Positive signs for Heysham Atoms as they gear up for new season

Heysham Atoms are gearing up ready for a new season with plenty happening at the rugby league club.

The men’s team will return to training in the new year but the club have a couple of charity events in partnership with Vale of Lune RUFC before then.

Pre-season training for the men’s team and the junior teams begins on January 9 next year at the Morecambe Bay Academy ahead of the season starting in March.

The men’s team remain hopeful of playing in the North West Men’s League Premier Division next season, despite their last-placed finish last season, when it was short on numbers and comprised of eight teams rather than its usual 12.

The women's team have already recommenced pre-season training on account of them missing playing rugby so much!

The Atoms’ first team and ladies’ coach Andy Helme told Beyond Radio that the women's team will now be playing in the North West Counties Women’s Rugby Development League, which is another big step for the club.

In terms of sponsorship for the women’s team, the club have gained a lot of support.

“We’ve got Lingwood Security and PudPud Catering will sponsor the kit and Tezoro Sports, who will supply the kits," said Andy.

"It’s all local and all supporting a new venture at the Atoms.”

To date, the women’s team have played just one game since its formation earlier this year, a friendly away against Whitley Bay

Another positive for the club is that they have recently secured another pitch to play on in case they can’t use Powder House Lane, which they ground-share with Vale of Lune RUFC.

Andy said “Because of the crossover period with our juniors and Vale’s juniors, there’s a time during the season when pitches are at a premium.

"We contacted the council to see if we could use any of their pitches and we’ve been able to secure a pitch at Ryelands Park so if we can’t get a pitch on the Vale, we can go and play there.”

“It eases congestion and it’s local so the team can still use the facilities at Vale afterwards.”

The club are partnering with Vale of Lune this month to help two great causes.

The two clubs have joined together to raise money for Morecambe Bay Foodbank and have set up a JustGiving page to help.

You can donate here.

Secondly, the clubs are hosting a charity rugby league match at Powder House Lane on Boxing Day for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

On Boxing Day last year, the club managed to raise around £300.

Andy said: “Ever since we’ve moved there (Powder House Lane) we’ve tried to do more things with Vale. Anything we can do to help local causes, we’re happy to help.”

Speaking more generally about the club, he said: “We’ve been a success story over the last few years. The junior section has grown, the first team are playing at the highest possible level currently, the ladies’ team has taken off, we’re playing at a fantastic facility.

"A lot of things are going for us at the moment, everything’s very positive."