BLACKBURN RUGBY UNION FC have bought thousands of pounds worth of new equipment for their youth sides after receiving a £4,950 grant from Awards for All.

And the club are now looking forward to a tag rugby tournament for 20 schools in Blackburn and Darwen, organised using money from the grant.

The club have spent £1,700 of the money on new balls, bibs, pumps and crash bags and have also paid for 10 parents to become qualified coaches.

The club are soon to bring in a rule that no unqualified person can coach their young players.

Vice-chairperson Elaine Ainsworth said: "It used to be that every parent had to chip in and help out but over the last 18 months the club has become much more professional in its approach and now we don't want the kids trained by anyone but qualified coaches."

Elaine applied for the grant after advice from the Sports Development team.

"I was told that money was available for volunteer groups so I applied and after about two months we heard we'd got it.

"The criteria for the money was you had to help kids from certain areas and include boys and girls. We did that already so there was no problem.

"All the money will be spent on our mini and youth leagues.

"Without the money we'd never have been able to hold the Golden Jubilee tag rugby tournament next week where all the players will receive an Awards for All medal."

Not only have the club been able to buy more equipment, the coaching scheme means the equipment is used in a more productive way.

"We have new equipment but now we know how to use it better," said Elaine.

"Hopefully we can start next season in September able to build on a good year last year."

The highlight of last season was when the boys' Under 13s side beat the Preston Grasshoppers - the region's most well-respected side.

"It was fantastic," said Elaine. "And it shows how far we have come."

And she praised new coach Kevin Ainsworth - her husband - who has been at the club for 18 months since their son Tobias decided he wanted to join.

"All the players look up to Kevin and so do the kids.

"Every other club we go to they all say what a difference there is now with the club, how much the approach has changed over the last year.

"Now my youngest son, who is only five, wants to start playing!"