Fred Matthews, an 18 stone 18 year-old from Ilkley rugby club will depart for a winter in New Zealand.

He will be looked after by former Ilkley players Boris Mitchell and Jimi Carr, both of whom are playing rugby at senior level in the country of the famous All Blacks.

Boris' mother will provide Fred with the home comforts he is leaving behind in Ilkley as he joins New Zealand national league club New Plymouth OB located on North Island in Taranaki province.

Fred has played rugby at Ilkley since joining the club as a seven year-old and, according to his Mum Paula, all he has ever wanted to do is play in the Ilkley first team.

This he did almost as soon as he had turned 18 early in the season.

The comments from some of the older opponents he has pitted his wits and not inconsiderable strength against this season have been flowing with compliments about his scrummaging abilities.

He is currently learning the plumbing trade in this country and has been promised some suitable work to keep him in pocket money whilst he is out in the land of the Kiwi.

Ilkley Rugby club has paid his air fare out of an innovative 'scholarship' fund set up to encourage budding younger players to develop their rugby skills in a really dedicated rugby environment. There is nowhere more dedicated to finer points of rugby than New Zealand.

Club chairman Richard Scargill says that this is the benefit of having a strong junior section and expresses the hope that more promising players will be able to take advantage of such opportunities in the future.

"There is no better place to learn the man's game than at a club like Ilkley," he said.

"If he turns out be good enough we hope he will be able to ply his trade at a higher level as and when he is ready. Former Ilkley stars like Mark Luffman are testimony to Ilkley's value as a development platform."

He went on to add that Ilkley run junior sides for age groups from seven right up to senior level. He hopes that initiatives such as this will encourage more boys and girls to enjoy their rugby at Stacks Field.

Meanwhile Fred's Mum Paula and Dad Glen and brother Andy will probably appreciate a little more space in the house while Fred is away!

Paula sees Fred's rugby prowess as a reward for all the hard work and effort she put in as the boys were coming through the club, having spent many a long Sunday cooking burgers, chips and beans and selling raffle tickets.

Glen, himself a prop of some standing and a legend in third team rugby, readily admits that Fred could beat him to pulp even at his raw age!

Glen's firm Hose Technics are also providing some sponsorship for Fred.

Fred will update the Gazette on his experiences whilst he is in New Zealand and after his return.