Kid's these days need a good...

Sense of achievement - Playing rugby league provides kids with the value of hard work. They see that their own and their team mates efforts result in progress, whether thats individual skill or the team lifting a trophy. This develops confidence in themselves as well as the belief they have the power to influence things.

Sense of belonging - Dockers youth teams are part of a club, one that for some will be part of their whole lives. Ive seen retired men helping out at the club they once played for. Being part of a team encourages kids to learn the importance of working with others, to understand it's not just about being the one scoring tries, but that supporting and encouraging others is just as important.

Opportunity to be fit and healthy - Regular training and playing allows kids to understand co-ordination and fast movement. They begin to appreciate how efforts in excercise result in better performance. At a time obesity and mental health problems are increasing, establishing a lifestyle that includes excercise is important. Dockers youth section offers this from age 4 to give kids the best start in life.

I started coaching 'Diddy Dockers' just over a year ago, and have recently took on the under 6's team too. I know everthing above is true, because I started playing for Dockers as a teenager. I also know it's true because of how the 'Diddies' have grown so much over the past year.

I'm raising money for the youth section so that we can buy the equipment we need to expand and offer more young people the opportunity to get involved. We don't make any profit from the kids and rely a lot on fundraising for balls, tackle shields, kits etc. I am running the Hull half marathon this June. I know it isnt the longest distance in the world, but I haven't ran in some time. It will mean making a detirmined effort, sacrificing some things for the good of the club - something the kids will learn to do to. Thanks for reading.