6
ONA — Old Novocastrians Association Magazine
TRY-ING TIMES From humble beginnings to a thoroughly modern club, Novo President Angus Walker delves into the history of the Novo RFC catering amenities of the club would be enhanced”. With the acquisition of a permanent home the club arrived at the end of its beginning. In the 1920 and 30s the club provided several international players, Oxford and Cambridge Blues, as well as many County players, culminating in the most successful period in the 1930s when the club reached the Northumberland Senior Cup on three occasions but, unfortunately never won. Historically, we tend to think of Old In 1992 Novos again played in the Novocastrians RFC as exclusively for exNorthumberland Senior Cup Final but were RGS pupils until open membership was once again runners up. Whilst all other introduced in 1969. However in the early Northumberland Cups have the Novos name years of the 20th Century the club on them the Senior Cup continues to elude. amalgamated with ex-pupils of the short The 1987-88 season saw a revolution in lived Newcastle Modern School. community rugby with the introduction of Unfortunately they forgot to tell the other leagues. Novos found themselves a league club of the merger and received a strongly below that which they considered their rightful worded letter of complaint causing an place but put matters right by gaining equally blunt reply that “the writer should promotion at the first attempt. This placed them not waste his time writing letters of this in North East Division 1 where they remained sort but rather turn his efforts to supporting until 1995 when they were relegated three Old Novos”! times in successive seasons, ending up in Old Novocastrians RFC was founded in Durham and Northumberland Division 3. A 1899 and played its first game at Walker determined recruitment effort and the Rugby Ground on 21st October 1899. Old appointment of a new club coach stopped the Novos won, though the opponents and score rot and the club achieved immediate promotion are both unknown. The following season saw to coincide with the Centenary Season of Old Novos contest the final of the 1997-98. The improvement sadly did not last Northumberland Senior Shield against and season 2001-02 again saw the club Wallsend. Wallsend won. Old Novos languishing in Durham and Northumberland registered a protest and were awarded a Division 3. About this time an enthusiastic and replay which they lost by a bigger margin. committed group of players and recently Old Novos seem to have led a nomadic retired players took over the running of the existence in the early years, playing firstly at playing side of the club, immediately resulting Walker, then at the former Wallsend RFC in Novos being promoted as Champions, ground followed by the RGS ground. When winning the Journal Trophy in 2002, and only again the club had players but no ground, it missing a second successive promotion by the absorbed St Georges RFC which had a narrowest of margins the following season. ground but no players. Last season the club gained promotion to The outbreak of the First World War found Durham and Northumberland 1, and after what the club playing at pitches along the Great was a pretty sparse first half to the season have North Road rented from the City Council. After hopefully secured a place in this league next the break for hostilities, nomadic life resumed season with four wins from the last five games. with the use of grounds at West Avenue in Ladies rugby arrived at the Club in 1992 and Gosforth and at Brough Park. Then at long last though there were several die hard dissenters through the generosity of Sir Arthur at the time the venture has proved to be a Sutherland, what is now the club’s home at successful one both on and off the pitch, with Sutherland Park was acquired in 1928. A the section receiving national prominence in much admired clubhouse with a large tea room early years and the award of several and elegant dance floor was built. Membership International caps. Novos ladies won promotion was extended to ladies so that “the social and last season and now play in National League 1.
“The beginning of the 21st Century sees the Novo RFC in good health, with good young players replacing the stalwarts.”
Novos Youth Section is a thriving Mini, Midi and Youth organisation, running teams from Under 7 to Under 15. Boys and girls mix in the same squads until they’re 12, at which point they train and play separately. All squads are managed by fully qualified coaches with assistance from senior players. Training is from 10.30am to 12 every Sunday from September to the end of April. At present we have over 150 children registered, but as teams compete on a full size pitch from Under 13 upwards we are in need of more children to ensure the continuation of all teams. The coaches are primarily made up of current and retired players who now have their own children coming through the system. The beginning of the 21st Century sees the club in good heart with a steady influx of good young players replacing the stalwarts who so determinedly and successfully restored its playing reputation. In addition to rugby there is also an Australian Football Rules side based at the club, this is played during the summer months. We have provided several internationals and have won the Northern League for the last three years. Many of the skills required to play rugby union are required to play Aussie Rules and this gives us an additional way of training and competing during the summer months. We are always happy to see new and old faces at Sutherland Park and actively seek new members – please feel free to come up and see what we are doing, you will be made most welcome! Novocastrians RFC are at Sutherland Park, The Drive, Benton, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7SY. The President Angus Walker can be contacted on 0191 281 1860. The website is: www.pitchero.com/clubs/novocastrians
