TO COPE with additional demand in the sport at a local level, a refurbishment and reconfiguration job at a rugby club is getting under way.

Tynedale Rugby Club’s expansion in terms of the number of players continues, and to cater for this growth, Corbridge county councillor Nick Oliver has pledged £7,000 to fund essential improvements to the club’s changing facilities.

This is particularly needed to cater for the rise in the number of women and girls now playing rugby at the Corbridge club.

Coun. Oliver said: “I coached youth rugby for 20 years at Tynedale, all five of my children have played there and it has been a significant part of my life.

“I was previously chairman of youth rugby and lead coach in the Panthers’ girls’ section so Tynedale has a special place in my heart and it’s great to be able to make a contribution to this project.

“We’re all looking forward to seeing significant rugby activity returning. The club is an extraordinary success and is always looking to push forward and offer better facilities to the hundred’s of men, women, boys and girls who play there”.

John Austin, a member of Tynedale’s management committee, said: “We’re using the lull in normal training and playing activity brought about by Covid restrictions to get these improvements made and we’re grateful for Nick’s support.”

After an absence of more than a year, a return to playing rugby is expected later this month albeit under restrictions, but training has already resumed.