Juniors History

The All-Blacks Juniors reformed officially on the 9th March 2003 when a meeting was held at the Meltham Bowling Club to establish a Junior committee to oversee all aspects of junior rugby. The forming of the All-Blacks Juniors came around due to the Huddersfield League stating that all clubs with open age team who have formed within the last five years must run a junior section. Meltham had children training but not actually enough of the same age to start a team, Keith Smith trained children of all ages on the Meltham Rec on Sunday mornings for the previous 18 months and required assistance. The committee was then formed and future coaches were to be sent on BARLA courses. The committee consisted of Mick Pogson Chairman, Lisa Worrall Treasurer, Jonathan Horsman Junior Secretary, Darren Worrall, Andrew King, Paul Hansen and Paul Lambert. Paul Hansen took charge of the Under 14's, Darren Worrall and Paul Lambert took control of the Under 11's and Andrew King and Jonathan Horsman took the Under 9's with Keith Smith helping out between the teams.

Alcontrol Laboratories and Meltham Town Council sponsored the kits which was greatly appreciated in our first season as was sponsorship for the club from Crossroads charity shop, Meltham Liberal Club, Hypergraph, Scientific Laboratory Supplies, Meltham Liberal Club Bonus Ball and Perkins Chilled Foods without all the help from the already named the club would probably struggled to exist. The teams did a sponsored run during the summer of 2003 and raised funds to buy equipment.

During the summer it was evident that the numbers required for the Under 14's just were not available and the All-Blacks went into the League with Under 11's and Under 9's. Jonathan Horsman, Andrew King, Darren Worrall and Paul Lambert were all qualified coaches at mini mod level (8 to 12 year olds) and Paul Hansen mod coach (12 to 18 year olds). The teams were registered on 2nd July 2003 at the West Riding League meeting.

The All-Blacks entered a pre season tournament at Elland Juniors on 30th August 2003 and both teams did extremely well for their first tournament. They played freindlies against Kings Cross (11's) and Illingworth Juniors(9's) and were ready for the season. The season started on September 14th 2003 with the Under 11's going down at Littlebourgh 60-0 but showing signs for the future against a team that had been playing 3 years together. The Under 9's tasted success in their first game beating Hoyland Vikings away 34-8 with Daniel Hirst scoring the clubs first ever try.