Rugby - Kendal stay closer to home in talent search (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Rugby - Kendal stay closer to home in talent search

9:00am Thursday 28th July 2011 in Sport

KENDAL have rejected signing foreign players to concentrate on exploiting local talent in a reshaped National League squad, says newly-appointed coach Ian Thompson.

Part of the decision is a financial one, but the main reason is that the Mint Bridge club believes it has not recruited enough from other clubs operating within its catchment area.

As part of the move, Kendal have made several signings and there are more to follow in coming weeks, says Thompson, the former front-row man who has returned to his club from Penrith.

He explained: “We have attracted quite a few talented young local players from all over the area to the club for pre-season training and its been a conscious decision.

“In past seasons we have tended to rely upon foreign players, but we feel there is a pool of talent out there in Cumbria and North Lancashire who wish to play at a higher level in the National League.

“We have the advantage of having knowledge about them, whereas a lot of foreign players come on agents’ recommend-ations which are notoriously one-sided.”

Ironically one of the first of those to sign is Dries Venter, an 18.5 stones South African, who has been playing with Furness.

Thompson explained: “He has been at Furness for a couple of seasons and lives and works in the area, so we know all about him.”

From another point of the compass there is James Heskey, a young loose-head prop from Vale of Lune, who has played for the North of England Under-20s, and looks a fine prospect.

Another interesting newcomer is Simon Davidson who will by vying to fill the scrum-half berth.

He has been recruited from Thompson’s former club Penrith and is described as a tall, athletic scrum-half with a great skills-set.

When he was at Manchester University he played for Altrincham Kersal and Macclesfield first teams.

Winger Kris Bratton is another signing from the north Cumbrian club, while loose-forward Tom Voke - older brother of Kendal ‘s ex-scrum-half Will, from Kirkby Lonsdale, has also been tempted by the prospect of National League rugby, and others are due to be announced soon. Thompson the influx would inevitably mean stiff competition for places.

He added: “From a coaching perspective it’s got to be good for us.

“The fact is every position in the side is up for grabs at this stage and with a squad of up to 30 we will be definitely looking to rotate players so that everyone will get a start and be playing a number of games.”

He said there were key areas that had to be addressed. “Our props were getting a bit older so we have tried to cover that area by our signings and we are looking for pace in the backs.”

But he added: “Although our kicker Mark Ireland would be expected to be there on the teamsheet, it is not certain if even he will be playing a fly-half or somewhere else at present.”

Kendal are planning a training week-end at Sedbergh School on August 5-6, and also a friendly away to Wigton on Tuesday, August 9, before the Peter Kremer Trophy game against Wharfedale on August 13 and a final friendly against Lymm on August 20.