Last updated at 12:33, Thursday, 15 November 2012

Whitehaven are inviting 11 leading amateurs to join the club for pre-season training to discover if they fancy a crack at the pro game.

Dave Woods

The club are determined to give the squad a strong local flavour and coach Dave Woods is keen to look at a string of promising players from Wath Brow, Egremont and Kells, to see how they shape up.

But he has been cautious not to disrupt the end-of-season plans of the three clubs, who have all faced crucial matches in recent days.

“I have targeted 11 players I would like to invite to training and to do our pre-season, but it’s up to them,” he said.

“They’ve all had big games coming up and we didn’t want to disrupt those. We have to do the right thing by them.

“Hopefully they will want the opportunity to test themselves in our tough league.”

The club launched training on Saturday at Lakes College, when former Millom amateur James Newton, back in Cumbria following a stint with Hull FC, and fellow hooker Carl Sice, both shaped up well.

Woods, who watched Egremont knock Kells out of the Challenge Cup this week, is prepared to be patient with any amateurs who take the plunge, even looking beyond Haven’s return to the Championship next season, and to 2014.

“They may not even play this year.

“It might be that a lot of hard work is needed and they become regulars next year,” Woods said, revealing that any contracts should be based on appearances.

“It has to be incentive-based. We can’t be paying players to sit in the grandstand.”

Admission prices will rise at the Recre next term, following promotion, to bring them in line with most Championship clubs.

They have been set at £15 for adults, £10 for concession and £5 for Under-16s – for ground and grandstand.

Adult and concession season tickets will allow entry to 13 home league fixtures, which gives a saving of three games at the regular admission price.

Children’s season tickets also allow entry in to 13 away league fixtures.

Tickets go on sale on Monday from the club office, 9am-3pm, and from Whitehaven Embroidery, Church Street. New season tickets will cost £150 for adults, £100 concessions and £30 for youngsters.

First published at 12:30, Thursday, 15 November 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk