November 2007. Issue 96

Club Spotlight

Lottery Boost for Camp Hill Women

Camp Hill WRFC have hit the jackpot thanks to the Big Lottery Fund. The women’s team have received the Lottery’s maximum award of £10,000 after submitting an Awards for All application last July. Solihull MP, Lorely Burt provided guidance as well as acting as the women’s independent referee and said, “I cannot think of a more deserving team of people to get a helping hand from lottery money.” The successful application will see the funding assist the senior women in their National Championship campaign, help promote the game for girls and women throughout the borough and kit out the U15 & U18 sections. Said Press Officer Jo Kilby, “The award will contribute to essential travel, coaching and physio costs but we also want to provide more community-based coaching projects. We will be using these funds responsibly, laying the foundations for the team’s long term future by getting involved in schools, higher and further education, Council initiatives and with other like-minded organisations.”

All Happening at Andover

Philippa Scudds

Andover’s youngest players have had a successful and enjoyable start to their season. At the Supermarine festival in Swindon the Lainston House-sponsored Under 11s A team convincingly won all six of their games, scoring 20 tries and not conceding one. The final saw a 2-0 win against Bicester. The Woodstock Plumbing-sponsored Under 7s entered their first ever festival and there was some fantastic team play and try scoring. The semi-final against Marlborough saw tries from four different players, giving them a 4-2 win and a place in the final, only to be narrowly beaten by Bicester who scored in the last seconds to seize victory 5-4. Runners-up medals were also awarded to the Andover U10 Panthers, sponsored by Dig Landscaping and Andover Mini Storage and the Andover U12s, sponsored by Brooks Crownhill Patternmakers. After securing a 27-0 win against old rivals Basingstoke, the HSA simplyhealth sponsored Andover RFC Youth Academy, received fantastic rugby training from London Irish Community Development Manager Philippos Kyriacou and London Irish, England Saxons and Barbarians player Kieran Roche. Youth Academy Chairman Dickie Staff commented “It’s really appreciated by everyone at Andover Rugby Club for them to take time out from their very busy schedule to support the boys. We are all extremely proud of our young players who have proved that hard work and dedication in training really does pay off. This is a great start to the season.” Dickie, the driving force behind Andover’s Youth Academy, was recognised by his local community as the winner of the “Contribution to Sport” category at the inaugural Pride of Andover Awards recently. He received his award from journalist and broadcaster, Esther Rantzen. He has never actually played rugby but his motivation is his passion to help the youth of Andover, which has resulted in a membership of more than 350 youngsters, two of whom have been selected to play for England and two others who are currently playing for London Irish’s Elite Academy team. Said Dickie, “I am honoured and delighted to accept this award. However, a club is only as strong as its membership. My job is to steer the ship and focus on getting everyone thinking and working in the same direction. There are nearly 80 people, who, like me, are volunteers and who help in a coaching, team managing, committee, or other supporting roles. They are all as equally enthusiastic which is why the club continues to grow from strength to strength.”

VW Committed to DK

Stourbridge Volkswagen, based in Audnam about two miles from Dudley Kingswinford RFC, is part of Trust Group UK Ltd, a Midlands based dealer group providing quality cars at competitive prices, and now they are helping the club to be competitive too. They have become one of the growing numbers of local companies supporting rugby in the midlands. DK is particularly grateful for their support because Stourbridge Volkswagen’s director Andrew Hockedy says they want to contribute by helping the club and promoting it in any way they can.

Granders’ Great Contribution to Fylde

Tony Simpson, North Press Officer

Stewart Brown, or ‘Granders’ as he’s affectionately known, has been going about his volunteer business as press officer and fourth official at Fylde Rugby Club for 31 years. Since 1976 he’s hardly missed a game, home or away – some 1,085 fixtures according to his approximate calculation! His work has involved being at the Woodlands on every Tuesday and Thursday evening training session, and on match days either going on the coach with the team to far flung destinations or attending to the increasingly onerous duties of a 4th official at the Woodlands, including ensuring that the full details of the completed game has been communicated to the RFU, press agencies and other sources who need to know. But family pressures have become too much and a recent game between Fylde and West Park was his last, as least for the time being. He can no longer be away from his Poulton-le-Fylde home for 12 hours on a Saturday so he’s had to resign. He’ll still be at all home games, family circumstances permitting, so there will be plenty of opportunities for Fylde members to thank him for this amazing contribution to the effective running of the Club. Stewart is pictured receiving a tribute from then Club Secretary David Walsh on the occasion of his 1,000th match back in early 2005.

Fowl Play at Berwick Rugby Club

Tony Simpson

Fowl play was suspected at Berwick rugby club at the start of National Egg Week when a large chicken appeared at the club house. Fortunately, the bird was there to provide breakfast for over 120 local children who play in the club’s youth section. The eggs were donated by local suppliers Oxenrigg and Sunny Hill Eggs, who kindly donated the eggs and cooked eggybread and fried eggs for the players. “This is part of our campaign to show the youngsters that a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet and correct nutrition is vitally important when they’re growing up” said Andy Martin, the Club Director of Youth Rugby. “A good night’s sleep is just as important and for breakfast an egg is just abut the most nutritious meal a sports player can have.”

HSBC invest in Exeter Saracens

The girls at Exeter Saracens RFC are sporting new training tops this season thanks to a generous donation from HSBC Bank. Pete Davies, Commercial Manager for HSBC in Exeter, presented the players with their new tops before their first game of the season against Tavistock RFC. Saracens coach Dave Turner said: “I cannot thank HSBC enough for their support of girls’ rugby in Exeter. These tops will be invaluable when winter kicks in and players will no longer be wet and cold during training sessions or waiting for their turn to come on and play during a match.” Following the presentation of the training tops both age groups went on to record good wins over their rivals from West Devon. Turner added: “This is a very exciting time for the girls section, with more players and more fixtures than ever before. Things are moving forward nicely and with all involved putting so much energy and enthusiasm in I know that we are going to enjoy our season.”

Richmond and London Scottish Join Forces

Richmond and London Scottish are offering free entry to first team games at the Athletic Ground for members of the Armed Forces. A joint statement from the both clubs said: “We recognise that this is a small token of support, but they have a proud association with the Armed Forces with over 250 members who gave their lives in the two World Wars. “These and others are remembered annually at a ceremony on Remembrance Sunday when a minute’s silence is observed by the over 500 Minis who play at the Athletic Ground at that time.” London Scottish has links with the London Scottish Regiment (TAVR) who have completed several tours of Iraq and Afghanistan. Richmond is affiliated to HMS Richmond and their ship’s company visited the ground in 2005. Admission is on offer to servicemen and women, including reservists, on production of suitable identification. For more information about the two clubs visit www.richmondfc.co.uk and www.londonscottish.com

HEREFORD UNVEIL PLANS FOR NEW GROUND

Paul Bolton, Midlands Press Officer

Hereford have unveiled plans for a new £4 million community-based ground in a proposed major development at Hampton Bishop on the outskirts of the city. The biggest advance in the county’s sporting sector for many years, the new club is part of a 100-acre site at Holywell Gutter Lane, off Hampton Park Road, owned by a local businessman whose proposals combine commercial and community interests at the heart of his scheme. Some of the site will be devoted to a purpose-built retirement village and a number of executive homes are planned to help fund the Rugby Club. Chairman Guy Griffiths said: “We have been looking at a number of possible sites to accommodate a new club and all the facilities that go with it for some time. Our existing club at Wyeside has served us well, to the point where we have become such a stronghold for county community rugby that we are bursting at the seams. “It’s not unusual for us to have up to 400 youngsters training at Wyeside on a Sunday – and the interest in the sport among our seven to 12-year-old Minis and the 13 to 18-year-olds in our Junior section has grown consistently. Although we have one of the largest Junior Sections in the Midlands, we are arguably rated fourth in the county below Luctonians, Ledbury and Bromyard in terms of our existing facilities. “The new club would really put Hereford on the map as a centre of excellence for rugby, alongside those clubs that have had the chance to develop and modernise their facilities in recent years. As well as providing excellent playing, training and youth development opportunities, we are keen to encourage other sports, schools, colleges and the community to use our club facilities. And taking our opportunity to be part of the Hampton Bishop scheme would not cost the hard pressed tax-payer a penny.” The Hereford club has been looking to make a move from its riverside base for some time, with sites in the city’s Whitecross, Belmont and Worcester Road areas failing to meet requirements. “We are now established on the North Midlands RFU facility plan, and a move to Hampton Bishop could mean English representative sides playing at Hereford”, he added. The outline plan, which also includes a tree-lined public open space at its road frontage, has already been discussed with Hampton Bishop Parish Council, and a detailed version is expected to be submitted and put out for consultation by the end of the year. Further information about the project can be obtained from: Guy Griffiths on 01432 268906 / 07790022665 email guy.griffiths1@btinternet.com or club president Graham Archer on 07855 747075.

World class coaching at Welwyn Warriors

RFU National Academy Coach Simon Hardy made a surprise appearance at Welwyn Warriors RFC in October. The England coach surprised the girls of Welwyn Warriors when he turned up to run a rucking, mauling and drills session for over 30 girls. Dave Marques, Welwyn Warriors’ team manager, said: “The girls simply couldn’t believe it was for real and the Warriors management certainly couldn’t remember the last time the girls had been so attentive at a coaching session. “We are so grateful to Simon. I think it shows the type of guy Simon is; that he’d turn out to coach a small town girls side alongside all his other rugby commitments which take him all around the world. I think that just shows what a great sport rugby is.”

£100K BOOST FOR YOUTH RUGBY DEVELOPMENT IN HULL

Tony Simpson

Hull RUFC has secured £100,000 to fund youth rugby coaching in the city over the next two years. Half of the cash is being provided by two developers Lincolnshire Developments and Beal Homes and by property consultant Bill Cuff – their investment is being matched by the government’s Sportsmatch scheme. This substantial sum will enable to the city’s premier rugby union club to work with an estimated 800 plus Hull youngsters, through both local primary and secondary schools. The aim is to grow the Club’s own junior section and to encourage more young people in the area to take up the sport and develop youth talent. Last year, thanks to a contribution from Beal Homes, which was also matched by Sportsmatch, Hull RUFC was able to appoint Alex Piercy as its first full time youth development officer. This year the Hull house building group has joined together with two Grimsby-based businesses, Lincolnshire Developments and Cuff & Co, to raise a tremendous £50,000, which, with the match funding from Sportsmatch, has enabled the club to continue to employ Alex and recruit a second, additional youth development officer Dan Cook for the next two years. Both Alex Piercy and Dan Cook will work alongside Maea David, Hull RUFC’s community development officer, under the direction of the Club’s new Director of Rugby Geoff Wappett, to give students at Hull schools an introduction to the sport and to coach the Club’s junior teams at the YPI ground – Hull RUFC moves to the YPI ground in 2008. “With two youth development officers in place, Hull RUFC will be able to reach many more youngsters in the city and we hope that, through their enthusiasm and skill, Alex and Dan will be able to encourage many of them to join the Club’s growing youth section and foster a life long enjoyment of sport,” said Richard Beal, Hull RUFC’s Chairman of Rugby who is also Managing Director of Beal Homes. Matt Elliott of Lincolnshire Developments said, “It is our hope that through this Sportsmatched funding arrangement our youngsters will have more opportunities to participate in and enjoy sport.” Since it was founded in 1992 Sportsmatch has awarded over £40 million and funded more than 5,500 projects across the country. Said Robin Hodkinson, Sportsmatch Group Scheme Manager, “We are delighted that Hull RUFC has been able to attract this £50,000 commitment from companies in the region. We are providing a matching sum of £50,000 – the maximum possible award through the scheme – and Sportsmatch is pleased to have played some part in securing this investment in sports development in Hull, which will provide significant opportunities for young people to play and stay in sport.” New Youth Development Officer Dan Cook is a former Hymers College pupil and has played professional rugby for over ten years. He joined Hull RUFC’s First XV second row this season moving from Doncaster. He and Alex Piercy, who has a Hull University degree in Sport and Adventure Management and has played club rugby since he was five years old, have a busy programme of school visits this autumn, including sessions at Bellfield, Chiltern, Parkstone, Sidmouth and St Nicholas’ Primary Schools. For more details of rugby opportunities for young people at Hull RUFC call Alex Piercy on 07877 357027.

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