Brighton have established youth rugby links with Patcham School and Brighton College.

Coach Mark Whitlock believes they are crucial in the development of the youth game in the city.

Whitlock said: "We set up our mini and junior section in January 1999. Since then we have expanded rapidly and offered a facility for many children to take up rugby.

"We performed research into the facilities offered by Brighton and Hove schools and identified that the schools in the nearest vicinity to Brighton - the Patcham district - did not play rugby. Furthermore, very few of our playing members came from Patcham.

"In early July 2000 we contacted Patcham to enquire whether they could circulate some of our promotional literature to make students aware of our presence and the facilities that we have to offer.

"We were told the school was about to embark on a project to introduce rugby to the school and set up its own school club."

Patcham then approached Brighton.

Whitlock added: "They spoke about a joint project and it is now up and running with ourselves and PE teachers Darren Hambrook and John Binney at the school. They now have a team which we coach and members of that team attend our training nights."

Brighton revealed last week that they had also established a link with Brighton College.

Whitlock said: "What is happening with Brighton College will hopefully develop.

"We want to show the College what we as a local club can offer young players in terms of facilities and coaching rugby development for their aspiring children to come to us to expand their abilities."

Whitlock hopes it will all set off a chain reaction.

He said: "Our overall aim must be to offer all children in the Brighton and Hove area the opportunity to play rugby and then create a link so that they can move through the junior age groups into the senior section of the club."