York City Knights hang tough in pre-season

[Honor James]

As a break from pre-season training last week, York City Knights visited the Red Goat Climbing Company in Layerthorpe to test themselves in an environment that is very different from rugby league - the challenging world of rock climbing. Head Coach Gary Thornton and Assistant Coach Mick Ramsden felt it would act as a good way to relax, get to know each other and have a bit of fun in a different environment.

The team that runs Red Goat Climbing Company are regular climbers and their facility, which they built to integrate with some of the best Bouldering in Yorkshire, has 6,000sq feet of Bouldering encompassing a large competition wall, complete with over hangs & prows to keep the most aggressive of climbers happy

Ramsden said that the team enjoyed the experience: "The lads were split into smaller groups and each group were accompanied by an experienced instructor who directed them around the walls and challenged them to climb certain routes. They started by climbing the easier routes and then progressed onto the harder ones which involved hanging onto next to nothing on sloping walls and in some areas being upside down! The session ended with a series of very difficult challenges and the best climbers from each group had a chance to have a go on them.

Kris Brining probably came out as best climber closely followed by James Morland, but you couldn't fault Austin Bell and James Haynes endeavour to try and match them. In fact, we couldn't get Austin off the wall!"

The Knights would like to thank Andy and Nikki for running this event for us, their facilities are fantastic and we would recommend anyone to go down and give it a try sometime.

Gavin Wilson

Media Manager