11th Mar'08 - Derby City RLFC's search for a new ground has been solved by their rugby union counterparts. Derby RFC have agreed to allow the rugby league side the use of a pitch at Haslams Lane for the forthcoming season.

Derby City were based at the Asterdale until the Borrowash venue closed last summer.

Their 2008 Rugby League Conference Midlands Premier campaign gets underway next month - and now they have a new home.

"We are absolutely delighted about the move," said Derby City press officer John Finch. "They have got first class facilities and have been very welcoming. We are sure we can learn from each other, so it will be mutually beneficial. We had to play our last couple of home games away last season and it was a very worrying situation - but we are pleased with the outcome now."

Derby City coach Martyn Rothwell added: "We had a lot of options for a venue but none that were really suitable except for Derby RFC. It was just a case of getting it sorted. It will be massive in terms of the impact on our youth set-up and will benefit the open age group as well. Derby RFC is a very attractive venue, it is accessible and is a nice place to call home. We hope we can build up some really strong links for the future.

"We have said we will try it for a season and then assess it from there. Hopefully, it will become a permanent arrangement. I know some people were a bit nervous about the move but I can only see it being positive for both parties. We have started pre-season training and this has given the lads a real boost."

Derby RFC co-rugby chairman Martyn Murney said: "I think this is something that will benefit everybody.
"It is a great chance for Union and League to join forces. We have players who play both forms of the game at junior and senior level, so there is cross-fertilisation. Add to that the fact that we will now have someone using the ground when it is usually quiet, it will keep the club busy, so it is a win-win situation. It is a great venue and hopefully we can have a good relationship."

Derby RFC coach Ian Gittens also welcomed news of the ground share.

"I am very pleased about it," said Gittens. "Hopefully, we will be able to help each other out with players. Some of our lads have come from rugby league and would like to go back to that at some stage. And it will be good to link up and tap into some of their training methods. It should be mutually beneficial all-round."

Derby City kick off their season with a home match against Coventry Bears on Saturday, April 26. During the campaign, they will also face Leicester Phoenix, Birmingham Bulldogs, Gloucestershire Warriors and newcomers Bedford Tigers. Key dates for the diary are May 10 and June 28, when Derby take on arch rivals Nottingham Outlaws, away and at home respectively.

"We are hoping to completely renew the club this year," added Finch. We are moving to a new ground, launching a new website and for the first time, we are developing a ladies team. We are aiming to get into the end-of-season play-offs - that is our first playing objective. We will also be putting in a major effort to raise the profile of the club off the field."

This season, there will be an increased number of junior teams, known as the Derby City Dragons - under-11, 12, 14 and 16 boys and under-13 girls.

The club also runs school sides from Merrill and Leesbrook at under-12 and under-14s. Finch believes rugby league has never been more popular.

"Rugby league is the second most-watched sport on television, at club level, and it is definitely growing," added Finch. "It is a fast-flowing and entertaining game, so it is a very spectator-friendly sport. "The Rugby League Conference has played a major part in that growth. And it is not just in the north. The game is booming all over the country, especially at junior level."

Anyone interested in playing for Derby City or providing sponsorship can contact Martyn Rothwell on 07793-715496.