It was the beginning of a new dawn at Ipswich YM on Sunday.

The new junior section launched and is made up of former adult and junior members from Ipswich RFC.

The club will run teams from under-six to under-17 level.

“We will take the best qualities from our other local clubs,” said under-12 coach Paul Rowland, who added that YM were also going to concentrate heavily on developing the club’s girls’ section, by recruiting new members from a young age.

“Colchester are the big draw for junior players with all coaches at level 1 level and CRB checked.

“Woodbridge are very family focused and concentrate a lot on recruiting children, while Felixstowe & Harwich are focusing on their under-sevens, eights and nines.

“We’re starting from scratch but can try to model ourselves on those clubs.”

Under-15 coach Stu Hudson added: “The idea is to open the club up to everyone. It’s not about quality, it’s about participation and delivering quality coaching.”

“If in ten months time, we have 90 per cent of players coming back to re-register and they are bringing their friends along, then I will be delighted.

“The elite level will always be there. We want rugby to be open to everyone.”

n Newmarket Rugby Club hold a registration day on Sunday.

The sessions start at 10.30am at the clubhouse and ll age groups from U7 through to U18 are being run. New and existing players are welcome.