Rugby Club Magazine

We a r e a l s o o n l i n e: w w w. r u g by c l u b m a g . c o m

RUGBY

CLUB MAGAZINE

ISSUE 91 £6.95

Caldy Rugby Club “Building on an outstanding reputation and maintaining momentum!”

Wigton RFC “An exciting Future!”

Stoke on Trent RFC

“A Club where you really feel part of something from the minute you walk through the door.”

Newport (Salop) RUFC

“Keeping Rugby at the heart of Newport”

Stow on The Wold & District RFC “The Stow Way: One Club, Player Focussed.”

Exeter Saracens RFC

“Where smiles on faces are the greatest reward!”

We’re On Your Side

Elcons, official partners and sponsors of St Helens RLFC

Welcome Welcome once again to the latest edition of Rugby Club Magazine.

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MeettheTeam

s always it has been an absolute pleasure working with all the clubs who are included within this edition.

One of the real joys about helping to formulate our feature stories, with mostly grass roots clubs, is that you get to experience first hand the passion that club members have for their specific club. Caldy RFC are our cover story and they really have taken the National 1 league by storm, and their club to a new level this season. Exeter Saracens, Stow on the Wold RFC and Stoke on Trent Rugby Club’s really epitomise what rugby is all aboutpeople, friendships and support of each other.

As we approach the business end of the rugby season I hope you enjoy this edition of Rugby Club Magazine as much as we have enjoyed putting it together and if you have any observations or questions and would like to be considered for one of our future editions please email me directly: mbm@sportip.biz

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Yours in Rugby

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Martin Morgan

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DISCLAIMER COVER IMAGE © Caldy Rugby Club RUGBYCLUB MAGAZINE

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any mean, or stored in a retrieval system without prior written permission, except as permitted under the copyright designs and patents act 1998. Applications for permission for use of copyright material shall be made to the publishers.

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Check out e our special Featur

y CaRlUd FC Pages 6-25

CONTENTS Caldy Rugby Football Club See our special feature with indepth interviews and latest news form Caldy RUFC.

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Stoke-on-Trent Rugby Club Interview with this great sports team.

Stow on The Wold & District Rugby Football Club A look at this fantastic club in greather detail.

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Bargoed Rugby Football Club Don`t miss Bargoed V Neath in the final of the Championship Cup which will be played, along with the Championship Plate and the Premiership Cup, at the Principality Stadium on Sunday April 24th.

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Cornish Pirates

The only fully professional rugby team in Cornwall, lets take a look at this seaside club.

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Saint Helens Rugby League Football Club The St Helens men’s team are currently sitting, undefeated, and at the top of the Betfred Super League table as they look to make it a historic FOURTH Super League title in a row.

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Newport (Salop) Rugby Football Club Keeping Rugby at the heart of

Newport. The breadth of our membership,

the pleasure we give and our place in the community is something we at Newport Rugby Club are all very proud of.

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Wigton Rugby Club Comments and views from Alystair Miller, Chairman Wigton Rugby Club.

Worthing Rugby Club Nestled between the Sussex Downs and the English Channel, Worthing Rugby Club has combined sporting excellence with a community focus for over 100 years.

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Exeter Saracens Rugby Football Club

Tim Brown is a current coach at Exeter Saracens having played much of his youth rugby.

Old Leamingtonians It is hard to put the mood down at Old Leamingtonians into words, to understand the excitement, pride, and overall joy to the full extent our members are feeling it you would have to join us on a match day.

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Nailsea & Backwell Rugby Club Club Treasurer, Tony Warren, provides his insight to the club.

Swindon Rugby Club We spoke to Jonathan Parker about celebrating the club’s 125+ years histoy and achievements.

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Blania Rugby Football Club Interview with Chris Adams.

There is a brand new clubhouse.

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Caldy RFC

G

ary Devaney has enjoyed a long and positive relationship with National League 1 rugby club Caldy spanning some 50 years. Over this time, he has had many roles as player, captain, coach, chairman of the clubs mini & junior sections and now the chairman of the senior section for a second time and he is also a current club sponsor.

He recently took time out of his busy schedule to chat with Rugby Club Magazine, ”As a pupil at Calday Grange Grammar School in those days there were very strong links with the rugby club and if the clubs’ teams were short teachers would ask you to play and on occasion it might even mean you would play both school and club rugby in the same day. In those days I was a centre however in my mid 20’s having missed a 1st xv game with a swollen knee I was moved to the front row on my return and never escaped.

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Caldy has been the club I grew up with and many of my former school friends also played and still socialise there and I have remained connected in some form or other with the club over many years. Towards the end of my playing days, I became a minis coach when my son Liam started playing as a five year old and I coached Liam and his team mates through to senior colts’ level, and they won 3 Cheshire Cups on route. Liam then went on to play in the 1st xv and is now involved with our vibrant touch rugby section and is also a coach of his son’s mini’s team.

Caldy has maintained a great reputation for growing our own talent and when we play others in National One they express amazement that the vast majority of our players either came through our youth or have joined us from local rugby clubs. Our first XV squad under our Head Coach, Matt Cairns, an ex-Saracens and Harlequins

player, and fellow coach Richard Vasey, who played for Leeds and Moseley and is the 2nd highest points scorer in Caldy’s history, are able to select a team that includes many players who started in our mini section. Matt and Rich are supported by some excellent coaches in Andrew Soutar, and Christian Jones and our 2nd XV have now won over 30 victories on the trot, going back to March 2019, at the time of this being written.

Our whole coaching and playing operations are kept running and ticking along smoothly by the outstanding efforts and guidance of our Director of Rugby, Gareth Davies, who is a sure hand always working away tirelessly in the background.

The key to the senior section’s success has been the fact we have a great set of lads who enjoy playing and socialising together. Work hard and play hard and show respect to each other has been central to forging an

excellent team spirit. Tied in with coaching to a very high standard and some very talented individuals it has made Caldy a fun place to play rugby. Certainly, the Caldy officials and alickadoos have thoroughly enjoyed the journey. Having such a successful senior section provides role models for our youth and targets to aspire to.

Over 500 mini and junior members and a thriving touch rugby section, of around 120 at last count, allows us to offer the opportunity to play rugby to anyone wishing to be part of our club. Not everyone wants to be tackled though and our touch and walking rugby section allow you still to be involved, have fun and make friends without taking the hits.

As chairman of the senior section of the club I see my main role as being to maintain the clubs momentum so that our members, players and fans can see that we are moving in a forward direction and are sticking to our values.

The hard work is done by the coaches and players and the many volunteers involved, and I must mention the Last of the Summer Wine Gang who look after the grounds on a voluntary basis so very well. Caldy are experiencing a fantastic and exciting period in our clubs history which has been built on the broad shoulders of many, many great predecessors. We have known for a long time that our clubhouse development plans are a necessity for our long term survival and continued development and it will very much secure the clubs future and leave a legacy for many years to come.

From relatively humble beginnings we are really enjoying playing at such a high level in National One, currently sitting top of the league, and more than holding our own, and it is hard to believe we are one of the top 40 Rugby Union clubs throughout the counties of England and are competing in fixtures against many historic and famous clubs that in years past we had only dreamed of playing against! Our success at Caldy Rugby Club has very much been down to our people- young & old, past & present, who have turned up and given of themselves on and off the pitch and it is wonderful to see that this is still continuing to this day!”

JJ DICKINSON

JJ Dickinson is club Captain at Caldy RFC and a product of the club’s Mini and Junior section. One of his claims to fame is that he has played every position in the First XV apart from front row and 9 and 10. He started playing rugby at Calday Grammar School and once he was in the 6th form he’d often play for school and club in the same day. He says:

H M YT TING S U B

“Aside from a slow start to the season, we’ve been competing very well. Having a close-knit bunch of lads in the team and a great Head Coach in Matt Cairns, whose love of the game really shines through, we’ve become quite a difficult team to beat.

Matt has a vast amount of experience at the highest level, which you have to respect. I feel he’s taken us to a higher level this season.

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“It’s also fabulous to play alongside my brother Sam, who also had an illustrious career winning the premiership with Northampton Saints. He brings great confidence to the team.

Training coupled with video analysis has been a huge help in supporting improvement.

We can’t afford to be complacent in such a tight league and we are aware that there are no easy games, so we’re not looking too far ahead – just to the game in hand.”

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As a team, Caldy have found the extra oomph they’ve needed to get them over the line to victory in some very close fixtures this season JJ says: “Yes, we’ve won a few ugly games and I suppose I would put that down to the closeness of our squad and our willingness to put ourselves on the line for each other. We do fully enjoy the game and look forward particularly to our away trips, because they’re great fun and actually relax us before the match, so very often we’re walking onto an opponent’s pitch with a smile on our faces. This is certainly a positive for us all, preserving our energy to utilise in the latter stages of the game.”

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ROGER FLASHMAN

My first experience of rugby was when I found I had passed my 11 Plus to go to Calday Grange, the local grammar school. At first, I was not happy – as captain of my primary school football team this meant I wouldn’t be able to continue playing football. At the trial for the first year rugby team, we all lined up on the try line and ran to the halfway. The first there became backs and the rest forwards, but at 4ft 8ins I was too small for a second row, so I eventually ended up at fullback, where I promptly crash-tackled our flying winger into touch, so a fullback was born. Lack of height was overcome by aggression and I continued to represent the school until I was 17.

My first experience of Senior rugby was in February 1962, when half of the school First XV played in the Old Boys’ Second XV against Wigan. Not only was it my first Senior game, but because it was against a Lancashire club it was a different form of rugby; most if not all of them had grown up with Rugby League, and they never kicked. We lost 46-0!

I made my debut in the First XV in 1963 and I played a total of 186 games, my last for the First XV during the 1980/81 season. During my career I played a total of 503 games for the club, despite several serious injuries to my knees and shoulder at a time when few clubs had physios. I also had trials for

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Cheshire, but at that time it was virtually impossible to get into the county unless you played for one of the big five – Sale, Wilmslow, New Brighton, Birkenhead Park, or Old Birkonian.

Caldy had several outstanding players in the 1960s, including brothers Stuart and Andrew Maxwell. Stuart moved to New Brighton and represented the Northwest Counties against New Zealand at Workington. They were the first regional side to beat the All Blacks, which they did 16-14, and Stuart became the first Englishman to score two tries against them. He went onto play for Richmond. Andrew also moved to New Brighton and then Headingley. He represented England several times in the 1970s before injuring his knee against France.

Joining a rugby club in the 1960s, you became part of a social group. You were involved not just in playing, but in all aspects of the club.

There were roles to fill, and my first was Assistant Fixture Secretary. You were on the bar rota and in the work parties painting the posts, helping to build extensions, fundraising and organising the entertainments. In my first year, the club decided to level the slope in front of the clubhouse and install a new First XV pitch. Dances were organised the annual sevens and between 1963 and 1966 everything got bigger, ending with more than 4,500 people attending a dance with music from Acker Bilk.

The funds raised exceeded £7,000 and the new pitch was opened in 1968.

I took over the Entertainments Committee in 1968 and we decided to host a dance in the clubhouse every fortnight. At first, we hired a disco, but it made sense to buy it, so Dave Nunn and I became the club

DJs – “Dave the Rave” and “Flash Rogers”. One year, we even hired a Mersey Ferry, Royal Iris, and took 700 people on a river trip.

With numerous fixtures, winning and losing wasn’t always the driving force for many people. For them, It was more about the social side, and the main part of that was the tours, usually every two years, either at Easter or to Five Nations fixtures. Our first overseas tour was to Chauny in France.

The tours were always enjoyed on and off the field, and it was said that if you could remember a tour, you weren’t there!

As Chairman of Entertainment, I also sat on the main committee, which the exception of one year, until 2012. In 1972 I became Second XV Captain, a post I held for three years, and I officially retired in 1980. I had a few games after that in the veterans, but I had decided it was better to take on an administrative role, becoming Match and Team Secretary

and finishing up as Chairman of Rugby. During this time we increased the number of sides to seven or eight, which was the most we ever had.

Looking back, I believe this was the high point in club rugby generally. In the 1982-83 season the club played 216 games. Compare that to 56 games in 201819. There was a lot of local competition, with more than 14 clubs within a 30-mile radius, and many of these were also raising five or six sides each week. A lot were Old Boys’ sides like us, and they began to suffer from lack of players as many went on to university.

In 1980, I took on the role of Chairman of Development to raise funds to add a further four changing rooms, extend the lounge, which had been added in 1970, and add more toilets and a committee room. Funds were raised with a sponsored run, buy-a-brick, and raffles, and we raised £14,000.

Rugby had always been very stratified. Clubs would have their core fixtures and little would change; senior clubs Like New Brighton and Birkenhead Park would rarely give junior clubs such as Caldy a fixture except perhaps a mid-week game.

However, all this would change in 1988 when the first leagues were introduced. The Giro Bank Northwest league was the first in England and Caldy was a founder member.

The first leagues had 11 teams and you played either home or away, so you still had to maintain some sort of non-league-related games.

I believe this was the point that changed club rugby for ever. Previously, clubs had regular fixtures and would play them throughout the season. Results would be cyclical, with some good

years and some bad, but league rugby changed that and the First XV had their own fixture list. Rugby became spiral – win and you went up, lose and you went down. Committees began to concentrate on the First XV to the detriment of other sides. Caldy was determined to ensure the club ethos was inclusive, though it needed to ensure that the First XV was good enough to remain in whatever league it may be in. This was also driven by players – they wanted success and loyalty began to lose its appeal.

I became Chairman of the club in 1990 and sought to develop the Junior and Mini Section, as this would bring long-term benefits.

I stepped down in 1993 and was Secretary 1993-96, taking over again in 1996 for one season to oversee the changes which came from the advent of professional rugby. Clubs around us were becoming ambitious and it became a struggle to hold onto players when other sides were offering match fees.

It was important that our model incorporated all the aspirations without losing the one-club ethos. I think we achieved that, while other clubs effectively abandoned their youth and junior sides to concentrate on their First XVs.

In 1998, I took over the role of Club Secretary, which I held until 2012. During this time the club rose from Level 7 to Level 4, and just lost in a play-off to Richmond away, ending 13-20 after extra time.

Although I had retired from the role of Secretary, I continued to maintain the records for the club. I had started to collate the 1st Scorers in 1980 and all the results for the other teams.

Recently I have digitised all the results in the fixture cards since 1924, and consolidated all the archived photos from past members including Bill Murray. Fortunately, he had used a digital camera in his later years.

I also obtained Dave Harrison’s archive and together with photos from our latest cameramen, Steve Flynn, Derek Salisbury, and Barry MacDonald, built it up to more than 30,000 photos. This archive has been passed over to Barry to maintain.

In 2019, I returned to be Senior Club Secretary for the third time. The club has always embraced a one-club ethos which encourages everyone to be part of the structure, and the introduction of Girls, Ladies and Touch has brought back a family atmosphere and energy into the clubhouse.

LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE CALDY SPORTS CLUB LTD

CLUB ACHEIVEMENTS

• 1971 Cheshire Cup Winners • 1997 NW3 runners up and Promoted from Level 9.

• 1998 NW 2 Champions Promoted to Level 7.

• 2003 S/Lancs and Cheshire Champions, promoted.

Merseyside Sports club of the year, Rugby World Magazine Club of the Year.

• 2004 North 2 West runners up lost to Middlesbrough in play off.

• 2005 North 2 West Champions promoted to Level 5.

• 2007 North 1 Champions Promoted to Level 4, Semi Finalists in Nat Intermediate Cup Lost to Mounts Bay away. RFU Seal of approval Regional Club of the Year Wirral sports club of the year.

• 2009 National 3 North League Runners up (No play off) • 2010 RFU “Whole club Seal of Approval” one of the first to achieve it.

• 2011 Cheshire Cup winners • 2012 Runners up In Nat 2 North lost play off to Richmond.

• 2017 Nat. 2 North Champions Promoted to Nat 1 (Level 3) Highest level ever achieved by the Club. 1st Broke the club record 28 games unbeaten lost first and Last game.

Dickie Smith, now in his 67th year as a member, says: “I joined the LOSW about 22 years ago on retirement. A little later I was appointed Chairman of Grounds, a position I have recently relinquished, handing over to Phil Wylie.”

“There has been a huge increase in club membership at Junior and Mini level, and while cricket usage has changed with the use of adjoining school fields, we still manage, mark, cut, roll, fertilize three full-size and 19 Mini and Junior rugby pitches. We maintain tracks around the grounds, we control gorse, bracken and shrubs, and look after fencing. We cut logs, paint anything that doesn’t move and generally keep

• 2019 – Nat 2 North Champions – unbeaten in 25 games. 2nd XV also unbeaten.

MERSEYSIDE AND CALDY SEVENS

In 1944 Caldy founded the Merseyside Sevens, and until Covid intervened this was the longest-running club sevens in England. In the 1990s we introduced the Caldy Invitation Sevens, which attracted some of the biggest teams in the country including the Samoan Internationals and the Fijian Sevens with Waisali Serevi.

Several thousand attended that day and were privileged to see some of the most fantastic sevens ever played.

I think everyone is excited for the future, whatever it holds. We have never held players back from achieving their dreams and it will always be our goal to be the best we can be within our finances.

The future depends on the new clubhouse to enable us to provide the facilities the players and supporters deserve and need.

The original clubhouse still stands, made of wood as the core of our existing building was built in 1928. In 2024, we will mark our 100th anniversary and it will be nice to future-proof the club for generations to come.

everywhere clean and tidy. In other words, we are the goto squad.

Luckily, our group has increased to 20 members, including our own doctor and a lady member. The eldest is 92 and the average age is early 70s. We meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays all year round and the banter and camaraderie helps to keep us young and healthy(ish!).”

THE LOSW MOTTO

“The most wasted day of all is the one on which you have not laughed. We the willing, helped by the unavailable, are doing the impossible for the indifferent. In fact, we’ve done so much with so little for so long, that we are now qualified to do anything with nothing.”

Caldy Sports Club grounds cover approximately 14 acres and originally included three full-size rugby pitches and two cricketing areas.

Some 35 years ago, three retired former players took over from our groundsman to manage the grounds and playing areas. The wife of the then-leader of the group (a former Chairman) named them The Last of the Summer Wine and the name has stuck.

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JONATHAN KEMP

Jonathan Kemp is an explayer, supporter and sponsor of Caldy Rugby Club who has a longstanding relationship with the club and a great affection for its members. He says: “In many ways, my path has been very different from most of my friends at the club because I went to school out of the area, so I tended to be in and out of the club in my earlier years. As an under 9/10 player, Eddie Wilson was a great influence on many of us at Caldy, taking the time to transport my teammates and me between matches, generally looking after us all.

“When I reflect on those early and teen years, my mind also flashes back to Brian Rutter, a real salt-ofthe-earth type who I spent some time with at Hoylake RFC. He was a junior coach at the club during my spell there and had a particular way about him which I responded to. Brian took our team to success at county level and would regularly stand on the touchline getting as wet as the rest of the team while cheering us on in the rain. Post-match, we’d be taken for a Coke in the clubhouse. These special individuals greatly influenced me, just as many young people are mentored and looked after in clubs like Caldy today.

“Rugby and the club were always my go-to place, a be-all and end-all you might say, and I always loved that it never mattered who you were outside the club, because when you were there, you were just another friend, a Bagsy or Kempy.

No airs or graces; a bunch of friends on a level playing field. The majority of my friendships have come about through rugby, and many of the values I have developed in life, such as playing hard but fair, come from my experiences in playing rugby.

“While I was captaining the Seconds in 1999, my dad fell ill, so naturally I had to step back for a while to spend time with him. Of course, I had to keep this a secret from him, as my playing at Caldy was something he loved chatting to me about and he would never have wanted me to miss out. On my return to playing, I joined the club’s Dream Team as it was called then – a selection of former First XV and other players who had come together into a wonderful mix, coming to know one other very well while thoroughly enjoying

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playing as a team. We turned out to be a very successful squad over a six-year period – one of the club’s best in fact.

I was 42 when I played my last game against Hoylake, damaging my ankle as I raced towards the try line.

“Many of my friends and I would have continued playing after that, but the new team rules at the time put pressure on joining league structures which never really appealed to us veterans, who just wanted the freedom to play and run out when we wanted to minus the overarching structures.

A subsequent encounter against a Warrington First XV, where I played openside

and was encouraged by our captain of the Thirds at the time, Jon Bagley, to play, helped to make my mind up that my appetite had left me.

“Caldy has always been very important to me and a major part of my life. I’ve remained involved, perhaps not as much as many of our outstanding members, but I have a natural desire to help out whenever I can. As the most local club in our league, there’s no doubt we will need a strong backbone to carry us through the next part of our development.

The necessity of our planned new clubhouse and its implementation will fulfil the wishes of our founders who

made the decision to always have our ground available to those wishing to play sport within our local community.

“Our First XV is inspirational this season.

They just don’t seem to know or understand the meaning of the words ‘lie down’, and they’ve taken a win from the jaws of defeat on more than one occasion.

“A recent contact of mine from North Wales Crusaders RLFC, who the club were able to support in using our pitch recently, described Caldy Rugby Club and its atmosphere as ‘something to behold’. I feel this says it all about a great club that I’m very proud to be part of.”

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CALDY’S PLANNED NEW FACILITIES

Bob Cooke heads the committee planning Caldy’s new facilities. A player with Wirral Rugby Club before an extensive refereeing career, here he shares his love of rugby and his passion for Caldy. He says: “Caldy Rugby Club is very well known and respected throughout our region and indeed nationally. Having refereed all over the country, I have frequently had conversations before and after matches with players or fans who, when they realise I’m part of Caldy, share great memories of the club, notably of the famous Caldy 7s. Many have a story to tell about it or remember a particular game, such as the great Fiji vs. Western Samoa 7s match played at Caldy in 1991.

“Our club has outgrown the current facilities, which were built nearly 100 years ago to accommodate 30 or so players. Having some previous experience of developments like this, I’ve been able to assist, bringing together small group of six individuals whose talents have enabled us to get the wheels in motion and put forward our plans.

“The Last of The Summer Wine team led by Dickie Smith have worked tirelessly over the years to maintain our 20acre site and now – with the volume of members, players of all ages, and accommodating our local hockey team – our new facilities will give us the

opportunity to become a hub of the local community. We will be able to offer a focal point for people and sport while ensuring the continuation of our club for many more generations to come.

“I follow our First XV at home and away, and they, under the guidance of our excellent coach Matt Cairns, are sitting near the top of National 1 and becoming a tough side to beat in an exceptionally difficult league.

“My decision to be part of Caldy Rugby Football Club was inspired many years ago by my affection for the people here. Although I have many friends across this great sport, in many cities and clubs up and down the country, Caldy is one of the friendliest and most welcome I have ever experienced.”

Does your club have a story to tell? To be featured in issue 92 of Rugby Club magazine please contact us today.

Email us at

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LYNN RIDGWAY

Lynn Ridgway became Caldy Rugby Club Community Chair in 2018, having arrived in the region from Glasgow 14 years previously with her husband Tim and their three sons, Andrew, Callum and Fraser then aged seven, six and two. As Lynn says: “The most important task after finding a house to live in and a school for the children to attend was to identify a rugby club for the boys, and we consider ourselves very fortunate to have found Caldy RFC.” She continues: “In Scotland, at least back in the day, tag rugby wasn’t on the rugby curriculum for Mini players, so when Andrew started playing, being instinctively orientated towards tackling, we had to keep reminding him verbally from the touchline, ‘Go for the tags, not the player!’ Fortunately, tackling was soon introduced at U9 level so all went well and it didn’t take long for us all to be part of the Caldy rugby community. One of my first official roles was Manager of the U12s, which I continued up to Colts level. I became Junior Chair and held that position for eight years, and also helped to run the club shop. One of the great pleasures has been to witness our sons and their friends develop from Minis all the way through to Senior rugby.

“Later, Andrew went to university in Newcastle, returning to play touch, and he’s now living in Manchester.

Fraser, our youngest, studies at Bath University and is a Guinness connoisseur, similar to his dad. Callum plays flanker for Caldy’s First XV, who are competing very well and are currently second in National league 1, having been promoted this season.

As we speak, I have just tested positive for Covid and the worst thing about that for me is that I’ll miss the weekend rugby fixture. I do my best to follow the club home and away and I, Tim, Andrew and Fraser are very supportive of Callum and the first XV. “We’re a family club at Caldy and it’s great to see the current development of our girls’ section under the excellent guidance of Chris Green. Ten years ago we had some great success with our then-U18s and our U15s are

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now developing very well thanks to Chris and his team.

Scarlett Fielding, who has played hooker for Sale Sharks, is of course a Caldy girl.

“Since we established the Community section committee in 2018 we’ve been more organised, streamlined and autonomous, with someone that ticks each box thanks to a great team.

From Lisa our Kit Manager, Paul our Junior Chair, and Sally our Treasurer, each section has an individual responsible for each role, and this makes for a well-run, cohesive team which supports our one-club mentality.

“One of the best feelings and sights is watching our First XV walk onto the pitch on matchday holding the hands of our Mini players.

You can see and feel how much it means to these future stars of rugby as they gaze up with admiration at our Seniors!

“Touring has always been an important part of life for us at Caldy and it’s a great opportunity to bring together our Mini and Senior players.

We also have more than 400 families who come together and make our club into what it is. We’re one big family and we support each other, and that’s something I’ve experienced first-hand for which I’m eternally grateful.

“I congratulate everyone at the club on being recognised in Rugby Club Mag for their great contributions to rugby and wish them all the best for 2022.”

Matt Cairns has been Head Coach at Caldy Rugby Club for the past three seasons. He started playing rugby at school and has always played hooker.

His professional career started at Saracens, where he played 1998-2012, with a year out at Sale Sharks and finishing off at Harlequins. Injuries eventually caught up with Matt, though at 32 he says his professional career was nearing a close anyway. He says: “Our First XV are competing very well in National 1, which is a very tough league with many good and seasoned sides. Games are generally fairly tight, and the spirit of our squad has got us over the line to victory on more than one occasion. I suppose my coaching style, like anyone’s, will come from a mixture of my own experience and what

I’ve learned and picked up from those who coached me.

The rest is about looking at our group of lads and learning and developing as we go, always looking for areas we can improve on, continuing to support each other and play as a team. The future for teams which finish in our league’s top positions are still uncertain as promotions will be determined by outcomes in the Championship and who will go up to the Premiership. We can only play one game at a time and we’re not thinking too far ahead. We’ll see where we are at the end of the season.

“Many of my family and friends are supporters of the club and I can’t speak highly enough of Caldy and the good people we have here at all levels and in all areas.

I would describe our club as very friendly, family-orientated and open to anyone wishing to come along and experience our inclusiveness.

“There were a lot of challenges for everyone during Covid and hopefully now that life seem a little more settled, we can relax into and enjoy our time both on and off the pitch.”

JON BAGLEY

More than 30 years after his first team debut, Jon Bagley played his last game of rugby in December 2019. His time at Caldy has included five seasons – a post-war record – as Club Captain, five seasons as Club Chairman and now, in addition to being Vice President, he continues to be an active member and sponsor. More recently, he has supported the club’s new clubhouse plans, managing the project to the planning application stage. As a player, Bags was known mostly as a back row player, although he would slot into the second row when required. He says: “Many of the club’s teams are performing really well this season and the spirit is clear for all to see, plus its effect on the atmosphere around the whole club. It seems that we’re entering an exciting new phase of our history, with the club’s development proposals expected to become a big part of that.

“As a family-friendly club, it’s important to leave a legacy for the generations to come. Recently, I was watching a match and standing next to me was Gary Devaney, who was my old captain back in the day.

Gary’s son Liam was there, and Liam’s children as well as my daughter Jessica and her husband Liam. Within a short period of time there was a dozen or so of us aged 60+ to 8-years-old, all friends and family. I couldn’t help but think this is what Caldy Rugby Club is all about.

“The First XV are playing an excellent brand of rugby, the results of which are now being translated into our high league position. Players like Sam Dickinson, who have competed at the highest level, are no doubt a great contributing factor, and the cohesiveness of the whole squad is surely the overall ingredient of their success.

“As a company, Trustland is very proud to be a club sponsor, as it allows us to give something back to club and community. As the season heats up there are some very exciting fixtures ahead, and our directors and staff wish our friends at Caldy Rugby Club continued enjoyment and success for the remainder of the 2021/ 2022 campaign.”

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DAVID MCMURDO

David McMurdo has had a long and passionate relationship with Caldy Rugby Club, he has always had an strong affinity with the club, and whilst a hockey player back in those days, he still ran out for the colts when he could and like many others it was not unusual for him to play both school and club rugby in the same 24hrs. Rugby Club Magazine recently caught up with David who has lived in Sydney for the past 20 years, “I am honoured to be asked to contribute a few words on the club I love which I left some 20 years ago when I emigrated to Australia. My earliest memories are of my

dad taking me down to the club, rain or shine, every week to watch one of the clubs many teams playing, usually the fourths or fifths on the back field; to me, and at the time, it was like being at Twickenham! My playing career (if you can call it that!) lasted up until I was 28 when I moved to London and played for Esher RFC. Earlier in my playing days, on my return from serving in the army, I always knew that there would be a warm welcome when I came home.

That has never changed to this day, I am always made a fuss over and greeted with the most outstanding welcome by my many lifelong friends on arrival at the club.

Once I left Caldy I travelled south to Esher Rugby Club, another great club, who we have

maintained a strong friendship with, I continued playing until my knees told me no more! I am still a full member and sponsor at Caldy and retain many wonderful memories of my time and playing days there.

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Caldy is situated in the most beautiful setting and its fabulous to hear of the new development plans which are sorely needed. I remember the old place, although much loved, in great need of updating 30 years ago!

Like all clubs we have gone through our down times, but I really feel that during the 80`s when we won The Wirral Floodlit Cup, was a huge turning point for us.

Since then, the club has gone from strength to strength, with an amazing mini and junior section- the envy of many clubs nationally, which has supported and led the move to our 1st XV sitting proudly as one of the top 40 rugby clubs in England, something most of us could never have dreamed of; not bad for a wee club come from such humble beginnings! I’ve often likened it to Wimbledon- making it to the Premiership and wining the FA Cup, hopefully without their now demise but with Al Roberts being our very own Vinny Jones!

Passion and perseverance has brought the club to where it is today. Gary Devaney, Roger Flashman, Al Roberts, Graeme Armitage, Jonathan Kemp and a mountain of other great friends, members and exceptional players have contributed blood, sweat and tears in the process. To this day the first thing I do when I wake up on a Sunday morning is to check the Caldy RFC results; and then I check to see if there’s any more disappointing news on Everton FC! I am incredibly proud to call myself an explayer, supporter and friend of Caldy Rugby Club and very much look forward to seeing you all soon, best wishes to everyone for the remainder of the 2021-2022 season and congratulations on being chosen by Rugby Club Magazine for your outstanding contribution to rugby at both a National and Community level!”

SAM DICKINSON TELL ME ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY FROM MINIS THROUGH TO SENIOR AND PROFESSIONAL RUGBY

No Minis for me – I largely played footy at weekends. When I was a kid, my family moved around a lot and I dipped in and out of schools that played rugby. The first time I joined a club was Caldy. I was 16 and we had just moved to the area.

WHAT’S YOUR MAIN PLAYING POSITION OR POSITIONS?

I was always an 8 from that age, but due to my height I also dabbled in the row. As the years have gone by, for natural reasons that’s where I spend my time now.

DO YOU COME FROM A RUGBY FAMILY?

No, my dad was always a footy player, and we used to watch him play for his work and our village teams. But my parents have fully supported me all the way, and my brother and I have been ferried around the country to games and trials, etc. When my twin sister took rugby up later on, she was fully supported also.

My elder sister has a love for all sports and was heavily involved in organising the 2015 World Cup and both parents are or have been involved with the back room side of the rugby club. It’s safe to say that

while we weren’t a rugby family at first, we are now.

HOW IS THE FIRST XV ARE DOING THIS SEASON?

We’re winning, and that’s all we wanted from the off – we wanted to enjoy the season and the experience of the league, and it’s hard to do if you’re losing. It took us a few games to find our stride, but week on week everyone is working hard to fix problems and improve and it’s paying off.

WHAT IS THE STRENGTH OF THE TEAM THIS SEASON?

The team is the strength; there’s a great spirit and work ethic in the squad, and when that’s paired with a good coaching team it’s a great recipe for success.

CHRIS AND JAY REYNOLDS

WHAT ARE THE STRENGTHS ABOUT CALDY RUGBY CLUB AS A WHOLE?

Chris and Jay Reynolds have a long-standing association with Caldy Rugby Club as fans, sponsors and, in Chris’s case, as a former front row forward.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SAY TO YOUR TEAMMATES AND FRIENDS AT THE CLUB FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS SEASON?

Chris says: “Although I’d played some rugby in my early days and over the years, it wasn’t until I was 30 that it became a main sport for me.

Not untypically, it started when a friend asked me to play for Caldy while we were chatting over a pint in the pub.

My main playing position has been loose head prop and I managed to continue competing until I was 53, when a health condition forced me to hang up my

If you put aside the huge Junior and Mini sections, the strength of the club is in the social side.

People want to be there and to enjoy it, and that leads to the teams wanting to achieve.

Well done so far – though we all know there still games left. And to my friends and the leaders at the club, thank you for making my return so enjoyable.

boots. Our performances have been outstanding this season with a real togetherness among the lads. There will be many of us travelling to Rosslyn Park in April, which could stand out as a crucial fixture for both teams.”

Jay says: “As a company, Reynolds Pallets has always enjoyed supporting and sponsoring the club whenever we can, and as a fan I’m delighted to see our teams competing so well, particularly our First XV which is near the top of National 1. I, Chris, and all our staff at Reynolds wish all our friends at Caldy Rugby Club the very best of continued success for many more seasons to come.”

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GRAHAM ARMITAGE

The President of Caldy Rugby Club, Graham Armitage was born and raised on the Wirral and introduced to rugby at Calday Grange School aged 11. He disliked the sport with a passion then, but he eventually saw sense and has enjoyed a long association with Caldy RC. He says: “For the life of me, I didn’t ever foresee I would become a rugby player. That was until I was in fifth form at school, and the school rugby captain told me, ‘We’re one man short and you’re it, Graham!’

When I said I hadn’t played for years, he repeated the statement with a slight variation: ‘We’re a man short and you’re playing!’

This was the type of guy you didn’t say no to, so I agreed, and I’m glad I did, because after that game I was totally smitten with rugby. I continued to play competitively until the age of 22, when I had a bad accident at work resulting in a major leg injury. After recovering from that, I continued to play until I was 28, when recurring injuries forced me into retirement. I remained active within the club for a number of years while following rugby and playing golf, until marriage and children intervened, resulting in an enforced choice between my two favourite weekend pastimes. I chose rugby.

I’ve known our Chairman Gary Devaney for many years, and he’s been a major driving force and positive influence.

We’ve outgrown our facilities and we have some great people in place to spearhead the next stage of the club’s proposed development. With an ever-expanding Mini and Junior section bringing more supporters and members, the urgent need for new changing and catering facilities cannot realistically continue longterm without improvements.

There have been many changes since the club went open in 1968, including a name change from Old Caldeians to Caldy Rugby Club. There are still a good number of Old Caldeians around – some abroad, some who have returned, and others like me who have never moved away. Times have changed and there is new blood within the club, which now prides itself on providing great hospitality for visiting teams, visitors and guests alike. We hope, however, that the ‘Pot Noodles and Hut on the Hill’ image of the club as portrayed on Rolling Maul will never be forgotten.

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A special word has to be said about our Last of the Summer Wine group, as their hard work, dedication, great spirit and humour is well known and appreciated at the club.

Caldy Rugby Club is approaching its 100th year, which is an outstanding achievement. We have to think now about the next 100 years and the legacy we want to leave our younger members and our

community. If our forefathers hadn’t thought of levelling our main pitch in the 1950s, it is debatable whether we would exist today, so now it’s our turn to take the reins and move this great club forward.”

CALLUM RIDGWAY

Callum Ridgway is a First XV player at Caldy RFC. From a family steeped in the sport, rugby has been a big part of his life since he was a child. At Caldy, he has a rugby family.

He says: “I started my rugby journey playing for Cambuslang Rugby Club in Glasgow. I played there until I was six, when we moved down to the Wirral, and I’ve played at Caldy ever since.

At first, I had a turbulent run through the Minis and Juniors sections, not getting a great deal of playing time. I thought I was a back and I wanted to play in one of the centre positions, which probably didn’t help my case. As I got older, I transitioned into a forward, as is often the case finding myself playing as a hooker. This put me in the mix and going into the end of my junior rugby career I found myself starting regularly in the team.

I’ve played at 2, 6, 7 and 8 in my senior career, most commonly playing at 7. I made my First XV debut as a skinny 19-year-old kid playing at No.2 in National 1. It’s safe to say this was probably the hardest game of rugby I’ve ever played.

My family has always been involved in rugby. My dad played in his younger years and it was the primary sport in our household when my brothers and I were young. It was a chore to get all three of us to our various matches on a Sunday morning, but mum and dad always managed to make it happen. We’ve been to many international tests as a family – even if we may have been supporting different teams – and I’m sure we will continue to do so for many years. Rugby is definitely the sport of the house.

The First XV had a rocky start to the season, going 0-2, but we’ve managed to consolidate our season,

losing only one of our last 16 fixtures. We’ve had an immense run of form, which has happened through hard work and the mentoring of our coaches. We hope to continue the form as we move into a tricky run of fixtures.

I think the main reason for our success so far this season has been our defensive work. We work so hard on it in training, and we all know that defence wins games. Head Coach Matt Cairns has burned that into our minds, and we’ve all come to love the challenges of defending, which means it naturally becomes even better when we’re able to attack with the ball.

The club members are massively supportive. It’s great to run out there on a Saturday afternoon with friends and family cheering you on. It feels incredibly special because most of the friends I used to play with in the Minis and Juniors sections come and support every home fixture (most of them retired from the game when they went to university, a little prematurely in my opinion). It really is such a tight-knit community and I wouldn’t change it for anything.

First team players often help with training for some of the age group sides, which I think is great for their development. Some of the Minis sides are mascots on a Saturday afternoon and we walk down the steps and onto the field with them.

They get really excited which is always great to see.

I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season and I know that we can continue our form. It’s great to see familiar faces every other Saturday and I hope that we continue to put on a good show for everyone who comes down to watch. Up The Ravers!”

GARETH DAVIES

Gareth Davies is Director of Rugby at Caldy. A local lad who came to the club from Wirral RFC, like many from his era, it was not unusual for him to play Senior, Colts, and School rugby over the course of a weekend in his younger days. Unfortunately, sciatica put an end to his career when he was 28. He went on to manage and oversee the club’s formidable Second XV for two years, working alongside Paul Close, Phil Wylie and John Lyon. He was then appointed First XV Manager, a role he fulfilled for 11 years before being appointed Director of Rugby 4½ years go. Gareth says: “I remember very well when our Seconds started out near the foot of the table, when they were regular fodder for the likes of Manchester and Waterloo. However, slowly but surely, with the expert coaching, tutelage and guidance of Paul, Phil and John coupled with the spirit and enthusiasm of the team, the same squad improved week in, week out, until the day came when they were no longer the defeated, but started to overtake their opponents. It was a memorable and wonderful experience to see such growth in our lads and their teamwork over a relatively short period of time.

I don’t think we’ve ever really had a First and Second team divide at Caldy, apart from on matchday when we naturally separate into

two squads. But for the most part, if you saw our full squad together you’d never know who’s who. Both teams eat, train and mix very comfortably together which, apart from the obvious camaraderie, makes it a lot easier to interchange players as everyone is familiar and aware of each team and the coaching tactics. Matt Cairns, Andrew Souter, Richard Vasey and Christian Jones, our senior coaches, all do an excellent job, Richard and Christian looking after the Seconds while Matt and Andrew continue their focus on tuning our First XV. This season’s crowds seem louder and more passionate than I can remember; they really have become our 16th man. In addition to our home fixtures, we have a loyal travelling support and the connection between Seniors, Minis and our Junior sections continues to blossom. The fabulous support of the children’s parents makes for a wonderfully unified club feel within an all-round healthy environment.

My daughters Lily and Rose are keen rugby players, so it’s great to have them as part of the club. Girls’ rugby is a fantastic addition to Caldy Rugby Club and to the sport in general. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, our club is like one big happy family, everyone more than willing to help each other out.

It’s clear to see that we’re all looking after each other and pulling together in the same direction.”

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KIM MATTHEWS HOW DID YOU FIRST BECOME ASSOCIATED WITH CLADY RFC?

I started playing for Caldy when I was 16 and moved from Hoylake RFC to play in the Colts. Hoylake was a great club, but Caldy was playing at a higher level and my brother was playing there.

WHAT WAS YOUR INITIAL EXPERIENCE OF TOUCH RUGBY? WHEN DID THE CLUB FIRST FORM A TOUCH RUGBY SECTION AND WHY?

I started playing touch rugby when I was living in London and playing for a club down there. The club was full of Aussies and Kiwis, and as soon as the season finished we would switch to touch, which was great for out-ofseason fitness. After moving to Manchester and playing in touch leagues there, I finally moved back to the Wirral in 2010 and this is where we really started to get touch going at Caldy, especially as a lot of us were retired from contact due to injury.

WHAT ARE THE GENERAL RULES OF TOUCH RUGBY?

Touch is a similar set-up to rugby league, where you had 6 touches to try and score a try.

If you are touched, you have to roll the ball at the exact spot you’re touched. The game is very tactical and really teaches you to avoid contact. You can see this in some of the younger kids who grew up playing touch with us and have taken this into the contact game.

ARE THERE AGE PARAMETERS AND DO TEAMS TEND TO BE MIXED?

Not really, and we have had players from juniors all the way to over-65s. We have a number of sessions per week which are mostly mixed, and a ladies’only session on a Tuesday.

IS THERE A LEAGUE STRUCTURE AND ARE THEY GROUPED LOCALLY?

There are a number of leagues in the UK ranging from regional to national.

Caldy is at the start of its journey with competitions, but we’ve been part of the Cheshire Cup this year and

plan to head into the national leagues next year.

HOW ARE ABILITY LEVELS BE STRUCTURED IN MATCH SITUATIONS?

Touch is available for all abilities and we have experienced and brand new players at Caldy.

It’s very friendly so we make sure players are helped and developed.

DO TOUCH RUGBY TEAMS HAVE ADDITIONAL TRAINING NIGHTS?

We have a number of sessions:

• Monday 7pm: Elite training with England coach Andy Sharpes • Tuesday 7pm: Ladies’ training • Wednesday 7pm: Mixed games • Sunday 3pm: Social games WHAT HAS THE TOUCH RUGBY SECTION HAS BROUGHT TO CALDY RFC?

Apart from new members both male and female, it has added the opportunity for players who can’t or don’t want to play contact. I love the feeling of being part of a team even though my body won’t allow me to play competitive contact rugby anymore.

HOW HAS TOUCH RUGBY INTEGRATED WITH THE OTHER CLUB SECTIONS?

There have been a number of events, both playing and social, which have

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incorporated the senior rugby and the community sections, and it’s great to see players getting involved.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS AND WHY IS TOUCH RUGBY SUCH GREAT FUN?

Touch is great for fitness, ball handling and thinking on your feet. All the sessions are good fun, and it has the competitive element to keep you on your toes.

IF I LIVE LOCALLY, HOW WOULD I MAKE CONTACT AND JOIN A TEAM?

The touch and community section use Spond for organising session and you can register at: https://group. spond.com/IXVAZ Alternatively, you can speak to the Touch Chairman, Shaun Thomas, tel 07976 280 115, email shaun1976thomas@ outlook.com

ROD WALKER

Rod Walker was described recently by Club Chairman Gary Devaney as one of Caldy Rugby Club’s greatest enthusiasts and supporters.

Like many at the club, he is a product of Calday Grammar School and he went on to play for the club. While studying for his accountancy qualifications in Liverpool, despite often working late into the evenings, he would find time at weekends to return to the club and play for the Third XV. Rod, who retired as a Commodore of the Royal Naval Reserve in 1993, began his National Service in 1957 as an Ordinary Seaman on HMS Ocean.

His naval career continued on HMS Wilkieston in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, then into mine sweeping training aboard HMS Eaglet, where he served as Captain and then Commodore of the Naval Reserve. Practising as a Chartered Accountant during his naval reserve career, Rod met his wife Ann when she was a serving member of the WRNR. He says:

and Junior section and the wonderful Ladies’ and Girls’ teams. Over the years, we have had the benefit of some very supportive sponsors who have rallied to the call when needed. I remember some great club supporters – people like Mike Ruddock and John Butler who worked tirelessly. Their Entertainment Committee ran the 7s Dances that paid for the First Team Pitch. The club is now in the very capable hands of some excellent members who I’m sure will steer its future in the right direction. If there’s one thing that I have learned over the years, it’s to keep smiling.”

“Caldy Rugby Club has had the longest playing 7s tournament in England, always attracting the cream of rugby from throughout the UK and further afield.

One of the great events attached to the 7s rugby were the 7s Dances, which would see 3,000-plus people come together to enjoy this annual extravaganza.

It was back then that the club identified that if we were to grow and serve local people, we had to develop and level out the land and have our main pitch in front of our clubhouse. So we borrowed £6,000 guaranteed by club members and we were able to sell tickets to pay most of the loan off.

Being an accountant, I had to arrange the tickets which were given out to sellers in bunches of 100 and sold at £1 per ticket, with instructions that they must be sold pre-dance; being mindful that many people would be traveling back to their homes all over the country.

Subsequently, the work was undertaken and the base layer of sandstone was scraped out, providing natural drainage for the pitch as you see it today as well as the desired level playing field.

“Caldy Rugby Club is at its heart a lovely community club. Among its many strengths is our variety of playing sides, from our First and Second XVs to our Mini

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JAN AND JOHN LYON

Jan and John Lyon have enjoyed a long and positive association with Caldy Rugby Club for many years. Jan since she was a toddler and more latterly together with John and their boys, Jake, Ben, and Greg. Their boys all started in the club’s Mini section eventually becoming the first three brothers to play together in a match in the National Leagues. John says: “I came to the Wirral after a few years in New Zealand where an injury had pretty much ended my rugby playing days but hooking up with Jan changed my life (for the better!) and got me back into rugby.

Jan and I were married in January 1992 after a short 9-day courtship following our first date on 31 December 1991. Although we didn’t know much about each other happily we found out we had quite a lot in common including a passion for rugby.

Jan’s three ‘little’ boys were 5, 6 and 7 when we married. For the next decade or so Jan and I spent our evenings and weekends attempting to manage and coach Caldy’s Mini, Junior and Colts sides. Like many hundreds of Caldy parents before and since it became an all-consuming passion.

Caldy is an inclusive welcoming club.

Commitment and enjoyment underpin everything at Caldy.

Fittingly the senior squad’s nickname is the ‘Ravers’.

Players may leave temporarily but they invariably find their way back. Sam Dickinson who started in Caldy’s junior sides and went on to have a hugely successful career in the Premiership with Northampton has come back to Caldy this season. His

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experience and commitment have been invaluable.

Much of the senior squad is home grown but the lads who arrive from other clubs pretty quickly become ‘Ravers’. This season centre Lucas Titherington came from Birkenhead Park, scrum half Joe Murray came from Wirral RFC and fly half Ezra Hinchcliffe came from Heath RFC in Halifax. They all quickly assimilated the Caldy DNA and have contributed massively to the performance of the senior squad.

During the last 30 years I have seen many truly exceptional people and players at Paton Field. Not all have starred in the 1st xv. Some have stood out for their outrageous ability, some for their humility and others for their persistence and stickability. The one thing they all have in common is a desire to either be the best they can be or enable others to be the best they can be. John concluded “It is gratifying to see how a small rugby club like Caldy can rise to the top of the rugby pyramid. It is all down to the selfless effort of the volunteers and major sponsors who provide the essential infrastructure and support for many hundreds of rugby playing children and young adults.”

Although John is now only peripherally involved as a minor sponsor and supporter, he does happen to be the captain of one of the teams competing for the annual ‘Caldy RFC Shark Fishing Trophy’ in Falmouth later this year.

“The Caldy RFC Shark Cup is a prestigious ‘catch and release’ fishing tournament set up by Derek Salisbury, expert angler and father of former legendary Caldy tight head prop Degsy Salisbury.

One of last year’s leading participants, Barrie Pilgrim, concerned about rough seas suggested to anyone who would listen ‘We need a Bigger Boat’. Tuning in to Barrie’s forlorn request, Derek sourced an appropriate vintage silver trophy for this year’s event from New York.

The splendid Caldy RFC Shark Cup commemorates four fatal attacks by a great white shark off the New Jersey shore in 1916. The film ‘Jaws’ was based on this notorious incident.”

John is sure this year’s participants will be following the Ravers’ motto. ‘Win or lose we are on the Booze’ Jan Lyon’s parents first took her to Caldy Rugby Club when she was four. Jan remembers helping to make the teas when her dad and brother were players in the cricket section. For a decade she was part of the club’s Mini and Junior committees, then the fixture secretary for the Lancashire and Cheshire Colts league, and for a few seasons the club’s events organiser including helping with Caldy’s prestigious Sevens tournament. More latterly Jan has taken on the role as leader of Caldy’s choir ‘Off Pitch’as Jan explained: “The Caldy Sevens were quite an affair back in the day, organised by Alan Jeffcoat who is sadly no longer with us. Alan brought the best Sevens teams in the world to Caldy including the Fijians, the Samoans, and the South Africans. The Caldy Sevens was a huge tournament ranking just behind the Middlesex 7’s in England’s rugby calendar and attracting many thousands of spectators to Paton Field. The winners

were presented with what was then the world’s biggest sporting trophy. No one at Caldy knows what happened to this massive trophy but I think it is probably still in Serevi’s house in Fiji!

The final was invariably between Fiji and Samoa and the post final atmosphere was graced by the entrancing and magical singing of the Fijians and their families. What days those were.

In 2008 Phil Wylie, one of our brilliant Last of The Summer Wine crew, suddenly exclaimed ‘Why don’t we start a choir? At our first gathering there were 12 of us, including my two sisters Chris and Liz, Phil’s wife Elaine, and my husband John. However, John was quickly expelled because he wouldn’t do his homework. He didn’t seem to even know the words to our first song Swing Low Sweet Chariot. There are now 65 or so members and we carry out charity gigs across the Wirral.

The culture of Caldy Rugby Club has been decades in the making by so many exceptional people. One of those who sadly is no longer with us was Ken Smith, a former scrum half at Orrell Rugby Club he was a brilliant coach and responsible for the development of some outstanding players like Sam Dickinson and a great mentor to so many young men. Ken was taciturn and self-effacing, but he was adored by everyone. He really deserved a national award for his outstanding contribution to the development of junior and colt’s sides at Caldy and to rugby in general.

I want to thank everyone at Caldy rugby club for their friendship and support over many years, wishing them all the very best of continued enjoyment and success for years to come.”

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JAMES SMETHURST

“As a regular supporter of Caldy, I was delighted when the opportunity arose for my company ‘The Social Desk’ to work with the club and improve its digital presence.

Nearly 2 years later, we’ve completely revamped the website, moved multiple elements online, including tickets and club programme, and we’ve massively

increased our social media presence. We’re by no means the finished article but with our current fantastic team performances, endless loyal supporters, and the hope of a new clubhouse, it’s my belief Caldy really is a rugby club going places, and should now be considered in the hierarchy of the Wirral, Merseyside, and the North West.”

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DAVE BREWSTER

Dave Brewster of Auger is a valued club sponsor and a former mini and junior coach at Caldy RFC. He played most of his rugby at Wirral Rugby Club, where he was a flyhalf but unfortunately injury curtailed his playing career in his early 30s.

He recently took time out to speak with the Rugby Club Magazine.

“It was through Will my son that I first became involved with Caldy, where I coached his team from U6s to U14s.

At this point I introduced senior players from the First Team to coach the boys as they headed towards Senior rugby, whilst remaining as the Manager. Will’s age group were an exceptional team and won the Cheshire Cup 3 times as well as winning their league at Junior and Senior Colts level and reaching the semi-final of the U17s National Cup.” Will, like a lot of his age group no longer plays due to a combination of injuries and other outside interests, which in his case is cricket.

“The challenge of retaining young players as they arrive at Senior level seems to be a national problem, and this

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has certainly been felt at Caldy where it is difficult to find a natural pathway from Colts rugby into the Senior squads; this sadly results in a huge drop-off from this age group, which is a great loss to rugby as a whole. At Caldy we recognise that we must address this issue and continue to look for more ways to retain this fantastic talent pool that we have nurtured through the junior ranks.”

Like a lot of junior clubs, Caldy has a core group of dedicated members who work tirelessly to ensure the smooth running of the operation, from committee members and volunteer coaches, to match day helpers. The great example at Caldy is the “Last of the Summer Wine” team. The same group of guys have been looking after the grounds for as long as I can remember with the odd new recruit arriving, allowing an older member to take a back seat. However important someone may have been in their career, they must join the “Last of the Summer Wine” group at the bottom and work their way up.

If Caldy is to continue to thrive and achieve the huge levels of success they have to date, both at Senior level, but more importantly with

the thriving mini and junior section, then the improvement of the “off the field” facilities is essential. Our Club House passed its sell by date many years ago and its replacement with a state of the art, sustainable building suitable for all users is imperative if we are to survive the next 100 years. Hopefully both the National Trust and Wirral Planning Committee will understand the desperate need to upgrade the facility.

Auger is very proud of its long association with the Club and will continue its support, both with the Academy, which it helped set up, and the Senior teams. We would like to wish everyone great success for many seasons to come.”

Alan Roberts is a former player, coach and club Captain at Caldy Rugby Club.

The Club Treasurer, Alan is renowned for his sense of humour and storytelling ability.

His many stories of life and rugby include a fascinating tale about an ancestor who was a privateer. He moved to Wales, changed his surname to Roberts and had 21 children, one of whom went on to become a captain with the famed White Star Line.

During the First World War, his ship was commandeered in Australia and put to work to transport Australasian troops to Sulva Bay in Gallipoli, landing them under the massive Turkish batteries that took some 150,000 Allied soldiers’ lives. That’s only the start of the story as Al will tell it, and there are many more where that came from, but we’re here to talk rugby, and Alan’s life in the sport has been extraordinary for its variety and longevity. He says: “Gary Devaney and I were in the same form at school, playing rugby for school and club alike – often in the same day! My last First XV game against Blackburn away in 2005 was memorable. I was 49 at the time and the staff on the gate tried to make me pay to enter the ground because they couldn’t believe I was a player!

“My career longevity was mainly down to my pace rather than my size. When you’re lighter and tackled by much heavier opponents your momentum takes you backwards. That means you absorb the hit in a gravitational way.

“A spiral fracture in my leg during a match in 1992 slowed me up. I was later advised by a surgeon to have the metal fitted after the injury removed because I was able to feel the movement internally. They said the fixings were no longer needed because the bones had healed. I continued to play, returning to the First XV and enjoying an extended period of lower sides and veterans’ rugby, eventually going on to coach our Colts and refereeing school and youth rugby.

“I’ve always loved the game and have fabulous memories of away trips and the teams and players we encountered. Three years ago, I was honoured to be invited to be Club President.

We were at the top of the table then, but ended up being relegated when we were robbed in our last game of the season at Moseley.

That same Caldy side went

on to become undefeated in National 2 and they continue to amaze me today with their outstanding performances in National 1.

“With the strength of a great second team and the excellent tutelage of Head Coach Matt Cairns and his outstanding coaching team of Richard Vasey, Andrew Souter and CJ, we have become tough opposition in a very competitive league.

“Credit has to go to all the coaches and players, and some of the inspirational leaders, like JJ and his brother Sam Dickinson, and 38-year-old Nick Royle, who played England Sevens and had a spell at Widnes playing RL. His dad told me once that when Nick was 16 and towards the end of the season, he was invited to Manchester to discuss future playing opportunities. When asked how many trys he had scored that season his dad said “117”, to the amazement of the questioner. Nick was playing for three different teams every week at that point and had in fact scored those points!

“Caldy Rugby Club is a great family club built on it’s inclusive nature.

The many generations and friends you see on matchday are evidence of this. Thankfully, our forefather Alfred Paton had the wisdom to secure the land for the benefit of community, youth and school. Long may our club continue to thrive and provide a place for all those that wish to come and join us and be part of this great club for many more years to come.”

CONTACT THE CLUB

Paton Field, Telegraph Rd, Wirral CH48 1NX

+44 151 625 8043 www.caldyrugbyclub.com

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Stoke-on-Trent Rugby Club HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED AND WHAT FIRST ATTRACTED YOU TO THE CLUB?

The length that individuals who sit on our main committee have been involved with the club ranges widely, from our Secretary who joined the Club in 1973, having moved to the area with work, to younger members who joined the club when their children started playing rugby. The following is the thoughts of two of our key committee members.

‘For me it was the chance for my sons to play junior rugby in the most positive and inclusive environment in North Staffordshire. That was 12 years ago, and having enjoyed enormously the journey both my sons went on with their respective age groups, and made life long friends, I slowly but surely got more and more involved in the running of the club.

It is a difficult thing to resist as you can see how much the club offers the young players, and I wanted to be able to give something back. That started with co-ordinating the refereeing, then moved on to support one of the sub committees looking after finance to then joining the main committee.’

‘As a family we joined the club in 2015, when our son was 5 years old as he had said he wanted to play rugby after talking about it with a friend in nursery school. I then made contact with a few clubs in the area and the way that Stoke presented itself stood out as a family friendly environment and we were invite to just come up and have a look around and to get a feel for the place before making any decisions’ WHAT WERE THE MAIN CHALLENGES FACED IN NAVIGATING YOUR CLUB/ TEAM/SECTION INTO THE POSITION IT IS IN TODAY?

As with most clubs, finance is at the heart of majority of the challenges we faced. Most rugby clubs have a never ending list of projects that require funding, but the key for us was to focus on those projects that a) enhanced the playing experience for all the age groups and teams and b) we could afford.

By coupling that approach with clear communication

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that involved every part of the club from Mini’s to Vice Presidents, we were able to ensure that everyone continued to be fully engaged with the club, even if we weren’t able to physically visit the club due to the government restrictions over the last couple of years, however we believe that due to the hard work of many people associated with the club we have emerged stronger and more cohesive.

In 2016 the club introduced a slimmed down management structure, with a main committee of 8 people and three key sub-committees – Finance, Playing and Mini/juniors (the Chairman of each of these committees sit on the main committee). Everyone on the committee has a key role with an excellent mix of strengths and abilities.

The work of the club continued throughout lockdown and a number of initiatives were introduced, which proved very successful.

These included the complete renovation of a lounge area following a kind donation from a past President. It was also clear that the club required an outside seating and BBQ area. Following kind donations from sponsors the work was completed and both projects were opened to members last summer.

A substantial amount was invested in the drainage of the pitches which has seen the playing surfaces improved beyond all recognition. This has clearly helped the players to play a very exciting brand of rugby this season. All this meant that when we were able to start up again everyone involved with the club, players and non-players, were enthusiastic and ready

to go and this has translated into the successful season we are currently enjoying.

Steve Maskrey our chairman has been a key driver of these changes and we are still reviewing and changing the way we operate as the club, environment and economy changes for example instead of a facilities committee we now operate a project group. This was developed along side our volunteer base, as we are lucky to have a varied group of members has meant we can adapt the working group to each person skill set so more people can be involved and supports our aim of being an inclusive family focused club.

DO YOU HAVE JUNIOR AND SENIOR COACHING PHILOSOPHY AT THE CLUB?

The mini and Junior coaching mirrors most clubs. It starts with parents joining in with the CAN YOU LET ME KNOW ANY AMBITIONS OR DEVELOPMENT PLANS ON AND OFF THE PITCH?

On the pitch, we want to continue to deliver on our fundamental objective, which is to be the most positive and rewarding environment for all players to enjoy their rugby in North Staffordshire Off the pitch we want to deliver on the key projects that support this. That involves top quality coaching at all levels, continuing to improve the playing surfaces including the installation of an all-weather training area and replacement of our spectator fencing around the main pitch and improving the fabric of the changing facilities by providing en-suite facilities.

We would also like to further upgrade the clubhouse.

ruggers and finding the role enjoyable and want to develop.

We follow the RFU guidance and encourage all our MJ coaches to develop with their age groups and ensure that their qualifications are up to date. Clearly safe guarding is paramount for our children and we have two officers one being the MJ Chair ensuring that we always have cover in case an incident occurs.

We have a transition coach who is responsible for all aspects of the Colts training and development. He has developed strong ties with the under 15 and 16 age groups and works hard at retaining the players as they transition to senior rugby.

The Club coaching model consists of Chairman of

playing. Director of Rugby and Head Coach. We also have specific coaches who specialise in different facets of the game. Underpinning this we have a logistics and team manager who makes sure our players have great communication and are all in the right place at the right time. The club also employs a physiotherapist and two match day medics who support the senior teams on match day.

COULD YOU PROVIDE A POTTED HISTORY OF YOUR CLUB?

Stoke-on-Trent Rugby Club can trace its history back to 1884, although there is some evidence that rugby was being played in the area as early as the 1875. The Club greatly expanded its playing membership after the war, with new converts to the game and to cater for the growing interest in rugby in North Staffordshire, officials of the Stoke Club were instrumental in forming new clubs such as Longton, Newcastle and Trentham. Up until the mid1960s the club had various homes, but in 1965 the opportunity arose to buy 12 acres of land on a virgin site in Hartwell Lane, Barlaston.

Since then the club has developed these facilities, so that we now have a large clubhouse with excellent catering facilities and outside seating area. Our changing rooms, which include a gym, have been upgraded over the years, with plans to provide further improvements

over the next 12 months.

The installation of a ground source heat pump and solar panels has enabled the club to tap into ‘green’ energies.

We have 3 full sized pitches, one of which is floodlit, and a large separate floodlit training area. Our main pitch also has a 120-seater stand. The club has worked hard over the years, and spent a substantial amount of money to greatly improve the playing surface and we now have 3 well drained pitches, although it is a constant battle and drain on resources to keep the pitches in good order.

Enjoying the new surroundings the playing side developed to a stage that the club were playing in Division 4 North of the national leagues in the 1980’s and 90s, just before the era of professionalism.

However, unlike some, the club decided to remain a strictly amateur club and as such have played in the first division of Midlands league rugby over the last 20 years.

In the late 1980’s coaching and games were arranged for groups of Under 13 to Under 17 year old players.

The numbers steadily grew and the junior section was formally set up in 1992 with a committee to organise all the activities associated with running these age group sides. In 1995 the section increased in size with the influx of a large number of players which enabled the club to run age groups from

Under7 to Under 18. Since then the section has gone from strength to strength.

HOW’S THE GENERAL MOOD DOWN AT THE CLUB AT THE MOMENT?

Massively positive. Across the club there is obviously a very a very palpable joy at being back playing and supporting rugby as well as enjoying a few beers as well !

All the members can see the work that was put in to the fabric of the club during lockdown and on the pitch the enhancements to the coaching mean that we have very much hit the ground running. Playing numbers are up and the first team is setting the tone for the rest of the club with a playing style that is very enjoyable to watch and has resulted in us sitting in second in the league at this moment in time.

WHAT ARE THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVES IN MANAGING SO MANY PEOPLE AND GROUPS AT YOUR CLUB AND INFORMING THEM OF NEW CHANGES?

Communication is the key, both in terms of understanding what everyone actually wants from the club and what the club is actually capable of providing.

As a club we took a decision to put the playing experience at the heart of everything that we do and that clarity has really helped to provide a common direction and purpose for all our activities. It also helps to avoid any confusion or lack of clarity which often sits at the root any confusion.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SUCCESSFUL PLAYER CONNECTIONS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH OR PLAYED FOR THE CLUB OVER THE YEARS?

Before professionalism the club produced a number of players who went on to play for top class clubs, including the current Chairman, Steve Maskrey, who played for Sale and the Club’s Director of Playing, Steve Teasdale, who played for Northampton.

Two players in the 70s and 80s Bob Wain and Simon Robson went on to play for England u23s and England B respectively. Simon’s son Dan, who was also a product of the club’s junior section, has gone onto win caps for the full England side.

More recently several players who graduated through our mini and juniors have gone on to and are now playing professional rugby these include Ben

White (London Irish and now in the Scotland squad), Joe Browning (Leicester and now in England 7s squad), Tom Vickers (Cardiff), Sam Lewis (playing in Italy) and Jake Bailey (England u18s), Cam Dodson (playing in USA) WHY DO YOU FEEL SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE A SPECIAL FONDNESS FOR STOKE ON TRENT RFC?

I believe Stoke on Trent has always welcomed new players to the area with open arms. We have developed strong links with the local Universities and players have naturally transitioned to us and some have gained employment in the area, married and their children now play for the club.

We try to host at least one players reunion match day event each season which helps everyone stay in touch. The secretary posts many updates to our older members and we made sure that we looked after all our vulnerable members throughout the pandemic.

We have a strong social media following which keeps everyone updated on events, match day squads and live score updates. So even if you cant get to a game you can always feel connected and enjoy whats going on.

HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE YEAR HAS GONE FOR THE CLUB SO FAR ON THE PITCH?

Following a strong pre-season and a long unbeaten run in the first XV it went exactly to plan. We have a strong senior player leadership group that consists of reps from all team levels. Our players have thrived at the current level most have come through our MJ section and understand the values of the club. They all know how hard they have to work to succeed but really enjoy the challenges set by the coaching team.

We are working hard to ensure the second team and socials continue to thrive at the club. After a slow start with numbers dwindling initially they are picking up and playing regular fixtures which is extremely positive considering the National picture of player drop off since the pandemic.

WHERE DO YOU ENVISAGE THE CLUB WILL BE IN THE NEXT 3-5 YEARS?

In a really positive position in terms of how all our members view the club. Too

CONTINUED...

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BARLOW MOTORS

Dave Barlow is a sponsor of Stoke on Trent Rugby Club with his business Barlow Motors. Dave is a good friend of Club Chairman Steve Maskrey and having never played rugby really feels he has missed out. He said: “Looking back I do wish I had become involved in a rugby club. The camaraderie I have experienced at Stoke on Trent RFC coupled with the friendliness of its members has been exceptional; Its just a fabulous environment!

There is such an inclusive culture that you automatically feel welcomed. Whether it’s the bar staff, players or just a friendly member, someone’s always willing to have a chat with you. This healthy attitude

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and atmosphere that I have experienced at the club has surely contributed to the great results and performances on the pitch. I feel if the team continues to play at the same high standard, which they have consistently surely contributed to all season, the outcome has to be positive.

After spending some time with friends at Stoke on Trent Rugby Club I can see that there is a real attitude of equality, a level playing field and natural respect for one another; and for anyone who wishes to be part of this great club.

Well done on being recognised in Rugby Club Magazine and keep doing what you’re doing! Good luck to everyone for the remainder of the 2021/2022 season!”

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ACORN MOTOR GROUP

David Vickers sits as Chairman of Finance on the clubs committee at Stoke on Trent Rugby Club and has done so for the past 4 years, he is also a valued club sponsor with his business Acorn Motor Group.

Originally from Yorkshire he admits to being a huge fan of rugby and an ex-rugby player himself. He took some time out recently to speak with Rugby Club Mag: “I moved with my wife Sian to the area many years ago after purchasing a local business and at that time both my sons were more into playing football. As a lover of the sport and ex-player, I was forever hopeful that they would one day play rugby and receive the great friendships and benefits that I had. After hearing some really good stuff about Stoke Rugby, from other parents that I knew, I was delighted

FORD SERVICE APPROVED SERVICE CENTRE

when Tom, my eldest, started to playing for the club aged 11, continuing all the way through to 1st team rugby and beyond. His playing position was either 13 or 15 and after university he played for Bournville RFC in National 2 before moving to London.

Pete, my youngest son, started in the clubs mini & junior section, not an unusual pathway for many of our players at Stoke. He progressed to senior rugby and was selected for Wales 18`s and played for the Welsh Exiles too. He completed his Degree in Swansea and went onto being involved with the Cardiff Blues and Ospreys.

Stoke on Trent Rugby Club is an incredible place to visit and be part off. The welcome is second to none and everyone is so friendly. I often liken it to many clubs in Yorkshire. From top to bottom the standard of coaching is excellent with many players going on to higher levels.

I was fortunate to enjoy a long-playing career myself, up until I was 38, and mistakenly thought I had hung my boots up when I was roped into playing a 1st team match aged 40; they say that forwards are less active than the backs and can stetch their playing days out that little bit longer!

This season there is a great team spirit amongst our players which has facilitated a tremendous togetherness.

Many of our squad are local lads who have grown up together.

Next season, playing in the higher division, we will look to strengthen and expand on our already excellent player numbers.

Stoke on Trent Rugby Club have our their special identity.

This identity is invaluable to us, our secret weapon you might say, and moving forward this can only inspire us onto greater things with confidence as our club continues on this exciting journey!”

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CONTINUED...

many clubs judge themselves on the league position of the first team, but this is just one of the key ingredients of what we want to achieve, it is not the only ingredient.

We want to continue to provide rugby for all ages and abilities at the club in a positive and supportive environment both on and off the pitch. Obviously we want to continue to improve the facilities and invest with the coaching, but in a financially sustainable way.

coaches to build the group and hopefully we will be competing with a girls team in Staffordshire in the not so distant future.

HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUTH RUGBY TO THE CLUB?

The development of young people through our junior section is absolutely crucial to the continuing success of the club. Over 90% of our 1st XV squad is made up of players who have come through our mini/junior ranks and we will continue to invest in the recruitment and development of our young people.

COULD YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR LADIES AND GIRLS SECTIONS OR ANY PLANS YOU HAVE TO INCLUDE OR DEVELOP ONE AT YOUR CLUB?

We currently do not have a ladies or girls section, however this is an area we are keen to develop and the improvements planned for our changing rooms will help us with this ambition.

We have a number of girls currently playing in our mini age groups. Our Chair Charly Bailey is working closely with their parents and

HOW DOES THE CLUB ENSURE THAT YOUNG PLAYERS ENJOY A SMOOTH TRANSITION INTO THE SENIOR GAME?

The club launched its Youth Academy 5 years ago focusing on the 16 to 18 age group and providing coaching and development, with the introduction of a dedicated Colts coach, to bridge the gap to the senior ranks. The success of this can be seen in the number of our young players, Ben White (England u20 and just selected in the Scotland squad for the 6 nations), Joe Browning (England u18 and now in the England 7’s squad), Pete Vickers (Wales u18) who have gone onto play representative rugby at various levels including England/Wales age group sides with a number now playing professional rugby.

Our Club Coach, Chris Rowley, who has successfully guided the playing side for the past 4 years, played semiprofessional before returning to the club as a player and now club coach.

WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURS TO BE A COMMUNITY CLUB?

The Club is very much a community club and it strives to ensure that everyone is welcome. Additionally we make the club available to local organisation, like the North Staffs Carers Association who hold an annual open day at the club.

We also hire the club house out three days a week to an adult care group who suffer from age related illness such as dementia. We have also supported and raised money for a number of local and national charities including The Donna Louise Trust, The Doddie Weir Foundation PLEASE FINISH OFF

BY TELLING ME WHAT MAKES YOUR CLUB SUCH A GREAT CLUB TO BE PART OF?

It is the welcome you receive. You really feel part of something from the minute you walk through the door. People are made to feel welcome and like has been said to us ‘we have an extended family’. No matter what is happening there is

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always a friendly face and someone who can help or is willing to help and that sense of support is second to none.

We have very good experienced and knowlegible coaches throughout the age groups and at senior level and the Club is led by an enthusiastic and skilful committee, who bring a wide range of business skills to running what is a successful small business. Our facilities are well maintained and kept in good order.

CONTACT THE CLUB

Hartwell Lane Barlaston Stone ST15 8TL

01782 372807 www.stokerufc.co.uk

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SECURITY PLUS

Tony Gee is a principal club sponsor of Stoke on Trent Rugby Club with his company Security Plus. He is also the dad of U16`s Player Ben and an ex-rugby player himself who tells me his usual position was tight head prop unless he was on tour when he played Fly Half!! Tony said, ”I moved to Stoke 35 years ago and when my son Ben`s rugby didn’t quite work out for him with another rugby club I got chatting to Ian Sant at Stoke and before long Ben and I became involved with the club. It takes a particular type of individual to coach children and certainly you need to be able to speak their language and understand that there is a particular way to treat them; after all they are just kids and need that kinder approach. I find the coaches at Stoke are very dedicated and mindful of the importance of connecting and supporting each other, especially younger players as they move forward into the senior game. Due to Covid Ben, being a front row player and hooker, was unable to play competitively in this position due to the usual age and safety restrictions, but nevertheless, like his teammates, he has trained hard throughout and is now at the point where he is really looking forward to the whole front row contact experience.

You will often find the 1st XV watching the Colts playing on a Saturday before their own game and then vice versa which really helps the unity amongst our teams. I can’t speak highly enough about the players, members, parents, and committee that make Stoke on Trent such a special rugby club to be part off and I would like to thank everyone there for their continued friendship and support over the years. Well done to our 1st XV on gaining promotion and good luck to everyone for the remainder of the season!”

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NRB SURFACING AND GROUNDWORKS

Nick Blinston is a current 2nd team forward at Stoke on Trent Rugby Club, he is also a valued sponsor with his business NRB Surfacing and Groundworks, he took a few minutes out recently to chat to Rugby Club Magazine, “Being a local lad I started playing my rugby at Stoke aged just 7 and continued up until I was 15. Life and work took over after that and I didn’t return to playing until this season. I`m 28 years old now and regularly play Loose Head Prop for the clubs excellent 2nd XV who are competing well in their own league in spite of some challenges. Our senior sides train together and are pretty

EJ PAYNE HOT TUBS LTD

Ricky Payne is a valued sponsor of Stoke on Trent Rugby Club with his business EJ Payne Hot Tubs Ltd. His rugby journey included him playing for a rival club however many of his good friends, including 1st XV Captain Miles and his brother, also Miles, is an explayer there too. He said: “I live locally and played rugby growing up as did many of my school friends.

There were always good relations between local clubs and you would get to know each other. My business is based 5 minutes from the ground so it’s very easy for me to pop along there and enjoy the atmosphere. I was in my early twenties and playing more social rugby when business, which had a weekend focus, tended to take up a lot of my time.

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I’ve always been a fan of rugby and have a lot of admiration for Stoke Rugby Club; they are a real hub of the community. The 1st XV have played exceptionally well this season gaining promotion to the Midland Premier and from such a strong league this is quite an achievement!

The players at Stoke have always tended to play for the love of the game and you can clearly see the special bond amongst the players which is an essential ingredient for success on the pitch. I would like to congratulate everyone at Stoke on Trent Rugby Club on being recognised in Rugby Club Magazine for their continued service to our local community and for such a small rugby club in the middle of nowhere we really do punch above our weight!”

much one large group of mates. It’s fabulous to see our 1st XV gain promotion and I feel that the standard of our senior rugby will serve them well in the higher league.

Having been away from the club for quite a while some of my old friends are not around at the moment however the friendliness of everyone at the club has made it very easy to slot back in and make new ones.

I would like to congratulate everyone at the club on having such a successful season especially after the constraints of covid. I have always received an outstanding welcome from everyone at Stoke on Trent Rugby Club and would like to wish them all the very best of continued enjoyment and success for many more seasons to come!”

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Senior Fullback Angus Hayward v Bicester.

Stow on The Wold & District RFC

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED AND WHAT FIRST ATTRACTED YOU TO THE CLUB?

I joined in 2002 as I was serving in the RAF and living locally. Both my boys started in U6s and U7s and I then went on to coach them through to Colts. I’ve been coach, junior Fix Sec, Festival organiser, Coach Coordinator. Junior Chair, Referee and now General Secretary. The club has always been friendly with a welcoming environment and the Mini and Youth (M&Y) section surged considerably in 2003 when (unfortunately for me as a Welshman) England won the world cup. Numbers were huge and the club did well to create an environment where all were welcomed all were provided for.

AS A CLUB YOU APPEAR TO BE VERY MUCH PEOPLE FOCUSED CAN YOU SPEAK ABOUT WHAT DRIVES THIS ATTITUDE?

The rural nature of the Club drives that approach. We are Stow-on-the-Wold and District, and the last part is very important. We draw from all the small villages in the area and our main goal is to provide rugby opportunities for our community. We have incredible facilities for a Club of our level and we want the community to use them and

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feel like the Club is at the centre of the community. That is difficult as we are “out of town”, but we try and forge as many links as possible. We also have a core membership (committee) that is invested in the Club along with a thriving M&Y section with almost 300 players. This attracts new parents and guardians with bright ideas and we do all we can to exploit that and this all draws the M&Y section and the Senior Club together. It is a common problem with many Clubs, and we have had our issues, but at the moment the concept of “One-Club” is working very well.

CAN YOU LET ME KNOW ANY AMBITIONS OR DEVELOPMENT PLANS YOU HAVE ON AND OFF THE PITCH?

We have a Club Development Plan that is centred on 3 pillars. The central thread to that is “The Stow Way: OneClub, Player Focussed”. On the pitch, it is about player development and while we are flying high at the moment, the goal is not necessarily to win the league; that seems to be a bi-product of creating opportunities and focussing on player development.

We haven’t brought in any marquees signings, we don’t pay anyone to play (despite inevitable rumours), and in a

recent fixture against Marlow, 13 of the 18 in the squad were product of the M&Y section.

Our single goal on the pitch is to ensure that the United XV (2nds) play every game and push for promotion. The league they play in is not sustainable as most teams forfeit. We have achieved that so far and we have not only put out 2 full squads every weekend but we are on the verge of putting a 3rd XV out for the first time in over 25 years!

3 years ago we struggled to put 1 side out and that is an incredible achievement.

We think the buzz of having our 2nd team promoted will be the key to our success in producing a 1st XV that can be consistently competitive at the next level. We have real competition for

places and the players are responding.

Off the field it is all about how we sustain the current tempo and how we invest in our facilities. The 2nd lockdown gave an opportunity to exploit our location and we took a calculated gamble to invest in our camping facilities.

I don’t think anyone expected the response we got and we covered our investment within the first 3 months! We think this is the best way to sustain our financial future and we plan to invest more (once we raise the cash) in providing a shower block and enhancing the clubhouse for hire. For many years we have been reliant on the unbelievable and welcomed support of our local sponsors, but we don’t want to use that to keep the lights on and the grass green. We want to invest that in supporting the players at all ages and creating better opportunities for our players and this is our first tentative step in that direction.

We get campers and caravans from all over the UK, so there could be an opportunity there for a partner.

I UNDERSTAND THAT A SPECIAL FESTIVAL IS PLANNED FOR THE SEASONS END CAN YOU OUTLINE ITS STRUCTURES AND EVENTS FOR THAT SPECIAL DAY AND CELEBRATION?

On the 7th May we plan to have a One Club Celebration of Rugby”. It is a big thank you to our Club members from U6s to Seniors, volunteers and parents/guardians. Each age group will play a game consequitivly, starting with U6s at 11am and Seniors at 5pm.

However the feature game will be a women’s game between 2 guests sides as that is our focus for next season. Our demographic and location means that we have struggled to create a women team or retain our girls beyond 12 when they can no longer play mixed rugby. We will also have women’s and girls coaching through out the day, as well as bouncy castle fun and T shirts for the kids and a band

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Bourton Industrial Park Bourton on the Water Cheltenham Glos GL54 2 HQ “Very Proud sponsors of Stow on the Wold Rugby Club”

Does your club have a story to tell? To be featured in issue 92 of Rugby Club magazine please contact us today.

Email us at

mbm@sportip.biz

CHAIRMAN OF STOW ON THE WOLD & DISTRICT RFC

Rugby Club Magazine recently caught up with the Chairman of Stow on the Wold & District RFC, James Collett who is also a sponsor of the club and the 3rd generation of Collett`s to run the family car business: “My grandad, Victor Joseph Collett returned from France In the spring of 1917, with the rifle bullet, from a German sniper, lodged firmly in his right hand. He, with thousands of other young men had gone to war, in his case, at the age of 17, with a great deal of excitement and no doubt, a good deal of trepidation. Initially he followed the family trade of carpentry, but the oncoming of the motor car and the motor cycle, captured his imagination and In 1921 he obtained a piece of land in Lansdowne and erected a small shed. The business of V.J.Collett had begun.

“I suppose I come from a long line of sporting enthusiasts, football and cricket being the most popular in our family although I probably was the one, although a keen cricketer, who broke the mold a little. The rugby and cricket clubs have always had a great relationship with each other as many played both, partly due to the seasonal aspect of through winter and into summer. My first game of rugby was as an 11 year old and was a relatively brief affair although I did return to playing later when one of my friends, who was a

cricket captain at the time, encouraged me to come along to the rugby club.

Both my sons Jacob and Ben, who I am very proud of, are current 1st XV players, just one set of 9 brothers who are playing at Stow. My Eldest Jacob is a converted backs player now No6 for the forwards and Ben plays Hooker at the moment but can easily fit into either 2nd Row or No8.

I have always felt that Rugby Football is such a leveller and in our club that has always been the way I have witnessed it; either we gently help you up or gently ease you down.

Like all sports, rugby clubs will have their ups and downs and there will be times when the enjoyment hasn’t been there for whatever reason. I feel that it is important that people are involved because they want to not because they have to. We are blessed with many wise heads on our committee at Stow, members who are able to navigate our club with a sure hand. Wayne Loxton, who has worked tirelessly and hyper efficiently for our club, not just presently, but all the way through lockdown can only describe as a remarkable human being who we are very lucky to have!

Stow on the Wold & District Rugby Club are `One Club` who are thriving on and off the pitch, I really hope we can celebrate a promotion as we enter the final phase of our season. Either way our club has already succeeded and this is down to the magnificent people from, members to players, parents and supporters that we are so grateful to have there!”

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and dancing for the seniors in the evening. There will be the regulation BBQ, Hog Roast and bar, the whole event will be free, pending the support of a possible sponsor.

HOW’S THE GENERAL MOOD DOWN AT THE CLUB AT THE MOMENT?

It’s buzzing to be honest. The seniors are doing well, the M&Y section is thriving and there is a genuine feel good factor around the club. We are investing in our facilities and people can see change and progress. Most importantly, they are responding with their presence at training and in the clubhouse. The bar is no longer closed at 6pm after a match; now we have throw them out!

WHAT ARE THE POSITIVES! AND NEGATIVES IN MANAGING SO MANY PEOPLE AND GROUPS AT YOUR CLUB AND INFORMING THEM OF NEW CHANGES?

“One-Club” should be such a simple concept, but its hard to communicate and that is the difficult part in all that we do; communication. How you match up the thoughts and ambitions of the “old and bold” who have done it all and done it their way forever with the bright ideas and enthusiasm of new members who’s focus is probably more centred on their own child and their age group, is difficult. In most cases its simply communicating well and we don’t always get it right, but we often do. The One Club Festival and the interaction between the senior players and the M&Y section is key and we have had some success there. The Club captain also coaches the U16s and the on-field Captain referees junior games and many other age groups benefit from senior player

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The Stow Way: One Club, Player Focussed.

interaction also. I think the biggest success has come from Club Head Coach Matt Carter and his team who have set up a player pathway where the U15 to Seniors train on the same night. There is noncontact carousel type training in their groups, but they all do the same and the reaction from the U15, 16s and Colts has been incredible – and they are better teams for it! We also have close links with our local Schools, the Cotswold School and Kingham Hill and they both send players to bolster our U16s and Colts.

That link is crucial and Matt and the team have also been in to both schools to coach boys and girls. We have done this before over the years with varying success, but this is the most positive outcome we have had so far; maybe because they see a winning team at the top or maybe because they see a genuine culture of player investment; its probably a mix of both. We produce a weekly newsletter and we also use an App called Spond for M&Y communication, both of which work well, along with usual Social Media channels. We have also reduced the number of committees we have and that works well; we actually get stuff done now!

full England Senior cap – currently at Gloucester) • Arthur Clark (newest one this year - England U20s and Gloucester) WHY DO YOU FEEL SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE A SPECIAL FONDNESS FOR STOW ON THE WOLD RFC?

Firstly it’s a great place to live!

The grounds and facilities are quite unbelievable at this level. The view across the Cotswolds is stunning (when its not raining). But mostly I think its about the family connections and welcoming nature of the Club. We have 9 sets of brothers in the senior section! The President’s son is the United Captain; the Chair’s 2 sons play for the 1st team, the RDO’s son players senior rugby, the VC Commercial’s son plays for the Colts and Gloucester U17s. The Club Captain coaches his son in the U16s and it goes on; we even have a father and son who play in the senior section

together. It’s about being a ‘Corn; we end up being Black and White to the core and we welcome new comers (like me) who have never played Senior Rugby at Stow, but I’m still here 20 years later !

HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE YEAR HAS GONE FOR THE CLUB SO FAR ON THE PITCH?

In all honesty we are where we think we should be – its

Head Coach - Matt Carter.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SUCCESSFUL PLAYER CONNECTIONS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH OR PLAYED FOR THE CLUB OVER THE YEARS?

In recent years we have had great success at County and Gloucester Rugby age-grade level and we have a few old and bold ex -Gloucester players, but our big four are: • Elliott Stooke (England U20 and Saxons – currently at Wasps).

• Will-Goodrick-Clarke (England U16s – currently at London Irish) • Ollie Thorley (All England age grades and our only

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LISA PERRY

Lisa Perry joined Stow on the Wold Rugby Club shortly after she and her husband Tom moved to the area from Hong Kong. Being a rugby family they were keen to find a friendly place to visit and Stow came highly recommended. Tom, who was a formidable front row player had coached whilst in Hong Kong but has sadly passed away now. Lisa told Rugby Club Mag: “Yes, Tom would have been very proud and delighted that his sons Chris & Guy are now playing in the pack as a forward`s like himself.

The boys have been at Stow for around seven seasons now, Chris is 15 years old and Guy 13. They have grown up with a core group of players around them and the club has a

“I`ve always kept an eye on how the club are doing in their league and occasionally turn up at the HILLSIDE-TAX-SOLUTIONS

Karen Lane-Stayt is a local businesswomen and sponsor of the rugby club with her company Hillside-Tax-Solutions.

She recently spoke to Rugby Club Magazine about her long and positive association with Stow on the Wold Rugby Club: “My main connection is really through my son Toby who plays No7. For the club’s 1st XV. I watch all the games unless some of the away fixtures are just too far away.

Toby Started in minis and, as him mum, I would naturally get involved and help out wherever I could. I started of selling kits for a few years and being an accountant, I suppose it was

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Tim Godwin played colts rugby in the early eighties before moving to Stow on The Wold RFC where he played hooker for 5 seasons until a knee injury put an end to his playing career. Being a dairy farmer, at the time, he had little option but to hang his boots up. Tim recently told Rugby Club Magazine:

huge amount of fabulous people who are always there to support each other. In particular the parents and coaches I have met are very welcoming and friendly and rugby is such a great sport offering everyone a position and a chance to play. As the boys dad use to say, ` Its great for teenagers to let off some steam!` Having been dragged to endless rugby over the past years, my daughter Helena has recently been invited by her secondary school to try out girls’ rugby in collaboration with Stow RFC. Chris trains with the adults now, which is great for his confidence, as he and his teammates head towards senior rugby. I would like to congratulate everyone at the club on this great season and wish them all the very best of continued success!“

social events. Its fabulous how well the teams are doing this season and the club is really thriving at the moment. It’s also very important for our community that an amateur club like Stow continues to provide opportunities for local children and adults to play sport and connect with each other.

Congratulations to everyone at Stow on the Wold RFC on such a great season from myself and all our staff at Fosseway Garden Centre!” natural for me to become mini`s treasurer, a role I held for 3 years, followed by child protection officer for the club.

Stow is an amazing club to be part of and this season in particular our 1st XV have been playing some outstanding rugby. Matt Carter is an exceptional coach and it noticeable on and off the pitch how the whole team gel so well together.

Stow on the Wold Rugby Club feels like one big family to me and I know that whenever I visit the club I am guaranteed the warmest of welcomes.

Well done to everyone at the club on such a great season and I look forward to seeing you all soon!”

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CONTINUED...

our highest league position in over 18 years, but the talent is there and while we did not harbour any big ambitions of promotion, I think Matt Carter still thinks we are in the development stages and that the squad has much more to offer. Our focus is United getting promoted and we think (hope) they will. United have a few big games coming up against teams that have may have “shored up” their teams a little earlier in the season, but we are confident that they will go up. The M&Y section never fails to impress. Not only are they playing good rugby and mostly winning, but they are succeeding in keeping it fun and the numbers high; in fact we have increased post Covid.

When 13 ex M&Y Players progress to a single senior side we know that something positive is happening.

WHERE DO YOU ENVISAGE THE CLUB WILL BE IN THE NEXT 3-5 YEARS?

We are fortunate that we have thrived post-Covid and our heart-felt thoughts go out to some great clubs that are struggling with numbers.

Regardless of promotion, our goal and ambition will remain constant. We have no desire to start paying players, but we will continue to focus on developing players and creating the opportunities for them to thrive. If that continues to provide a steady stream of representative honours and another couple of professional/international players, then that is brilliant.

If we continue to play rugby every weekend at all age grades then we will have succeeded. If we continue to put out 2 competitive senior sides every weekend, with an occasional 3rd’, we will have succeeded. If we continue to develop junior players who make up the core of our senior sides, then we will have succeeded. If the bi-product of that produces a promotion winning team then we will have exceeded expectations. But we will remain true to our Club’s purpose – The Stow Way: OneClub, player focussed.

HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUTH RUGBY TO THE CLUB?

It is extremely important.

Probably the most important group is the U15s to Colts as that is when they leave rugby and find other things to do!

Hence why we have invested in the player pathway, forged links with local schools and this year waved all membership fees for the Colts. If these age groups dry up then so do the senior squad.

COULD YOU TELL ME ABOUT FUTURE AMBITIONS FOR A LADIES AND GIRLS SECTION YOU?

This is our highest priority next season. It starts with the headline match and coaching on 7th May and hopefully we can attract enough players to put out our first ever Unicorn side WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURS TO BE A COMMUNITY CLUB?

It is all that we are. We actively try and be a hub. We use local

suppliers, we choose to use Wreal Sports, a local sports shop as our main sponsor rather than a big brand name and all of our partnerships are

local. We provide free facilities for local charity events such as Carry Me Home Kate and the School Floodlit Cup. We even have our own Food bank set up by 2 Junior Coaches. We are a local Covid test site and the “and District” in our title is important to us.

Stow on The Wold and District Rugby Club has one core thread which is called The Stow Way, “One-Club, Player Focussed” and the family environment!

CONTACT THE CLUB

The Clubhouse Oddington Road Stow on the Wold Gloucestershire GL54 1JJ

Shaun Mayo - Colts v Cirencester.

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stowrfc@gmail.com www.pitchero.com/clubs/ stowrfc

RODDAN BUILDING & LANDSCAPING LTD

Iain Roddan is an ex-player and sponsor of Stow on The Wold RFC with his business Roddan Building & Landscaping Ltd. For those that played alongside him or elsewhere, he was regarded as a talented backs player. He has had a long and positive association with Stow RFC as captain, player, M&J Chairman and long-term supporter. His dad, Homer, was also a great fan and contributed a lot of his time and energy to the club. Homer, who was born in Glasgow, was an excellent rugby player in his own right, a formidable 2nd row forward he would regularly travel with the Scotland National Squad as a reserve player. Iain recently told Rugby Club Mag, ”It’s been many years since I played at Stow. My journey started back in 1976 when I turned out for the clubs U16 team as Fly Half and Centre.

At that time the three main local schools at Chipping Norton, Cotswold and Burford would come together and provide a decent group of young players who would feed the club with talent.

Back in those days we had a very strong squad that I was privileged to play with. Our club has always produced great players, and still does, David Oughton, Geoff Townsend, Barry Clark, Chris Hill and Ian Roberts spring to mind having contributed a great amount of time and love for our club on and off the pitch. Of course, and like many clubs, there have been very many unsung heroes who carried the club through our more challenging times and whose efforts shouldn’t be forgotten; it can be easier when things are going well!

I`m absolutely delighted to see the club doing so well this season and with so many great local lads, some of whom I coached, coming through into our senior squad. Stow on the Wold Rugby Club and the many friends I have there have filled a very large part of my life and it’s wonderful to hear about the recognition the club is receiving. I wish everyone the very best of health and success for many more seasons to come and to be crowned league champions would just be the icing on the cake!”

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“Very Pro ud sponsors of Stow on the Wold Rugby Clu b”

Mark and Fleur Tibbitts are the new main sponsors of Stow on The Wold & District Rugby Club with their family business Karndean. Mark took time out recently to talk to Rugby Club Magazine, “Yes we live about 20 minutes from the club by car and I suppose it was really through our son Oliver that we first became involved. Oliver has a twin sister Cloe and an older sister Lucy who are both fans of rugby and have many friends who either play or have connections with rugby.

Oliver was only 6 when he started playing and now as an U9`s player has just been introduced, like all of his teammates, to the contact side of the sport. Naturally this can be a big step up for young players, but it is testament to the clubs quality of coaching and guidance that virtually no players, within his age group, either boys or girls, have stepped away from the team!

It’s been an absolute pleasure to become part of the rugby club while getting to know the other parents on a weekend, having great conversations and enjoying a pint afterwards has become quite addictive and not to be missed!

Having been with the club for 3 years now Fleur and myself decided that we would like to show our support though sponsorship so we approached our fellow directors at Karndean and the feedback was very positive!”

I can’t really speak about Stow on The Wold & District Rugby Club without using the word `Awesome!` Fleur and Myself would like to congratulate everyone on being recognised for their great contribution to rugby within Rugby Club Mag!”

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INTRODUCING NEW SPONSOR KARNDEAN DESIGNFLOORING Comments by Gavin Smith, marketing director of Karndean Designflooring.

G

rass roots clubs are key to developing the beautiful game of rugby which is why we are proud to be a Stow on the Wold & District RFC sponsor. As a local family business, Karndean Designflooring is also firmly embedded in the spectacular Cotswold countryside and its vibrant community. But our affiliation goes beyond a shared local background with our founder’s family firm connected to the club and its players.

We aim to be an employer of choice in the area and so we can appreciate the value of the club’s social role in the local community, providing opportunities for all ages to get into rugby in a safe and welcoming environment. During the recent challenging times, the club has demonstrated this dedication by helping people through the difficulties of the pandemic.

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Our focus too is on our people and we are proud of our achievements, made possible by giving each other the freedom to innovate and find new solutions. Our business is to produce flooring that people will love for a lifetime. We also aim to be an employer that people will want to work for until the day they retire.

Like many other businesses, we have also found ourselves adapting to evolving situations with flexible working and a new focus on community. We find that we have emerged from these experiences as a tighter knit team and with a greater sense of belonging.

We applaud the club’s ambitious plans to create more opportunities and enthusiasm for rugby within our community. It has been heartening to see the development nationally of women’s rugby in recent years and so we are delighted to be partnering with the club this year as it launches its first women’s team.

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karndean.com/living

career was when he pulled on the England jersey for the Fire Service, he said:

THE NUTTERY

Patrick and Chris Hill have had a long association with Stow on the Wold RFC. Patrick is a local businessman ex-player and sponsor of Stow on the Wold Rugby Club, he told Rugby Club Magazine

Ray Carr from Hook Norton Brewery took some time out recently to chat to Rugby Club Mag, “I live in Swindon now and have been involved in the brewery industry for over two decades. After redundancy from Whitbread I was asked

by Hook Norton Brewery`s MD to join their ranks and have never looked back.

Having previously worked

for Heineken for so long I was privileged to have the opportunity to attend many European rugby matches over the years which has facilitated many great friendships.

Some of those friends are still involved at Stow on the Wold and are amongst the clubs fabulous support players, explayers and members.

As a club they could not make you feel more welcome, demonstrated recently as I attended a sponsor’s day there! The passion they have, not only for rugby, but for people and their community is very apparent.

As Stow on the Wold Rugby Club reach the endgame of their season I would like to wish them all the very best of luck and continued success and congratulate them on being recognised within Rugby Cub Magazine for their outstanding contribution to sport!”

BREWERY TOURS

Stow RFC Food Bank

We have an amazing new initiative headed up by Andy Bayliss and Chris Bishop.

Between lockdowns 2 and 3 it became clear that some people in our community, and indeed some of our own members, needed support more than others.

Following a conversation with a child about never having had a Christmas lunch, the idea of feeding 50 children a Christmas lunch at the club as one-off was born.

However, the red tape and paperwork involved in trying to set this up became unmeasurable. So, we turned out attention to supplying a ‘Christmas lunch in a box’ to those families in need. But again, red tape and bureaucracy failed us. By now our need to support the local community was becoming clearer, and eventually this led to us partnering with the North Cotswolds Foodbank to set up our own food bank in Stow.

With food drop off sites in the lobby of the rugby club, the Coop and Tesco’s in Stow, we are at long last taking food donations. These donations are then sorted at a facility in Guiting Power, bundled into ‘packs’ of single, couples or family packs.

These packs are then distributed on Wednesday mornings to those who need the support from the Baptist Church in Stow. Together with vouchers for fresh meat from Lambourne’s in Digbeth Street, fresh veg from the Coop in Stow, fresh eggs from local farms and freshly baked bread from Bakery on the Water in Bourton, and guidance on how to get further support, or the ability to talk to a friendly face or Samaritan over coffee. Please support the local vendors above to show our appreciation for their support for the foodbank.

It’s important for the club being a centre within the community that we don’t turn our shoulder, and that we support our local community in crisis. Never before have so many people faced so much need for support. So, we thank you for what has been a great start for support for the foodbank with two full donation bins at the club over the past two weekends. And thank you for your ongoing support.

SHOP, CA F É & BEER!

”My dad Malcolm and brother Patrick both played hooker for the club and my godfather John Wright was a well-known 20 stone prop who loved anything rugby including his beer in volume and ran a local funeral directors business called WJ Wright.

My first game for the club was as a 15-year-old; I remember it so well because I was gifted to the opposition as they were short of players!

Whilst working for Oxfordshire Fire Service I received my call up for the England Fire Service Rugby, a very proud moment for me. Living in Cheltenham now, family and work commitment mean I don’t get down to the club as often as I would like but it really is fantastic what they are doing down there these days. Over many years club members have continued to step up and contribute to keeping this great club moving along and they can only be described as thriving now. Best wishes to everyone at Stow on the Wold Rugby Club for the remainder of the season and for many more years to come!”

“Stow is a great club which has produced some excellent teams and players and continues to do so. It’s great to hear that the club have been recognised for their contribution to rugby this season. Many of their performances have been outstanding, and the club are benefiting from a thriving mini & junior section who will continue to help our club thrive. Stow on the Wold RFC have always been renowned for their hospitality and very often our opponents may find a pint waiting for them after the match! Best wishes to everyone at Stow on the Wold Rugby Club for many more years to come!”

Chris Hill and his family members are well known at Stow on the Wold Rugby Club having contributed greatly over the years. An excellent no.7 Chris was also renowned for his abilities as a talented scrum half. The pinnacle of his

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Bargoed RFC

By Jeremy Rogers WHAT WERE THE MAIN CHALLENGES FACED IN NAVIGATING YOUR CLUB INTO THE POSITION IT IS TODAY?

We’ve had periods of success and some tough times like many other clubs.

We were successful during the 70’s and 80’s but in the late 90’s we were falling behind other clubs in the area. We were informed that the rugby club had to be demolished for local development, and we moved to another DO YOU HAVE A GENERAL COACHING PHILOSOPHY AT THE CLUB?

The two overarching principles of the coaching philosophy at our club are enjoyment and opportunity. We have a diverse range of people who are playing or involved in the club. In relation to our Mini and Juniors it is about participation and fun, so enjoyment is a huge part of that to keep the kids and their parents coming back week after week. We have a great group of people who manage the Mini and Junior Section, led by Rob Vokes and

building and developed this into our new club.

We had also sporadically run youth and junior sides, but did not have an effective structure in place, so we devised a development plan, working with the Welsh Rugby Union to achieve success on and off the field.

This was driven by the vision of our Chairman Neil Carter with an aim of achieving success by building a successful 1st XV squad and underpinning this with a long-term player and coach development plan by starting a Mini and Junior Section at the club.

Gavin Jones, so we’re very fortunate to have them.

We have a Vets Team, the Bargoed RFC ‘Never Beens’ and previously had a Women side for a number of seasons.

In terms of opportunity, we want to give everyone the opportunity to become part of the Bargoed RFC family. We are very much a community club, although our 1st XV are semiprofessional, but we have our roots in the community game.

However, we want to provide a pathway for local young players to have the opportunity to play in the 1st XV.

During that period, we have achieved considerable success in terms of results with the 1st, 2nd and Youth XV all winning various competitions including the Mid District Cup, Rhondda and East Glamorgan Cup, National Championship, promotion to the Welsh Premiership, and Dragons Cup victories.

CAN YOU LET US KNOW ABOUT ANY PLANS THE CLUB HAS FOR CELEBRATING 140 YEARS OF RUGBY IN 2023(RWC YEAR)?

Next season we celebrate 140 years of rugby at Bargoed RFC. We have a number of events planned with games against some invitational sides being arranged for all three senior teams. We hope to be able to play against Hawick Harlequins RFC from Scotland to continue the long association that we have which stretches back over 50 years.

We are also looking to arrange some social events with various groups including the Bargoed Supporters Club. We have a loyal group of supporters who have been on the journey with us over many years, and they continue to support and

inspire us as we move into our 140-year anniversary.

Other ideas and plans that we have include writing a book to celebrate the history of Bargoed RFC and to go on tour to the USA. We have previously been on tours to many different countries over the years including the USA, France, Holland, Spain, Belgium, Ireland and Germany.

Touring is a great tradition at Bargoed RFC, so it is fitting that we look to get on the road again with many of the current players not having experienced a rugby tour in the USA. The club at Bargoed RFC is an important place for many people in the local community, and the pandemic has certainly focussed our thoughts on just how important this is to people, when we have not been able to visit the club.

The Committee have done a great job in managing the club through the pandemic, and in particular our Treasurer John Williams, also ensuring that the facilities were upgraded.

HOW’S THE GENERAL MOOD DOWN AT THE CLUB AT THE MOMENT?

The 1st XV are doing well and are currently top of the National Championship and also in the hunt for honours in the National Championship Cup Competition. Team Manager is Brett Wakefield. The Head Coach is Mike Pugsley, who CONTINUED...

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has been with the club for a number of years, and he is assisted by ex-player Anthony Lott, Player Coach Rhys Buckley and S&C Coach Declan Morris. 1st XV Captain and prop Kieron Brown, and long serving centre Darren Humphries who has played over 300 first team games, are both coaches with the Mini and Junior Section.

We are also very proud of our 2nd XV or the Warriors as they are commonly known. We have an excellent Coaching and Management Group who are all ex-players in Matthew Hutcheon, Lewis Wayman, Gary Jones and Toby Richards.

The Warriors are a combination of older players, some who have played 1st XV rugby, and younger players. A great example of this is club legend Ian Jenkins who is still playing at 43 years of age, and is also a coach with the Mini and Junior Section. However, the Warriors are predominantly players who have progressed through our club pathway, and the average age of the current squad is about 23.

The Youth Team are also in good hands with another ex-player as Head Coach in Steve Rose, supported by Paul Davies, Steve Rogers and Lee Meades as Assistant Coaches. They are having a fine season and will hopefully

TRAINING EARLY PRESEASON HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE TO YOUR SENIOR PLAYERS, WHAT ELSE HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE AND INFLUENCE YOUR SUCCESS WOULD YOU SAY?

The players have worked extremely hard this season and been excellent, we have completed over 70 training sessions to date, as we started early in returning to rugby to try and get an edge in terms of conditioning. I think that we are seeing the benefits of that hard work, but the players are empowered to do their own off field learning through selfanalysis. The competition in the squad is also a factor in driving standards.

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be in the mix for honours at the end of the season.

WHY DO YOU FEEL SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE A SPECIAL FONDNESS FOR BARGOED RFC?

It’s a very welcoming club, and we have some real characters in the club, and a tradition of both hosting and touring, and building good off field relationships with other clubs. We have enjoyed the opportunity to make new friends off the field with visits in recent years to Ystalyfera and Maesteg Quins, who are sides that

we have not historically played. We recently played old Championship rivals from West Wales, Narberth RFC who are always very complimentary about the welcome that they receive in Bargoed, as are most sides.

CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT ANY SUCCESSFUL PLAYER CONNECTIONS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH OR PLAYED FOR THE CLUB OVER THE YEARS?

The last international to play for Bargoed RFC was Brian Price, who captained Wales in the 60’s. We haven’t had

WHERE DO YOU ENVISAGE THE CLUB WILL BE IN THE NEXT 3-5 YEARS?

any international players start their journey at Bargoed RFC in recent years, but we have a couple of professional players in Jonathan Evans and Steffan Jones, who both

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played regional rugby and later returned to the club to play. Jonathan was a Pro 14 winner with the Scarlets, and Steff Jones played for Wales 7’S on the World Series circuit.

In terms of opportunity, we want to give everyone the opportunity to become part of the Bargoed RFC family.

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The most important thing is to ensure that the club us sustainable, both on and off the field. We work hard to attract local young players to the club, including some who have not played rugby previously. The players are the most important part of the club, but we have to ensure that the foundations and infrastructure remain solid with good governance and good people managing the interests of the club as we move forward.

We are confident that we have this in place and would hope that this would continue over the next 3-5 years. Although the 1st XV is generally the team that gets reported on in the media, the other sides that we run are as important to our success, and this doesn’t always manifest itself in trophies and cups, but by providing opportunities for people to enjoy the experience, feel part of the community and have a sense of belonging to Bargoed RFC.

RICH JASPER

Rich Jasper is a valued sponsor of Bargoed Rugby Club who knows the Rhondda Valley and Caerphilly regions very well having moved and lived there now with his family since 1989. He took some time out recently to talk to Rugby Club Magazine, “Bargoed Rugby Club really epitomise everything good about Welsh rugby!

Within South Wales they provide a beautiful and safe close knit environment for young and old to either play or support this historic club.

Neil Carter and the team at Bargoed are, once again, enjoying a great season demonstrating and really showing off all that’s best about the club.

I would like to congratulate Neil and everybody at Bargoed Rugby Club on another successful season and wish the 1st XV the very best of luck in the National Championship final on April 24th!”

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CONTACT THE CLUB

95-97 Gilfach St, Bargoed CF81 8SP

01443 839731 www.bargoed.rfc.wales

For more information about Opus Security Services, please contact Richard or Chris for a friendly, informal chat and free quotation.

“Very Proud of our association with Bargoed RFC” Call Us Today: 0845 6011 355 45

Cornish Pirates

By Phil Westren

John MacG. K. Kendall-Carpenter

Newlyn versus Penzance action 1938 THE CORNISH PIRATES/ PENZANCE AND NEWLYN RFC – A BRIEF HISTORY

As the only fully professional rugby team in Cornwall, RFU Championship outfit ‘Cornish Pirates’ is a name well known in the world of rugby. Indeed, anyone who watches Premiership rugby on television will regularly hear the name mentioned in relation to players who have represented the team

as part of their development and are now playing at the highest club level in England, with several also achieving international honours.

What is the history of the Cornish Pirates? Well, it is an interesting one, evolving from within the county of Cornwall which has held a great passion for the game. Read on...

Some of you reading this will know that it was back in 1823 that a young William Webb Ellis

first picked up the ball and ran with it at Rugby School, ‘our’ game supposedly evolving from that historic moment.

Rugby football first appeared in Cornwall circa 1870, the return home of public schoolboys helping development of the game.

After Penzance RFC was formed in 1876, and near neighbour Newlyn in about 1894-95, it was inevitable that ‘derby’ matches between the two sides would create considerable animosity.

Local rivalry was intense, there occasions over the years when fixtures were suspended.

However, by the 1930s relationships mellowed, the rugby atmosphere nearing the end of WW2 clearly discernible, so much so that there was a strong desire for the clubs to amalgamate.

The new Penzance & Newlyn RFC played its first match at the Mennaye Field, Penzance, on the

The inimitable Falmouth Marine Band.

MATCH DAY EXPERIENCE

The Match Day Experience is of importance to the Pirates, both for the club’s and visiting supporters. Besides community involvement there are there are the popular Cadgwith Singers who attend every game, plus there is

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the occasional visit from the inimitable Falmouth Marine Band. Also, for travelling supporters, Cornwall is simply a wonderful place to visit, many taking the opportunity to make it a long weekend to fully enjoy so much that the county has to offer.

Barrie Bennetts, who played for Penzance and was an England international in 1909, kicks the game off versus Guy’s Hospital.

22nd September, 1945, the opponents Britain’s oldest rugby club, Guy’s Hospital, which was formed in 1843.

There were inevitably some prophets of doom (as ever!), but the club grew successfully over the years.

In 1950-51 there were two Pirates, John MacG. K. Kendall-Carpenter (captain – and later chairman of the committee that organised the first Rugby World Cup in1987)) and John ‘Ginger’ Williams, in the same England side, whilst the club also provided numerous players to the Cornwall county XV. Prop forward ‘Stack’ Stevens, first capped for England against South Africa in 1969, toured with the British Lions in 1971, and the Pirates also proudly lifted the Cornwall KO Cup in 1976 having defeated Redruth in pulsating final. Overall, however, the 1970s was a decade when the standard of rugby to which the Pirates had been accustomed had begun to diminish.

Indeed, when the England RFU’s Clubs Championships was introduced in 1987-88, the team was placed in the Cornwall & Devon league, a level it took them three years to get out of.

MASCOTS

We must not forget either the role played by the team’s own official mascot, good ole Captain Benbow – who has served the club so well and is likely the most photographed man in Cornwall!

Dicky Evans

for the British Lions Stack’ Stevens, in action Within a few years Richard (Dicky) Evans, a local ‘boy’ who had played for the club back in the sixties and had become a successful businessman in Kenya, showed a rekindled interest in his hometown club.

The 1995-96 Golden Jubilee season was celebrated in style, and with Dicky becoming the club’s President and main benefactor at the advent of professionalism, the Pirates climbed steadily through the league system, culminating in the team playing an historic first game in National One (equivalent now to the Championship) away to Bristol in 2003.

Following a difficult first year, the club finished a lofty fourth in 2005, the level of success leading to some

in 1971.

difficult decisions having to be made. It was felt that to maintain an ambition to play at the highest level, the membership needed to back the vision of their President and support certain proposals presented to a meeting held at a packed St. John’s Hall (the Town Hall) in Penzance, which it did with an overwhelming majority. The proposals included a change of name for the first team to the Cornish Pirates, and relocating to play first team matches further ‘up county’ to a bigger catchment area.

After one season of playing at Kenwyn near the city of Truro, a ground share agreement with Camborne RFC was soon confirmed.

It was an arrangement

that worked well, before a decision was made to return to the popular Mennaye Field, Penzance, in 2010.

Defeating Exeter Chiefs to lift the EDF Energy National Trophy at Twickenham in 2007 had been a wonderful achievement, as was becoming the first ever winners of the British & Irish Cup in 2010 when Munster were beaten at Camborne.

These were understandable highlights in the club’s history, as was reaching the RFU Championship finals in both 2011 and 2012, despite losing to Worcester Warriors and London Welsh respectively.

Below the first team, much good work continues to provide rugby at the Mennaye Field for the Pirates Amateurs and the club’s vibrant Youth Section, plus for their Women’s/Girls team.

Community involvement has also had a high focus over many years and the Pirates are rightly proud of their support given to the community, and in

Joy for the Cornish Pirates when lifting the EDF Energy National Trophy at Twickenham in 2007.

A happy Captain Benbow is pictured at Land’s End, which is just 10 miles from Penzance.

a variety of ways, whether it be support for charities, including match day collections, or the regular occasions when players and coaches have attended numerous events such as Roadshows, Masterclasses, Tag Rugby Festivals and Coach Education sessions at rugby clubs and schools throughout Cornwall.

Mentioning match days, the Pirates have for many years invited mini and tag rugby teams to not only play exhibition games at halftime, but to also form the Guard of Honour pre-match.

Nominated youngsters from the teams have also been given the opportunity to be a match day mascot – providing extra special memories to be cherished.

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CONTINUED...

THE STADIUM FOR CORNWALL

Looking back to when the Cornish Pirates made the Championship finals in 2011 and 2012, even if they won, they could not have taken a place in the Premiership.

Unfortunately, there was not, and still is not a stadium in the county that would meet the required ground standards criteria. However, in recent years certain progress has been made reference a Stadium for Cornwall – Sportva Kernow – which will be a facility capable of hosting the Cornish Pirates and also Truro City FC. There has been a focus on building partnerships with businesses, communities, and sporting organisations throughout the county, with the stadium business organisation structured around the four pillars of Sport, Hospitality, Catering and Events, to ultimately provide

The Cornish Pirates were deserved winners against Saracens last March.

the county with the first-class facility it needs.

Despite setbacks, including the slashing of RFU funding and because of Covid, the Cornish Pirates are still very ambitious and intend to strive for promotion to the Premiership at a considered right time, i.e., when in a position both financially and with the necessary squad and infrastructure to do so and to sustain a place once promoted. Everyone would surely agree that this sounds a very wise approach.

Dicky Evans is still passionate in his view as to what a Stadium for Cornwall will bring, hoping it will become a focal point and give future generations even greater opportunities. Under his tenure the Cornish Pirates have climbed so near to the pinnacle of rugby union’s league ladder and there is no person more deserving to witness making that final step.

An image depicting what the Stadium for Cornwall could look like.

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Loyal joint head coaches Gavin Cattle and Alan Paver have formed an impressive duo

CORNISH PIRATES THEIR SEASON SO FAR?

Following last season’s shortened RFU Championship campaign, during which the Cornish Pirates sensationally and deservedly won 25-17 against Saracens in their early March opener, this season at least started on time, albeit with Covid related postponements kicking in along the way.

So, Cornish Pirates have had a proud history and at the same time have openly tried to embrace what the future could offer. It has certainly been, and will likely continue to be, interesting as it evolves!

For further information with reference to all matters concerning the Cornish Pirates, please visit www.cornish-pirates.com

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...anyone who watches Premiership rugby on television will regularly hear the name ‘Cornish Pirates’ mentioned in relation to players who have represented the club...

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CONTACT THE CLUB

Westholme, Alexandra Road, Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 4LY

01736 331961 www.cornish-pirates.com

Dan Frost

Pictured in this successful Penzance & Newlyn RFC junior sevens squad is Luke Cowan-Dickie (holding the shield) with Jack Nowell, arm also raised, besides him. Kyle Moyle is front left.

PLAYER ACHIEVEMENTS

As mentioned earlier, anyone who watches Premiership rugby on television will regularly hear the name ‘Cornish Pirates’ mentioned in relation to players who have represented the club as part of their development and are now playing at the highest club level in England, with several also achieving international honours.

Jack Nowell and Luke Cowan-Dickie have both played for England. From a very young age they were in the same Pirates youth team as was Kyle Moyle who nowadays plays for Gloucester.

It has been said that the Pirates have been like a supermarket for Premiership teams, considering just of recent that the likes Dan Frost (Wasps) Sam Matavesi (Northampton Saints), and Jay Tyack (Worcester) have played for the club. There have, of course, been numerous other names. On this subject it seems very sad that both the RFU and Premiership Rugby seemingly fail to appreciate, either through blindness or convenience, the genuine worth and role played by the Championship.

Sam Matavesi try

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Saint Helens RLFC The St Helens men’s team are currently sitting, undefeated, and at the top of the Betfred Super League table as they look to make it a historic FOURTH Super League title in a row.

H

ead Coach Kristian Woolf is an Australian professional rugby league football coach who is the head coach of St Helens in the Betfred Super League and Tonga at international level. He took up the head coach role at St. Helens in 2020, signing a two-year contract with the club having the option to extend a further year. He coached

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the team`s 8-4 2020 Super League Grand Final victory over Wigan at in Hull and led them to victory in the 2021 Challenge Cup Final with a 26-12 victory over Castleford at Wembley Stadium. On the 9th October 2021, Woolf coached St. Helens to their 2021 Super League Grand Final victory over Catalans Dragons – a third Super League crown in a row.

As well as Kristian being Head Coach of the Tongan National Team, St Helens also have three Tongan players in their playing squad – Konrad Hurrell, Will Hopoate and Agnatius Paasi. The town of St Helens will also host Tonga at the Rugby League World Cup in 2022. Over the last few weeks, we have been working hard behind the scenes to secure a large container to ship to Tonga. Fans are being

asked to either donate old replica playing shirts, old rugby balls and any other sports equipment or sports clothing as we prepare to ship items over to Tonga to help rebuild their infrastructure which has been completely wiped out.

Visit saintsrlfc.com to show your support to a great cause.

The St Helens Women are also mightily impressive. They won the TREBLE last season

SAINT HELENS RLFC HISTORY

Saint Helens RLFC have had a long and glorious history that dates back to its formation in 1873 which means they have been around for over 149 years!

Since then they have won 68 trophies and are the most successful club in the summer era. Saints Heritage Society has a fantastic website which holds details of every game that Saints have played since rugby league began in 1895: that’s nearly 2,000 players and more than 4,500 matches! Please visit http:// www.saints.org.uk/saints/ to find out more!

Saints play at the Totally Wicked Stadium, an 18,000 capacity state-of-the-art stadium. Opened in February 2012, the stadium also boasts events and function facilities to rival any other venue in the North West. It has size and space to match its tremendous flexibility and is able to host every type of event, with a range of different Suites to suit every occasion.

Super League Era Honours • Super League Champions: 1996, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2014, 2019, 2020, 2021 • World Club Challenge Winners: 2001, 2007 • Challenge Cup Winners: 1996, 1997, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2021 • League Leaders’ Shield Winners: 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2014, 2018, 2019 • BBC Sports Personality Team Of The Year: 2006 Women’s Super League Era Honours • Super League Champions: 2021 • Challenge Cup Winners: 2021 • League Leaders’ Shield Winners: 2021 Pre Super League Honours • Championship Winners: 1931-32, 1952-53, 195859, 1965-66, 1969-70, 1970-71, 1974-75 • Challenge Cup Winners: 1955-56, 1960-61, 196566, 1971-72, 1975-76 • League Leaders’ Shield Winners: 1964-65, 1965-66 • Regal Trophy Winners: 1987-88 • Premiership Winners: 1975-76, 1976-77, 198485, 1992-93 • Lancashire Cup Winners: 1926-27, 1953-54, 196061, 1961-62, 1962-63, 1963-64, 1964-65, 196768, 1968-69, 1984-85, 1991-92 • Lancashire League Winners: 1929-30, 193132, 1952-53, 1959-60, 1963-64, 1964-65, 196566, 1966-67, 1968-69 • Charity Shield Winners: 1992-93 • BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Winners: 1971-72, 1975-76

SAINTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION (SCDF)

In partnership with St.Helens R.F.C., the independent charitable trust “Saints Community Development Foundation (SCDF)” works in the local community and beyond.

They work with several partners, organisations, groups and individuals as we undertake our work in the local community. Without help, we wouldn’t be able reach more than 50,000 individuals a year and make such a difference to the variety of people within our very own community.

Within the community they cover topics such as rugby and multi sports coaching, mental health, fitness, healthy eating, assisting local veterans as well as delivering food and essentials to veterans families, helping to tackle crime, suicide awareness and much more. From everybody at the Foundation, we thank you for all for your help and support which allows us to create positive, new initiatives for those in our community.

CONTACT THE CLUB

St.Helens R.F.C. Ltd, The Totally Wicked Stadium, McManus Drive, St Helens, WA9 3AL 01744 455 050 www.saintsrlfc.com

taking home the Betfred Women’s Super League crown as well as the League Leaders’ trophy – for finishing top of the league – and the Betfred Challenge Cup! The Ladies also went all year undefeated – the perfect season. They kick off their season this week and like the men are looking to retain all their crowns led by inspirational Captain and Rugby League World Cup Ambassador, Jodie Cunningham.

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Keeping Rugby at the heart of Newport

Newport (salop) RUFC HISTORY

Rugby was first played in Newport in 1871 when the new Headmaster of Adams Grammar School, Tom Collins, introduced the game to the boys. In that year a game was played between the school and a Town team on the Chetwynd End ground. In 1876 a Town team played Stafford and lost. In 1882 there was a local newspaper report of a match between Newport and Stafford at both Town and School levels.

Apart from the School there is no further record of rugby being played in the Newport District until 1932 when a club was formed at Shifnal. Many of the players were from Newport being the School Masters and boys from Adams Grammar. One of those stars of the early days was Ron Anderson, a master at Adams, who later played for and served Newport RUFC for many years including 18 years as President. As with a large number of Clubs the Second World War curtailed activities and at the cessation of hostilities the Club was never reformed.

When the war ended an ex-soldier, Roy “Squash” Lemon settled in Newport.

He had previously played for Torquay and during the war for the Combined Services (Asia) in a match against the “All Blacks”. He was a Second

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Row who was missing his rugby. Having decided to resolve this matter, he placed a notice in local newspaper, calling on “All like-minded persons and any other interested parties” to attend a meeting. That meeting, in 1947, agreed to start Newport (Salop) Rugby Union Football Club and since that time the Club has grown in stature.

The first match was against the Royal Navy Air Force based at Hinstock, which resulted in a 6 all draw. Among the local teams played in that first season were Shrewsbury and Old Whitchurchians. The home games were played at Adams Grammar School and the teams changed at the Vine Vaults Public House in the centre of Newport resulting in a one mile walk to the playing fields!. The Club colours were adopted as maroon and white hoops and are still the colours today.

In 1948 a Second XV was fielded for the first time and in 1949 the Club rented a ground at Chetwynd End and played there, on 2 pitches, until 1981. By 1955 a Third XV was added and in 1957 a Fourth Team. In 1956 the Club converted a warehouse in Water Lane into a Clubhouse. 2 changing rooms, with separate showers rooms downstairs and a Club Room with bar upstairs. The

renovation cost £400. This work provided the Club with its unique atmosphere for the next 25 years. In 1962 a Colts XV was formed and coached

by Reg Eales, a Sports master at the then Newport Modern School, now the Burton Borough School. The side contained a large number of boys from that school. This squad grew in strength over the years with large numbers of those boys progressing into the First XV. Over the years Colts from Newport have represented the Club at Shropshire and the North Midlands levels with some going on to play for the Midlands and even England Trials. Throughout the “Sixties” the fixture list of the Club was strengthened and included such Clubs as Dudley Kingswinford, Bromsgrove, Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield and Kidderminster.

All of these Clubs were considered to be of a high standard at that time.

In 1950 and after protracted arguments with the RFU Newport were allowed to start the Newport (Salop) RUFC Challenge Cup, which is now commonly called the “Shropshire Cup”. This Cup is no longer played for today but outside Internationals it is thought to be one of the oldest Rugby Cup Competitions in existence.

The 6th Training Regiment, Oswestry, the forefathers of Oswestry won the 1952 final.

In those early days teams from the armed forces, such as RAF Tern Hill and RAF Stoke Heath, dominated.

However, the farmers from Harper Adams Agricultural

College along with the teams from Shrewsbury, Old Whitchurchians and Newport made certain that the military did not have it all their own way. Newport first took hold of the cup in a drawn match against Shrewsbury in 1954.

Not being content with that the following year they also drew, this time with RAF Stoke Heath. However, in 1957 they first won the cup outright. There are moves afoot to revive the cup as a Colts Competition for clubs across Shropshire. In 1974 Newport lined up against Telford in the cup as reported in the Shropshire Star.

In 1981 Newport moved to the Showground site off of Forton Road, just a field away from the old pitches at Chetwynd End. A new Club House was built and 4 pitches were laid out.

The First XV pitch took the central position in the then Showground main ring. The Club was officially opened with a match against a strong star-studded team Presidents XV which included 8 Internationals and one Barbarian. The Presidents XV won 50 points to 36 points.

At the advent of Leagues in 1987 Newport was placed in North Midlands 1. Between 1992 and 1995 the club saw promotion through Midlands West 2 and Midlands West 1 to Midlands 2 West (Level 6) and subsequently to what is now the Midlands Premier League (Level 5). Over the years Newport have competed in fixtures against such side as Moseley, Worcester, Orrell, Northampton and Bath.

PETER MAHER CHAIRMAN

It has been widely reported of the struggles that rugby clubs are having in attracting back players because of the Covid lockdowns, especially those under thirty-five years of age. At Newport we seem to be swimming in the opposite direction with M&J numbers at pre-Covid levels, a highly successful Colts team and a strong senior squad. I believe a principal reason for this success is the fact we have built an inclusive club that offers opportunities for players at all levels of ability.

There will always be competing demands and differing priorities and opinions in a club like ours. I see this however as a strength rather than a weakness as it reflects the broad and diverse church we serve. In pre-season we hosted Bill Sweeney, CEO of the RFU for one of our games.

Bill was full of praise for our facilities and in particular our members saying that we are a true embodiment of all that is good about the community game. In the month of December 2021 alone over 280 people attended our Winter Ball, the Minis and Juniors held a socially distanced Christmas party, our one home first team game was well attended and we held a Vice President’s lunch without any rugby being played due to a cancellation.

All of these events again demonstrate the strength of our membership and our place at the heart of the Newport community.

We could obviously not provide the facilities and opportunities that we do without the generous help of our sponsors. Principal sponsor Besblock along with Resource Bank, Hatfields Land Rover in Shrewsbury and many others have proved themselves to be generous and long-term supporters of the club.

Our First XV currently sit top of the Midlands Premier League with games in hand on Bridgnorth and Sheffield, our closest rivals. The Second XV sit second in the Midlands Reserve League Division 2 with two games in hand on leaders Walsall. All of this testament to the hard work of Director of Rugby Bob Adams

and all involved with senior rugby. The Colts finished the first portion of the season as champions of the Midlands Northwest Division winning seven and losing only one game. They are now in Midlands Colts Division One, a very strong league where they have wone one and lost two. The Minis & Juniors ’s go from strength to strength with strong showings across a number of the age groups.

The lack of league games for our Seconds due to a small number of teams in their Midlands Reserve league and repeated cry-offs is proving to be a real issue this season and one we have raised at the highest levels of the game.

The introduction of second teams to lower leagues (Level 8 or 9 for example) has been approved in principle and we now await the implementation procedures to be agreed by the RFU and North Midlands CB and we hope for a positive outcome.

Having an active Seconds provides an opportunity for those graduating from the Colts to continue their playing careers whilst also providing a pathway through to First team representation. Having a Seconds is also a key element of our stated aim of being a true community club.

January saw the completion of our latest infrastructure improvement project with the installation of match-standard floodlights and perimeter fencing on the old third team pitch with improvements to the surface ongoing. It is great to see the number of groups out using the facilities which range from Veteran’s O2 Touch to Minis groups. The extra capacity was clearly much needed.

The new lights give us the opportunity to host games on a Friday night and the increased training and playing capacity will give a boost to our planned Women’s rugby programme. Many thanks to Shropshire Stainless and Aluminium who have been more than generous in helping get this project over the line as well as the revamp of the floodlights on the Second team pitch. Over the last three years we have secured a 100year lease on our home at the Old Showground, importantly keeping the club within the town of Newport. In addition we have built new Mini & Junior pitches which should be ready for use in the Spring. All these projects are necessary to cater for the increased demand from new players.

The continued success of the club and our place at the heart of the Newport community is testament to

BOB ADAMS DIRECTOR OF RUGBY AND FIRST XV HEAD COACH

Firstly, it’s been great to get back to competitive rugby and after 15 games sitting top of the league with a couple of games in hand due to postponements against two of the bottom three teams in the league.

We started our preseason training on June 14th, these seven months have passed so quickly. During those preseason games we debuted six youngsters aged 18-19.

The experience these players gained we believe will serve them well in the future and as a result Max Swan and James Morton have both been selected in match day league fixtures this season for the First XV. On field Newport’s First XV are once again led

by Captain Tom Cowell who is now into his eighth year as club skipper with Chris Perry appointed Vice Captain. Tom and Chris head our leadership group which helps not only on field but as importantly off field.

We have in operation a First XV squad of 34 players this season which is the largest squad that we have put together for many a year. Having learned from experience I can honestly say with injuries, unavailability etc you are normally looking on a Thursday evening at between 22-24 players that are available for selection for Saturday’s game.

Playing 15 games this season we have won 13 lost 2 and have scored 527 points an average of 35 points a the hours of hard work put in by our dedicated group of volunteers. The passion and energy that is shown by this band is a true inspiration and embodies what makes Newport and the club the great institutions they are.

As we continue to battle Covid we have truly appreciated how the sense of community that surrounds the rugby club is something we should value more than ever. Only in its absence did we truly recognise how many people enjoy the club, from Saturday crowds to Mini and Junior Sundays to Vets and Touch teams to social members. The breadth of our

game. Our points average in the league table works out to 4.33 a game. Our defence is an area we are working on because as a group we know the statistics are not pleasing, with 306 points conceded.

We opened up the season with 4 straight wins. We then suffered 2 defeats back to back at home to Scunthorpe and away to Sheffield. Having suffered those losses and importantly learned from them we have managed to put together a mini winning run of 9 games. One of these winning games saw us play a double header League fixture and North Midlands Cup quarter final, resulting in a winning score of 38-20. Our semi-final of the Cup has now been conceded by Malvern so a North Midlands Cup Final awaits us in May 2022 when our opponents will be Bromsgrove.

The Midland Premiership is without doubt a tough league to play in and after finishing in the top 3 over the last 3 seasons we know how difficult a run in it can be as teams fight for top spot. As a group we are taking it one game at a time, our attitude focus and desire to succeed are very much there to see.

I’ve been involved in many good teams throughout the years at Newport, but there’s something I’m hopefully seeing special in these players. Only time will tell how good they are and what they might achieve. For me their biggest attribute any team can posess is being humble as they work hard to achieve the goals set out in front of them. I can honestly say that while individual accolades and man of the match performances are great, the group work tirelessly for one another and without doubt week in week out there are a number of unsung heroes in this squad who make us tick. membership, the pleasure we give and our place in the community is something we at Newport Rugby Club are all very proud of.

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Shropshire’s Wrekin College, an independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 11-18, and Old Hall School, an independent day school for pupils aged 4-11, are proud to be a sponsor of Newport (Salop) RFC. “With a strong belief in ‘sport for all’ we are able to nurture the skills of our pupils at Wrekin and Old Hall, through our extensive facilities, top quality coaching and busy fixtures list. As well as a range of core sports including rugby, netball, cricket and hockey, we offer and compete in a plethora of other sports giving pupils the opportunity to try a huge range of activities. Our shared facilities also mean that we are able to offer sporting opportunities for pupils joining Old Hall at the age of four right through to leaving Wrekin aged 18.

association with the club. Many of our pupils train with the club on a Sunday morning enjoying rugby within either the Micros, Minis or Junior sections, further building their skills. We hope to continue our relationship with Newport (Salop) RFC for many years to come and wish them the very best for their continued success.”

To find out more about Wrekin or Old Hall visit their websites: www.wrekincollege.com or www.oldhall.co.uk.

“We sponsor a number of local sports clubs, and are delighted to do so. Having jointly sponsored Newport (Salop) RFC for many years, both Wrekin and Old Hall remain incredibly proud to offer our ongoing support and to have such a positive

Shropshire, UK

Independent day school 4-11 www.oldhall.co.uk

Proud sponsors of Newport (Salop) RFC

Independent day and boarding 11-18 Registered Charity No. 528417

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www.wrekincollege.com

ANDREW HUXLEY

Andrew Huxley is an Ex-player and sponsor of Newport Salop RFC with his company Besblock. His journey to the club, like many of his friends, came through Wrekin College which still holds a great reputation and connection with the club to this day.

Andrew recently took time out of his busy schedule to speak with Rugby Club Magazine, ”I played my 1st senior game for Newport aged 18 and remained in my usual front row and prop positions up until I was 26. Unfortunately, I had to take heed of my doctor`s diagnosis of 3 prolapsed discs and this naturally put an end to my playing days. Newport Salop RUFC has certainly helped me in life and has been a real stepping stone for me into the world allowing me to meet many great friends who I continue to enjoy spending time with today.

Since my playing days I have always maintained an ongoing connection with the club, I suppose that’s normal in many ways after all it is my club and the one I love. For myself, and many of us who grew up in the area, it was always at the heart of what we did.

Having lived locally over the years I am still a regular attender at home and away matches and have thoroughly enjoyed the performances of our teams this season. The standard of play and their understanding of the game at hand, coupled with their navigation of the conditions have been so impressive. Victorys against local rivals have been great, however many of the tougher matches, where our team were able to show determination and grind out that later victory, often during difficult weather conditions, have been particularly exciting to watch! It is easy to see that we have a group of lads who play as a team, but with great confidence and no show of arrogance about them!

Part of the reason I love Newport (Salop) Rugby Club so much is because we don’t have as many resources our competitors have within their local area and yet to see our team sitting at the top of the Midland Premier division in 2022 is something that I’m very, very proud of!”

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MATT BOWYER CHAIRMAN OF MINIS AND JUNIORS

Since the start of the season and taking on the challenge of the Mini & Junior Chair role I quickly realised what a fantastic group of volunteers we have at Newport rugby club.

Without the commitment and professionalism of our Team Managers, Coaches, M & J Secretary, Safeguarding team, fixtures secretary, and first aiders we would not be able to provide the depth of rugby that we do.

This season has not been without some unique challenges, such as a global pandemic and moving to an online membership system. I feel we have overcome each challenge successfully and have done so in a very short space of time. The parents have shown great patience whilst transitioning to online registrations and our team managers have worked tirelessly to make the transition a smooth one. We can already see the benefits we get in terms of real time reporting on registration status and the ability to communicate seamlessly across the Mini and Junior group.

We have created the Mini- Junior- Colts weekly magazine to keep all our members keep up to date on news, fixtures, pitch plan, information, RFU guidance, and sharing our successes.

Having been involved with other rugby clubs in Shropshire I can confidently say in all age groups our coaching is outstanding, consistently delivering great training sessions with a focus on skill development, our core values (TREDS) and

making each session fun.

Seeing players progress from Minis and Juniors to First XV representation is certainly an ambition of ours but far from the sole ambition. Seeing youngsters enjoy their rugby and benefit from the exercise and social development that rugby brings is equally if not more important.

This season we have seen the return of the Guard of Honour at all our First XV home games. This is preceded by a question & answer session for the age group involved with a First XV player and the chance to play a game at half-time on the First team pitch in front of the crowd.

One of my focuses is to move the M & J section forward by introducing a girl’s rugby section. Currently, the combining of boys and girls ends after U11’s and we have no pathway for the group of female players who wish to continue playing rugby at Newport Rugby Club. We will therefore be launching a girl’s section in the summer of 2022 ready for the 2022/2023 season. This will also see a capital investment program to our changing rooms to enable male and female usage separately on the same day.

We now look forward to what the remainder of the season brings in 2022, one thing is for sure we will have lots of fun. There will be lots of great rugby on display and lots of successes to celebrate.

CONTACT THE CLUB

The Old Showground Forton Road Newport Shropshire TF10 8BU

07947856386 www.newportsaloprufc. co.uk/

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Wigton

Rugby Club

Comments from Alystair Miller, Chairman Wigton Rugby Club.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU AND YOUR CHAIRMAN BEEN INVOLVED AND WHAT FIRST ATTRACTED YOU BOTH TO THE CLUB?

I have now been the chairman at Wigton Rugby Club for nearly 5 years and prior to this I was a member of the squash and gym committees. From a young age I have been involved in the various sports at the club; playing senior rugby, squash and cricket as well as junior county squash. I’ve also been known to play the odd game of hockey.

“The Club” has always been a huge part of my life, it’s very close to my heart and I have had many fantastic experiences from it. I have great memories, made many friends and all while playing the sports that I love. I consider myself to have been very fortunate to have been part of all the various clubs from an early age and this is what first attracted me to become more involved in recent years.

I want to give something back to the club while helping it to modernise, which will help to attract the next generation of young sportsmen and women, whichever sport they choose to be involved in.

Rugby is my passion which is why I decided to take on the role as the chair of the rugby club. Times are changing and over recent years our club has become much more appreciative of the other sports on site, as we look to bring the site together as one. The idea is that in the small town we live in, we want the local community to feel that it is their club and that they are extremely welcome to come down whenever they wish.

Whether this is to participate in sport, watch the sports being played, use the function rooms, or simply call in for a chat and a pint with friends. The benefits of what our site has to offer can play a significant role in helping our local community emerge from what has been an extremely testing and turbulent couple of years – sport and fitness plays an enormous part in improving both physical and mental health and wellbeing.

DO YOU HAVE A JUNIOR/ MINI COACHING PHILOSOPHY AT THE CLUB?

As a small club our main philosophy is for the kids to enjoy rugby and be involved in it for many years. Over the past few years, our junior coaching coordinator, David Warwick, has worked extremely hard in attracting and establishing a strong junior section, with around 100 juniors across our U8’s up to

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colts level. We had a period where numbers weren’t so strong but thanks to David and the many other volunteer coaches we have, the future of the club is looking very bright; with these juniors hopefully going on to be connected with Rugby throughout their lives.

These numbers may sound low to many clubs, but in a town of around 6,000 people I think these are great numbers and reflect the hard work put in.

Our aim is to attract even more players and hopefully offer more options for girls as we currently have no girls teams – expanding like this would be a great step forward for our club.

HOW’S THE GENERAL MOOD DOWN AT THE CLUB AT THE MOMENT?

The mood at the club at the moment is that we are in very good spirits. Don’t get me wrong, we have plenty that we want to work on, but given the past couple of years we have had and the lack of gameplay things are extremely positive.

It looks like we’re now coming out of the storm and we have to look forward and chase our vision of Wigton Rugby Club becoming even better and stronger as a whole.

WHAT ARE THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVES IN BEING GM AND CLUB CHAIRMAN?

Always start with the positives!

For me this is working with

Sandy Gasgarth played rugby whilst at The Nelson Thomlinson School in Cumbria and has had a long association with Wigton Rugby Club, he told Rugby Club Mag: “I suppose my association with the rugby club really came through me carrying out a lot of work there from electrical upgrades to maintenance and installations etc. Naturally you get to know people a bit better and eventually I became a club sponsor with my business` Abbey Electrical`, something I have continued to do for over 15 years now. Unfortunately work commitments don’t

a bunch of people who are passionate about what we do. Our committee is run by a brilliant, knowledgeable and enthusiastic group of volunteers who all want the best for our club. You don’t necessarily get this in a place of paid employment, so this is why being part of a rugby club at this level is so great – we do it for the love of the club and therefore, we are all on the same page!

Giving something back and building on what we already have is also one of the main reasons for my involvement. I’m not one for sitting around twiddling my thumbs, so why not try and do something that has a positive impact on our local community. Being involved in sports, making new friends is great for us all. As well as the physical and mental health benefits of participating in sports. I have witnessed this myself through my involvement and allow me to get down every weekend but I would say 3 or 4 times a season is a regular pattern for me.

The standard of rugby has been very high since we came out of lockdown and the club are getting back into their stride now with some new people coming into the various roles. I have always found Wigton Rugby Club to be very family friendly and it has always maintained its reputation for developing the younger members coming through. Young people are the lifeblood and the future of any club and I feel Wigton have always kept that philosophy at the forefront of our club !”

I want others to also have the opportunity to enjoy this experience.

Now onto the negatives which I will keep short. Time!

There is just not having enough hours in the day for all that has to be done and if there were we wouldn’t have an issue. It does put a strain on family life and some things do have to give.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SUCCESSFUL PLAYER CONNECTIONS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH OR PLAYED FOR THE CLUB OVER THE YEARS?

We have a connection to Newcastle Falcons and each season we have the opportunity to put forward a selection of our juniors to attend DPP (Developing Player Programme) which allows enhanced development opportunities.

Having this link gives our youngsters something to aim for, especially as we are some distance from the Falcons who our are our closest professional club.

We have had many great players over the years, who have come through the different age groups and gone on to play at a much higher standard. Some have made it to professional levels. Although a shame to see these players move on, it is always great to see people pushing themselves to achieve greater things and that the work our team have put in, has assisted in giving them these opportunities.

We also have excellent links with Nelson Thomlinson, the local secondary school, which is where our main player pool is drawn from, our coaches often attend and help out with the rugby fixtures that take place.

CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT ANY PLANS YOU HAVE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON AND WHAT IT WOULD MEAN TO THE CLUB TO MOVE TO NORTHUMBERLAND 2?

We’re unsure about what the remainder of the season holds for us as it isn’t confirmed

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what the final third of the season looks like. Due to only been 9 teams in the Cumbria league our season is set to end in February. We are currently sitting in 2nd place and we may yet have a split of the top 4 teams. This would give us another 6 games but this is yet to be decided, as some teams are reluctant to commit to this format.

The restructure of the leagues a few years ago really hasn’t helped us and in fact, it has negatively impacted on the club. For example, trying to retain players who can go and play at a slightly higher standard at neighbouring teams, games being cancelled due to teams not having enough players also has a huge bearing on the club, both financially and from a coaching point of view when you are trying to build momentum. We need regular fixtures so players and supporters alike can be confident of a game taking place on a Saturday, a move to a more competitive league would benefit everyone involved, it will challenge the current squad of players, but that’s one of the reasons why you play the sport, to be challenged and improve your standards.

PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT ANY WOMEN’S/GIRLS TEAM/TEAMS OR PLANS YOU MAY HAVE TO START A GIRLS/LADIES SECTION?

This is certainly an area in which we will be looking into and we will be looking to try and kick start some interest over the next season or two.

Women’s rugby is becoming ever more popular and to have female youth and senior teams would be fantastic. We will liaise with the local Schools to help us promote this.

HOW DOES THE CLUB ENSURE THAT YOUNG PLAYERS ENJOY A SMOOTH TRANSITION INTO THE SENIOR GAME? HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUR COLTS TEAM?

As mentioned in an earlier question, we see colts as a

hugely important part of our club. Without colts, we will see a decline in the numbers of players coming through to our senior team which is why our youth coaching teams are so dedicated to ensuring that this isn’t the case. We realise a lot of players that age move out of the area to attend university, but we encourage them to keep playing when they are away as it’s a great way to make new friends etc. Eventually if they return to the area we hope they have fond experiences and memories of our club and will continue playing.

For some years now we haven’t had a colts team, but this season a number of clubs in Cumbria have joined forces to make up a colts team. As other clubs are in a similar position to Wigton, lacking enough players to make a club team, this has ensured that these colts continue to develop and play the game at their own age group, with a view of moving on to play senior rugby within their own clubs. For Wigton, this is backed up with very healthy youth numbers from U16’s and below.

LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE RUGBY UNION WILL NATURALLY GO THROUGH CHANGES HOW AND WHAT WILL WIGTON RUFC DO TO COPE WITH THESE CHANGES?

All sports clubs go through changes over the years and it’s how you embrace and adapt to these which determines your future. Many people don’t like change, but we like the challenge and through times such as Covid, it provides an opportunity to take a step back and reassess the current situation and ways of working. We aim to be proactive rather than reactive and this outlook helps us to cope with any changes thrown our way. Working within our teams certainly helps us to achieve this.

and a grandstand which houses changing facilities underneath. Also within this building we have 2 squash courts, a community gym and aerobic studio. We also have an all-weather AstroTurf pitch, a cricket pitch and a cricket pavilion. As you can see, there is a lot going on throughout this site which is what makes it so impressive and offers something for everyone.

WHY DO YOU FEEL SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE A SPECIAL FONDNESS FOR WIGTON RFC?

Wigton Rugby Club has been around since 1882 so we have many years of history in which our current and past members can relate to. Shared memories include events such as winning numerous county cups at both senior and youth age groups and even beating Sale back in 1979 in the now defunct National Cup, which was a huge upset; little old Wigton defeating the giants in the preliminary round of the John Player Cup. Like all good clubs, it isn’t just these treasured events which provide people with special memories of a club; it is being part of a team, playing with and making lifelong friends and battling to the bitter end in a tough, close fought match against teams from areas with a much bigger playing pool to draw from. This is really where

the attachment to the club comes from. It is also gained from all those off the pitch who support the club in other ways. Being a small, close-knit community certainly helps to embed this.

WHO ELSE WILL USE THE FACILITIES AT WIGTON RFC AND IS IT AVAILABLE FOR HIRE AND FOR USE

BY BUSINESSES?

Within our clubhouse we have a small members bar and also larger function room with a big screen TV which broadcasts all the major sporting events, it also houses kitchen facilities. This is available for our community to use for functions such as birthday parties and christenings; we’ve even had a couple of weddings too. The modern function room is also available to businesses to hold conferences or training days. Please contact us via Facebook messenger (Wigton Rugby Club) or by email on gmwigtonrfu@outlook.com for any enquires.

PLEASE FINISH OFF

BY TELLING ME WHAT MAKES WIGTON RUFC SUCH A GREAT CLUB TO BE PART OF NOW AND IN THE FUTURE?

The future of “Wigton Ruby Sports and Fitness Club” really is exciting and we have

great plans for the coming years. We have an extremely proactive committee and along with our new position for the general manager, will help drive the club and site forward.

One of our main plans is to expand the gym, which we see as the heart of the site. We envisage this bringing in more people looking to participate in exercise and a healthier lifestyle. This is particularly important now more than ever, as with any luck we now see the light at the end of the Covid tunnel. From this we are confident that users from within our community will like what they see and feel part of our club. The idea is that this will lead to people trying out a new sport; whether this is rugby or one of the other sports on site, which in turn will increase squad numbers and drive playing standards up through a more competitive environment.

Bringing in a general manager will also allow us to better promote our facilities to the local community as well as improving our communications and marketing all round. Our great club will become even greater and as always, our facilities will be available for all to use.

WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURS TO BE A COMMUNITY CLUB?

Without a doubt! We are very fortunate to have other sports on site which allows us to build on the strong foundations that have been laid by the rugby club. We see our club as not just a rugby club, but as a multi sports club with all clubs of equal importance, right at the heart of the local community.

With this stance I believe it will help us generate a sustainable and bright future.

WHAT SORT OF FACILITIES DO YOU HAVE AT WIGTON?

On our site we have 3 senior rugby pitches, a clubhouse

If any local businesses would like to be part of our success and sponsor our club they can contact us on gmwigtonrfu@outlook.com

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ALISON JOHNSTON

Alison Johnston has had a long and positive association with Wigton Rugby & Sports Club.

Her business Dodd Accountants are also valued sponsors of the club and have been for many years. She recently spoke to Rugby Club Magazine about her great connection with the club and the many special friendships she has made there over the years, ”I remember visiting the club with my family as a five-yearold and many years later I find that I still have a great affinity for the club and its people.

I watched the rugby, later played hockey, then squash, which I enjoyed playing for a lot of years. Not untypically in sports clubs, a changing room chat with a friend led me to becoming the MS (multiple sclerosis) society treasurer for twenty-five years. I met my future husband, George, at the club who was a keen cricketer at the time and when our son George came along, it wasn’t long before he was coming down to the club with us too. I know of many clubs that are like Wigton; a great family friendly environment where parents know their children are safe. Like you said, it takes a village to raise a child, and community can never be undervalued!

By age 4 George was playing squash at the rugby club, by age 5 he had picked up a hockey stick, and a cricket bat, and now enjoys playing cricket in the ever successful Wigton Cricket club. The volunteers and work that goes into these junior sports should never go unmentioned. At junior squash level, the contribution of Liz Jackson and Valda Crawford, who have been responsible for bringing a small army of enthusiastic youngsters into the club over at least a 30 year period, has been invaluable.

The hockey ladies and girls junior set up has been running for many years. The boys and mens teams have

Chartered Accountants, Tax & Business Advisers

www.doddaccountants.co.uk developed really well over the last few years, playing and competing in the North West Hockey league, with the juniors reaching IN2 hockey finals in Leeds for many consecutive years. Family commitments to coaching, travel, and even babysitting makes the club atmosphere second to none.

Wigton Rugby Club is very much an all sports club with a one club mentality. At its heart, people are really what makes the club. There has been a can do mentality throughout the Clubs years, from raising funds to install the all weather facility, to holding race nights , there are always willing volunteers from every one of the sports.

This year my husband will be celebrating his 60th and my son his 18th at Wigton Rugby Club, many years after I celebrated my own 18th there. Members at our club are always very keen to help each other out, as demonstrated when parents, players and kids borrowed

some diggers and purchased a few loads of cement to build two much needed and well-constructed dugouts!

As a family, the rugby club is still an integral part of our life. We have everything we need there within a community that we have grown up with and that has grown around us over the years. It remains a great pleasure for me to visit the club to see my friends, or on occasions with our customers at Dodd`s who all really enjoy themselves and often speak fondly of the fabulous atmosphere and fun they have!

Finally, I would like to say how wonderful it is to see our first XV rugby team competing so well in Cumbria 1 and also to witness the next batch of young players coming through from our excellent mini & junior section.

Congratulations to all sections of our club at Wigton on being recognised within Rugby Club Magazine this year and I would like to wish everyone the very best of continued fun and success for many more years to come!”

CONTACT THE CLUB

Lowmoor Road Wigton Cumbria CA7 9QT

016973 42206 www.wigtonrugby.co.uk

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61

Worthing Rugby Club Interview with Barny Hall.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED AND WHAT FIRST ATTRACTED YOU TO THE CLUB?

I was somewhat born in to the club with both my parents having served on the committee. Some of my earliest memories are about the club and being taking along to watch games on a Saturday before starting playing mini rugby in the mid-80s and I still play on occasions now 35 years later.

My business has been a sponsor for the club for 15 years and I joined the committee 6 years ago WHAT WERE THE MAIN CHALLENGES FACED

BY THE CLUB AND COMMITTEE IN STEERING YOUR CLUB INTO THE POSITION IT IS IN TODAY?

Worthing RFC is a business that runs to generate profits in order to invest in rugby at all levels and maintain our grounds. This mind set is key and I believe what sets us out from some other clubs and is the reason behind the vast amount of non-rugby activities the club rugby runs to generate income to support the clubs development.

Sponsors play a key role in supporting the club as to the small but dedicated team of staff and group of volunteers.

CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR FACILITIES? ARE THE OPEN TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY?

Nestled between the Sussex Downs and the English Channel, Worthing Rugby Club has combined sporting excellence with a community focus for over 100 years. We remain true to our ethos of “Rugby for all” and are one of the few clubs at this level, still able to field 25 teams a week across all ages and abilities.

We are the home of the Worthing Raiders, our semiprofessional 1st XV, who play in National League 2.

That makes the Raiders one of the top 50 teams in the

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country and it is no surprise that we regularly have over 600 supporters watching their home fixtures.

In addition to the elite squad, we run two senior men’s sides and a Vets team. On a Sunday, you will find many hundreds of youth players developing their skills on the club’s extensive grounds.

Alongside them, our thriving Women’s and Girl’s section, which continues to excite with the speed of its development and continued success.

This all takes place at our picturesque 23 acre site in Angmering, containing 6 full size pitches, a large clubhouse and extensive car parking. When not being used for rugby the grounds and clubhouse provide a firstclass venue for a multitude of events and occasions.

From business meetings and conferences to weddings and music festivals, the flexible club facilities can be adapted for most requirements.

Originally surrounded by open fields, when the current clubhouse was built in the 1970s, we now find ourselves in the middle of a growing community. This has provided new opportunities for the club, both in terms of membership and the generation of commercial revenue.

We have a large section of Social Members who enjoy the ambience and the many non-rugby events that are put on throughout the year, some examples of events are Firework Night, Football Tournaments, Dog Shows, Horse Shows, Motorbike Rallies, Classic Car Shows, Stunt Car Shows, Morris Men

Conventions, Corporate Fun Days, Corporate Training Days, Car Boot Sales, Charity Fairs, Open Air Concerts and Networkingl, Ladies’ Days, Halloween Night, Quiz Nights and Beer Festivals. Many charities have benefitted over the years, including Ferring Country Centre, Cancer Research, British Heart Foundation, The Samaritans, Love Your Hospital, Worthing and Littlehampton soup kitchens and most recently The Outdoor Lads. Our very own mascot ‘Reggie the Raider’ cheers on events and has visited the Children’s Ward in Worthing Hospital.

WOULD YOU SAY YOU HAVE A SENIOR AND JUNIOR COACHING PHILOSOPHY AT THE CLUB?

We offer a safe environment for players of all ages and abilities to undertake rugby and look to challenge them to be the best they can be but still holding the ethos and values of the game Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship.

COULD YOU PROVIDE A POTTED HISTORY OF YOUR CLUB?

Humble beginnings A group of local men met at York House over their shared love of the sport and decided that Worthing needed a Rugby Football Club. They

formed the club on the 10th September 1920, attested to by our recent centenary celebrations.

The club had no pitches or equipment and initially borrowed a field from a local farmer before moving to the Rotary Ground in Broadwater, where the Cricketers Arms pub was used for changing. In the 1924-25 season the club moved to a site on Castle Road, Worthing, which was to become its home for the next 50 years.

Grand opening In 1977 The club moved yet again to its present location in Angmering. The new ground was officially opened in 1979

by Dickie Jeeps, the former England international and then Chairman of the sports council.

Over the years our Roundstone Lane site has seen further development.

Floodlights have been added to two of the pitches, one to TV quality. Significant landscaping was undertaken, resulting in the impressive parkland setting you see today. The clubhouse was extended, enabling us to provide additional facilities and importantly establish Women’s rugby at the club.

From a farmer’s field near the seafront in 1920, Worthing RFC has developed into the leading club in the South East and has been designated as a Centre of Excellence for Sussex Rugby.

HOW’S THE GENERAL MOOD DOWN AT THE CLUB AT THE MOMENT?

A positive mood around the club about the COVID layoff both players and supporters were very keen to reengage with the club and rugby as a whole.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SUCCESSFUL PLAYER CONNECTIONS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH OR PLAYED FOR THE CLUB OVER THE YEARS?

Amy Wilson-Hardy, Joe Launchbury, Joe Marler, Joe Marchant all played for Worthing.

HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUTH RUGBY TO THE CLUB?

WHY DO YOU FEEL SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE A SPECIAL FONDNESS FOR WORTHING RUGBY CLUB?

Worthing is a club built run and owned by the membership as such the investment of members time and money over the years give a real feel of ownership and successes on and off the field as shared as build on the investment put in by key members over the years.

WHERE DO YOU ENVISAGE OR WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE THE CLUB TO BE IN THE NEXT 3-5 YEARS?

Continue to build all the sections of the club and look to maximise opportunities for growth and development both on and off the pitch.

Very it’s the life blood of the club and we are grateful for the management and coaches that give up their time to support the development of youth rugby for players of all ability’s.

COULD YOU TELL ME ABOUT ANY LADIES AND GIRLS RUGBY AT YOUR CLUB AND ANY PLANS TO DEVELOP IN THIS AREA?

We hold the largest girls festival on the may bank holiday weekends in this part of the world are always keen to promote female rugby.

Our Under 18s girls are in the quarter finals of the National cup at the moment which we are very proud of.

Here are what some of our girls and ladies say about playing rugby for Worthing Rugby: • At first I thought it looked like a really good sport and

I didn’t know any other girls that played; once I gave it a go I really liked it!

• It’s like a family, some of my best friends are here!

• Its great to see more girls getting involved in our sport.

• I wanted to try something different as I didn’t want to follow the normal. It’s a fun and exciting sport and is definitely the one to be involved in.

• I really recommend it as a way of releasing stress. You feel so much better after training and playing and you get such a great group of friends whilst testing and increasing your fitness levels.

• You can start from any age group. All the things you BLUECOAT WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD

Worthing RFC has been a shining light to the local community for many years, especially during the pandemic.

They have enabled the community to help strengthen and maintain the club through general volunteering, coaching, and playing rugby through the return to rugby scheme.

The management team and volunteers have done an excellent job of fulfilling their sponsorship pledges to local and national companies over the past three years, which has ensured the financial survival of the club. Their determination and vision are a testament to them as a club and their excellent staff.

Supporting our local community through sponsorship, charity fundraising, and financial support is a core value we at Bluecoat Wealth Management focus on as part of our community and outreach program. We have been the club’s main sponsors for the last three years and have seen the club grow from strength to strength. As a family company, we enjoy supporting the Raiders teams on a Saturday and watching the Mini’s, Juniors, Girls and Ladies play on a Sunday.

Supporting the club has helped us grow as a company and integrate our staff into their local community. Worthing RFC is a shining example of how a rugby club helps promote healthy living, develops leadership and community spirit.

learn like how to pass the ball, various tricks, learning how to tackle and everything else makes it such a fun sport.

• No matter what age or size you are there is a place for everyone, rugby is so diverse compared to other sports.

We need big and small size players and one is as important as the other on the team; it’s very inclusive.

• It pushes you out of your comfort zone whilst you are learning a new skill! just a great sport which has definitely helped my mental health massively and i`d be lost without it, we are a real family and the rest of the world doesn’t matter when you are here.

• I used to think it looked a bit scary but actually its really good fun!

Promo for Ladies and Girls Rugby at Worthing www.youtube.com/ watch?v=U7-aI5d1DU4 WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURS TO BE A COMMUNITY CLUB?

Yes

PLEASE FINISH OFF

BY TELLING ME WHAT MAKES WORTHING RUGBY CLUB SUCH A GREAT CLUB TO BE PART OF?

It’s the members, sponsors, volunteers and players that makes the place so special!

CONTACT THE CLUB

The Rugby Park, Roundstone Ln, Angmering, Littlehampton BN16 4AX

01903 784706 www.worthingrfc.co.uk

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Exeter Saracens RFC TIM BROWN

Tim Brown is a current coach at Exeter Saracens having played much of his youth rugby, some 15 miles down the road, at Sidmouth Rugby Football Club, he has also played in the Southeast for a couple of Bristol clubs whilst working in different parts of the country. Welsh born and bred Tim took his son, Emyr, down to Saracens 3 or 4 years ago after a recommendation from a friend; and hasn’t look back.

Emyr is part of the current U9`s squad who initially missed out on contact during the pandemic but are now fully back up and running and taking to this part of their development really well! Tim recently spoke to rugby club whilst locked away at home after contracting Covid, “I`m gutted at not being able to be at the club this coming weekend to see our teams play, but it is what it is. The club are making many small steps which are important to everyone and off the pitch.

Although we are a council owned facility, in the process of re negotiating terms, we are still fortunate to have what we have and are continually

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looking to bring the club forward. Little things like a new TV on the wall in our clubhouse, showing images of our minis and juniors’ sections, is a great way to show our youngsters how they are appreciated and to give them a boost, this also encourages parents to drop in and have a drink or two, I’d say `A One Club’ philosophy is really what we are all about.”

Tim continued laughing, ”As a young player I had no love for the Sarries having broken my nose in an under 13/14`s match playing against

them; so its funny how things change and I end up here all these years later with a passion and affection for the many good people at the club. Exeter Saracens have very deep community roots with proud origins as a working man’s clubs and these values are always going to be a part of its history, present and future.

With so many passionate people in place, we can help steer this club in the right direction. Its also important that we allow everyone to express their views and feelings in a healthy way and

that people feel safe enough to express themselves.

Many things are coming together in a positive way at the club including a band of committed sponsors who we welcome into the club and thank them for their continued support.

The most important thing for me at Exeter Saracens Rugby Club is the smiles we see on the children’s faces and how they continue to turn up week in and week out, telling us that Sunday is the best day of the week for them because that’s when they get to play rugby!”

STEVE PARSONS

Steve Parsons played rugby till the age of 44 and has been part of Exeter Saracens RFC for 20 years now, many of those years as the clubs junior chairman. This season he has stepped in as Club Chairman and was kind enough to take some time out recently to chat with Rugby Club Magazine, ”Our senior team is performing very well this season and a lot of their success has to be attributed to our head coach Westy and his team. Behind our 40 strong mens squad we have our colts, who are also coached by Westy and Aaron Spence. We also enjoy a huge mini and junior section, an excellent girls section and a new ladies team who have done a marvellous job in growing organically with the

help of some passionate and driven individuals.

The club has always been frugal with its finances and during Covid we have actually managed to save a bit which has been well spent on our portable floodlights. This enables our teams to have many more options during training making a great difference In moving around our vast playing area.

Historically we have sourced players from our local area and have never said no to anyone who wishes to join us. We are unique in that 18% of our juniors are subsidised. As a grass root rugby club, we are totally reliant on our great band of volunteers and coaches who can very often make a difference in a young person’s life; one of the great gifts rugby offers!

We are currently speaking with the council about our lease and the need to improve certain essential areas like adding a female changing room for our referees which we don’t have; I see this as a gradual improvement little by little.

In an up and coming, and important fixture for our seniors, many of our junior players will come together to form a guard of honour and welcome our players onto the field of play.

Exeter Saracens Rugby Club is `One Club` and not only looks and feels like a family club but is a family club. We may not have the best facilities or even be the smartest club around but if you decide to come and join us you will be amazed how this great club will manage to get under your skin in many positive ways!”

PAT MORTIMORE

Pat Mortimore is the first ever female president of Exeter Saracens Rugby Club, having grown up in a rugby playing family she has always enjoyed being a part of the sport and has been involved with the Saracens for some 50 years now.

She recently told Rugby Club Magazine about this journey, ”I grew up with rugby all around me, my brothers and nephews played and when I met my husband David in 1972, we worked together at the time, he was a rugby player and supporter too.

David was a real stalwart of the club and also a past president and player who wore most hats during his time there and when our daughter Joanne came along she also played rugby.

Over the years you would most likely see me in the club`s kitchen preparing food and teas for the lads; more recently they told me that I had spent enough time there and should come and watch the matches!

Which I thoroughly enjoy although im always available to step in when needed.

Sometimes I think they made me club president just to get me out of the clubhouse.”

Pat said laughing.

“It has been a real honour to become club president and to carry on a family tradition as my husband, as well as my half-brother in Ireland, were also given that accolade. I am also the clubs refereeing coordinator making sure we have a referee firstly for matches and if not sorting one out; including dealing with match times etc.

One of the real pleasures over the years has been watching little ones start of so young and progress into senior rugby. Exeter Saracens Rugby Club is very family orientated and a safe place to be With an abundance of fabulous people and many friends who look after each other. They have been so supportive to me particularly when my husband passed away a few years back. I only have to pick up the phone and someone is always there for me hail, rain or shine.

I can honestly say I love Exeter Saracens Rugby Club and all the people there who make this wonderful club what it is!”

CONTINUED...

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LEIGH DAVIES – EXETER SARACENS -LADIES RUGBY HEAD COACH

I became involved at the Sarries when my son Billy moved to the club and played for the Colts side. Billy was coached by Lee Western at a different club and wanted to move across with him.

I’m sad to say I had a very short rugby career playing from U7s to Colts level only. After that I fell out of love with the game and it was only when my lad came along that i started taking an interest again. In November 2021 the Ladies coach at the club had to step down and i was approached

by Westy and asked if I could help out short term and alongside the assistant coach.

Unfortunately after a couple of weeks the assistant coach had to step down too, for personal reasons, and here we are as the story goes.

I don’t find there is a massive difference in coaching men and women because i believe in reinforcing positive messages and working on skill sets with players which in my experience works equally well for both sexes. I think the main difference I notice is that women like to understand more before proceeding and men are more likely just to get on with it. However, outcomes are pretty much the same so no real advantages or disadvantages to be spoken of.

Our philosophy is to basically have fun and set individual goals for training and games. We are a development side in that our team has really only been established for around a year. We are made up of girls that started in October/ November 2021 and other girls who started at U13 level.

A real mixed bag but the team spirit we are building is second to none. All of our players give 100% in training and during matches.

I literally can not believe how well our team is progressing. Starting with just 4 players and now we have 32 girls signed up with between 20 and 24 at training.These numbers have been achieved by our team manager Sarah Hemmings who works tirelessly behind the scences promoting Sarries women and women’s rugby in general. The girls are setting theyre own individual targets and smashing them on a weekly basis. In regards to game time, we have played 3 matches since December and have managed to get two wins which i am personally blown away by and delighted with!

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One of the reasons I’m enjoying coaching the womens team is because they are such a laugh.

Nothing is taken too seriously. Don`t get me wrong that changes when they get into a a competitive match but at training it is a blast!

Moving forward our main ambition is to keep promoting womens rugby and to continue developing our team`s skill sets with a view to competing at a higher level whilst encouraging more girls to come and join us. I`ve asked one of our players Tegan Reeks to become a player/ coach. Her intention whilst doing this is to complete her Level 2 coaching badge in October. The ultimate goal is take over my role and become head coach.

It has been an absolute pleasure taking over the role as head coach of the senior womens team. People who havent volunteered to do such a role before may not realise how many people it takes to make it all work-there is a lot of moving parts. Everyone of our girls chip in with anything that needs doing. I`ve already mentioned Sarah our team manager who also runs facebook and instagram, we also have Bee Hellier running tiktok, Lauren Hunt takes care of twitter, Ellie Scott does our fancy team sheets and Tash Begam looks after our club website. We also have Lauren Harker, Becky Lacey and Sarah Timms on our social commitee.

Charlotte Blight and Zara Sayer are our first aiders keeping us all safe and I’m also very lucky to have Billy Davies and Daniel Western helping with the coaching when they arent training themselves.

MARTYN GOLDSBOROUGH ESRFC JUNIOR SECTION CHAIRMAN HOW DID YOU FIRST BECOME INVOLVED WITH EXETER SARRIES? PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY WITH THE CLUB THUS FAR?

I am a relative new comer to the club as I have only been associated with ESRFC for around 5 years. I left the royal navy in 2010 and we moved to Exeter the same year from our previous home in Taunton. I first went to Exeter Saracens when I was looking for a club for my son to join when he was 5 and they were recommended by several people we knew and he joined with several of his friends from school at the same time. We are fortunate that we live a 5 minute walk from the club.

Once Dan had started playing the club were looking for new coaches for their age group so I volunteered and became one of the coaches.

Dan is now an U10 and I am still coaching, I love coaching the kids, they are all fantastic and it is great to see them all growing as players and enjoying rugby so much, I have now also taken on the role of Junior Section Chairman for the club which

I enjoy, it is a lot of hard work and feels like a second job at times (only unpaid) but it does allow me to influence the development of the youth section of the club which continues to grow.

I did play rugby whilst I was in the Navy but probably not as often as I could or should have done and stopped playing when I was still young. I have always followed rugby and have been an avid supporter of England for many years.

HOW DO YOU FEEL THE DEVELOPMENT OF MINI AND JUNIOR RUGBY IS PROGRESSING AT THE CLUB?

Over the past couple of seasons we have started to grow our Junior memberships considerably. We have more volunteer coaches at all age groups now allowing for bigger age groups to train and play. The mini’s section this year has seen a big increase in numbers and has continued to grow during the season so far.

It is great to see that we are also attracting significant numbers of girls into the club and is something we have been actively encouraging. We will soon be holding a taster session for Year 6 girls to come along and try rugby as we are

“As a major International Rugby brand Kappa are proud of their association with Exeter Saracens RFC .In all our dealings with them they have been very professional and a real asset to us from a sponsors perspective .They are a very forward thinking Grassroots rugby club going from strength to strength and we wish them all the best for the rest of the season”.

Gareth Fair Kappa UK

aware that with the new age grade structure for girls rugby next seasons the U12 girls age group will need focus from the club to ensure we have as many players as possible for the start of the season.

WOULD YOU SAY THERE ARE DIFFERENT COACHING STYLES, IN YOUR EXPERIENCE, BETWEEN LADIES AND MENS RUGBY?

I have always been one for tailoring my coaching style to the audience at the time, not really dependent on ladies, men’s, children. As individuals people respond in different ways to been coached especially with the minis and juniors. In our section we tend to focus on keep things simple, don’t over complicate this helps everyone to be able to understand what is going on and why we are doing things the way we are.

Girls when they first start do tend to be slightly more nervous and take longer to settle into the team, however we have seen a big difference with the more girls we get in each mixed age group the less this happens. In the juniors our main focus is enjoyment, if the kids enjoy it they come back, as they get older then the competitive elements become more prominent but again we focus on ensuring they get enjoyment from the competitive, physical elements of the game and ensure that we do this in line with the RFU’s core values.

HOW ARE THE VARIOUS SECTIONS AT THE CLUB DOING AT THE MOMENT GIRLS, LADIES, M&J, SENIORS? WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR CLUB TO HAVE AN OVERARCHING ‘ONE CLUB MENTALITY`?

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN THIS ATTITUDE WHILST PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE?

Yes, our club has a huge one club ethos. Our management committee is focussed on delivering rugby to all,

whatever is done for one section will also be made available to the other sections. All sections are represented at committee and decisions for the club are taken as a whole collective.

Our club sponsorships run through all the age groups with all wearing identical match shirts. This gives a great club identity to all everyone. It is great to see our Senior Men’s and Women’s teams doing well, especially the women who are in their first full season as a team. It is also important for the club that our colts and u18 girls are developing well and getting great results too, this gives a good pipeline of players into the senior teams for the upcoming seasons. It has been great to see many of our colts from the last couple of seasons getting into our Senior teams starting line ups.

DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR COACHING PHILOSOPHY FOR YOUR TEAMS? WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A COMMUNITY CLUB?

Exeter Saracens is definitely a community club, we would never turn anyone away who wants to come and play rugby at our club.

We will assist financially in providing kit or waiving memberships were necessary for individuals who would struggle to afford to come along or buy kit.

We keep our memberships as low as possible by ensuring we maximise our sponsorship, clubhouse income and running events at the club which are for the whole community such as our annual fireworks display that brings in big crowds from the local area. My personal coaching philosophy is always make it fun, ensure the kids are enjoying it and instil the RFU core values into everything we do, at training, during matches and in the clubhouse.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE EXETER SARACENS RUGBY CLUB AS A WHOLE AND WHAT MAKES THE SARRIES SUCH A GREAT CLUB TO BE PART OF?

Exeter Saracens is a club for all! it will always be a club for all, no matter what age, gender, ability, race, religion we strive to be inclusive for everyone, from our Minis to our Walking rugby groups.

We are without any doubt one club throughout and the best club in Exeter!

Up the Sarries!

COWLEY COOLING LTD

Brian Pattinson is a current player and sponsor of Exeter Saracens Rugby Club with his business Cowley Cooling.

His senior rugby career has restarted aged 42, playing for the clubs 2nd XV in their back row as either number 6 or 7. Brian told Rugby Club Magazine recently: “Both my children play for the Sarries now, Finley, whose grandad played for the club, is in the U11`s and has benefited from playing throughout lockdown while Olivia, who started playing 3 years ago has now found her way into the U`13`s after a few challenges. I suppose I wanted to be a good example to them both

so when Josh Woodward at the club asked me that leading question ‘have you ever played rugby?` I had an inkling that I might be lacing my own boots up before long! I decided to turn up for training and sure enough it wasn’t long before I too ended up taking to the field of play. A few black eyes and some aches & pains later I’m now playing regularly for our 2nd team and absolutely love it!

My wife Lynsey and I would like to congratulate everyone at Exeter Saracens Rugby Club on being deservedly recognised in Rugby Club Mag and wish all our friends the very best of continued success and fun for the future. Onwards and Upwards- Up the Sarries!”

Cowley Cooling Ltd

Refrigeration, Air Conditioning & Electrical

07495987709

Providing quality solutions in commercial refrigeration and air conditioning across Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset.

“Delighted to be associated with the success of Exeter Saracens Rugby Club” 67

NEXUS IFA

Steve Sycamore is the girls section coach at Exeter Saracens Rugby Club as well as a club sponsor with his business Nexus IFA. He played rugby at school until a double knee injury put an end to his own playing career. We recently caught up with Steve who said: “I live in Exeter and previously coached at Topsham Rugby Club.

Eventually, due to the mixed rugby criteria we decided to start our girl’s section and managed to attract 6 girls initially- now that has blossomed, and we are up to 35 which is quite outstanding.

My youngest daughter Naomi started with Topsham at U9`s, she’s now playing U15`s as the girl’s team loose head which she really enjoys and very much suits her style of play.

The rugby club is a very safe environment, and the girls get on very well together, easily bonding with each other in sisterhood.

The youth and junior rugby ruling that everyone

gets game time is something I fully agree with. This has always been a fundamental of rugby, whoever you are, whether your fast or slow there is also a place for you in our team and club! The girls have been demonstrating some excellent teamwork this season combined with clear communication their progress has been excellent.

This naturally builds into an all-round great atmosphere.

One of the pleasures of coaching is seeing how a player grows and very often, after a few seasons of hard work, there is a change, or light bulb moment, when it all slots into place and a new confidence is born.

I would like to thank everybody at Exeter Saracens for all of their support and efforts from the parents, washing kit and working in the kitchens, to the forever available support from our coaches who all help each other out and are more than happy to take some time to assist you whenever needed!”

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Independent Financial Advice Free Initial Consultation Free Financial Healthcheck Free Investment Healthcheck Free Mortgage Review Free Pension Check “Very proud of our association with Exeter Saracens RFC!”

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Wayne Moore is an ex-player of Exeter Saracens Rugby Club. He is also the clubs Main sponsor with Kentisbury Grange Hotel, a luxury retreat situated in a boutique manor house in Devon, offering the finest brasserie-style cuisine.

Wayne took some time out recently to talk with Rugby Club Magazine about his great relationship with the club, “I hadn`t played a great deal of rugby prior to being introduced to Exeter Saracens however, whilst working In a previous job I was approached by Andy Martin from the club who said in his well known style` I need to talk to you outside!` and then` can you play rugby?` The rest is history as they say and from the age of 22 I ran out for the clubs 4th XV as one of their new prop forwards.

I enjoyed playing regularly and spending time with my mates up until 2007 when work began to take precedent and finally in 2010, due to an injury I had no option but to hang up my boots.

I have always maintained a close relationship with

the club having made many lifelong friends there and was always on hand to help with the fireworks display, hog roasts and more recently a working lunch at the club where some of our excellent chefs laid out beef wellington and other delights from our menu. I moved into my current role at Kentisbury Grange in 2020 and last April, just as we were looking to do some local sponsorship, the club appeared, as fate would have it, and the relationship as their main sponsor began!

Although I haven’t been able to attend all the matches this season in the ones I have attended the 1st XV have played an amazing brand of rugby and subsequently are definitely in the race for this seasons title. Myself and all our staff at Kentisbury Grange would like to wish everyone at the club all the very best of continued success and I would encourage the lads to just keep performing as usual as i`m sure they will enjoy a positive end to the 2021/2022 campaign and add another little bit of history to our club!“

CONTINUED...

LEE WESTERN

Lee Western, known as Westy, has been the Director of Rugby slash Head Coach at Exeter Saracens for the past four years. A former captain, coach, and player at Topsham until the age of 40, when his knees screamed no more, he was eventually persuaded by the clubs then junior chair and current Club chair, Steve Parsons to ply his trade at the Saracens. It appears he arrived at the club at a time where changes were starting to brew and steps to take the club forward were beginning to progress. Lee has also been involved with coaching throughout East Devon, and at the Chiefs academy, through the RFU`s development pathway and has been able to bring a lot of his own ideas, experience and clarity to the club. He spoke recently to Rugby Club Mag, “When I first joined Exeter Saracens, I could see that the teams could benefit from greater structure and organisation. I have always had it in my mind to coach with a game style that I felt I would have liked to play in during my rugby days; a swift moving passing game

with well-structured patterns was how I saw it, of course all plays cannot be set in stone and players must be given the licence to change direction instictively; if it feels right. Freedom to make mistakes is very important for players and coaches alike and to have the confidence and felt support of those around you. Occasions will happen where errors are made.

An incident comes to mind when I delayed making a tactical change which ultimately cost us the match.

As I was responsible for that decision, I too should demonstrate my fallibility.

Afterall we are all involved to primarily enjoy ourselves and therefore being overly critical or punishing with players, although not uncommon in years gone by, is counterproductive.

Aaron Spence and I now coach our Colts in addition to our senior squad which brings a cohesiveness and understanding and unity amongst us all. With 40 players in our senior`s we are now aiming to have a competitive second team which is vital whenever we move to a higher league. We will have to wait however to see what the new RFU structure holds for ourselves and other clubs next season. The aim, I believe, is to create less travel challenges by grouping clubs as locally as possible.

I am very fortunate to have such a skilful group of players this season. I have found that good rugby players are inquisitive and senior players require less of the `Coaching with questions` approach that is helpful for junior players.

Working on our offloading skills has had the added advantage of giving our players a greater insight and instinct when our opposition are using a similar play and video analysis has been invaluable in analysing performance and decisions including my own at times.

Exeter Saracens Rugby Club are a very friendly, family orientated club who are focused on a` One Club Mentality` whilst moving in the right direction. There are many passionate people here who want the best for everyone, our club President Pat Mortimer, who I call `My Rugby Angel` is one of our people who epitomises the spirit of our club.

I would like to thank everyone for their support and all the continued hard work people have put into making our club such a privilege to be part of!”

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JACOB HURFORD HOW DID YOU FIRST BECOME INVOLVED WITH EXETER SARRIES? PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT OF YOUR PROGRESSION THROUGH TO SENIOR RUGBY FROM MINIS.

After stumbling around a football pitch for few years, I was lucky enough to find Sarries, walking through the club house doors aged 10 and immediately having the u11s coach Boundy come up to me and say “you’re gunna be my new prop”, it was pretty obvious that I had found my sport and my ‘people’ per say.

Since then I have played at the club for the next 15 years with my next goal being to reach a century of senior 1st team appearances. (although I’m sure if the records had been kept I would be there already!). I’ve had some great memories from my time in the youth section, from winning the u13s Devon plate at Brickfields to scoring a rare try in the last minute to put our age group through to the Final of the Devon plate once again at u16s! But what is so fantastic about the club is that to look around the place now, the people who have coached and supported the current crop of players since they where children are still there every Saturday to cheer them on and are still there coaching on a Sunday ensuring that the next generation are coming through.

HOW ARE THE U18`S GIRLS DOING THIS SEASON?

With 25 Girls in the playing squad, the side is doing brilliantly, the atmosphere in the group has been fantastic all season and the development they’ve all been making from day one to present has been unbelievable! We are quite a young side with the majority of our Girls being in the first bracket of the age group (15/16 years old) so competing against the clubs with older players has proven to be tough going at times, but the heart and determination they show every week has been phenomenal!

The group of players we have now, would comfortably beat that same group of players from 6 months ago and that is a real testament to their hard work, commitment and resilience over the first half of this season.

We’re incredibly proud of how far they’ve come since August and are looking forward to seeing what the next couple of years hold for them, we hope to see the older girls beginning to break into the Women’s starting 15 whilst seeing the younger girls develop their game and see how far they can go.

Due to CV-19 disruptions over the last couple seasons, this is my third season in charge

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of the side but technically it is my first playing season leading them. As a new head coach I have had some tough times and some steep learning curves, but the team of coaches I have had around me have been fantastic and the positive energy the girls bring to training each and every session has been amazing!

With the new age groups forming next year we drop from consisting of school years 11,12 and 13 to just years 12 and 13. So all I’d say is that we are recruiting new players now and we would love to welcome anyone no matter their experience into the side.

WHAT IS YOUR MAIN PLAYING POSITION? HOW DO YOU FEEL THE MEN`S SENIOR TEAMS ARE PERFORMING THIS SEASON?

I play Hooker mainly but if push came to shove, I can play across the front row. The Senior side has been going from strength to strength for several seasons now and this year we are really seeing the hard work pay off, we have recently had approval for our Development team to re-enter into the Devon Merit leagues after a long time without being able to field a side at 2nd team level, and our 1st Xv is currently flying high competing for top spot in the league.

Confidence is strong and the team spirit is massive, we really are one squad. With 40+ players at training each week, there is always a few players that miss out on first team rugby each Saturday, but this competition for places has only brought standards higher and made everyone in the group more focussed on success.

HOW DID YOU COME TO BE THE HEAD COACH OF THE GIRLS U18`S, HAD YOU COACHED PREVIOUSLY?

Since 2014 I have been involved in coaching at the club, I was originally asked to come along as bit of a helper, picking up cones and running the line on a match day for the u10s age group at the time. As a 16 year old who was just starting at Exeter College on a Sports course as well as their Sports academy, I was excited to get involved. Since then I’ve gained 10 years of experience, gone from a helper, to a forwards coach, to taking up my current role as head coach of the u18s Girls team and recently being offered a coaching role the u18s Devon County side.

I took up the position as HC of the Girls side in March 2020, a whole 3 weeks before the first CV-19 lockdown was introduced and all rugby was cancelled. steering the side through these last couple years has been a challenge as it has for every team

up and down the country, but it is one we have really risen too, bucking the trend by ending last season with more players than we started with and on course to do similar this season as well! We pride ourselves on being a tight group that work hard for each other. Win or lose, we emphasise enjoyment over anything, as well as an understanding that development is always what we remember long term, whereas score lines are quickly forgotten whatever way they go.

WOULD YOU SAY THERE ARE DIFFERENT COACHING STYLES, IN YOUR EXPERIENCE, BETWEEN LADIES AND MEN’S RUGBY?

The simple answer is yes however it is far more complex than that. Due to the women’s game embracing its recent explosion in popularity due to the success of the Red Roses, the introduction of the Premier15s, the increase of rugby provision in schools and the positive changing of public attitudes towards Girls and Women in our sport, there are a lot of new players in our game, as a result, coaches in the Women’s and girls game are prioritising teaching and educating on the basics, the roles of positions and the laws of the game.

The lads however have traditionally had far greater access to the sport from a far younger age meaning that there is a firm foundation knowledge there for coaches to work from. Both the Lads and the Girls game have their unique challenges, however they definitely have their similarities as well. Whilst clubs are rebuilding after the aftermath of the pandemic, it is likely a brilliant time to get your girls and boys coaches in the same room and discussing their practices, because each can definitely learn a few things from one another.

DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR COACHING PHILOSOPHY FOR YOUR TEAM?

Development, Team work and Enjoyment are the three aspects that underpin our training sessions and our approach to games.

• Is what we’re doing developing the players?

• Is it helping them to work as a team?

• W ill they enjoy it?

Our sessions are designed to be as game based as possible in order to best replicate match day conditions, whilst keeping it fun and lightly competitive at the same time. Ultimately we want to develop the person and trust that, that will make them a better player at the same time.

Not everyone wants to go on to play professional rugby, and it is important that we cater for and

develop the needs of the whole group. What we attempt to do is make sure that the experience we provide is catering for as many aims and ambitions as possible so that the whole squad can feel as if they are working towards their goals.

We aim to have the strongest team bonds we can make, with the hope of trying to make sure there are life long friendships and memories made as a result of the experiences within the girls time with the us.

We of course would love to see the girls to progress on to the senior side at the club, through the hard work of both the youth section and the senior side, the link between the u18s and the Women’s team his growing strong, with mixed sessions on a Thursday night and regular communication between coaches we are making it a natural and smooth progression through from youth section to senior section.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE EXETER SARACENS RUGBY CLUB AS A WHOLE? WHAT MAKES THE SARRIES SUCH A GREAT CLUB TO BE PART OF?

Exeter Saracens is a huge part of my life and has been since I was a child It would be cliché to say it is like a family, but it is definitely a place where you can be guaranteed of a smile and laugh and a lot of people who want what is best for one another! We are solely ran by volunteers from the coaching teams, to the administrators right up to the chairman! We do what we do because we love our sport and want to facilitate opportunities for as many Kids and as many adults as possible to have access to the same great experiences we have had within the game! We’re an inclusive club that aims to welcome all into our great sport and we are one that is making huge strides to improve every aspect of the club both on and off the pitch! the next few years hold exciting things for Sarries and we would love to welcome new people along the journey.

CONTACT THE CLUB

Exhibition Fields, Summer Ln, Whipton, Exeter EX4 8NT

01392 462651 www.exetersaracensrfc.rfu.club

Old Leamingtonians DO YOU HAVE A GENERAL COACHING PHILOSOPHY AT THE CLUB?

In general, our coaching ethos from youth to senior rugby is a player first mentality.

In all sections of Old Leamingtonians our coaches work closely with players (and parents) to ensure that they are getting what they want out of each season.

Where in Mini & Juniors this is facilitated by our ‘Coaching Pathway’, a program that supports players, coaches, and parents through the youth section of our club to maintain and grow the love of rugby as well as work on specific skills as they grow older, the Senior sections of our club work closely with players to discover their goals and continue to work with the teams to grow towards a clear, defined collectively decided goal.

COULD YOU PROVIDE A POTTED HISTORY OF YOUR CLUB

Early in 1931, the Old Leamingtonians RFC was formed by a number of rugby playing Old Boys of Leamington College.

The founders were Stanley Ackerman, a non-player but the inspiration and strength of the early days, and Freddie Judd whose name became synonymous with that of the club for many years.

The first match played was against a Leamington 2nd XV on February 7th 1931 and was won, 16 points to 6.

The first Club meeting was held on September 24th 1931 when Arnold Thornton, Headmaster of Leamington College, was elected as President and R.W.J. Russell

as Captain for the Club’s first full season.

A ground next to the old Leamington College field on Northumberland Road was rented and support was strong enough to field two teams.

The teams played in their old school jerseys and until this day, the club still plays in blue and gold hooped shirts.

During the 1935-1936 season the Club was admitted to membership of the Warwickshire Rugby Union - an important milestone in the Club’s progress.

In January 1938, full back Stan Parker was chosen as a reserve for the Warwickshire Colts. Another star performer at this time was fly-half Ray Thomas who was sadly to be killed during the war. Bill Thomas became the first Honorary Life Member.

At the beginning of the fifties the future of the Club looked uncertain. Many promising youngsters had been called up for National Service and others migrated to other parts of the country and to other clubs. Luckily the enthusiastic committee soon lifted the Club out of the doldrums and into the most significant stage of their history. Special mention must be given to Bob Bradshaw, Bunny Brown, Messrs Sharp, Sturley, Stephens, Francis and Rowlands.

In August 1955 the Club bought 5 acres of sporting field from the YMCA at Cloister Crofts for £1500.

In the first 4 months of the appeal, nearly £550 was raised. With loans from the RFU, the Club had now raised enough money to buy the ground. Bill Plummer and Richard Spriggs were thanked for their dedication to get the

funds together. Tony Adams was elected 1st Captain.

We now head into the end of our 90th season, with an even stronger, supported body of members who all share one key interest – Rugby. With President Mike Hemming and Chairman Lucas Wager the 90th year of the club has brought even more thoroughfare to The Crofts a legacy we all hope to continue.

HOW’S THE GENERAL MOOD DOWN AT THE CLUB AT THE MOMENT? & HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE YEAR HAS GONE FOR THE CLUB SO FAR ON THE PITCH?

It is hard to put the mood down at Old Leamingtonians into words, to understand the excitement, pride, and overall joy to the full extent our members are feeling it you would have to join us on a match day. All our teams are doing exceptionally well: The First XV are electric on the pitch with 12 wins under their belt this season, they are sitting neck and neck in terms of points for first position. Only one word can describe our Second XV – undefeatable, with not a single loss on their record our team sit comfortably in top position of their league. Our Ladies this season boast the biggest team they’ve had in several years, with an excellent record of new players entering their first season it is such a joy to have a team that build such excellent players in short amounts of time as part of our club. We are lucky enough to consistently boast a Colts side that is hard to rival in the area, with the current county-wide shortage of

Colts players we are lucky to have retained many of our members through the Mini & Junior section and look forward to their transition into senior rugby.

WHAT ARE THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVES IN MANAGING SO MANY PEOPLE AND GROUPS/ TEAM AT YOUR CLUB AND KEEPING THEM UP TO DATE WITH NEW CHANGES?

It would be easy for onlookers to complain about the prospects of managing multiple sections and teams, but at Old Leamingtonians we are lucky enough to have these sections ran and organised by outstanding volunteers who all have the same goal in mind: ensure that rugby is fun.

We are grateful to have been able to start multiple teams under the Old Leamingtonians name, more specifically two of our ‘newest’ teams: This is our Fourth season with the Hornets, some players were previously part of a disability team supported by Wasps Community Coaches.

The team is supported by Wasps Community Coaches, Old Leamingtonians Rugby Club and Lets Just imagine a CIC. The team have been involved within RFU’s Project Rugby – and play in tournaments across the Country.

This season our team boats a squad of 30 players. Within the team we have players who have played rugby at international level (ladies Irish team), club rugby from Old Leamingtonians we have players from Men’s team, Vets team, ladies team, girls team, colts players and under 14’s (who are volunteering with us while undertaking their DofE).

We have parents and siblings who have joined the team with little or no previous experience and young people/adults who have a disability who also have some or no previous experience of playing rugby.

Gender, age, ability, disability, ethnicity – rugby experience there are no barriers to people being able to join the team - we encourage anyone with an interest in having a go, they come along for a few CONTINUED...

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rewarding social bonds.

Our Juniors can finally look forward to some quality rugby fixtures and we look forward to seeing our progression in County tournaments and festivals. One of the many highlights will most certainly be our Tigers Challenge Tour to Minehead, where over 200 OL’s families will join 6000 players in one of the largest rugby events of the year.

We have even recently partnered with Didi Rugby to start children off even earlier intheir rugby careers.

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COULD YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR LADIES AND GIRLS SECTIONS AT YOUR CLUB

taster sessions and have all to date stayed with the team.

We have parents and siblings playing in the team – this was an unexpected outcome but has had such a significant impact on parents (9) and (2) siblings to be a part of the team and having a shared positive experience with their son/daughter, sister/brother. It is something for them to look forward to, a shared interest, there is lots of banter on and off the pitch.

Hornets have developed into a rugby community, as a team they are mutually supportive of each other, hold each other in high regard and enjoy playing together as a team. A team we are grateful to be able to support and house at Old Leamingtonians.

Walking Rugby is another new addition to the club’s playing profile. Like other sections we wish all Old Leamingtonians’ members a great 90th season ahead and are proud to be part of the celebrations.

The walking game is intended to be a simple version of Rugby suitable for ex-players, injured players and non-players of all ages, abilities and gender who enjoy an active and physical, above all, competitive passing game using a rugby ball.

Walking rugby is a slower,

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non-contact version of the game. It does look funny at times but is a highly effective way of raising your heart rate.

A typical session increases your daily step count by between 6,500 and 12,000 (depending on numbers per team) You will need to work with your team mates to score a try – which cannot be achieved by standing still or ploughing forwards with the ball in hand. You must weave, twist, turn and pass – what the walking does though is it enables those of varying levels of ability, strength, age, and fitness etc. to compete equally against each other.

WHERE DO YOU ENVISAGE THE CLUB WILL BE IN THE NEXT 3-5 YEARS?

In 5 years we will be entering part way through our 95th season, an excellent milestone I know we will all be celebrating. As our local community grows and develops, I hope to find that Old Leamingtonians will too.

At the heart of our mission, we as a club want to open rugby up to all ages, genders, backgrounds… rugby after all is a sport for all. We hope to continue our current success on the pitch, hopefully moving up through the leagues as we work together to improve our rugby and keep our coaching

CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT ANY SUCCESSFUL PLAYER CONNECTIONS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH OR PLAYED FOR THE CLUB OVER THE YEARS?

• Therese Kennedy, Ireland International Womens Team • Heather Fisher, English rugby union and sevens • International 7s & 15s, 6 Nations champion Lois Moulding • Scotland Captain Tracy Balmer We have a close relationship with local premiership rugby team Wasps, with multiple players often helping out and joining us at OLs events. A special mention is reserved for premiership player Ben Harris who joins Head Coach Adam Canning in coaching our Senior Men. Sarah Hunter has also visited our club to support the Irwin Mitchell Mentorship Programme. player focused. At the end of the day if our club is even 1/10th better than it is today I will always be proud to say I am an Old Leamingtonian.

HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUTH RUGBY TO THE CLUB?

In our 90th year the Mini & Junior section is going from strength to strength. We have over 400 children and 75 coaches (as well as first aiders, team managers, etc!) covering age groups U6 to U16. Our Mini’s section is the gateway to the club providing the OLs family experience to the majority of our new players and parent members.

This year with the introduction of the M&J Social Secretary, we will host dedicated family fun days giving lots of opportunities to build those

Old Leamingtonian RFC has a rich history in women’s rugby, being one the of the pioneering teams in Warwickshire and West Midlands. The 34-year-old team today plays their rugby in NC1 Midlands. OLS, also has a fast-growing junior section which just goes to show that rugby for women and girls is one of the fastest growing sport in the UK. Over the 34 years we have seen players such as Olympian Heather Fisher who started playing her rugby at ols, to this day she still pops down to see us. Fisher not the only international rugby player who began her playing career at OLS. International 7s & 15s, 6 Nations champion Lois Moulding, ex Scotland Captain Tracy Balmer and Ireland international Therese Kennedy are amongst a long list of honours for divisional and regional representation.

Women’s Training Monday and Wednesday 7.30pm. Girls Training Wednesday 6.30pm and Sundays 10.30am For information please contact: olswrfc@googlemail.com HOW DOES THE CLUB ENSURE THAT YOUNGER PLAYERS ENJOY A SMOOTH TRANSITION INTO THE SENIOR GAME?

Old Leamingtonians Barbarians are a transitional team that supports the movement from youth to senior rugby: Our ambitions are to ensure all players get game time, enjoy their rugby and want to continue playing for Old Leamingtonians. With the support of all in the Senior Men’s section we want to continue to build on all of our strengths with players and all senior teams developing at the club. Over the recent weeks we have had another few players graduating to the first team set up, and everyone is playing with a smile on their face.

Going forward we are looking to build on this and increase numbers at training to ensure that development takes place throughout the whole senior squad.

The Barbarians and 2nd team are all benefiting from a wide group of coaching staff, including several ex-Colts coaches who are all fully on board to help support the Barbarians and the Blue and Gold triangle.

We also know it will take a considerable POSITIVE effort to shape, develop and retain a lot of budding talents that we hope will become the future of our club.

WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURS TO BE A COMMUNITY CLUB?

Old Leamingtonians is a community club through and through, whether it is supporting local charities such as our recent SOS Kit Aid donations or even just providing a club where anyone and everyone can gather and enjoy the sport.

It is wonderful to see that we are more that just a club but a ‘gold and blue’ family, with the numerous events that support interaction between sections to the support every team receive on match days – not just from other players but social members of our

local community who enjoy the atmosphere we provide down at The Crofts.

Rugby creates a community of like-minded individuals, and Old Leamingtonians would be nothing without the support and efforts we receive from our community.

PLEASE FINISH OFF BY TELLING ME WHAT MAKES OLD LEAMINGTONIANS SUCH A GREAT CLUB TO BE PART OF? AND WHY DO YOU FEEL SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE A SPECIAL FONDNESS FOR OLD LEAMINGTONIANS RFC? AND HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO HAVE A CONNECTION WITH THE VARIOUS SECTIONS AND INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS AT YOUR CLUB AND HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE THIS?

In an effort not to repeat myself, I think plain and simple what makes Old Leamingtonians special is that we are more than just a rugby club, but we have created a family.

If you asked any of our members the things that makes us such a great club to be apart of is that at whatever age you join and whatever time in the season you start your journey at OLs you instantly become part of a family that celebrates your achievements, supports you in times of need and enables your growth as both a rugby player and the translation of these sportsmanship qualities into the person you become. Once and Old Leamingtonians, always an Old Leamingtonian.

ADD ANYTHING ELSE YOU WISH TO MENTION

I would also like to thank all our sponsors this season.

We’re lucky to be supported by companies that share our

mindset when it comes to Old Leamingtonians. Special thank you to Mr Patric Cassidy who has recently supported the club in clubhouse improvements to ensure that our facilities stay on par with our rugby playing.

Thanks also to A.C.LLoyd | DPD | Akuma Sports | Greene King | IPS Kitchens | Murphy Salisbury | Liquidblu Design | Artel Rubber | Rejuven8 | Greys Garage | Brooks Macdonald | Arrundale Financial | Wildside | Bekis Brownies | Warwick Signs

CONTACT THE CLUB

Bericote Road, Blackdown, Royal Leamington Spa CV32 6QP 01926 424991 www.pitchero.com/clubs/ oldleamingtonians

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Nailsea & Backwell Rugby Club

Club Treasurer, Tony Warren, provides his insight to the club.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED AND WHAT FIRST ATTRACTED YOU TO THE CLUB?

I first came along to the Club back in 2007, having moved into the area. I initially brought my son along to start his rugby journey, having hung up my boots a few years earlier. Whilst he was enjoying his rugby, I started coaching his team (and playing a bit myself).

Since then, I have held various Committee roles including the one I am in now, as Honorary Treasurer. So, I guess I am still a relative newcomer to those people who have been with the club since Day One! Looking at what attracted me to Nailsea & Backwell, and as an insight to the extent of volunteering we see across both the juniors and senior sections, one thing stands out…the people.

From day one of turning up to junior training on a Sunday morning, as a family we were all made to feel very welcome.

This welcoming ethos runs throughout the club, whether you join at 6 or 60.

WHAT WERE THE MAIN CHALLENGES FACED IN NAVIGATING YOUR CLUB INTO THE POSITION IT IS IN TODAY?

It has been a long journey from the Club’s inception in 1972 to where we are now, and there have been some HOW’S THE GENERAL MOOD DOWN AT THE CLUB AT THE MOMENT?

To quote one of our senior players just this past weekend – the club is absolutely buzzing! On the playing side: • Our First XV is top of their division and unbeaten this season, having also won the Bristol Combination Vase in October (delayed from April 2020 due to Covid).

• Our Second XV is extremely competitive in their division and occupying a mid-table position.

• The Third XV is top of their division having lost only one league game this season.

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huge decisions made to get us in to the great place we find ourselves in today. From starting out with portacabins for a clubhouse, the effort that went in to making the move to our current home was enormous and those people must look on with pride when they see all the juniors and seniors we have playing at the club. It really would not have been the club it is today without them.

We have had times where the number of juniors coming through to the seniors dwindled, due to a lot of them moving away to university, but the plans put in place to retain players has really come to fruition.

Most recently, the pandemic hit hard, but the fact that the club was in a strong position financially and from playing side, meant that we have weathered this storm and remain strong. This is not just down to the current Committee. The coaches, players and volunteers have played a huge part in keeping everything moving forward over the last two years ensuring we were in a strong position across all aspects of the Club before the pandemic.

DO YOU HAVE A SENIOR AND JUNIOR COACHING PHILOSOPHY AT THE CLUB?

Absolutely, and it is key to the current success of our

• There are over 300 junior members who are playing regular rugby with representation at every age group from Under 6 to Under 18, and three girls’ teams at Under 13, 15, and 18.

•W e have a Touch Rugby section where men, women and youngsters all compete regularly in league competition.

Off the pitch, there is equivalent success. We are all extremely excited to be starting the building work on the extension of the clubhouse soon to give us even better facilities to be able to share with our local community and beyond.

senior teams, and future plans for our continued development.

Starting with the here and now – we currently have three senior teams playing league rugby (the first time ever in the clubs 50-year history). The backbone of this large senior playing squad are our juniors of recent years.

As an example, in October last year, the club won their first ever senior cup final (the Bristol Combination Vase). 17 of the 22-man playing squad that day were products of the club’s junior section.

In addition, the senior coaches and Colts coaches work extremely closely to the same philosophy and playing approach / tactics. Also, a significant number of the senior section’s players are now coaching within the junior section. We have found this has created real continuity and helped the transition for junior players as they make their way into the senior setup.

HOW DO YOU RETAIN AND DEVELOP YOUR PLAYERS?

Firstly, in both the senior and junior sections, the club is firmly committed to coach education. We have worked closely with the Somerset RFU (and Chris Hurd in particular) for a number of years on our Coach Development Plan which aims to ensure our coaches are armed with the best tools possible help successfully develop the players. We firmly believe this knowledge helps create a dynamic and interesting environment for the players which helps to retain their interest in both the game and the club.

CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR FACILITIES?

The club owns its own clubhouse and ground on the outskirts of Nailsea near Bristol. We are lucky to have a great space available to us which, from a playing perspective, includes three senior pitches, plus dedicated areas for the minimidis to have pre-marked out playing areas.

Off the pitch, the clubhouse is blessed with four changing rooms and a gym. We have a fully stocked bar with two function rooms and a full kitchen setup. The clubhouse received a fabulous facelift during lockdown by members of the club to make a truly inviting social setting. The club is regularly used for a whole range of conference and social events to support local businesses and the community.

Most excitingly though, later in 2022, we will be starting the extension of the clubhouse facilities. This will provide us with additional en-suite changing rooms plus additional social space.

Secondly, the club is very welcoming. We don’t differentiate between the three senior teams. We have one senior squad, and the teams are picked from that squad. This creates a great camaraderie and team ethic.

Thirdly, we recognise how important parents and guardians are when it comes to the attraction and retention of players in their junior years. We work hard to be welcoming to not just the junior players, but their

The framework that has been created has also allowed a healthy crop of high-quality juniors to graduate into the senior setup year after year.

Finally, off the field, the club is a great place to be.

We have great facilities, and it creates a brilliant environment to play rugby, and everything that goes with it in!

COULD YOU PROVIDE A POTTED HISTORY OF YOUR CLUB?

Club President, Paul Henley, provides his perspective on the history of the club

families to help reinforce this attraction.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO YOUR FIRST XV AND OR ANY OTHER TEAMS WHO ARE ENJOYING SUCCESS THIS SEASON?

This hasn’t been an overnight success, but fundamentally the club is extremely stable, both on and off the pitch.

The senior section, and the link with the junior section through the Colts, has been working to a consistent development plan under the guidance of Head Coach, Tony Hill, for the last five years. There has been a clear vision on how the senior teams want to play their rugby and with that a consistent training approach to allow the players to reach that goal.

At the start of the process, the players created and agreed the values they wanted to ‘live by’.

This charter has been the structure the squad and worked to ever since. These values are regularly reviewed, but never fundamentally changed, which has provided real continuity for the group.

A number of coaches have worked alongside Tony to help drive this vision and provide genuine subject matter expertise, not least current Bristol Bears forward, Yann Thomas, who has been working with the senior squad for the last three years.

We also have an excellent physio setup provided by Emma Klijn of Nailsea Physio who has helped with player conditioning as well as health and fitness.

‘Many years ago I joined Backwell RFC and knew this was the club for me! The club was formed 50 years ago this season, in 1972, and from the very start the comradery was something else!

On the rugby side, well, we did alright but I could tell that we had a massive opportunity to get better and how we have achieved that now!

In 1994 we moved to our new ground and still the current location of Nailsea & Backwell RFC. The clubhouse was built by some of us players on a very tight budget calling in favours from necessary other trades when needed. Our new home was a huge step-up on the three fourth-hand portacabins we were used to, and still stands as our home – The Ravens Nest!

Also, in 1994 the Junior section was formed, run by a group of dedicated coaches.

Their vision and hard work has provided the lifeblood for the senior section for a number of years and has brought amazing success in recent years. I couldn’t be prouder of the club as it is today as we enter our Silver Anniversary year. The First

XV is on the longest winning run in the club’s history and the same team won the clubs first ever senior silverware in October 2021 (the Bristol Combination Vase).

As the club grows in strength though it is worth remembering back to the start and would like to mention Norman Selwood, Huw Jones and our last trustee who is no longer with us, Morley Smallman. Without these men Nailsea & Backwell RFC simply wouldn’t exist.

With the clubs current committee, and the success we are seeing throughout the club, it is nice to be able to gaze forwards to a very bright future!’

WHAT ARE THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVES IN MANAGING SO MANY PEOPLE AND GROUPS AT YOUR CLUB AND INFORMING THEM OF NEW CHANGES?

We are not sure there are really positives and negatives, there are just things we want to do, and we want to do them to the best of our capabilities. Critical to this is open and transparent communication.

To be able to support the scale of the playing setup across the junior and senior sections the club is lucky to have an absolute army of dedicated volunteers.

We aim to ensure everyone involved in this army is as informed as we can possibly make them of what the club is up to, and what the upcoming plans are, both on and off the pitch.

To assist with this, we have put a lot of effort in this season in improving our social media presence. This has allowed the club to become a lot more accessible to all the volunteers and members, but also to the community more generally.

We have a lot more change coming soon, and it feels now that we have proven mechanisms to help ensure everyone is informed and kept up to date.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SUCCESSFUL PLAYER CONNECTIONS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH OR PLAYED FOR THE CLUB OVER THE YEARS?

The club has been fortunate to have a number of players who have made an impact at a professional level. Most relevant to the club currently is Yann Thomas who was a junior at the club and now plies his trade as Prop at Bristol Bears.

Yann is still contributing to his home club as part of the senior coaching setup.

The club also have two players in the current Bristol Bears academy who are getting regular game-time who we are all very excited for.

WHY DO YOU FEEL SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE A SPECIAL FONDNESS FOR NAILSEA & BACKWELL RUGBY CLUB?

Over the years a massive number of people from our local community have been part of the ranks of the club, either as players, members, volunteers, or supporters.

The club truly works to play a full part in the local community and hosts lots of other local activities such as the Nailsea Running Club, the Community Beer and Cider Festival, Fireworks Night, and a number of skittles teams. This just scratches the surface.

More that all that though, the club aims to be very welcoming to all, whether they are looking to participate in the game, or enjoy a more social setting. With such a big

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junior section, we are lucky that this attracts not just the children who play, but their extended families. Once they are a Raven, they are always a Raven.

WHERE DO YOU ENVISAGE THE CLUB WILL BE IN THE NEXT 3-5 YEARS?

From a playing perspective, it sounds simple, but we are targeting continued playing success in both the senior and junior sections. As we have mentioned above, the key to our strategy to achieve this is the continuation of the development of genuinely high-quality junior players to strengthen and further boost the senior ranks.

This is not just a numbers game though. To manage this, we will need to continue with our focussed attention on the development of our coaches across the whole club.

Off the field, the community in which we live continues to expand with significant new housing being delivered. We would like to be positioned as the number one place that parents wish to bring their children when they look to participate in local sport. We also want to be recognised as ‘the place to go’ for people and businesses who wish to host social events or conferences.

Clearly, we live in fairly uncertain times though, and ensuring financial stability is absolutely critical. This is carefully managed by our Club Committee and will continue to be the mainstay for all our future development.

More immediately though, 2022 is the Club’s 50th Anniversary Year. We would like to celebrate this in real style! We are hoping to do this through the completion of highly successful seasons for our senior teams (having already won the first trophy in the club’s history this season) and delivering the extension of the clubhouse.

COULD YOU TELL ME ABOUT AND LADIES AND GIRLS RUGBY AT YOUR CLUB ANY PLANS TO DEVELOP IN THIS AREA?

The club is thrilled to currently have three girl’s teams being run from the club at Under 13, 15 and 18 levels. The truth is though that this demographic has been amongst the hardest hit

by Covid and the retention of talent in these age groups has been challenging.

The club has taken an innovative, but also pragmatic approach to tackling this challenge and has ‘buddied up’ with other local clubs in a similar situation to help each other out. This has worked really well and the girls have been getting good rugby and high-quality training.

With the upcoming growth in the community of Nailsea, through large scale building activity which is underway, we are hopeful of attracting a new catchment of both Ladies and Girls to the club. To date, we have not had a Ladies team, but this is very much on our development plan.

The club does have a thriving Touch Rugby section which welcomes men, women, and children. They compete in the local Touch Rugby Leagues and provide a great opportunity for all in our community.

HOW DOES THE CLUB ENSURE THAT YOUNGER PLAYERS ENJOY A SMOOTH TRANSITION INTO THE SENIOR GAME?

This does not happen by accident and the senior and junior coaches have spent a huge amount of time discussing and perfecting this. It has been a massive success. As the junior players develop through the age groups, the values and methods of play which the seniors have at the core of their structure are slowly introduced to their training and ways of playing.

This, alongside close relationships between the

HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUTH RUGBY TO THE CLUB?

80% of the players in the 1st and 2nd teams were products of the highly successful junior section. It is now engrained in the club’s philosophy to keep this process working.

Of course, without being too crass, junior rugby also brings a massive level of footfall to the club.

The parents, guardians, grandparents, and siblings are key to the growth of the club and we value their involvement and support massively.

Finally, with our extended clubhouse and facilities, we hope to be able to support youth sport more generally, not just rugby. One of the local Ladies/Girls football teams already trains at our club and we see the potential for the development of this type of opportunity in the future. We want to be right at the heart of the local community.

junior and senior coaching groups, has created an environment of real continuity for the players who transition out of the colts set-up and into our three senior teams.

built soon, this will provide even greater opportunity to support our local community.

It is absolutely critical to our plans on and off the field and our position in the community.

This is not just lip-service. Just last weekend for example,

WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURS TO BE A COMMUNITY CLUB?

Most definitely. We take great pride in this and are actively working to strengthen our ties with the local community. The areas around Nailsea and Backwell are not vastly populated and most people who live locally have had some engagement with the club.

As well as the provision of Rugby, the club is very proud to host a range of charitable events, not least Pink Ladies Day each year for the Breast Cancer charity, BUST. The club also hosts a Ladies football teams training, skittles, weight loss club, Nailsea Running Club, and Nailsea Boxing Club!

On the ‘less fitness oriented’ side, the club hosts the Annual Town Beer and Cider Festival and Fireworks Night events. With the new facilities planned to be

PLEASE FINISH OFF

BY TELLING ME WHAT MAKES NAILSEA & BACKWELL RUGBY CLUB SUCH A GREAT CLUB TO BE PART OF?

Firstly, as hopefully comes through, the club is so much more than a rugby club. It is a stable and safe family environment at the heart of our community. On the playing side, the club is thriving in both the Junior and Senior sections and the link between them is so powerful.

As we celebrate our 50th Anniversary though, it would be amazing to create some real success on the field to match the growth off of it.

We have a real chance to achieve this. Having already won one trophy this season, and with two of our senior teams top of their divisions, we hope it will be a year the whole of our community can really celebrate. As we say locally – ‘Up The Ravens!’

CONTACT THE CLUB

West End Park West End Lane Nailsea Somerset BS48 4BY

+44 1275 810818 www.nailseabackwellrfc.rfu.club

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NAILSEA PHYSIO

Emma Klijn of Nailsea Physio told Rugby Club Mag

NAILSEA PHYSIO LTD

“I`m from West Wales originally and moved to Nailsea 5 years ago. Setting up my business I had always worked with rugby clubs so after a while I connected with Nailsea & Backwell. As club physio part of my role is to offer advice on injury prevention and liaise with coaches. The wonderful thing about the rugby club is that they really care about their players and want to look after their guys making them a joy to work with. The

relationship between myself and the club couldn’t be better. Its not always easy to assess the individuals that your clubs is bringing in and very often you have to learn from these mistakes.

Nailsea & Backwell Rugby club are like one big family to me and its refreshing how they are so keen to learn and grow for the greater good of all.

They are such a cohesive bunch of guys that you get infected by their positive influence. Good luck to everyone for the rest of the season and I look forward to seeing you all soon!”

Our goal at Nailsea Physio is to restore your mobility, keep you moving and ensure your rehabilitation is effective, efficient and stress-free.

Our specialised Physiotherapy Clinic aims to provide the highest standards of treatment and patient care.

Book your appointment with us today.

01275 219948 info@nailseaphysio.com

for work • for sport • for life

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Swindon Rugby Club

125+ Years Interview with Jonathan Parker.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED AND WHAT FIRST ATTRACTED YOU TO THE CLUB?

I started playing Rugby at school at the age of eleven and my PE teacher suggested I go down to Swindon Rugby Club as he was a member.

I went on to play juniors through to first team rugby until a back injury stopped my playing career. I then moved into other roles supporting the club.

WHERE DO YOU ENVISAGE THE CLUB WILL BE IN THE NEXT 3-5 YEARS?

I’d like to think we will of increased the numbers at our age grade rugby level, and be able to put a third team out which we had pre-Covid.

Also from a business side of things, keep the club running on a day to day basis and look for any opportunities to create additional revenue to improve the club for all.

HOW’S THE GENERAL MOOD DOWN AT THE CLUB AT THE MOMENT?

Both the general vibe and atmosphere are good and has been immediately post pandemic.

WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURS TO BE A COMMUNITY CLUB?

Absolutely it’s the foundation of SRFC.

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WHAT WERE THE MAIN CHALLENGES FACED IN NAVIGATING YOUR CLUB INTO THE POSITION IT IS IN TODAY?

The main challenge we face is proper financial management to keep the club turning over every year.

CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR FACILITIES?

We have a clubhouse as well as a function hall, two playing pitches and a gym and three treatment rooms.

DO YOU HAVE SENIOR AND JUNIOR COACHING PHILOSOPHY AT THE CLUB?

From a committee point of view we try and promote a “one club” approach rather than a separate philosophy.

HOW DO YOU RETAIN AND DEVELOP YOUR PLAYERS?

We’d like to think we create a positive environment at the club through the social activities we hold, the players have free use of the clubs facilities, including the gym and physio areas.

WHAT ARE THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVES IN MANAGING SO MANY PEOPLE AND GROUPS AT YOUR CLUB AND INFORMING THEM OF NEW CHANGES?

It can be quite tough as hard decisions do need to be made which not everyone may agree on but communication is key. The

decisions are always made with the clubs best interests at heart.

WHY DO YOU FEEL SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE A SPECIAL FONDNESS FOR SWINDON RFC?

We have a real community feel at the club and the people connected to the club are all one big family spanning generations.

HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE YEAR HAS GONE FOR THE CLUB SO FAR ON THE PITCH?

It’s been excellent, we are lying third in the table. Before rugby restarted we were worried as to whether we could produce two teams but despite all odds we’ve managed to achieve this without having to cancel a game.

HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUTH RUGBY TO THE CLUB?

Being in the position of not even having a junior section

for many years we are feeling the effects in the senior teams through lack of players coming through which is why just before lockdown we put efforts into this area which is proving dividends.

HOW DOES THE CLUB ENSURE THAT YOUNGER PLAYERS ENJOY A SMOOTH TRANSITION INTO THE SENIOR GAME?

We are aware we need to work on this area but we recognise that and we hope to continue to work on this so that this will be in place for the near future.

PLEASE FINISH OFF BY TELLING ME WHAT MAKES SWINDON SUCH A GREAT CLUB TO BE PART OF?

We like to consider ourselves an old fashioned rugby club, but ultimately it’s the people inside the four walls that make the community.

ADD ANYTHING ELSE YOU WISH TO MENTION

I would like to give a shout out to all the volunteers that helped out over the pandemic which has seen the development of a new gym and treatment rooms also the refurbishment of the function hall. it has been a huge team effort well done from the chair.

Thomas Lee (2nd team captain) HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED AND WHAT FIRST ATTRACTED YOU TO THE CLUB?

I am in my 14th year at Swindon rugby club with the last 4 years taking on the role as 2nd team captain.

I previously played for another local rugby club and took a break from rugby due to work. Once in a position where I could start playing again I decided to approach Swindon To start playing for them. I knew many players from the club previously who always spoke highly of the club and how welcoming they were to new members new members WHAT WERE THE MAIN CHALLENGES FACED IN NAVIGATING YOUR CLUB INTO THE POSITION IT IS IN TODAY?

The main challenge faced was not to overwork people and to get the right individuals into the right roles thus making sure the workload was manageable and executed properly; each step of the way.

CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR FACILITIES?

We have a very well situated clubhouse in the heart of Swindon with easy access from all directions so we are also fortunate enough to have a separate members bar and a newly developed function room which can be hired out to the local community.

Additionally we have an onsite gym, which was a project that the players took upon themselves. We also have two home team changing rooms and 2 away changing rooms with showering facilities meaning we can accommodate 2 home matches on both our rugby pitches one of which is fitted with high quality floodlights.

HOW DO YOU RETAIN AND DEVELOP YOUR PLAYERS?

As a club we have always taken new players on regardless of experience or skill set. They are all treated as one of the players from the start and are included In all training sessions.

More experienced players encourage players along with the coaches to help guide and educate them to learn their desired position.

Retaining players is very important to us as we like to think of ourselves as a family who look after each other.

We are always in constant communication with all of our players about on field and off field events which are happening within the rugby club and encourage all players to be heavily involved in both.

During our off field events and social events, held within the club, we make sure that all players and members join in so they know that they are part of one rugby club.

HOW’S THE GENERAL MOOD DOWN AT THE CLUB AT THE MOMENT?

The mood at Swindon Rugby Club, at the moment, Is very positive. Everyone is always excited to play at the weekends and you will always find a large group of players who stay for the duration into the evening to celebrate the rugby they have just played.

There is a real buzz in the air around the club at the moment with the 6 nations about to start and with life in general at the rugby club being back to normal post Covid.

WHY DO YOU FEEL SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE A SPECIAL FONDNESS FOR SWINDON RFC?

Many away teams we have played against throughout the years always enjoyed

coming to our rugby club and often commented, `it’s one of the few proper old school rugby clubs still left in the area were we all stick around, have a drink and sing all our rugby songs and enjoy and celebrate a full day of rugby!` Our members, both old and new, have a special place in their hearts for Swindon RFC, their memories and storys are passed down from over the years and they also enjoy watching new history be made on a weekly basis; we are all are very happy and proud to be part of this great club.

HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE YEAR HAS GONE FOR THE CLUB SO FAR ON THE PITCH?

Our 1st team are having an amazing year during 21/22 season. Facing some very hard challenges and managing to overcome the majority of them we are currently sitting 2nd in the table and know we can more gas in the tank to take us to top spot.

Our 2nd XV are having a harder season with well fought battles every week. promoted into thier current leauge from a great last season, we knew it was going to be hard along with a new squad having to be built every week. We develop and grow each week and the players (both 1s and

2s) do them selves and the Swindon badge proud as they march forward!

WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURS TO BE A COMMUNITY CLUB?

100%. we like people to see us as a community/ family club who welcome not only players but all types of members.

We are very open and look after our club as well as hosting other local clubs such as bikers, local dart teams, hockey team who can use our club as their home as well, our nature is to always to look for ways to support others in any way we can.

PLEASE FINISH OFF BY TELLING ME WHAT MAKES SWINDON SUCH A GREAT CLUB TO BE PART OF?

Swindon Rugby Club is Unique! One of a kind! certainly in Wiltshire.

Members are always looked after. No matter whatever is going on in your life, we all know we can go to the club and feel welcome, safe, not judged and supported.

We like to play hard and celebrate the game in true rugby fashion with both players and spectators all joining in. For many of us its a home away from home which we take great pride in and always will!

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Martin Popowicz HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED AND WHAT FIRST ATTRACTED YOU TO THE CLUB?

43 years, my brother was playing for the colts and he suggested I would enjoy playing rugby at Swindon for the under 16’s team.

WHAT WERE THE MAIN CHALLENGES FACED IN NAVIGATING YOUR CLUB INTO THE POSITION IT IS IN TODAY?

No real issues, as long as we have a strong committed committee and membership we will continue to prosper.

CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR FACILITIES?

A typical amateur rugby club setup, two bars, one hall with a bar, changing rooms and two pitches.

DO YOU HAVE SENIOR AND JUNIOR COACHING PHILOSOPHY AT THE CLUB?

Yes we are one club that runs age groups not defined as senior and junior.

HOW DO YOU RETAIN AND DEVELOP YOUR PLAYERS?

A very good coaching team to develop players, and a traditional rugby ethos .

COULD YOU PROVIDE A POTTED HISTORY OF YOUR CLUBS 125 YEARS?

We started as a railway team that developed into the current setup, we have always been a good level 6 club to play for.

HOW’S THE GENERAL MOOD DOWN AT THE CLUB AT THE MOMENT?

Our social side of the club

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is very important to us and new player always say how great it is when they join.

HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUTH RUGBY TO THE CLUB?

WHAT ARE THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVES IN MANAGING SO MANY PEOPLE AND GROUPS AT YOUR CLUB AND INFORMING THEM OF NEW CHANGES?

COULD YOU TELL ME ABOUT AND LADIES AND GIRLS RUGBY AT YOUR CLUB OR ANY PLANS TO DEVELOP IN THIS AREA?

You will never get it perfectly right, but we use all the resources available to make sure we try to get it right.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SUCCESSFUL PLAYER CONNECTIONS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH OR PLAYED FOR THE CLUB OVER THE YEARS?

We have connections with Bath and Gloucester/Hartbury.

WHY DO YOU FEEL SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE A SPECIAL FONDNESS FOR SWINDON RFC?

Everyone is just a Swindon player/member no matter what their background is.

HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE YEAR HAS GONE FOR THE CLUB SO FAR ON THE PITCH?

Successful, the 1st are currently 2nd in the league, and although the 2nds are bottom of their league they were only promoted last year and have won their first game this season, the spirit in the team is still very high.

Our younger age groups are developing well.

WHERE DO YOU ENVISAGE THE CLUB WILL BE IN THE NEXT 3-5 YEARS?

Level 6, we are happy and comfortable at this level, as it is a good standard to play rugby without being in the pay player levels.

Very as long as we maintain a one club policy.

The area only allows one ladies team in our area and that is with another club, but we still support ladies and girls rugby.

HOW DOES THE CLUB ENSURE THAT YOUNGER PLAYERS ENJOY A SMOOTH TRANSITION INTO THE SENIOR GAME?

This is the most difficult period of the transition, due to higher education and other distractions available to these age groups, we continue to support and encourage players to make sure they continue to develop at our clubs or other clubs if they move out of the area.

WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURS TO BE A COMMUNITY CLUB?

Very much so.

PLEASE FINISH OFF

BY TELLING ME WHAT MAKES SWINDON SUCH A GREAT CLUB TO BE PART OF?

It’s a Family.

ADD ANYTHING ELSE YOU WISH TO MENTION

I’m stepping down this year after 40+ plus years as a youth, senior player, 2nd team captain (1year) 1st team captain (5 years) coach numerous years, committee member numerous years, chairman (3 years) and finally as DOR in our 125th celebrations (a little let due to covid).

Joe Walsh HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED AND WHAT FIRST ATTRACTED YOU TO THE CLUB?

I joined the club in 1998 towards the end of my playing career and still remember the warm welcome and friendliness shown when I pitched up for my first game with the 4th team.

WHAT WERE THE MAIN CHALLENGES FACED IN NAVIGATING YOUR CLUB INTO THE POSITION IT IS IN TODAY?

Maintaining volunteers, without help the club cannot move forward.

CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR FACILITIES?

The facility is ok we have a Bar, function room and Gym the outside is looking a little tired but inside has all been renovated during the COVID lockdown.

We also have 2 pitches, one with training lights and are hoping to develop a third pitch.

DO YOU HAVE SENIOR AND JUNIOR COACHING PHILOSOPHY AT THE CLUB?

We have a joint Rugby development plan. The Senior section has suffered with the recent lack of competitive rugby and social activity due to the COVID 19 pandemic and the government-imposed lockdown. We are running 2 senior sides and a small youth section which has recently been re-established.

Our ambition is to build up the rugby playing membership and volunteers up over the next 5 years to a point where we have: • Established governance team who clearly understand their roles and are accountable for the delivery of this plan and maintaining links with the wider club and its governance and committees with regards to obtaining Marketing, funding, finance, facilities and equipment etc.

• Create and set player culture and standards consistent with the values of the game in consultation with the Team Captains and Coaches and Managers.

• Have the necessary trained Volunteers in place to deliver quality rugby experience.

• Maintain a playing base that can support three men’s senior playing teams and establish a Ladies team.

Sam Currie Hon. Secretary HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED AND WH­AT FIRST ATTRACTED YOU TO THE CLUB?

• Attracted players across all the Youth Rugby range from ages 3-18 • Regularly conduct training needs analysis for the volunteers and produce and maintain a training plan.

• Prepare a plan for long term player development within the Club including Coaching, conditioning, and injury prevention.

• Promotes the Club and game of rugby throughout the wider community.

• Develop the club’s relationship within the rugby community (Dorset and Wiltshire RFU) HOW DO YOU RETAIN AND DEVELOP YOUR PLAYERS?

Youth Section wise is about providing a fun setting and focusing on developing the players skills.

HOW’S THE GENERAL MOOD DOWN AT THE CLUB AT THE MOMENT?

The new youth section restarted this season is build from the bottom up and the overall mood is that we are happy to be back to near normal and ambitious to build up the youth membership.

WHAT ARE THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVES IN MANAGING SO MANY PEOPLE AND GROUPS AT YOUR CLUB AND INFORMING THEM OF NEW CHANGES?

Not much negative I can think of so long as you keep everyone informed what’s happening.

WHY DO YOU FEEL SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE A SPECIAL FONDNESS FOR SWINDON RFC?

It’s a down to earth rugby club with a great welcome.

HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUTH RUGBY TO THE CLUB?

Very, In the past we ran a thriving Youth section but this unfortunately had collapsed. We have resurrected what we have this season and rebuilding the Youth membership is one of our priority objectives over the next five years.

COULD YOU TELL ME ABOUT AND LADIES AND GIRLS RUGBY AT YOUR CLUB OR ANY PLANS TO DEVELOP IN THIS AREA?

Some girls in the youth section and more would be very welcome.

HOW DOES THE CLUB ENSURE THAT YOUNGER PLAYERS ENJOY A SMOOTH TRANSITION INTO THE SENIOR GAME?

In the past we have looked at the players individual development and introduced them to senior rugby at the most appropriate level.

WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURS TO BE A COMMUNITY CLUB?

Yes very much so the playing sides are all drawn from the local area and we look to support the community wherever we can.

PLEASE FINISH OFF

BY TELLING ME WHAT MAKES SWINDON SUCH A GREAT CLUB TO BE PART OF?

The great welcome and a fun place to be.

passed players who have now turned life member. ​

HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE YEAR HAS GONE FOR THE CLUB SO FAR ON THE PITCH? ​​

I have been involved for approximately 16 years. My brother started playing as a youth player so we used to go and watch as a family and i have just never left. I became fixtures secretary in 2017.

Then membership secretary in 2018 and most recently in sept 2021 I became the clubs Hon. Secretary.

Our first xv our doing really well and are currently 2nd in the league. The second xv are having a difficult season they were promoted last season and have gone into a league with alot of 1st teams. They are currently bottom of the table but that doesnt dampen their spirit they go out there every week and give their all and play their hearts out.

HOW’S THE GENERAL MOOD DOWN AT THE CLUB AT THE MOMENT?

WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURS TO BE A COMMU­NITY CLUB?

WHAT ARE THE POSIT­ IVE AND NEGATIVES IN MANAGING SO MANY PE­OPLE AND GROUPS AT YOUR CLUB AND INFORMI­NG THEM OF NEW CHANG­ES?

PLEASE FINISH OFF

BY TELLING ME WHAT​ MAKES SWINDON SUCH A GREAT CLUB TO BE PART OF?

The moral at the club is excellent. It sounds cliché but we are like one big family. My children have been born and raised at the club my eldest now 13 looks up to the players as extended uncles. We all have a laugh and a drink and have come back from the pandemic with stronger relationships than ever.

Communication can cause an issue as we have so many different generations. Some of the older generation don’t use social media so can be difficult to get urgent messages out. On the flip side the younger generation prefer to use the socials so emails and letters get lost.

WHY DO YOU FEEL SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE A SPECIAL FONDNESS FOR SWINDON RFC?

We are longest running club in our area. We pride ourselves on still being a “proper” rugby club based in the heart of our community. We watch the rugby together and then go to the bar for a drink catch up and a sing song. We welcome anybody with open arms.

Once your in you stay. Which is evident by the amount of

We are deffinetly a community club. The local midwifery team use our hall as their hub to see patients. We also welcome in local builders for breakfast provided by our inhouse catering team. Our facility is hired out for everything from birthday parties to external business meetings.

I​ am proud to not only be a member of the club but part of the executive committee.

I was welcomed in with open arms and i haven’t left since. Being female it can be quite daunting being apart of a predominantly male environment. But that doesnt seem to matter to our boys.

I am treated no differently to anyone else. My other half is the second team captain and it is a running joke at the club that they would prefer to have me at social events than him haha. I can honestly say that i don’t just consider the members as friends but as family.

They all pull in to help to each other when it truley matters and without them we wouldn’t have a club.

HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE YEAR HAS GONE FOR THE CLUB SO FAR ON THE PITCH?

Is has been very difficult to build up any momentum when you can’t play and train regularly.

WHERE DO YOU ENVISAGE THE CLUB WILL BE IN THE NEXT 3-5 YEARS?

Running 3 senior teams, a full youth section and improved facilities.

CONTACT THE CLUB

New Pavilion, Greenbridge Rd, Swindon SN3 3LA

01793 521148 www.swindonrfc.rfu.club

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Blaina RFC SHAUN CONNOR

Shaun Connor has had an illustrious professional playing career as a formidable, talented and high scoring fly half. He is currently coaching over at the Dragons Academy and the Wales U20 squad but closer to home he is also the head coach, and sometimes player at Blaina RFC, Shaun took time out recently to speak with Rugby Club Magazine, “Yes, I’m a local lad originally from Abertillery which is 3 miles from Blaina. I played for the youth at Abertillery up until I was 19 before moving to Newport for two seasons, then Ebbw Vale for two and Neath and then my 5 year spell at Ospreys and a further Two at the Dragons.

Its fabulous that the club have their own identity with their new clubhouse now and no longer have to live their previous nomadic lifestyle. I was coaching at the Dragons up until 2018/19 and was at a bit of a loose end when a friend on the committee at Blaina asked me to join them, It fitted in nicely at the time as I was away 3 weeks coaching in Russia and then 3 weeks back, in that cycle, until Covid kicked in of course.

It’s great to get the boys back on the field and playing and enjoying themselves.

We have good numbers at training and are a bit reliant on availability but that’s ok, it is what it is. We tend to keep it very simple and not too complicated for the level we are at, its really just a case of playing whatevers in front of us. We have to be aware and realistic as most of the players we have are working men who have full time jobs and very often families who are giving up an hour or so a couple of times a week for training and I always say to the lads make sure they are enjoying themselves cause otherwise what’s the point!

I know most of the people at the club and have many friends there who I went to school with and played alongside. It’s a real little jewel in our local community and our excellent committee are 2nd to none; just a great bunch of lads who go beyond the call to serve our local area. 95% of our players and members are local also and the real strength in Blaina Rugby Club is that it is born out of many generations of friends and families with grandchildren who are now proud to be pulling on our great club colours!”

Interview with Chris Adams HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED AND WHAT FIRST ATTRACTED YOU TO THE CLUB?

I’ve played for the club since Youth, so 1976! I played until I was 54, and hold the club appearance record of 839, or over 900 if you count Youth games. It is my local home town club, so all I ever wanted to do was play for Blaina.

WHAT WERE THE MAIN CHALLENGES FACED IN NAVIGATING YOUR CLUB INTO THE POSITION IT IS TODAY?

Like most clubs at our level, there are always problems around funding, player and Committee numbers, lack of volunteers etc.

CAN YOU UPDATE US ON THE EXISTING SITUATION WITH THE NEW BUILD IS IT FULLY COMPLETE OR DO YOU PLAN TO ADD ANYTHING?

The build is basically now complete, and we are up and running, serving beer!! It also acts as a HQ for both rugby and cricket, and we have WHAT DOES THE NEW CLUBHOUSE AND OPPORTUNITY MEAN TO THE CLUB, PLAYERS, MEMBERS FANS AND COMMUNITY?

In years gone by, there was a clubhouse in the centre of town. This was very much the hub of the whole community.

For various reasons, this closed

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some local community groups who are interested in making use of the facility.

DO YOU HAVE SENIOR COACHING PHILOSOPHY AT THE CLUB?

We are very fortunate to currently have Shaun Connor as our head coach. Shaun has played at a very high level with the Ospreys and Dragons. He has also coached at even higher levels, with not only the Dragons on his CV, but also as backs coach of Russia at the last World Cup. He is a local Blaina boy, who effectively rocked up a couple of years ago to ask if he could lend a hand?! As you can imagine, the positive reaction from players, other coaches, Committee and supporters has been second to none. He has also just been appointed one of the coaches for Wales U20s for the forthcoming 6 Nations.

HOW’S THE GENERAL MOOD DOWN AT THE CLUB AT THE MOMENT?

Currently very positive, given the new clubhouse and coaching setup as outlined above. We are currently second in our division, and are going pretty well on the field. around 20 years ago. Since then we have led something of a nomadic existence, using various pubs in town as HQs at varying times. Getting the new clubhouse up and running has effectively given us our identity back. It provides a base for both rugby and cricket clubs, and offers a lovely facility for other groups to utilise.

HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUTH RUGBY TO THE CLUB?

Ladies Team

WHAT ARE THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVES IN MANAGING SO MANY PEOPLE AND GROUPS AT YOUR CLUB AND INFORMING THEM OF NEW CHANGES?

As with any diverse group of people, there are – ahem!

– challenges to managing things! But generally we are a fairly tight-knit group, who pull together to achieve the best for the club. We do have an excellent online presence, and this is driven by our Captain Luke Rees.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SUCCESSFUL PLAYER CONNECTIONS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH OR PLAYED FOR THE CLUB OVER THE YEARS?

We have always been fortunate in Blaina in that we have produced some wonderful players over the years – starting with people like union and league legend Dai Watkins, Bob Norster, Mike Ruddock, Nigel Meek, Jason Strange to name but a few.

Committee

WHY DO YOU FEEL SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE A SPECIAL FONDNESS FOR BLAINA RFC?

We have always enjoyed a good support, from right back in the day.

HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE YEAR HAS GONE FOR THE CLUB SO FAR ON THE PITCH?

As I say above, things have gone fairly well, with all the positive vibes from players and coaches.

WHERE DO YOU ENVISAGE THE CLUB WILL BE IN THE NEXT 3-5 YEARS?

Now where’s that crystal ball? Realistically, I would like to see us put competitive sides on the field on a regular basis; obviously promotion when it becomes available would be ideal; would love to see the Ladies side thriving; and if we were able to start off some younger sides then that would be an absolute bonus!

When I say that we have no age group sides in the club, you will think that we don’t put much stock in this.

However nothing could be further from the truth. We did try setting up sides for youngsters a few years ago, but it all came to nought. The trouble is that there are at least 4 clubs within a three mile stretch of road in our valley, of which we are central.

And the other sides all have established teams for young players at varying ages. So of course this makes it very difficult to try and start sides from scratch – there are only so many children, and so many volunteers, to go around! This is not to say that we don’t harbour ambitions to try again at some point, but for the moment we are just trying to consolidate what we have.

COULD YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR LADIES AND GIRLS SECTIONS AT YOUR CLUB?

The Ladies team has been running for about 4 years now, with varying degrees of success. We are currently in a little bit of a slump, as a number of girls either stopped playing, or moved on to other teams. So we are currently undergoing another rebuilding process. This is largely driven by our main Ladies activist, Sara Morgan. Sara was capped

by Wales Women some time ago, so has good pedigree!

And she is still playing, although it would be more than my life was worth to divulge her age – there are some things you never ask a lady!

But she drives the team almost single handedly. We also have two good and dedicated coaches in Tony Jayne and Jason Thomas.

HOW DOES THE CLUB ENSURE THAT YOUNGER PLAYERS ENJOY A SMOOTH TRANSITION INTO THE SENIOR GAME?

Again, difficult to quantify this without having youth sections. Given all the other clubs locally who have this in place, of course there is not always the possibility of players who come out of youth ALL getting game time with the clubs that have developed them. To this end we are always happy to offer players some experience and development with us, as of course all players mature at different rates. We try to do this with the blessing of their parent club, on the understanding that they are always welcome to return to their Alma Mater!

WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURS TO BE A COMMUNITY CLUB?

Very much so. As I’ve said before, we pride ourselves on being totally inclusive, and welcome players and members of all abilities and backgrounds.

PLEASE FINISH OFF BY TELLING ME WHAT MAKES BLAINA SUCH A GREAT CLUB TO BE PART OF?

The club has a rich history, and as mentioned, some amazing players from some years gone by. It was often the case that many of our better players had chances to go and ply their trade at what would have been perceived as bigger clubs, at a higher level. But so many times, many of these great players declined these offers, and spent most of their careers at a small valleys club. This gave us huge success in the past, although less so now; but that is what we are trying to recapture going forward.

CONTACT THE CLUB

The Yew Tree Inn, Blaina, Blaenau Gwent, NP133BU

www.blaina.rfc.wales

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FLAME PROTECT UK LTD

I have been asked several times to help coach this great club that’s close to my heart and it’s something I could be interested in doing but I’ve just not got the time at the moment. I would like to wish all involved at Blaina RFC, from the committee, players t bar staff and fans all the very best from all at Flame Protect UK & hopefully I will get to see you all soon for a beer in the new club house.

Flame Protect Uk Ltd is the UK’s market leading TV & Film fire proofing specialists who work all over the world on large productions.

Flame protect has helped BAFTA winning productions with their fire proofing scenes.

To find out more about our services visit www.flameprotectuk.com Wes Fisher -Director

UNIVAR SOLUTIONS

Univar Solutions has sponsored Blaina RFC for 10 years + now.

What we enjoy most is that you are always made to feel part of the club. A member of the family. Everyone (players to committee members) appreciate and value the support. We have attended and enjoyed every presentation evening since we started our sponsorship and it was an absolute pleasure to attend the “clubhouse opening” game v Abertillery this season. A great day for the club and of course the local community.

Kevin Lynch of Club sponsor Doosan Infrastructure Europe recently told Rugby Club Magazine, “Its fabulous to hear how well the club are doing on and off the pitch and I’m sure their new clubhouse will make a difference to the local community. I would like to congratulate everybody at the club on the fulfilment of their new development and wishing them many successful seasons to come!”

“Very proud sponsors of Blaina RFC”

Redefining distribution to be the most valued chemical & ingredient distributor on the planet. www.univarsolutions.com 84

Changing lives We fund life-changing projects across the UK and Ireland, using the power of rugby to support children with disabilities or facing disadvantage

Wooden Spoon is a registered charity in England and Wales (Reg No: 326691) and in Scotland (Reg No: SC039247)

woodenspoon.org.uk

#helpingkidsthroughrugby85

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