- Under-17 competitions reach regional quarter-finals stage
- Player retention key for competitions
Thirty-two Midlands clubs will be in action in the regional quarter-finals of the four National Under-17 competitions on Sunday, February 28.
They have all progressed through county qualifying tournaments to reach this stage of the four competitions – Cup, Plate, Bowl and Shield – and will be attempting to take a step closer to the national finals which will be played on May 2 at a venue to be confirmed.
The key objectives of the competition are to offer a competitive rugby structure to an age group when players traditionally drift away from the game and to provide a player development pathway from junior to adult rugby for many young club players across the country.
The competition is growing in status year on year but the emphasis remains on competitive rugby for club players.
National Under-17 Cup, Midlands quarter-finals: Lichfield v Whitchurch, Syston v Melbourne, Old Coventrians v Bredon, Matlock v Bedford.
National Under-17 Plate, Midlands quarter-finals: Nottingham Boots Corsairs v Droitwich, Old Northamptonians v Market Harborough, Camp Hill v Burton, Broadstreet v Newark.
National Under-17 Bowl, Midlands quarter-finals: Coalville v Derby, Newbold-on-Avon v Kettering, Newcastle-under-Lyme v Shrewsbury, Hereford v Oadby Wyggestonians.
National Under-17 Shield, Midlands quarter-finals: Oundle v Aylestone St James, Worcester v Shipston-on-Stour, Nuneaton v Silhillians, Grimsby v Burntwood.
All matches to be played on February 28.