Events of the last 14 months make it easy to forget that my original role on the Rams website was to report on life and events at our Dewsbury based community clubs.
Our local clubs in the National Conference & regional leagues have had an even longer enforced break from action than Championship & League One outfits in the professional ranks.
The great news is that our clubs are following strict protocol & are returning to training and ultimately playing action under RFL guidelines that must be adhered to.
Clubs are already playing friendly fixtures at open age & junior level but are not allowed to publicise them. At present they are not allowed to encourage spectators to attend .
However much like ourselves at the Rams, that will hopefully change from 17th May providing there are no changes to the government roadmap out of Covid restrictions.
Even then clubs will have to enforce safety measures for all concerned.
A fixture list for the National Conference clubs has been released & details published recently in the rugby league newspapers.
Initially clubs have been placed in regional groups to avoid lengthy coach journeys for teams travelling to away games.
League E includes Dewsbury Celtic, Shaw Cross Sharks and Dewsbury Moor Maroons whilst Thornhill Trojans are in League F.
The big kick off is planned for Saturday 22nd May. The same weekend when the Rams hope to welcome back fans to the Tetley’s Stadium for the Heavy Woollen derby.
Heavy Woollen derbies will clearly be the theme that weekend as Dewsbury Celtic will welcome Batley Boys to Crow Nest Park.
Shaw Cross Sharks will face a long journey to the north east as they are scheduled to take on Gateshead. Although the league are initially attempting to eliminate travel they do have to accommodate the geordie outpost club.
Thornhill Trojans go to Drighlington on the opening day.
Dewsbury Moor Maroons have an attractive home fixture with Siddal.
Siddal have been prolific providers of players to the professional game for many years & the illustrious list includes our own powerhouse prop forward Tom Garrett and fullback Joe Martin.
Hopefully this will all actually happen because our clubs need it to happen.
Maintenance of clubhouses & other facilities with all other associated expenses has carried on during the last year.
Other than finance the other concern for community clubs has been future participation levels. The very essence of the clubs is participation.
The worry is that having got out the ritual of playing & training that players will have found other things to do. Hopefully the reverse will happen and players will be chomping at the bit to return to the fellowship that only taking part in sport can provide.
Community clubs provide playing opportunities for everyone. All the way through the age groups through to open age.
Those opportunities apply to men, boys, women & girls.
The professional game would struggle to exist without them.
The great thing is that these clubs generally play on Saturday afternoons giving fans of clubs like the Rams the chance to enjoy a full weekend fix!
I reckon many of you will be looking forward to getting back to the touchlines at Overthorpe Park, Crow Nest Park, Leeds Road & Heckmondwike Road but undoubtedly protocols will apply & hopefully spectators will comply because these clubs are emerging from dark times & the guys explaining the rules to you will be well intentioned club volunteers.
Finally on a totally different matter I could not help noticing that the Leigh Centurions half back partnership against St Helens last weekend was two guys who have worn Rams colours in the past – Ben Reynolds & Matty Wildie.
