Keast allays fears over U17 side
July 23, 2001

Gloucester coach any Keast has moved to allay fears that the club's new under-17 side is set to strip local junior clubs of their best players.

Last season's beaten Heineken Cup semi-finalists are to establish a junior side with the intent of building on the success of their under-19s.

But the move has caused alarm in local junior clubs that believe the Zurich Premiership side will simply mop up the best talent in the region. But Keast has revealed that the new side would not be playing weekly fixtures taking players from their clubs.

He explained it was an identification process, the team would play only around half a dozen matches in the season and those players invited to join would still be available to play for their clubs.

The club hopes the academy will benefit Gloucester, local schools and junior clubs in the area with increased co-operation and sharing of training facilities and techniques.

Last year the Gloucester under-19s won the National Knockout Cup, beating Bath in the final at Bedford.

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