Try-ing Times

TRY-ING TIMES From humble beginnings to a thoroughly modern club, Novo President Angus Walker delves into the history of the Novo RFC

Historically, we tend to think of Old Novocastrians RFC as exclusively for exRGS pupils until open membership was introduced in 1969. However in the early years of the 20th Century the club amalgamated with ex-pupils of the short lived Newcastle Modern School. Unfortunately they forgot to tell the other club of the merger and received a strongly worded letter of complaint causing an equally blunt reply that “the writer should not waste his time writing letters of this sort but rather turn his efforts to supporting Old Novos”!

Old Novocastrians RFC was founded in 1899 and played its first game at Walker Rugby Ground on 21st October 1899. Old Novos won, though the opponents and score are both unknown. The following season saw Old Novos contest the final of the Northumberland Senior Shield against Wallsend. Wallsend won. Old Novos registered a protest and were awarded a replay which they lost by a bigger margin.

Old Novos seem to have led a nomadic existence in the early years, playing firstly at Walker, then at the former Wallsend RFC ground followed by the RGS ground. When again the club had players but no ground, it absorbed St Georges RFC which had a ground but no players.

The outbreak of the First World War found the club playing at pitches along the Great North Road rented from the City Council. After the break for hostilities, nomadic life resumed with the use of grounds at West Avenue in Gosforth and at Brough Park. Then at long last through the generosity of Sir Arthur Sutherland, what is now the club’s home at Sutherland Park was acquired in 1928. A much admired clubhouse with a large tea room and elegant dance floor was built. Membership was extended to ladies so that “the social and

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.

In 1992 Novos again played in the Northumberland Senior Cup Final but were once again runners up. Whilst all other Northumberland Cups have the Novos name on them the Senior Cup continues to elude.

The 1987-88 season saw a revolution in community rugby with the introduction of leagues. Novos found themselves a league below that which they considered their rightful place but put matters right by gaining promotion at the first attempt. This placed them in North East Division 1 where they remained until 1995 when they were relegated three times in successive seasons, ending up in Durham and Northumberland Division 3. A determined recruitment effort and the appointment of a new club coach stopped the rot and the club achieved immediate promotion to coincide with the Centenary Season of 1997-98. The improvement sadly did not last and season 2001-02 again saw the club languishing in Durham and Northumberland Division 3. About this time an enthusiastic and committed group of players and recently retired players took over the running of the playing side of the club, immediately resulting in Novos being promoted as Champions, winning the Journal Trophy in 2002, and only missing a second successive promotion by the narrowest of margins the following season.

Last season the club gained promotion to Durham and Northumberland 1, and after what was a pretty sparse first half to the season have hopefully secured a place in this league next season with four wins from the last five games.

Ladies rugby arrived at the Club in 1992 and though there were several die hard dissenters at the time the venture has proved to be a successful one both on and off the pitch, with the section receiving national prominence in early years and the award of several International caps. Novos ladies won promotion 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