DARWEN Rangers Junior Football Club are going back to school to help forge links and encourage youngsters to take up the game.

The club has been holding coaching sessions at primary schools across the town where the focus is on skills, friendship, health and fitness and team building.

Rangers have enlisted the help of Steve Watson, who coaches professionally with his own company, to provide the service.

So far, seven of the 11 schools in Darwen have taken part including Ashleigh, St. Barnabas, St. Cuthbert's, Holy Trinity, St. Paul's, St. Peter's and Sudell.

Darwen Rangers, founded by Bill Stemp, is an FA Charter Community Club also want to encourage youngsters to take up other sports and has strong links with Darwen Cricket Club.

Mike Leighton, Rangers schools liason officer, said: “We have had a board on display in every school which illustrates inform-ation about the club.

“We have a strong links here and Darwen Rangers can help foster the all round aspects of sport through focusing on other sports and games.

“Hopefully, as the club is seen as a community club, coaching schemes should start in school and then extend out when children see the benefits and parents do too.

“They themselves may want to join in possibly as coaches if training is offered.”

A number of girls have also taken part in the training sessions and the club is planning to set up a team in a league next season.

And Rangers are now hoping to link with feeder secondary schools Darwen Vale, Darwen Moorland, St. Wilfrid's and St. Bedes.

“We hope to link with them to provide this coaching in the future,” added Mike. ”The link for secondaries is in its infancy at present but each school has shown an interest and enthusiasm.”