President of Norfolk Rugby says number playing in county's grassroots is "starting to pick up"
It comes as two players from Norfolk represented England, and one Scotland, in the first round of the World Cup
The President of Norfolk Rugby is telling us the number of those playing in the county's grassroots game is "starting to pick up".
It comes as two players from Norfolk represented England, and one Scotland, in the first round of the World Cup, this weekend.
"They are all great role-models"
Mark Ballman's also a long standing member of West Norfolk Rugby club: "For a small county - in terms of rugby - to produce that many players at the highest level is fantastic. They are all great role-models and I know that they all keep in touch with their roots, here in Norfolk.
"Freddie Steward and Ben Youngs came up through Holt Rugby Club, while Alistair Price, who's playing for Scotland came up through West Norfolk's ranks."
"Volunteers are the life-blood of our game"
He's hoping the World Cup will boost local interest in the sport: "What I'm hearing is that the playing numbers, which had gone down and plateaued, are starting to pick up again. Our mission is to support the local sport and do all we can to help it.
"Player retention from mini-youth into senior has always been a challenge. You go to a club on a Sunday morning and it's packed.
"It's keeping those youngsters involved, with the transition into senior rugby- when other things come along, can be really tough
"Volunteers are the life-blood of our game. Clubs that have a good volunteer set-up, run well. I would appeal to anybody with any interest, to get involved in volunteering."