The region has had a very busy time since the split from East Midlands and the focus has been on providing an excellent standard of coaching to the existing regional players through the Friday night RTC sessions with numbers increasing from 20 to over 50 players in a short period of time. In addition, the monthly Sunday sessions provide opportunities another 40 newer and younger players to attend. The monthly Sunday sessions give the players their first taste of training above club level, and they can then work towards the standard required to attend the Friday night sessions and the opportunity to represent their region.
Over 22 players have attended National academy camps with Krishan Kaushal, Simon Halstead, Sancha and Pia Tonks, Tilly Neal, Aaliyah Lloyd and Pryia Kennedy all participating in England Squads, with Krishan representing GBR in the U17 European Qualifiers in Manchester earlier in May.
In addition a team of 17 boys travelled to Serbia for a training camp in April with Gary Tonks, Drazen Videc and John Halstead all coaching and Terri Halstead, Team Manager. The team worked incredibly hard over 5 days. The boys had the time of their life and are all asking when they can go again.
It was fantastic to see new blood, Worcester Crocodiles win the Midland League U16 2018/19 and Warley Wasps won the U18 2018/19 competition. Many of the players from both squads are regular attendees at the Friday nights sessions, so it is great to see RTC training impacting positively on clubs.
Speaking of clubs, it is fantastic to see that all of the clubs in the West Midlands have at least one club member attending RTC with many more of their teammates keen to attend.
On 12 May, Liz Wilkins organised a tournament for over 90 kids aged 2006 or under, what an amazing effort. Part 2 of this is to take place in June, a full report will be available after the tournament and coming out of this a team will be selected to represent the West Midlands on 14 July in Sheffield.
Whilst KES and Warwick have traditionally entered schools in the ESSA, this year saw Camp Hill Boys enter a team. Again, many of the players attend the Friday nights sessions.
A massive shout out to Phil Powell for his hard work over the last two years working with the 2002 GBR team, it is fantastic to see Phil flying the flag for the West Midlands.
Any enquiries about regional training please contact: [email protected]