Ilkley Rugby Club is honoured to have been chosen by the Chief Executive of the Rugby Football Union for a visit next Sunday morning as part of his programme of visits to grassroots rugby clubs.

Francis Barron is overseeing the enormous transformation of the RFU into the world of corporate big business at one end whilst ensuring the health and well-being of the game at its roots.

Forward looking clubs like Ilkley are critical to the strength of the game. It is in junior clubs like Ilkley that tomorrow's England stars will begin their rugby. For instance Jamie Noon, England's current centre began his career in the junior section of Yorkshire One rivals Goole.

Barron and his team's visit is in recognition of the effort that Ilkley RFC has made to bring their club up to the highest standards set by the RFU. He will be spending an informal morning watching the young players in matches against Bradford and Bingley, Baildon and others.

He will be talking to players and coaches before hosting an informal question and answer session with officials from Ilkley and other Aire-Wharfe area clubs and enjoying a pint two with everyone who makes Ilkley Rugby Club such a vibrant and friendly place to be, whether on a Saturday or Sunday.

Ilkley have almost 30 coaches trained to level 1 standard guaranteeing children and young people a well-organised and managed experience in the process of learning to play the game. Sportsmanship and good behaviour is demanded at all levels, on or off the field.

Recognition of Ilkley's status came on Friday evening at Leeds Tykes when Chairman Richard Scargill and junior Chairman Tom Gillon were presented with their year two Seal of Approval award on the pitch at Headingley.

Seal of Approval sets Ilkley apart in terms of Yorkshire and England rugby.

It acknowledges that the club is coached and administered in accordance with all best practices laid down by sport England and the RFU. Ilkley are one of very few clubs in the area who have gained the award and subsequently received the year two Seal as well.

It is to be hoped that the forecast rain for the coming week does not do its best spoil things. The Ilkley Club has already made plans to carry out expensive remedial work on its pitches during the coming close season.

President Duncan Feather made reference to the £2,000 per week required from all sources to run and maintain the club to present and future standards. He was speaking to a gathering of seasoned supporters of the club at a lunch prior to the match against Old Crossleyans on Saturday.

Mr Barron attends the Old Crossleyans dinner on Friday. Old Crossleyans is another junior club to have nurtured an England player through its ranks. Brian Moore, the ex-England hooker being proud to be an 'Old Croc'.

"It surely will not be long before Ilkley has a player up there at the highest level," said club spokesman John Hope.