Under 18 Development Squad

Manager   Andy Young    07718357053 (m)

This season 2010/11 sees the continuation of one of last season's most successful playing initiatives. TJs have their first development squad for specific players from the under 18, under 17 and under 16 age groups with regular training and coaching sessions with TJ’s Senior club coaches Pete Dankart, Ben Smith, Steve Farr and Gareth Withers as well as some of the current TJ 1ST XV squad. All of this under the watchful and experiences coaching eyes of Andy Young, Joe Sage and Damian Mutch.

Our aim is to give this group of players an understanding of the demands and the intensity of the modern game, not only during game-time but also in training. We also want to combine their youthful enthusiasm and fitness to improve their skills and option taking. The sessions also gives the senior coaches a chance to assess the abilities of a group of players who have or are coming through the youth section of the club.

The current group of players are drawn from several schools around the Tonbridge area. Last season we had 3 county representatives in two different age groups and this is sure to improve as the development continues. Our long term aim remains to use the development squad to help provide the senior squad with young home grown talent and to provide these talented players with a natural progression to Senior rugby - 2009/10 saw this ambition achieved immediately with several of the players turning out for the senior XVs and making their mark immediately.

Fixtures are arranged throughout the season so stay in touch with the website to check out when and where.

It is important to emphasise that the Club has made significant changes both on and off the field of play this past couple of years. On the Senior playing front we have brought in some very experienced and talented coaches, whilst also attracting a number of very talented rugby players who want to help take TJRFC up the leagues and to provide a quality of rugby and performance second to none in the area.

However in developing and improving our senior rugby we also recognised the importance, value and need to put in place the right structures for the future to ensure that the exceptional Mini/Youth age groups had a natural means of progressing to senior rugby from age 16, 17 and 18 onwards. This Under 18 Development squad is crucial to that vision and we are very confident that the work being put in now will not only help develop these youngsters but also enhance the current quality of the TJ senior sides as well as ensuring that our home grown talent stay with TJs throughout their playing days and beyond.