An 'amazing' rugby club that is making a real difference to the lives of young people in Moston has received a £4,000 grant to improve facilities.
North Manchester RUFC (NM RUFC), which is based at Tudor Lodge, received the money from the 'We Love MCR Stronger Communities Fund' and has used the cash to buy a new container to store equipment.
The club has been a huge part of the Moston community and was founded more than 100 years ago in the 1921-22 season - and had previously been known as Prestwich Rugby Union Football Club
Chris Holt, who became the Junior Chairman of the NM RUFC in January, said the club is open to children and teenagers and is about more than just fitness.
He said: "We usually train on a Tuesday and a Thursday. Tuesday is more fitness for the kids, which includes healthy eating, and focusing on their nutrition.
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"Thursday is more for training together and working on their teamwork. Because of the nature of the sport, we usually play the games on Sunday.
"We have the juniors who are high school students, and two sections of minis, one of them coming out of primary school while the others are in it.
He continued: "A lot of kids stay indoors so if you know anyone, bring them, we are a welcoming community and invite everyone with open arms."
Lord Mayor Donna Ludford was invited to cut the ribbon to officially open the new container.
She told the MEN: "It's vitally important for kids to take part in these kinds of games from a young age, it builds confidence, resilience, self-esteem, and relationships with others, you can't put a value on that.
"Parents should come down. You become a little family, you build up friendships and so do the kids. If you don't like the sport, then you can say you tried it."
She continued: "This is an amazing club, to see where it's come from to what it is today, this is why I wanted to be here to support them."
Donna Daly, 38, whose daughter plays for the club, said: "She was nervous the first day, now she's off playing with the boys, she loves all the games. I'd say if you want your child to do rugby, just try it, you can get hurt doing any sport."
Parents Dom Green, 35, and Kay Brookes, 34, said their two daughters also love playing rugby at NM RUFC. They said: "Our girls love it as much as our son loves it. There are many more girls coming through to play, it's a sport for both. There is always gonna be a divide but now it's normality."
NM RUFC has a few older players who act as mentors to teach the younger mmebers how to play.
One of them is 18-year-old Tommy Carvalho. Tommy started his rugby career in North Manchester and moved to the College of Rugby in Salford where they are taught sports science as well as rugby.
He said: "I've seen a lot of the people develop. I've known a lot of them since they were little and to see them develop feels really really good.
He continued: "My dream is to become a pro. My favorite team is the Sale Sharks. If I don't make it to pro, I want to go into something in sports science."
If you would like to go to North Manchester RUFC, you can find it at:
Tudor Lodge
Victoria Ave East
Moston
Manchester
M40 5SH
Sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday with both running from 5.45 pm -8 pm.
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