TAVISTOCK RFC junior section has secured £1,000 RFU funding to launch an innovative and unique strength and conditioning pro-gramme at the club for its junior players.

The programme will specifically targeting the 15-18 year old age bracket where 'player drain' is a big problem in trying to get 15 players on the pitch week on week.

Tavistock RFC junior section sought RFU support in addressing this problem and in a competitive bidding programme secured £1,000 to launch the Tavistock RFC Junior Strength Academy, with the help of Matt Luxton, a local strength and conditioning professional.

The programme is limited to 20 players within the 15-18 age bracket and will run for 10 weeks, starting from March 9, under the watchful eye of Matt who is also a healthy eating author and runs many similar programmes throughout West Devon.

Matt is delighted to be involved and and said: 'My aim is to provide a fun, safe and progressive environment in which each child can learn how to be better people, move better and ultimately lead a fuller life in their chosen sport through improved performance both on and off the pitch.'

The aim is to continue the programme over the next few years so that proper strength and conditioning training becomes an integral part of youth rugby development at Tavistock RFC.

Organisers say that no other rugby club in the region or perhaps the UK is offering a similar programme and Tavistock appear to be at the vanguard of a new approach to attracting new players into the game of rugby.