BARROW Raiders have launched a new initiative to encourage a pathway into the sport for secondary school students in years seven and eight.

The club’s new Lions Player Development Programme has been designed to support rugby league skills for future young talent.

On Wednesday, the club hosted over 85 young players from across the local area as part of the new initiative, which has been hailed as a rousing success following its launch at the Northern Competitions Stadium.

The Lions Development Programme is being led by the Advantage! Barrow Raiders Community Foundation with sessions taking place between 5:00 – 6:30 pm every Wednesday w/c July 10 – August 21.

First team player and Advantage! Barrow session co-ordinator Ellis Gillam was joined by Luke Broadbent, Luke Cresswell, Max Clarke, Ryan Johnston and other first team members at the launch on Wednesday evening.

Speaking to the club website on the importance of the Lions Development Programme, Gillam said: “Young players need a pathway into the sport, and programmes like this are a fantastic way of enabling them to pick up a rugby ball and develop their skills.

“Barrow is a rugby-mad town, and if we want more young players to embark on a journey to the professional game, that path needs to start somewhere.

“We are delighted to have received such a fantastic response to the programme and cannot wait to see all these young players develop over the next seven weeks.”

For more information, email ellis.gillam@barrowrlfc.com