SOUTHEND Rugby Club’s ever expanding youth and mini section have been boosted by a visit from a legend of the sport — Shaun Edwards.

The Wasps head coach, who played rugby league for Great Britain during his own career, met with the Seasiders’ group of coaches.

And he thoroughly enjoyed his visit to Warners Bridge.

“It was fantastic and in terms of smaller clubs I think it’s probably the best clubhouse and set-up I’ve seen,” said Edwards.

“It was good to hold a coaching clinic and go through a few things with everyone and it’s great that Southend as a club are trying to get more youngsters involved in the sport.”

Edwards, who also coaches for the Wales national team and the British Lions, began playing when he was only six years old and he would love to see more children follow in his footsteps.

“My mum has always told me that when I was a kid I would go to bed cuddling my rugby ball,” said Edwards.

“Obviously people don’t have to be like that but it’s a great sport and making sure the grass roots level are right is very important because it’s from places like Southend where people can go on and get in at an academy at a club like Saracens or Wasps.”

Southend also dream of producing their own players for the first team and that is why the youth system was introduced five years ago by the then head coach Kevin Harman.

He now works with Wasps but remains involved in the youth set-up at Southend which is overseen by chairman Wayne Hallett.

“We’re making excellent progress and our mini section is incredible strong,” said Hallett.

“We have teams that are county champions in their age-group.

“The youth section which is from 12 upwards struggles a little bit more but we would love more people to come down and see what we have to offer.

“People aged from five to 19 are welcome and it’s excellent fun. We want people in the area to realise that there is more in the town than just football and that rugby is another option, especially as it’s now a professional sport as well.

“It’s a sport which you can also make great friends from and there is a lot of talent in this area, so we would love more people to come along to our sessions with some excellent coaches.”

For more details about the coaching sessions e-mail dhgammer@btinternet.com.