FEATHERSTONE ROVERS chief executive Martin Vickers believes strong contacts in the community game bring benefits all round.
Heworth duo Max Rhodes and Dan Clarke were given run-outs during pre-season, and Vickers says promising amateurs will always be given a chance to impress.
In addition, Rovers stepped in to stage York Acorn’s Challenge Cup third-round tie against Hull on Saturday at the Millennium Stadium, where Rovers took on Ince Rose Bridge the following afternoon.
“The amateur game is crucial to Rugby League, and we want to do what we can to help it thrive,” he explained.
“Our chairman Paddy Handley has strong contacts not just in the York area but the amateur game as a whole.
“He sees first-hand the talent that exists and of course we will always be interested in good players.
“Bringing them in to train and play when the opportunity allows gives us the chance to have a look and them to get a taste of what’s involved in playing at professional level. Who knows what might develop from that?
“But we also see the value in having a good relationship with the clubs in our area, because we can help each other.
“We have been working hard on our community outreach, and amateur clubs are a part of that.”
