RECORD-BREAKING NORTH EAST CLUB NAMED RUGBY-LEAGUE.COM’S CLUB OF THE WEEK.
Cramlington Rockets are this week’s rugby-league.com Club of the Week after becoming the first North East-based club to launch a Tots programme.

Friday marked a historic moment for the club, with the move seen as the final part of the jigsaw in engaging with local children.

The programme will provide multi-sport activities for two to six year olds in a welcoming environment which encourages development and social interaction.

Any players who become too old for Rocket Tots are then be able to join the club’s under 8s team and continue their journey with the Rockets all the way up to adults.

Commenting on the milestone, Rockets Chairman Jeff Ball explained: "The club was founded in 2000 as Killingworth Rockets and moved to Cramlington in 2009 with 40 players.

"We now have 200 signed on from under 8s through to Open Age.

"We are the only Rugby League club in Northumberland, the biggest in the North East and the most northerly in England.

"We have a thriving community department, won the North East Contribution to school Rugby League award last year and also engaged with 19,000 local people over the past 12 months."

Ball, who is currently the RFL’s Volunteer of the Year, has also moved to appoint two Newcastle Thunder players, Evan Simons and Vincent Rennie, to coach the club’s Open Age side, while comfortably passing 500 ticket sales for the upcoming Magic Weekend – the most of any community club.

But Ball admits, amongst a long line of achievements for the club, he takes most pride in the club’s new Tots programme.

"Launching Rocket Tots is one of the most significant steps we have ever taken as a club," he said.

"We always look to add a new minis team every year to keep the production line going but there were a lot of people asking to join who weren’t old enough, so we decided to take this step.

"We believe it is important to get kids into sport young - to make it become second nature to get up on a Saturday and be active.

"We are seeing kids who started with us around eight years ago start to come through as adults with really good skills. With the potential of 16 years' experience, our future players can only get better."
On top of the launch of their Tots section, their multi-sports camps are currently bigger than ever, having attracted over 130 children to their latest installment over Easter, plus 48 new children joining the club from local schools.

Alongside that, a remarkable 432 children attended a recent Tag Rugby tournament hosted by the club, while ten Cramlington players were selected in the most recent North East Colleges squad.

With their Open Age side finishing third in North East Division One last year, all age groups are in good health and, looking forward, Ball has high hopes.

He said: "Our immediate focus is supporting all our teams as their respective league seasons get underway, including the under 8s who were only formed 6 weeks ago.

"We are always looking to expand our community work and will be looking to build on recent success in northern parts of Northumberland, the furthest north anyone has ever taken rugby league in England.

"And, of course, we will be getting ready for Magic and taking over St James' Park in a sea of orange!"

Cramlington Rockets are England's most northerly Rugby League club. They host a number of different age groups are are on the lookout for players at all ages. For more information, visit cramlingtonrockets.co.uk or contact Chairman Jeff Ball on jeffrey.ball@brewin.co.uk.