We've just learned form the Hampshire youth forum meeting that next season the under 14s will not have a league structure. Instead, we will be in a cup competition of a similar style to the one they've piloted this season.

The good news is that we WILL be able to enter 2 teams so EVERYONE gets a good crack at competitive matches. We've already got the county dates & I'm busy working on filling friendly fixtures to cram in as much rugby for everyone with as much varied opposition as we can get. Given the relative strength of our B squad & the benefit of knowing we definitely have enough players to field 2 squads, we're filling matches for the B team with a much more varied & exciting set of fixtures so every player has the chance to be challenged & develop. I have approx 1/2 a dozen more confirmations to work on for fixtures, but as soon as I get the list completed, I'll publish next season's details for everyone to take a look at.

In a further development for next season, the county cup matches will all be completed before April. during April there will be an emphasis on 7s competition for everyone to get involved in. We will be fully involved in this & may end up offering to host something ourselves. In fact, for the last day of the season, 6th May, as well as having a team entered into the Alton 7s tournament, we are looking to hold an informal 7s event in Gosport. Eastleigh are already bringing 7s players & U.S. Portsmouth have also expressed an interest so we could be in for a great last day of the season!

More news as it happens ....