OB Sports Club OB Sports Club
Old Bristolians’ Sports Club Failand
underpinned by amazing volunteers in all areas, leading to waiting lists to join.
OBs’ rugby returned from the Covid-enforced break with a spring in its step and a new Director of Rugby in the shape of Tom Lindsay (ex-Bristol Bears and England Saxons).
Not only is the rugby key but its ethos teaches the players all round life skills as they gain friends for life. We have coaches involved in the Bristol Bears Academy, including the Manager of the U18s who recently became national champions, and continue to bring OBs through the academy.
All three men’s sides continue to enjoy the open running rugby for which they are known, resulting in strong starts to the season with league wins over local rivals. A slight dip in form linked to front row availability (and the ski season) left most sides in the chasing pack just below league leaders, but results have steadily improved thanks to an excellent coaching team. The club continues to thrive with its ‘faster’ ethos of all players enjoying their rugby with teams to suit abilities from serious to social and a thriving post-match atmosphere. It is testament to this that we continue to run three regular men’s sides, as well as a Vets (35+) and Ladies team, now in their sixth season and continuing to grow, with girls’ sides at U13 and U15. Our Minis & Juniors’ section now has nearly 450 children from U5/6s up to Colts playing together to build confidence and resilience in our players and teams. It is
Bristolienses - Issue 62
The focus is always about giving children the best experience possible. However, this year we are immensely proud of the achievements of Andy Christie, the first OB to win a full international cap. Andy and his brothers played at OBs from small boys and the whole club was overjoyed to see him run out against France for Scotland. As the weather improves to suit OBs’ style, all sections and teams are looking for strong availability and stronger finishes to the season. Midweek training sessions over winter have continued despite the weather thanks to use of the world-class 3G facilities at BGS. New players (especially OBs) of all abilities are always welcome, so if you haven’t played in while, fancy a trying a new club, or are moving back to Bristol and want to get involved, please get in
touch via www.obrfc.co.uk. There is coaching to suit all standards as well as food (and pudding club) posttraining.
A Waldram OBRFC 2022
Many readers will know that, on a day to day basis, the Old Bristolians’ Sports Club manages The Failand War Memorial Playing Field, which is owned by the Old Bristolians’ Society. Sport is again fully operational and it is clear from the playing section profiles later in this edition that the Club is thriving with a strong membership and links with the School. Despite the problems created by the pandemic the Sports Club finances are in good shape but we have some budgeting questions to look at particularly regarding the long term financing of the Stirratt Astro Turf Pitch. We are eventually on the brink of registering the Sports Club as a limited company and although the major redevelopment of the pavilion envisaged is not currently feasible, due to lack of grants from the sporting bodies, we have some funds available and with the help of volunteers we are organising a focussed refurbishment of the interior to give a bright modern welcoming look.
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