Knottingley Rockware Youth & Junior ARLFC was formed in 1976. This is a short history of the club.
Local men Reg Rowbottom and John Flynn were both in the Greenbottle Pub in Knottingley. John Flynn was playing darts when Reg asked him if he fancied doing something for the lads of Knottingley. As both were keen rugby league supporters, they decided it would be a good idea to form a junior rugby league club.
Featherstone Rovers player, Keith Bell was approached for some advice on how to start the ball rolling, and made sure they got off to a good start.
On hearing about this new venture, Dave Minter offered his services and also became involved with the club.
A committee was formed for the 1977 season and as well as Reg, Jon and Dave, Eric Jones, Ron Sewell, Peter Alexander, and Mrs Marlis Alexander. The first Knottingley Junior Rugby Team were formed and based at The Greenbottle.
At first, the club ran a team at Under 9's and Under 11's and they played their home games at the Greenhouse playing fields in Knottingley (which is adjacent to the Sleepy Valley pitch). The local council marked out the pitch, cut the grass, and allowed the use of the Pavilion changing rooms.
The first ever game was played against local rivals Half Acres from Castleford. The first kit comprised of yellow, brown and green shirts, white shorts, and green socks. That first game was refereed by professional rugby leagues Billy Thompson, one of the games most famous referees past or present.
A few months after starting out, the age groups were changed to even ages of Under 10's and Under 12's, but as recruitment progressed, the club reverted back to the original Under 9's and Under 11's, with a further Under 13's side added soon afterwards. At the end of the first season, the club held its very first presentation night in the gardens of The Greenbottle pub.
In the early days, much as it is today, fund raising was not easy. Women involved with the club helped by holding jumble sales. The then landlord of the Greenbottle, Herbert Jackson, gave the club permission to hold raffles in the pub on Friday evenings. The money raised went towards general running costs, but also towards buying training tops and sports bags for the lads who played.
After playing at the Greenhouse playing fields for some time, Dave Minter suggested that the club ought to try obtain their own field. Local company Rockware Glass (now Rockware Stolzle) were approached and asked if the club could use the Sleepy Valley Pitch, which at the time was in a desperate state of repair. Rockware agreed to the club using the pitch, provided the club looked after the upkeep, and also that the club incorporated the company name in the teams title. Hence the team has been known as 'Knottingley Rockware' ever since.
Following a big clean up of the Sleepy Valley pitch, Rockware donated some rugby posts. In the early days, the teams continued using the Pavilion changing rooms, but Knottingley Rockware was born!
From the early days, the club has produced some outstanding rugby league players, many of whom have continued playing the game for enjoyment as adults at Amateur level. A few have gone on to play for professional clubs.
The club is organised as a non-profit making club. All monies raised by fundraising activities and local sponsorship is put towards the running costs of the club. The club has an elected committee made up largely by parents of past and present players. Although money is an important aspect in keeping the club on a good footing, goodwill from players and parents is also a key element in keeping the club running.
Knottingley Rockware Youth & Junior ARLFC aims to field as many teams as possible each year, giving consideration to the limitations of facilities available, thereby giving every child or young person the chance to represent the club and take part in the sport of rugby league.
The club expects all it representatives to abide by the rules and regulations of the game, along with rules set by the games governing bodies.
The Club is open young people from all sections of the local community, regardless of gender, ability, or ethnic background. Each player will be treated equally as a valued member of the club. Although we all want our players to be successful and our teams to win, we also expect our players to be good sportsmen or sportswomen, and to play the game fairly.
Due to numbers of players available, and due to limited facilities however, the club is unable to field teams at every age group (yearly intervals).
For several years now, the club has fielded teams mainly at even number age groups (Under 8's, 10's, 12's etc.). This means that the players who represent the club over a number of years, sometimes have to spend a year a playing with some players a year older, then the following year with some players who are a year younger. Although the size difference can sometimes handicap some of our teams, the players benefit by playing with more experienced players.
Rugby League is an important part of life in and around Knottingley as it is in the immediate surrounding area. Knottingley Rockware JARLFC will hopefully continue to be part of the local community for years to come, playing its part in developing young talent for the game of rugby league, and also in helping to shape local personalities through playing sport and being valued members of a club and team.
Further information about the club together with a list of contacts for anyone interested in joining or offering the club their support can be found on the clubs own web site.
