Broncos out to build on success (From Bury Times)

Broncos out to build on success

11:00am Sunday 3rd February 2013 in Sport By Gordon Sharrock

BURY Broncos’ rapid expansion since its formation five years ago has created vacancies for new players at all levels of the region’s fastest growing rugby league club.

Formed in 2008, when they had no facilities, they ran just one adult team until two years ago but by late summer last year they had a playing or training team at every age group with under-9s and u11s teams joining the adults in formal leagues.

This year, on the back of that growth, the Broncos will run a “cubs” group for any youngsters up to the age of eight in addition to u10s and u12s, plus a new u16s squad.

Coaches Chris Seymour and Shaun Jenkinson issued a joint statement on the Broncos’ development, which was recognised when the club was named “Club of the Year” at the 2012 district rugby league awards.

“Our juniors were brilliant in 2012 and we’d like to thank every single one of them for a great year,” the coaches said.

“It really is a fun sport to play and now that we play throughout the summer it’s great for kids to have a go.

“Players from Year 7 and Year 6 can play in the u12s and those in Year 5 and Year 4 can play in the u10s.”

The development of the junior sides is a major achievement for the club, which has been built around the ethos of encouraging as many people as possible to try the sport.

Junior secretary Jean Palin said: “Unlike other sports, we have kept our costs to parents at an absolute minimum.

“In 2012 we charged just £1 a session and match for our junior sides and no up-front registration fee.

“It will change slightly this year but we’ll easily be one of the best value-for-money options available for getting kids into sport.”

Describing the progress since last year, club chairman Mike Palin said: “The switch to summer rugby in 2012 made a big difference for us. It reduced our costs and meant we were able to set up junior sides for the first time.

“With all the growth we’ve had its imperative that we increase our capacity next year. We’d love to run more new junior sides and are setting up an u16s team for Year 11s and Year 10s but to do all of this we need coaches and volunteers as well as funds.”

It costs around £200 for individuals to qualify as a coach and the Broncos have always found resources to fully fund anyone wishing to have a go.

The club has a high-profile national sponsor in RLFANS.COM and had support in 2012 from local businesses Automatic Cafe and Restaurant in Bury, Grimshaws Vauxhall and Godliman Watson Homes.

Mr Palin added: “To grow again we need more people on-board but more resources too. We’re very supportive of sponsors and always investigate any way we can help them to help us. It is never easy but we are really looking forward to the year ahead.”

Anyone interested in the Broncos can contact Mike Palin on 07834 686374 or email contact@burybroncos.co.uk. More information can be found at www.burybroncos.co.uk.