PLYMOUTH Albion’s director of rugby Graham Dawe is keen to have a development pool of players the club can call upon if needed.
Dawe has always been a big believer in developing youngsters and he had success in doing that during his first spell at the club.
He is now giving a host of young West Country players the chance to try and prove themselves in pre-season training at Albion.
Ivybridge winger George de Mendonca and Plymstock Albion Oaks centre Jordan Shakespeare are among the group, which also includes the likes of Ben Hawley, Luke Mingo, Matt Hanford, Ross Crang, Tom Williams and Danny Goldstone.
Dawe believes it is important to have some sort of development programme.
He said: “It is the best way to breed a culture long-term.”
The Albion boss is pleased so many young players want to give up their time and work hard during the summer to hopefully progress their rugby careers.
“There are a lot of players keen to try and put their hands up, which is good,” he said.
“At the moment they are giving up their time, but equally we are investing in them with our time.”
Dawe admitted there could be deals for some of them if they do impress over the next few weeks.
Another youngster who wants to try and make his mark at Albion is 18-year-old prop Curtis Reynolds (pictured), who asked if he could train with the club for a year.
He has moved down to Plymouth from Hertfordshire after finishing sixth form at Oaklands College.
“He’s come out of Wasps Academy and come down to train and play down here for 10 months,” said Dawe. “He’s come down on his own free will because he wants to develop and put down a marker.”