All training is based at the Club’s ground, Lightfoot Green (Off Lightfoot Lane, Fulwood, Preston) and by using the postcode PR4 0AP you should find a map on the internet using Multimap.com.(Try clicking on the postcode, but don’t forget to use the browser button for a return to this page!)

Mini and Youth Rugby takes place on Sundays. The Under 7s to Under 16s train and play matches in the morning, the Colts (Under 18s) in the early afternoon. Player’s age groups are determined by their age at midnight on 31st August. Age Group can also be equated to school year with Under 16s being Year 11, Under 15s Year 10, etc.

Unless the group is playing away, for all training and club fixtures players should be at the club by 10.15am at the latest to enable a prompt start at 10.30am. The morning session normally closes about 12.15/12.30pm, often dependent on the weather.

The Colts have different arrangements, with later kick off times, currently 2.00pm.

This season kicks off with an ‘Open Day’ at the end of August before the RFU’s official opening to the Mini and Youth season, Registration Day (first Sunday in September).

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

At Hoppers, we charge an annual membership fee plus a yearly subscription, Membership fee and subscriptions are payable on or before Registration Day; ‘subs’ should be given to the age group administrator in the clubhouse BEFORE training or matches start

Following the recent Annual General Meeting, the amounts set for 2017/18 were as follows:

Minis:
(Under 7s to Under 12)
OPTION 1: Single payment – £120 (£30 reg/£90 subs)
OPTION 2: Two payements – £140 (£85 in Sept inclusive of £30 reg / £55 in Jan)

Juniors / Youth :
(Under 13s to Under 19s)
OPTION 1: Single payment – £130 (£30 reg/£100 subs)
OPTION 2: Two payements – £150 (£90 in Sept inclusive of £30 reg / £60 in Jan)

This income covers the purchase of kit and equipment, transport to games where multiple teams travel away, regular courses for coaches and others, medical requirements, entertaining our visting teams, upkeep and improvements of the grounds, general administration and various other matters. (A copy of the accounts is available on request.)

WHAT MUST I PROVIDE?

All new players must provide both a copy birth certificate and also three passport-style photographs.

These should accompany the forms that existing players complete, the Registration Form and the Medical Consent Form. New players must also complete the RFU Young Player Registration Form.

WHAT KIT DO I NEED?

Initially, very little! A pair of football boots is OK, but they MUST be fitted with rugby union aluminium studs, a very important safety regulation.

A mouthguard is advised, most coaches would say a must. At Hoppers we have long believed that not bringing a mouthguard to training or matches means no contact rugby. Teeth are precious!

Contact your dentist should you wish to purchase a customised, ‘made-to-measure’ version but, especially for the younger player, many parents are happy to purchase the less expensive style from the local sport shop which players mould themselves.

White and navy blue hooped match shirts are provided, when necessary. The club has a standard colour for shorts and socks – navy blue. During the early weeks, especially in the Mini age groups, strong football shorts and shirts should suffice but navy club shorts, socks and our emerald green training shirt are all normally available in Hoppers Shop.

WHO CAN JOIN?

Anyone keen on, committed to, or just interested in rugby is welcome at Hoppers.

Our Mini (Under 7s to Under 12s) age groups welcome both boys and girls, whatever their background and / or experience.

The Youth teams (Under 13s upwards) play as boys teams, and we are keen to encourage girls at both Under 15s and Under 18s level feeding into the Womens XV.

In addition, young people who would like to help in any other capacity are welcome, and there are many tasks which, as volunteers, can assist in the success of the organisation.

HOW CAN I JOIN?

Players can join the Club at anytime, although Hoppers has a policy to restrict the ‘transfer’ of younger players from other clubs in Lancashire after 1st October, except in exceptional circumstances.

A telephone call to the Club or Age group Manager, or reference to the relevant age group fixtures in this website, will establish whether or not an age group is at home that Sunday. If it is, come along and introduce yourself.

IS IT SAFE?

In October 2002, Hoppers was the first rugby union club in the country to receive the RFU’s Seal of Approval, and only the second sports organisation in England and Wales to gain Sport England’s ‘Clubmark’ certificate.

Both awards confirm that Hoppers is a ‘safe, efficient and child-friendly club’ with the comprehensive and appropriate coaching structure you would expect from one of the most vibrant and successful Mini and Youth set-ups in the country.

From coaching the basic principals, based on the RFU Continuum and the gradual introduction of new elements of the game at each age group, the emphasis of the 55-strong team of Coaches and Assistant Coaches is on safety.

With all but about half-a-dozen qualified to appropriate RFU standards, they take the players from 4-a-side TAG rugby in the Under 7s right through to highly competitive 15-a-side league fixtures at Under 18.

IS THE SET-UP SUCCESSFUL?

Yes! Fully supporting Lancashire’s and other Regional squads, Hoppers players feature strongly in representative sides and reach International level.

Will Greenwood, Iain Balshaw, Alex Sanderson, Steve Borthwick and Paul Grayson, to name the most recent, have all contributed to Mini, Junior or Colts rugby at Lightfoot Green.

Hoppers has been the most successful side in the Lancashire Cup over recent seasons, winning at least one trophy for each of the last eight years, last year alone, the Senior Colts, Junior Colts and U15s all won the trophy in their respective age groups.

Is there anything else you would like to ask? Click here to contact the Secretary