KEIGHLEY are hoping that their new gymnasium and weight programmes for the players can help them shed their early-season blues.

The SSE Yorkshire Division Two club are notoriously slow starters but reckon that the combination of the gym and new strength and conditioning coach Scott Dyson can give them that winning edge for their first match (at home to West Leeds on September 5) and beyond.

Director of rugby Russell Gibson says: "We are in the first few months of a five-year plan, where we're building on the solid foundations left by Graeme (Sheffield) and Kevin (Young).

"Our key goal is to strengthen rugby within the whole club – from our vibrant junior set-up through to the first XV.

"We want strength in depth, which will in turn create a culture of competition for places, coupled with player development from a strong coaching set-up."

Gibson added: "This season sees the 750 square foot gym fully open, which is a real credit to the club.

"There are not many clubs within the Yorkshire leagues who can boast their own gym, which is free to be used by players and members.

"The players this season have weights programmes to complement what we do on the training pitch.

"Last season we stabilised ourselves in Yorkshire Two and, although having our traditional slow start, only winning one of our first six, we finally finished sixth, with many strong performances in the second half of the season.

"This demonstrates that we have what it takes to succeed in this league.

"We do, however, need to start playing at the beginning of the season, which is something that Dan (McGee, head coach), Hamish (Pratt, club coach) and the coaching team are mindful of."

Back in the fold for 2015-16 are scrum half Danny Lester and centre Ben Blackwell.