that we a true
community Rugby Club.”
Facilities
“With a large number of users we
identified a need to update, restructure
and provide additional changing room
accommodation. Simply, we didn’t have
enough provision and what we did
have wasn’t good enough. The existing