Silhillians RUFC Match Day Programme 20-09-24 by silhilliansRUFC

Artwork by: Ollie Parkes U10’s

Thank you

Today’s sponsors

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Mercedes-Benz of Solihull

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Presidents Welcome

Dear Members and Supporters

Warmest welcome to Copt Heath, the home of Silhillians RUFC. I would just like to take a quick moment to introduce myself, Emma Smith, Club President, a role I have taken up from the start of this season that I feel truly honoured and privileged to carry out. I recognise I have some big shoes to fill, those of our past President Andrew Clutterbuck who will continue to be a valued mentor to me as I start my journey. Thank you to Clutz for the past 3 years, though no doubt we will still see plenty of you at the club.

I am very passionate about the Sils having been associated with the club for 11 years, with my twins joining the M&J section in the U6 squad back in 2013. In 2015, the Sirens team was founded, which I was immensely proud to captain until 2019, and continued to train with the team until 2022 when it felt the right time to hang up the boots. I have stayed very close to the

Sirens and seen the ladies squad go from strength to strength; long may that continue.

Looking back at last season across all sections; our senior men’s section, the gauntlet was laid to finish 2023/24 top of the league, with a nail-biting win in a top of the table clash against Stow on the Wold, in the second to last game, the aim became a reality. Throughout last season the team showed incredible determination, commitment and amazing capability on the field, the hard work put in by all paid off.

As a club, we are very excited, but I guess being honest, a little nervous also, as we commence our journey in Level 5, this being the highest level of rugby the Sils have ever played at. An incredible achievement for the club.

No doubt there will be some tough games ahead but with the continued leadership from our DoR Tom Manise and Head Coach Rod Petty maximising every opportunity on the pitch, but

also learning from both wins and any losses, will push the team in training to continue to grow and improve through the season. We are very fortunate that Steve Hall has agreed to continue in his role as 1st team captain, his passion and drive are there for all to see week in and week out, both at training and in matches. I’m sure you will join me in wishing them the best of luck for the season ahead.

Another success of the 2023/24, was the creation of an U23 squad, coached by Scott Conduit and Alan Jayne. The aim of the U23s is to keep the door firmly open for those players that go off to university, enabling them to come back to Sils during holidays to have a run-out with past teammates, keep in touch with the club, and feel welcomed to come back to the club once they’ve completed their studies. It also aims to help bridge the gap, building confidence, as they progress from colts into senior rugby. The first U23 match of the season was held against Moseley

Oak on Wednesday 28th August, with further fixtures at Christmas and Easter.

For our ladies’ section, the Sirens, we are delighted to welcome new head coach, Richard Bragg aka Braggy, I’m sure a name that is known to many. Our previous head coach for the past 3 seasons, Conor Joyce, has taken up a new and very exciting coaching opportunity in Hong Kong. Sils would like to thank Conor for his dedication to the Sirens, bringing the team so far in a short span of time, moving from a development squad into a league (NC2), finishing the season mid-table. Richard will be aiming to build on Conor’s success. We have a number of new players signed up for this season, building on the foundations of the existing squad. A warm welcome to all our new Sirens.

Another addition to the Sils rugby repertoire is the walking rugby team. We have seen a truly positive growth

in members, with the team playing a number of matches, tournaments, and even squeezing in a tour to Bristol. Having played with the team myself, I was surprised at both the speed and competitive nature of the game!! Anyone interested in joining, the team train Wednesday evenings @ 7pm.

Our touch rugby team has also been thriving. They have participated in numerous tournaments, demonstrating impressive skill and sportsmanship. The touch rugby team offers a fantastic way for players to stay engaged with the sport and maintain their fitness in a fun and competitive environment. Both walking rugby and touch rugby have built a strong community spirit, and we look forward to seeing their continued success this season.

Sils junior girls’ squad also starts the season with a new head coach, Jim Roper, another very familiar name to many, having played at the club for many years and carried varying roles

prior to this one. Thank you to Rich Sabine for coaching the girl’s last season. The junior team had some great experiences playing in barbarian teams throughout the year, building their skills and knowledge of the game.

Our mini and juniors section continues to flourish, we look to build on the successes of last season. We have a new Director of M&J Rugby in Fran Hemmings, taking over from Mike Leach. Thank you to Mike for all the hard work over the years.

Off the field, we have been successful in gaining multiple types of sponsorships, such as player, ball, and pitch sponsorships, which are so important for us to enable growth and improve our facilities. Thank you so much to those of you that have supported this. You will have noticed we are now charging for car parking for 1st XV home matches. My one ask of you, is please support this initiative, as it will increase revenue to enable us to

further improve our equipment and facilities.

And finally, none of the above happens without the dedication of the volunteers and coaches who turn up week in and week out, British weather permitting! Not forgetting all those that work tirelessly behind the scenes to make this club a success. THANK YOU. We are also incredibly fortunate to have the best chairman in the country (my view!), Lee Jones aka Window. I can’t wait to work with you and the wider team to take this club even further forward.

UTS!

Emma Smith Club President

Silhillians RUFC

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Sirens Sponsored Players

Sponsor:

Sponsor: Self-funded

Kate McNamee

Charlie Smith

Danielle Sutton

Emma Peters

Dan Ewins

Caitlin Penn

Emma Williamson

Sophie Martin

NOTE: Click on players pictures for more details on how to sponsor them. Click on the sponsor logo for more information about each sponsor.

Sponsor: Available to sponsor

Available to sponsor

Beth Wyn-Davies

Kate Darlison

Amy Bennett

Katy Bennett

Lauren Miles

Hannah Davies

Liv Harrison

Daisy Leonard

Elite Facilities Management

Fixture List Silhillians Sirens

Silhillians 1st XV Fixture List

Q&A

Amy Bennett

First and Last

First App you open in the morning? Instagram

First Rugby player you idolised Ilona Maher

First CD you owned Avril Lavigne - Let Go

First Rugby shirt you owned England

First thing you would do if you won the lottery

Buy a house, then a boat and then a farm

First major international tournament you remember.

Unsure

First thing you do when you get home from training Shower

Last thing you bought Trainers

Last meal you ate Breakfast

Last person you text My best friend

Last sports event you went to as a fan England Women’s 6 Nations

Last thing you watched on TV Harry Potter

Last good deed Buying gifts for friends

Last photo you took My dog

Your Ultimate 7s team? (Pro players please)

1. Jasmine Joyce

2. Meg Jones

3. Madison Levi

4. Charlotte Caslick

5. Ellie Killdunne

6. Portia Woodman

7. Tyla Nathan-Wong