WOOLSTON Rovers and Crosfields will bounce into the new season on the back of a ‘derby’ day at Monks Sports Club.

The clubs’ open-age sides will go head to head on Saturday, February 25, with the North West Counties League teams meeting at 12.15pm followed by the National Conference League sides at 2.30pm.

It will be their final warm-up games before league action starts a week later.

While Crosfields are starting life under new coach Mark Brennan (see adjacent story) in Division Two after promotion, Rovers mean business again a step below after their play-off final loss last time round.

Their open-age and under 18s players have been in training for three months, but an invitation is offered to any former players wishing to join the current ones at training that takes place on a Tuesday and Thursday nights on the 4G pitch at University Academy Warrington (formerly Padgate High/Lysander High) on Insall Road in Padgate from 6.45pm.

Club public relations officer Dave Whalley said: “The lads have been training really hard but now the intensity will be stepped up a few levels to make sure that all of our teams are ready to hit the ground running.”

Ex-international forward John Fieldhouse, who started out with Warrington Wolves, is leading Rovers’ coaching department for a third year.

Whalley added: “His attention to detail is second to none and I know that he is passing on his vast knowledge on to all of the other coaches as well as to the players.”

Andy Penny, previously assistant coach of the under 18s team, is now in charge of the NWML side, while John Morris moves up with his former under 16s side to under 18s level.

For further details from the coaches, call John on 07834 412724, Andy on 07463 672252 and John on 07954 408597.

Crosfields bring in coach from women's rugby league

Rovers have been busy off the field too, further helping to raise excitement at Monks Sports Club for the new term.

At their recent registration day more than 200 junior, youth and open-aged players signed up for 2017.

And everyone had chance to meet up with representatives of the club’s new partners O2/NSPCC and the State of Mind charity.

O’Neills Irish International Sports Company were also in attendance so that all players could get measured up for the new campaign.

Whalley said: “The new contacts that we have this year are real game changers for us and we are all extremely excited at the impact that it will have on the club.”

02 and NSPCC have tied in with the club to help keep their young players safe when online.

“This is just the start of our relationship which both parties are keen to develop,” said O2’s Jo Challoner.

State of Mind began their new partnership with Rovers as former professional players Danny Sculthorpe, Phil Veivers and Will Stringer, along with founder Dr Phil Cooper, attended registration day with mental fitness cards and stress balls for players.

Dr Cooper said: “Mental fitness issues tend to begin before reaching adulthood so the mentally fitter the players are as they grow up then that can potentially reduce the likelihood of difficulties in adulthood.”

Rovers have also linked up with their official nutrition partner.

Charlotte Carey and Michael Jackson from Prepped2Go said: “We were blown away with their plans for 2017 and how forward thinking they are as a community club to realise how important nutrition is for their players.

“We are looking forward to working together with them to ensure the players are eating the correct food that will help towards them having a successful season on the field and also helping all other members of the club to eat more healthily.”