Keep an eye out for team training days, then get yourself down to some and get involved. You will find most players will give you good advice and do not bite (I say most as the odd one or two tend to snarl a bit).
Also nip into your local store and have a chat, the peeps at both you have mentioned are very helpful and will point you in the right direction.
Or get yourselves down to the Welsh Open this weekend, you are guaranteed some great action. good luck peeps .. hope you get a game soon.