June 2009. Issue 114

Club Spotlight

Scholarship boost for East Yorkshire Rugby Football Union

Rugby Union on Humberside and across East Yorkshire received a major boost recently via a groundbreaking partnership between Bishop Burton College and Hull Rugby Union Football Club, which has been forged to offer players the chance to access a unique scholarship scheme set up to keep sporting talent in the area. Hull gained promotion into National Division Two (North) after a play-off win over Chester and over recent years has been carrying out a tremendous amount of work in the local community through its development programme. In recent months the club has worked closely with the College, coaching the rugby teams and taking advantage of Bishop Burton’s sports facilities, and Director of Sport at the College, Nick Gandy, is delighted that the partnership is now formalised and the scholarships are in place. “The idea behind the scholarships is that talented players can access first-class coaching and sports development, while taking advantage of the College’s expanding portfolio of Higher Education sports courses,” said Gandy: ““Applicants must demonstrate outstanding sporting ability and show evidence of achievement or potential at regional or national level, but the overarching aim is to provide athletes with the best possible environment to achieve their academic and sporting goals.” Traditionally, talented rugby union players who wanted to access Higher Education courses whilst continuing to play sport at a higher level have had to travel out of the area, something which Beverley-born Hull captain Chris Murphy can relate to. “As an 18-year-old I was forced to leave the area to further my rugby career whilst studying at Northumbria University.” He said: “This partnership will give talented local people an opportunity to stay in the area, not only to further their education, but to play and train in a professional rugby environment.” The new scholarships will coincide with a raft of new Higher Education sports courses that will be available to Bishop Burton from September. Hull RUFC Director of Rugby, Tevita Vaikona, said, “We’ve been working with a number of local schools and colleges over the past two years promoting both the club and the game in the area. Bishop Burton College was quickly identified as an organisation that we should be working closely with. We get on very well and enjoy a shared ethos, which is to develop and improve sport in the region. The club is very ambitious and committed to this and so is the College.” To find out more about the rugby scholarships, contact Nick Gandy, Director of Sport on 01964 504156 or email: nick.gandy@bishopburton.ac.uk

Helping their Heroes

With two serving military men in the club's first XV, Runwell Wyverns have decided to support Help for Heroes by hosting a vintage v young and vigorous match, kicking off at 2pm on 11 July at Runwell Hospital Sports and Social Club. The under 35 team will be made up mostly of members of of the club’s current first and second teams,with the over 35 team consisting of club old boys and invited players from several local vets sides. The game will be played in four 20-minute quarters to avoid overtaxing the vintage team and forms part of the social club’s family fun day. The aim is to get the maximum audience to both contribute to the Help for Heroes Fund as well as to promote rugby to a new audience. For more information contact Grant Coombes at grantcoombes@yahoo.co.uk

Sparkling Tag in the Sunshine

The Third Annual Sparkling Tag Rugby Tournament saw 380 boys and girls from primary schools across Andover and Test Valley take part at the Goodship Ground. The event, sponsored by Newcotech, is organised by Andover RFC, Testway 7s, Mountbatten Schools Sports Partnership and the Police. It was also supported this year by students from Andover and Sparsholt College and Year 10 Winton School pupil Matt Moore gained valuable experience taking part as a Sports Leader. The Community Department at London Irish were also on hand to provide advice to the young players with ‘Digger’ the Irish Wolfhound an extremely popular supporter! Dave Kane, Sports Development Co-ordinator at Testway Housing, said:“What a fantastic day’s rugby for Andover’s young players. We saw a real improvement in the standard of tag this year which proves just how popular the sport has become in our area. We are already looking forward to next year!”

Wonderful Season for Woodford U14s

Woodford Under 14s won the final of the Essex Cup 10 – 0 against Chelmsford at nearby Ilford Wanderers RFC, adding to season’s honours including winning the Essex League Division 2 and securing promotion back into the tightly contested Division 1. This is the first time ever that a team from the Second division have won the Essex Cup. Woodford beat every single Essex club that they played this season. They also have several Essex County players. One of the main reasons for Woodford`s success this season has been the forming of a B Team Development Squad. This has seen the playing squad rise to 44 boys. Both the A and the B Team have had fixtures every Sunday throughout the season. The boys in the B Team have made great progress and many have also played for the A Team. The B Team will play next season in League Division 3 of the Essex Leagues. Woodford Coach Dave Dutch said, “The boys have trained really hard this season and played exceptionally well in all matches. They thoroughly deserved to win the League and Cup. It has been as a result of hard work from all 44 boys in the squad. Thanks must go to the hard work and commitment from the three other coaches, Bill Sargent, Ben Matautia and Kevin Shore.”

Redingensians Academy Touch Rugby Champions

Julia Hutton, South West Press Officer

Redingensians Academy have won the inaugural England Touch Rugby U18 Championship. The Redingensians Academy was formed to develop the skills of the most gifted youth players at the club, and a key tool in this development process has been touch rugby. The team won the competition without conceding a try, scoring 19 tries in the process and Robert Jones took the Most Valuable Player award. The Redingensians Academy is open to players from all clubs and schools in the area. For more information contact Alan Jones at enquiries@wokinghamsport.co.uk.

Kings Cross Steelers retain Union Cup

Hugh Godwin

London’s only gay rugby club, Kings Cross Steelers RFC, retained the title of European champions after winning the 15s section of the Union Cup – the biennial European gay rugby championship – which was held at their home ground in West Ham. The Steelers’ 1st XV defeated their old rivals, the Manchester Spartans, in a tense final which saw the home side win by 3-0. The Kings Cross Steelers, who are supported by the Metropolitan Police Service, first won the title of European champions at the European Cup in Copenhagen in 2007. In the 10s section, the Cardiff Lions beat the Kings Cross Steelers’ second team by 29-7. In the 7s final, the Bristol Bisons beat French side, Les Coqs Festifs 12-7. Overall the tournament was a resounding success for the Steelers and for the European teams alike. Twelve teams from the UK, Ireland and the continent played in three levels of competition at the Steelers’ clubhouse, in West Ham, which they share with East London RFC and Phantoms RFC. The prizes for each of the three sections were presented by Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham and President of East London RFC, Gerry Mansfield, President of the Essex RFU, and Richard Carswell, President of the Kings Cross Steelers RFC. At the closing ceremony, Jimmy Smith, manager of Comptons bar in Soho, was presented with a rugby shirt to celebrate Comptons becoming the new sponsor of Kings Cross Steelers. For more information see www.kxsrfc.com

Sun, sea and rugby in Weymouth

Julia Hutton, South West Press Officer

Teams from all over Dorset come together for a scorching Weymouth Beach festival. Fifteen teams were made up of players of varying abilities, ages and included both male and female players. Some red hot rugby was on show and said Chris Davies, Secretary of Weymouth RFC, “It was excellent to see such a great turn out. So many players can drift away from the game over the summer months. It’s also wonderful to see players bringing their families and friends along to get involved and join in the fun.” Glyn Arnold, Chairman of Weymouth RFC, added: “A massive thanks goes out to all those who helped organise and run the event on the day. These events don’t just happen”. The event was a great warm up for the O2 Scrum on the Beach event which takes place in Weymouth on 1st August where over 30 teams are expected to compete for the honours.

Lion Sheridan Roars at Congleton Dinner

England and British Lions forward Andrew Sheridan scored with grassroots rugby players at Congleton Rugby Club’s annual dinner dance. The Sale Sharks’ loosehead prop presented trophies at the event at Congleton Town Hall. Sheridan and his wife, Siwan, joined Congleton MP Lady Anne Winterton, the club’s honorary vice president, and Cheshire East councillors David Brown and Andrew Knowles as special guests. The highlight of the evening came when club chairman Rus Williams and secretary Dave McCaddon were made honorary life members of the club. Rus was also made ‘club member of the year.’ Player development officer Dominic Cardall was presented with a long service award marking an association of more than 15 years with the club. Other awards included: Player of the Year: Andy Watt Young Player of the Year: Mike Manning Team of the Year: Under 9s, winners of the Stoke-on-Trent festival title.

Plymstock Pull It Off

Local Councillor David Viney officially opened Plymstock Albion Oaks Rugby Club's newly improved facilities at Horsham Playing Fields and presented the club with the RFU's Seal of Approval. There also was Darren Dent of the Probationary Services who supplied volunteers to paint the building during its refurbishment and Matt Collier who put the successful bid in to Plymouth City Council's Youth Opportunity Fund. It was a very proud day for the club as the Oaks also fielded their first ladies team. Team Manager Soulein Kinghas been involved since it's inception alongside Neil Gill and has benefited from coaching sessions by Aaron Cruickshanks of Plymouth Albion. The day was well supported by club members who watched the senior teams put two sides out followed by the colts who played Dudley Kingswinford, on tour from the Midlands, and then the ladies taking the field for the first time. The youth section hosted various touring teams later.

Family affair for Woodward and the Wallace boys

By Hugh Godwin, England U16s Press Officer

When Ted Woodward, an England wing of the 1950s, recalls his rugby he has two useful reference points in his comparisons with the modern game. Ted’s grandsons, Jack and Tom Wallace, are highly promising young players who have represented the England Under 18 and U16 A sides respectively this season. Ted is 78 now, though very active as a regular golfer who walks a couple of miles a day near his home in Farnham Royal, Buckinghamshire. But the age gap is bridged by a shared love of their sport and by Ted’s son Mark Woodward – the boys’ uncle – who captained England Colts in the late 1970s and was a centre for Rosslyn Park. It all adds up to an impressive English rugby dynasty. “It’s rejuvenated my life watching Jack and Tom play,” said Ted, whose grandsons followed in his footsteps both at RGS High Wycombe and at London Wasps, the professional successor to the club for whom he played at their old Sudbury ground in north London. “They have good coaches with carefully planned training and moves, so I have to be careful not to tell them what to do. In my day for England [he won 15 caps from 1952-56, scoring six tries, and also played for the Barbarians] we would turn up on a Friday and run up and down the middle of the pitch, being careful not to get too tired.” Not that Ted and his wife Judy – who met at Wasps when Judy was watching her brother Mike play – are in any way stuck in the past. They travel to watch Jack – an 18-year-old full back – and centre Tom, 15. Jack starts a full-time contract at London Wasps on July 1, and Tom, who qualifies for the club’s elite academy, expects to spend another year in the England U16 set-up, after playing for the A team in the International Festival at Millfield School in April. Both have watched black-and-white film footage of Ted in action at Twickenham half a century ago with pride. “It is quite hard to relate to those days, the long shorts and the leather ball,” said Jack. “We all agree that the game has moved on in some ways – the training and physical fitness for example – but there is the same philosophy behind it. On the pitch you tear lumps out of each other but you have respect for the opposing team and afterwards you meet up and are best mates.” Other things have endured too. Jack shared in wins with England U18s over Wales in 2008 and 2009 – and granddad Ted said: “Wales – it was always wonderful to beat Wales. I kicked a penalty to do it with England at Cardiff Arms Park in 1953. I could kick the ball a long way, but not always straight. It went straight on that occasion. “One of Jack’s great assets is coming into the threequarter line at an angle, and he did that to score against Wales this year. Tom is quick, which is an asset in any game.” The boys’ mum and dad Kate and Eion, who lived in Great Missenden, are just as delighted that this fine England rugby family line is in good hands. “It would be wonderful to see the boys playing together at Twickenham,” said Ted, in a tone which suggested he believed it would happen.

Castleford Girls Community Award

Castleford RUFC Girls’ Under 15 Squad pressed all the right buttons for O2 to make a grant of £700 through their “It’s Your Community” awards scheme, enabling them to buy their own kit and training equipment. Six years ago Castleford RUFC started a junior section with six players which has grown to over 100 players, up to and including under 16 age group level. They have a number of girls playing already but they want more and the funding from O2 will help the club to establish an under 15s girls’ rugby team. Mike Connell, Club Treasurer, said “This grant will really help us to have the right training equipment and to recruit girls and to get their families involved.”. The big idea behind the It's Your Community programme is: 'If you could do one small thing to make your community a better place, what would it be?' It is easy to apply for a grant of up to £1000 and it can be done easily from their website www.itsyourcommunity.co.uk. The Castleford RUFC grant request took three weeks from acknowledgement of the application to confirmation of the award and they would encourage others to make an application.

Colts Cup winner

By Tony Simpson

When Hinckley put defending champions Bedford Blues out of the National Colts Cup competition at the second round stage, they sent a clear warning to the rest of the competition. The form-line established by that 16-13 win at Goldington Road was endorsed at Franklin’s Garden’s, Northampton when Hinckley carried off the trophy for the first time with a 22-5 victory over Old Albanians. While the Hertfordshire side opened the scoring, the Leicestershire team eventually took control, with their powerful pack laying a solid foundation on which their backs were able to build. The end product was a four-try performance, with Keeling 2, Salt and Norris crossing to put the name of the club on the trophy for the first time. While Bedford hopes of a hat trick of Cup wins were denied by Hinckley, the Blues still came away with silverware when they appeared in the National Colts Plate final against Burton. They pulled away in the second-half to finish with an eight-try haul and a 52-5 winning margin, Duncan Taylor collecting a brace of tries and others coming from Jack Wrigglesworth, Corey Hircock, Mike Allen, Joe Marston, Rob Richardson and Anthony Fenner, who also landed six conversions.

Hip Hip Hooray for Hippos

Bournville Rugby Club’s veterans’ team, The Hippos, were awarded the 2009 RFU President’s XV Veterans Award against strong competition. The team, of 35 years old plus players was launched in 2007 by club stalwarts Adam Hardy and Mike Le Quelenec. Adam Hardy explains,” We realised that there was still some life in a number of old dogs and a dormant desire to continue enjoying the great game of rugby, albeit at a more sedate pace.” The Hippos have graduated to a 40+ playing membership, a dedicated fixture list and an enviable family-based loyal following of supporters. They even have their own Latin motto “pinguis tardus quod turpis” which roughly translates to “fat, slow and ugly!” Due to the team’s success, sponsorship for their playing kit has been secured and a Hippo of the Year Award was presented to star prop, Andrew Wilson, at the recent annual club dinner. The award, together with a cheque for £500, was formally presented to the team by North Midlands President, Peter Grace.

Keighley Goes Fat and Frilly

Advancing years, expanding girths and even a penchant for dressing up were key ingredients in the second Fat Boy Sevens held recently at Keighley RUFC. The 18 teams from the Aire-Wharfe District supported by a large crowd raised £1000 for the Manorlands Hospice at Oxenhope. There was a spirited challenge from the ladies side, with referee Sarah Clough, who was making a welcome first appearance at the club, handling their efforts with a sympathetic touch. The final was contested by two home based sides. The fancy dress was largely abandoned in a competitive match between The Crusaders and the San Diego 7s Development Squad, the pace of the Crusaders being too much for the opposition. One couple with special cause for satisfaction was Sarah and Rob Ellis, who were instrumental in getting the first project off the ground, while Kate Swift shared fully in the applause for the superb organisation.

Hero Helps Yardley & District Charity Event

Paul Bolton

George Cross winner Matt Croucher helped east Birmingham club Yardley & District raise more than £10,000 for the Help for Heroes forces charity. Croucher, a Royal Marines reservist from Birmingham, was decorated for gallantry last year when he threw himself on a grenade to protect his colleagues while on active service in Afghanistan. The 25 year old put on his boots to play for the Marines team who beat Yardley & District 38-28 in the showpiece game of the day, which also included a charity auction of rugby memorabilia. Ailsa Barnett, who organised the event and whose son John has just become a recruit in the Royal Marines, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who helped to make the event such a success. Matt took time out and his fellow Marines came along and it was a really great day. I got quite emotional at one point because I was just so touched at how much everyone got behind this. We had to show our support for all the boys and girls who are out there on the front lines and serving abroad, doing their bit for their country.” Mrs Barnett wrote to companies asking for money and received more than £4,000 in donations as well as food for the event and hotel rooms for Croucher's Royal Marine colleagues to stay over for the weekend of the match. Shirts were also paid for by local companies.

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