Blackbrook ARLFC
Encyclopedia
Blackbrook Amateur and Junior Rugby League Football Club are an amateur rugby league
club based at Blackbrook Sports and Recreational Club in Boardmans Lane, Blackbrook
, St Helens
, Merseyside
. The first and second teams play in the Premier and Fourth Divisions of the North West Counties
Leagues respectively, whilst the junior section of the club; the Royals, play in the North West Counties Junior Rugby Leagues from ages 12 and up. The club form the basis of the careers of many St Helens RLFC, Warrington Wolves
, Wigan Warriors
and in recent years especially, Salford City Reds
players, thanks to their highly successful reputation at all ages through to Open Age rugby.
League. In the early stages of Blackbrook's existence, they were almost exclusively and adults club, with only a handful of teens playing at the club, and even then, they were classed part of one of the open age teams. That was, however, until 1975, when a group of parents got together to form an exclusive youth and junior section of the club.
, James Roby
and James Graham
, as well as names like Jamie Foster
, Scott Moore
and Paul Clough
. Also, many of the names in St Helens' Academy sides are Blackbrook juniors. Perhaps the prime example of a player who signed for Warrington from the club is Brian Case
, whilst Kevin Brown signed for Wigan from the Royals. Additionally, the club prides itself on allowing children to play the game under its registered coaches regardless of ability or disability, race and background. Fund raising events such as fun days and game day festivals are commonly organised to raise money for the junior side of the club, as well as the 200 club that exists. Interestingly, there have been occasions were squads at age groups have been so big that two separate teams have been run concurrently at a particular age group. The break off, or "B" team at the age group is usually called the Blues so not to demoralise the players.
, but were unsuccessful and returned to the regional competition. The Open Age team won consecutive Lancashire County Cup
s in 2006 and 2007, but were, in 2009, relegated to Division One of the North West Counties pyramid. Promotion was gained at the first attempt however, and the club will begin 2011 in the Premier Division.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
club based at Blackbrook Sports and Recreational Club in Boardmans Lane, Blackbrook
Blackbrook, Merseyside
Blackbrook is an electoral ward in St Helens, Merseyside. The area is so called for the brook of the same name. The Blackbrook area is situated at the north east of St.Helens Borough and is historically part of the Parr township....
, St Helens
St Helens, Merseyside
St Helens is a large town in Merseyside, England. It is the largest settlement and administrative centre of the Metropolitan Borough of St Helens with a population of just over 100,000, part of an urban area with a total population of 176,843 at the time of the 2001 Census...
, Merseyside
Merseyside
Merseyside is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1,365,900. It encompasses the metropolitan area centred on both banks of the lower reaches of the Mersey Estuary, and comprises five metropolitan boroughs: Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, Wirral, and the city of Liverpool...
. The first and second teams play in the Premier and Fourth Divisions of the North West Counties
North West Counties
The North West Counties A.R.L. are a series of rugby league regional leagues covering the following age groups in the North West of England:-* Age 8 to 12* Age 13 to 15* Age 16 to 18* Open Age...
Leagues respectively, whilst the junior section of the club; the Royals, play in the North West Counties Junior Rugby Leagues from ages 12 and up. The club form the basis of the careers of many St Helens RLFC, Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
, Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
and in recent years especially, Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
players, thanks to their highly successful reputation at all ages through to Open Age rugby.
Early years
The club was founded circa—1940, and played in the league that they are in now during their early years, the North West CountiesNorth West Counties
The North West Counties A.R.L. are a series of rugby league regional leagues covering the following age groups in the North West of England:-* Age 8 to 12* Age 13 to 15* Age 16 to 18* Open Age...
League. In the early stages of Blackbrook's existence, they were almost exclusively and adults club, with only a handful of teens playing at the club, and even then, they were classed part of one of the open age teams. That was, however, until 1975, when a group of parents got together to form an exclusive youth and junior section of the club.
Formation of the Royals
In 1975, a group of parents got together with the idea of forming a section of the club that was open to children and youths individually. The main idea was to provide something for children to do once school had finished, via the medium of sport; specifically, rugby league. Initially, the age groups were mixed, but gradually, the club has seen 11 age groups form, from ages 6—18. Success has come to the club since the formation of the Royals, with many age groups enjoying success through the regional leagues and cups (both the Lancashire Junior and North West Counties Cups) as well as the National Youth Cup. There are now around 200 youngsters playing at the club. However, perhaps a greater pride taken by the club is the number of youths who go on to play professionally. Notable examples of players who turned professional with St Helens via the club include Man of Steel Award winners Paul WellensPaul Wellens
Paul Simon Wellens is an English multi-award–winning rugby league footballer. Wellens plays for St. Helens in the European Super League. Wellens is a Great Britain and England international...
, James Roby
James Roby
James Roby is an English professional rugby league footballer for St. Helens of Super League. A Great Britain and England international representative hooker, he has played his entire professional career to date at St Helens, winning the 2006 Super League XI Championship with them.-Career:Roby...
and James Graham
James Graham (rugby league)
James Graham is a rugby league player for St. Helens of Super League. A Great Britain and England international representative front row forward, he has played his entire professional career to date at St...
, as well as names like Jamie Foster
Jamie Foster (rugby league)
James "Jamie" Foster is a professional rugby league player who plays for St Helens in the European Super League. His position of preference is in the centre but he has been known to convert to the wings and fullback...
, Scott Moore
Scott Moore (rugby league)
Scott Moore is a rugby league footballer who plays for Widnes Vikings in the European Super League.Scott Moore was the youngest ever Super League player when he made his debut at the JJB Stadium aged only 16....
and Paul Clough
Paul Clough
Paul Clough is an English rugby league footballer who plays for St Helens. He is the brother of former Salford and Halifax hooker John Clough.In November 2006 Paul Clough was promoted to train full time with the Saints' first team squad...
. Also, many of the names in St Helens' Academy sides are Blackbrook juniors. Perhaps the prime example of a player who signed for Warrington from the club is Brian Case
Brian Case
Brian G. Case is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Blackbrook, Warrington, and Wigan, playing at , i.e...
, whilst Kevin Brown signed for Wigan from the Royals. Additionally, the club prides itself on allowing children to play the game under its registered coaches regardless of ability or disability, race and background. Fund raising events such as fun days and game day festivals are commonly organised to raise money for the junior side of the club, as well as the 200 club that exists. Interestingly, there have been occasions were squads at age groups have been so big that two separate teams have been run concurrently at a particular age group. The break off, or "B" team at the age group is usually called the Blues so not to demoralise the players.
After 1975
Following the break off of the junior side of the club, the youth and open age section has become separate from the funding side of the club, tending not to seek money from the club. The 1st team recently had a run in the National Conference LeagueNational Conference League
The National Conference League is the top league in the pyramid of amateur rugby leagues run by the British Amateur Rugby League Association...
, but were unsuccessful and returned to the regional competition. The Open Age team won consecutive Lancashire County Cup
Lancashire County Cup
The Lancashire County Cup is a knock-out rugby league competition for teams in the traditional county of Lancashire. It is administered by the British Amateur Rugby League Association ....
s in 2006 and 2007, but were, in 2009, relegated to Division One of the North West Counties pyramid. Promotion was gained at the first attempt however, and the club will begin 2011 in the Premier Division.