CBs
RFU On the Road
Julia Hutton
The RFU’s top brass enjoyed a successful trip to Gloucestershire recently. Martyn Thomas (Chairman of the Management Board), Francis Baron (Chief Executive Officer), Rob Udwin (Community Rugby Chairman) and Andrew Scoular (Director of Community Rugby) met players, administrators, officials and volunteers from rugby clubs from across the county over two days. Geoff Davies, Gloucestershire RFU Chairman, said: “From the county’s perspective I think the visit went extremely well. We got off to a good start with an excellent turn out at Longlevens RFC for the Q & A session, testing the panel with some searching questions. All enjoyed the pies on National Pie Day. We also took the opportunity of explaining the advantages of gaining Seal of Approval status before presenting four clubs with their accreditation.
“Bristol Saracens played their part in demonstrating that fun and enjoyment lives on in the grass roots game while Malcolm Wharton, the Principal at Hartpury College, delivered a high quality presentation about the new Beacon status college.” Baron, Scoular, Udwin and Thomas also visited Drybrook RFC, where they met club committee and mini and youth chairmen from clubs within the Forest of Dean, Cirencester RFC and Chosen Hill RFC. They also watched girls playing and training rugby.
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER
Sir Clive and Lady Woodward were guests of honour as Buckinghamshire CB celebrated their 60th anniversary with a dinner at Aylesbury RFC. Sir Clive shared his thoughts about elite sports development and congratulated the county on the occasion and remarked upon the fantastic atmosphere and support within the county for the game. The toast to the game of rugby was proposed by County President Anthony Flack. RFU President John Owen, replied on behalf of the RFU, and other guests included ex England front row stalwarts Gary Pearce and Paul Rendall, county sponsors John Herring, James Henderson and Tim Cooper, and long-time county supporter Alan “Blackie” Black. A game of Heads and Tails raised £1300 for the local Air Ambulance Service.
OUTSTANDING SERVICE
Dr Richard Laird has been recognised for his outstanding service to Hereford with the presentation of a VIP tie. Dr Laird is the doctor in charge of medical services at Hereford and has been involved with the club's medical services throughout his 30 year association with the Wyeside club. His RFU VIP tie was presented to Dr Laird by Frank Dullehan, Hereford’s secretary.
Staffordshire U18s Victorious
Paul Bolton
Staffordshire won the Midlands Under-18 Championship for the first time with a 38-18 win over East Midlands in the final at Broadstreet RFC near Coventry on ‘Super Sunday’ on November 1. Staffordshire came from 13 points down early on to round-off a highly-successful season by denying East Midlands the RG Coward Trophy for the sixth time in nine seasons. Fly half Dan Robson (Longton and Hartpury College), the son of former England tourist Simon Robson, began Staffordshire’s recovery with two first half tries which he also converted. Staffordshire then conceded a soft try early in the second half which helped East Midlands regain the lead but Burton winger Sam Smith restored their advantage when he latched on to a kick-through from Josh Massey of Lichfield who also added the conversion.
Further tries followed from Charlie Milner, Luke Hardern (Leek) in a remarkable six-minute period during which Staffordshire turned a four-point deficit into a seventeen-point lead. Massey put the seal on victory with a penalty as he enjoyed a 100 per cent record from his four kicks at goal. Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire, last year’s champions, clinched third place by beating North Midlands 14-8. Warwickshire beat Leicestershire 10-8 in the day’s opening match to secure fifth place.
Record Prize
Paul Bolton
North Midlands are offering a record prize fund of £6,000 for their three County Cup competitions this season. Half of the sum – £3,000 – has been allocated to the North Midlands Cup, £2,000 to the North Midlands Shield and £1,000 to the North Midlands Vase. The prize funds will be divided with two-thirds going to the winner of each competition and one-third to the respective runners-up. Competition organisers hope that the prize fund will raise the profile of the competitions.
“Whilst the Annual Finals Day has become increasingly successful, support in the contributing rounds has sometimes been less than enthusiastic,” said Paul Kaminski, the North Midlands competitions committee chairman. “It is hoped that the increase in prize money will put renewed vigour into the three competitions.” Sponsorship for the Cups and the North Midlands side that participates in the County Championship is being actively sought by the North Midlands Media & Marketing Committee under the chairmanship of Junior Vice-President, Charlie Hemmings. Interested sponsors should contact Charlie Hemmings on 07717 690197 or charliehemmings@hsbc.com
Annual CB orientation day hailed as “inspiring”
Hugh Godwin | London & South East Press Officer
The 2009 CB Orientation Day held on October 13 at Twickenham Stadium was the best attended to date, with 44 volunteers and administrators from 22 constituent bodies. Most delegates were new to their roles and all the participants were able to learn about the organisation of the RFU and the support available to them, and to meet and swap ideas with counterparts from other CBs. There were keynote presentations from speakers Andrew Scoular (with an overview of Community Rugby), Chris Rawlings (Safeguarding and ISA Legislation), Jo Hawley (RFUW, RWC 2010 and Integration), Richard Glynne-Jones (This is Rugby) and Carole Thelwall-Jones (Strategic Plan), and a selection of informal “market stalls” at which a wide range of RFU staff from 18 departments described their roles and offered information, ideas and advice.
Said Carole Thelwall-Jones, the RFU's CB Volunteer Manager. “It is great to put names to faces, respond to questions and build networks. The volunteers were very positive. They have already done great things for rugby, and are keen to do even more. We’re sure that their volunteering will be easier and more enjoyable and successful through the things they learned and the contacts they made at this CB Orientation Day.” Nick Rich, Cornwall’s Press Officer, described the day as “inspiring” and said that “no better venue would be possible.” Another delegate from the South West, Devon’s honorary secretary Treve Mitchell, said: “Discussions during the market stalls session were very useful and a personal contact is very important.”
Lancashire representative Peter Elliott is the CB’s 16 Group Team Manager and is also responsible for editing 27 match and festival programmes this season. “This was a fantastic opportunity to see what is happening and being done to support the sport,” said Peter, while Ray Kays, Berkshire’s Immediate Past President, said: “I wish I had come in previous years.” And Simon Lord, who manages Eastern Counties’ Under 18 and U17 teams, commented: “As well as the main presentations it was great to meet and network with fellow CB volunteers. It was all put together very professionally and I would encourage others to attend in the future.”
