BLOWING THE WHISTLE ON OLD IDEAS!

That sports clubs, schools and the local council are all working together to improve sport in the district is a reality in Welwyn-Hatfield. Encouraged by Welwyn-Hatfield's Sports Partnership Officer, Colin Smyth, Welwyn Rugby Club is delighted with the efforts of 2 of it's younger members!

17 year olds, Charlie White and Ben Marques, both sixth formers at Stanborough school, are really supporting local junior sport. As part of their Community Sport Leadership Award, Charlie, who is a key member of the highly successful Welwyn Warriors U17 side, has been coaching girls rugby in the local junior schools. As part of his course, Ben has been coaching junior cricket for Hatfield Hyde and the District Cricket Partnership.

Sport features highly for both teenagers. Charlie has been captain of the Warriors team as well as being selected for The Herts County team and The East of England side. She has passed her RFC level 1 coaches badge and together with Ben has just passed the RFU referees award. They have now started refereeing junior matches at the Hobbs Way club.

As Secretary of the W-H Youth Council, Charlie, together with Colin Smyth, helped organise the Sports Zone event the Council held in the summer. She and fellow Warriors player,Jesss Lane coached the rugby sessions there and Ben hosted the Cricket on behalf of the DCP. Ben has passed his ECB Young Leaders award as well as qualifying as a ECB scorer. He is a regular member of Hatfield Hyde's 2nd XI. Ben also plays for the U17 side at Welwyn. Charlie & Ben will Tour Biarritz in France at Easter with the rugby club and both are looking forward to what promises to be a tough tour!

Both teenagers are really enjoying the work and they are the tip of a very promising iceberg, as other junior members of Welwyn & Hyde are lining up to follow in their footsteps. Colin Smyth is delighted, ' To see the enthusiasm these two have for putting something back into junior sport is so rewarding and I think that over the next couple of years, W-H Sport will go from strength to strength'.