DODWORTH MW started their new season this week, after being confirmed as an ‘ambassador club’ for professional outfit Sheffield Eagles.
The Eagles will organise extra training sessions for Dodworth’s youth players to attend at their new ground the Olympic Legacy Park, plus courses for the coaches.
Pathway officer Dom Mannion said: “Rugby league is obviously not massive in South Yorkshire but we’re the biggest amateur club in the county.
“The club had closed down but our chairman Matthew Lock set it back up in 2019 and it’s just gone ‘boom’.
“Even in Covid, we thought we would struggle but we have overcome it.
“We have about 200 junior players plus a men’s, women’s and over 35s team. We’re sometimes even having to reject players.
“We have other contacts with Wakefield Trinity and Doncaster but our closest relationship with Sheffield Eagles. They want to develop their local grassroots clubs.”
Dodworth’s men’s team played their first competitive game of the season on Saturday. They won 20-4 at home to Burkinshaw in the League Cup.
Kieran Hyde, Alex Pegg, twice, and Harry Harvey scored tries.
