Rugby Lnternational Geoff Parling Returns to his First Club
Leicester Tigers lock Geoff Parling has 21 caps for England and three for the British Lions. Like any big sports star his career began at a local club – Stockton RFC.
Geoff took Join In back for a visit and to pass on his skills to the youth teams, using his own free time just as his volunteer coaches did when he first learned to play. “If it wasn’t for volunteers, I wouldn’t have made a living out of rugby,” he said.
“I think you should always recognise what got you started in rugby, and for me that was the coaches that are here today, this rugby club,” added Geoff.
Stockton RFC is part of Norton Sports Charity, an incredible volunteer-led sports complex that is home to ten sports facilities.
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Commonwealth gold medalist and Director of Sport at Join In, David Moorcroft, commented, “we are excited to be working with the Norton Sports Charity. Norton is a fantastic sports complex and a great example of how volunteers can help a sports facility to develop and grow.”
Every world-class athlete starts at a grass roots sports club, but Join In research shows that 7 in 10 clubs need more volunteers. Join In gave Geoff a chance to go back to where it started – the heart of the community, and work alongside the incredible volunteers, giving something back to community sport and the budding athletes of the future.
For further information visit joininuk.org
