1st XV Charity Rugby Match Cheltenham College vs Sir Thomas Rich’s Raising Funds for National Star Kingsholm Stadium Thursday 16 November
National Star National Star is delighted that they have been chosen as the Charity of the Year by Cheltenham College. National Star will be the focus of their whole school fundraising campaign throughout the 2023-24 school year. There will be events for the whole school get involved in, as well as the annual rugby match at Kingsholm and the annual netball match which take place at Cheltenham College. National Star have decided that their fundraising will be spent on the Mollii suit. Chief Executive Lynette Barrett said: “Innovations, such as the Mollii suit can be life-changing for young people with disabilities. In our trials with this technology, we have seen students for the first time be able to hold their parent’s hand and sit up without assistance. These small changes can greatly improve a young person’s quality of life. But such cutting-edge technology comes at a price, a price which we, as a charity, cannot afford without community support.” The Mollii suit is like a bit like a tracksuit but it is fitted with 58 electrodes, which can be controlled and adapted to each user. Mollii uses a low level electrical current which stimulates the muscles to contract and relax. This essential reaction is often lacking in someone with a neurological condition. The stimulation relaxes muscles that are perhaps causing unwanted movements and activates others which may need help. The wearing of the suit also ensures that the stimulation is through the whole body at the same time, whereas most therapies just work on one problem area. We have run trials of these suits at National Star and after just one hour wearing the suit, we have seen: • Improved mobility for our ambulant students (those who can walk) – they are walking taller with a longer stride • Improved standing and sitting posture so the students are more comfortable, particularly those in wheelchairs • And most importantly we have seen a reduction in pain, which of course improves students’ mood and mental health. Should Cheltenham College reach your fundraising target, we could buy 16 of these suits – just imagine the impact that this will make on their day to day lives. Scan the QR code to donate today.
Game Schedule Curtain Raiser: 5.15pm Cheltenham College Prep School U13 A and B vs Cheltenham Tigers and Sir Thomas Rich’s School Kick Off: 7.30pm Cheltenham College 1st XV vs Sir Thomas Rich’s School Finish: 9.00pm
“Thanks to Cheltenham College’s incredible commitment to this project, National Star will be able to use these innovative suits to improve young people’s lives. Through such fundraising partnerships we can make a difference” National Star Chief Executive, Lynette Barrett
Sport at Cheltenham College Director of Sport, Tim Watts As Director of Sport at Cheltenham College it is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 1st XV Charity Rugby Match here at Kingsholm. It is a major event in the sporting calendar and it encompasses all the fantastic attributes that sport has to offer for our pupils. Our mission at College is to promote a lifetime investment in sport and exercise, the thrill of being involved in a team dynamic and the satisfaction one gains from competition. At Cheltenham College we pride ourselves on being able to offer a sporting experience for any child, regardless of ability.
With a full calendar of fixtures each year and teams of all abilities, everyone at Cheltenham College has the opportunity to participate and succeed in sport. Those pupils that wish to reach the highest levels in their chosen sport are supported through the Talented Athlete Programme. Everyone benefits from our extensive sports facilities and the coaching and support of the College Sports Professionals. Good Schools Guide 2023 highlighted that Girls and Boys at College place “equal value on each other’s sports, with masses of parents, pupils and staff turning up to cheer on players at matches.” We’re sure that this evening’s event highlights just how true this statement is!
Cheltenham 1st XV Rugby Coaches Olly Morgan, Director of Rugby Olly has previously played professionally for Gloucester and England. He has been Director of Rugby at Cheltenham for almost a decade. Rugby at Cheltenham sees almost 250 boys play across 14 teams in an extremely competitive fixture list. Olly has established a strong link with Gloucester Rugby which continues to see many current and former pupils involved in the programme. This year’s charity game is the fifth year Cheltenham College have played Tommies and every game has been played with huge passion and grit. In fact, across the five matches there has been an aggregate of around 10 points which just highlights how close each game has been. Cheltenham College are looking forward to another tough challenge on Thursday night and hope to raise as much money for our chosen charity National Star.
Terry Fanolua, Rugby Coach
Freddie Million, Rugby Coach
Nick Runciman, Rugby Coach
Sam Raven, Forwards Coach
Cheltenham College
Ethan J Prop
Finn T Hooker
Ed C Back Row
Fred B Second Row
TJ F Back Row
Ben C Scrum Half
Tom U Fly Half
Charlie H Wing / Full Back
Ed RD Centre
David G Centre
Zack HS Wing
Barney C Full Back
1st XV Team Player Profiles
Finn K Prop
Ben R Wing
Tom WG Wing
Ronan T Back row
Jack B Hooker
Wilf T Back row
Will S Scrum Half
Josh H Back Row
Luke K Second Row
Zak H Prop
Fergus H Second Row
Cheltenham College Sporting Success Stories Cheltenham College are proud to have a number of alumni who have gone on to achieve fantastic sporting success since their time at Cheltenham. A number of our successful sportspeople have been named below. Flora Peel (OJ and A, 2013) GB Hockey 2022 Pro League Squad Flo Fletcher (A, 2021) GB Hockey 2023 Elite Development Programme Squad Emily Drysdale (W, 2019) represented Wales at the European II Women’s Hockey Championship Seb Blake (OJ and BH, 2020) Gloucester Rugby Jack Clement (S, 2019) Gloucester Rugby, England U20 Rugby Louis Hillman Cooper (S, 2020) Gloucester Rugby, England U20 Rugby Ollie Thorley (BH, 2015) Gloucester Rugby, England Rugby Jamie Chadwick (OJ and Ch, 2016) a 3x W Series Champion 2022
Sport at Sir Thomas Rich’s Director of Sport, Rhys G Williams
I would like to thank all spectators and supporters of both schools this evening for making the game as special as possible for all the boys involved. I would particularly to like to thank Cheltenham College for the chance to, yet again, be involved in this fantastic opportunity to raise funds for an incredibly worthy cause. National Star does amazing work for so many young people. It is a privilege to be part of an event like this evening where we are able to support them. Games between Sir Thomas Rich’s and Cheltenham College are always hard fought battles, played in good spirit. They are usually hugely competitive, which I am sure will continue to be the case this evening. I wish all boys playing tonight the very best; play hard and enjoy it! - Pob lwc pawb!
Sport at Sir Thomas Rich’s Sport at Sir Thomas Rich’s is the lifeblood of the school. Although Rich’s has a long tradition of academic excellence and we are always in the top 50 state schools in the country in terms of performance in examinations, sport is an integral part of school life for many Richians. Rugby and cricket are the major sports in the winter and summer, and the programmes in these sports are extensive in participation, foster elite performance and most importantly individual pupil development. There are also a wide range of other sports available to pupils from cross country, basketball, swimming, football, tennis, badminton, athletics, to name a few, that supplement and enrich the lives of pupils in the school. However, in many ways the chief pride and glory for many Richians lies in their rugby. Rugby at Sir Thomas Rich’s has a long and distinguished history with the victory in the Oxford 7s in 1963, often cited to reinforce the message about our heritage. However, in the last decade we have gone from strength-to-strength. Regardless of the sporting discipline, when pupils at Rich’s participate in sport, we hope that they enjoy the experience and perform to the best of their ability. Garde Ta Foy!
Meet the Sir Thomas Rich’s 1st XV Rugby Coaches Tomos Wyn Williams Tomos played for Llanelli Scarlets U18s while with Aberystwyth Rugby Football Club before moving to study and play at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Afterwards, he moved to Evesham where he played for Hereford and Worcestershire County and started coaching at the School. The majority of his coaching has been at STRS. He also spent a year in the Gloucester DPP coaching up to Under 15s. He is currently in his third year as the 1st XV coach at Rich’s. Rhys G Williams Rhys returned to Sir Thomas Rich’s last year and resumed his role as Director of Sport, which had been his role for 10 years previously. In the interim period, Rhys spent four years as Director of Sport at Bristol Grammar School. Rhys is a former Wales Schools U16, U18, Wales U19, U21 and Wales 7s international, who played for Ebbw Vale and Newport Gwent Dragons. He is thoroughly enjoying being back at Rich’s and helping with rugby in all year groups.
Nick O’Neil Nick is a former Richian who joined STRS in 1998. He played rugby throughout his time at Rich’s, culminating in three seasons as a 1st XV player. Nick represented Gloucestershire county during his time at school both at U16 and U17 level. He left to study Sport and Exercise Science at UWIC, now Cardiff Met, and was part of the Freshers squad that won the BUCS competition in 2006. After a few years working as a Gym Instructor and Fitness coach, Nick returned to his alma mater as a trainee teacher. Nick has been working at Rich’s since 2012. He has coached a number of age groups and has been involved in Tommies’ greatest successes on the rugby field since 2012. Including two U15 plate finals at Twickenham and again with the U15 team who won the National Plate Final at Sixways, Worcester in 2017. Nick is currently Head of Physical Education.
James Emmerson James is an Old Richian, who joined STRS in 2012 in Year 7. His final season was with the 1st XV in 2018/19. James played for the 1st XV against Cheltenham College, and he is pleased to see that the fixture has continued to endure and has built to the showcase it has become today. His experience at Rich’s inspired him to pursue a career in sports, completing a degree in Sports and Exercise Science, while continuing to play rugby at university. James joined the Senior coaching staff at the school in 2022 and he has thoroughly enjoyed being able to contribute to developing talent. James is Head of the Strength and Conditioning programme at Rich’s and he is currently undertaking his Masters in Strength and Conditioning, whilst also assisting with the S&C programme in the Gloucester Rugby Academy.
Sir Thomas Rich’s
Ed A Centre (Captain)
James L Scrum Half (Vice-Captain)
Jacob R Prop
Ivan S Hooker
Tom C Prop
Benji G Second row
Jay E Second row
Jasper P Flanker
Sam H Flanker
Beau G Number 8
Freddie F Outside Half
1st XV Team Player Profiles
Ollie R Centre
Charlie M Wing
Ed S Full Back
James S Hooker
Ekene C Prop
Harry P Second Row
Ollie A Second / Back Row
Sam P Outside Half
Ollie W Full Back / Wing
Alex M Wing
Isaac E Wing
Harry B Scrum Half
“Every school says it produces all-rounded pupils, this one really does.” Good Schools Guide, 2023
Cheltenham College, Bath Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 7LD Tel: +44 (0) 1242 265 600 info@cheltenhamcollege.org www.cheltenhamcollege.org Registered Charity No. 311720