THE junior and youth rugby league section based at Victoria Park has officially cut its ties from Latchford Albion.

Andy Wood, secretary of the newly named Latchford Giants, explained: “We held a special general meeting and voted to rebrand as Latchford Giants, separating from the open age of the club who are running as Latchford Albion.

“Though our badge is being changed, our colours, ground, coaches and officials will remain the same.”

Club official Matt Wilkinson further added: “We will have teams from under sevens to under 16s in 2016, then in 2017 enter an under 18s, then 2018 have an open-age set up, but by 2020 have a successful and competing open-age outfit playing as Latchford Giants – and maybe even competing against Latchford Albion.

“We want to make the split official so that we have a clear pathway for players who develop at Latchford.

“Currently we are losing too many players to other open-age set ups in the town.

“We want there to be no interruption or unclear pathway.

“By becoming Latchford Giants we can put in place a secure structure to be able to do this.”

The new season starts in March and anyone wanting to join tcan attend training on Tuesdays at 6pm.