North Midlands have launched a new county Under-17s team with the aim of strengthening the affinity they have with county rugby as they move through the age groups.
North Midlands Under-17s will play two matches in this, the team’s inaugural season, which will help players with the transition from Under-16s to Under-18s county rugby and improve talent identification and continuity in selection and coaching.
It will also provide a potential development opportunity for coaches in North Midlands with two of this season’s Under-18s coaching team, Kieram Hallam and Trevor Bufton, taking charge of the new county side.
The Under-17s squad will be a combination of players who have already been selected in both the North Midlands Under-16s and Under-16s squads this season.
North Midlands Under-17s will play their first match against Cheshire at Dudley Kingswinford on March 24 (2pm) and then play neighbours Staffordshire at Stourbridge on April 5.