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Under 16s | Under 18s		  


The North East U16s were formed in January 2001, after trials at the Bullocksteads training ground. A squad of 30 players were selected, plus a development side, who would train monthly along side each other. Coached by Jo Wells, John Fletcher and Andy Dixon, the North East played their first competitive game against North West in atrocious weather. The team went on to win the match 10 0. They continued their winning ways in March, when they beat Eastern Counties 50 0 away from home. But it was at the Lichfield 10s, that North East really showed their class. After just 5 months as a squad, North East were placed second after a day of outstanding rugby. They were further rewarded in the summer, when the North East U16s were presented with the Journal Team of the Year trophy, beating the Newcastle Falcons in the process.
The 2001/2002 season began with the setting up of two county sides Northumberland and Durham. The sides met in December, with Durham the eventual winners. Regional trials were held once again in January 2002, with 30 players selected at U16 level. An U18s side was also set up, to train along side the U16s every week. Managed by Sally Fitzpatrick and Abby Richards, and once again coached by Jo Wells, along with Jo Hull, Steve Combe and various members of the Newcastle Falcons set up, both teams were keen to prove to the rest of the country that last season hadnt been a fluke! Both teams had close matches, both home and away, against East Midlands. The U18s were unlucky to lose on both occasions, after often playing the better rugby of the two sides, while the U16s went on to win both fixtures. Despite suffering a set back with defeat at the hands of a strong North West side, the U16s played some of the most skillful rugby at the 2002 Lichfield 10s. Both the U16s and U18s were placed a creditable fourth at the end of the tournament. But the highlight of the U16 season was at the Manchester Commonwealth Games test in May, when North East 1 reached the final, having beaten national champions, South East along the way. Having drawn the final on Saturday, the North East were unlucky to suffer a 7 5 defeat against West Midlands, at the Commonwealth Stadium in Manchester. They were eventually placed second in the competition.
After selectors watched both Lichfield and the Commonwealth Games Test, 8 North East girls were picked for England Youth Performance camp in the summer, at both U16 and U18 level. So 2002/2003 looks set to be yet another successful season for the Northerners!

Caroline Craig