Ashington
Ashington
Ashington
admin, cutting the grass, marking the pitches,
running the bar and so on. We do it because we
have the club at heart and we want to see the lads
win on a Saturday afternoon.”
Challenges/Rewards
Ashington RFC was formed in 1922 by people employed in the mining industry and their
First XV play in Durham and Northumberland League Division 2. Club Secretary Albert
Armstrong took the time to tell us more about the set-up that they have in place.
Involvement
He started by telling us about his involvement
with the club, saying, “I joined the Club in 1980
when a work colleague invited me to the Scotland
v England match which England won to win the
Grand Slam. I was hooked after that! The biggest
challenge for us is getting teams on the park and
seeing them winning or at least playing well is a
real reward.”
Atmosphere
“The mood here is surprisingly upbeat despite a
poor season on the pitch. We’ve got a few good
young lads who want to make things happen and
a few old ones who like a drink! There are a few of
us who put an enormous effort into doing the
Our biggest challenge is getting players into
the game and playing on a regular basis hence
the reason prioritising the growth of the youth
section. We want to grow our youth section to
a point where we have a continuous flow of
players from U7’s to First XV. We would also like
to field three senior sides on a weekly basis and
for our First XV to be playing in Durham and
Northumberland Division One if not higher.”
Club representative Pete O’Brien took the time to
tell us more about the superb progress their youth
section has been making
He Said, “One of ARFC’s key objectives is to
maintain three senior teams supported by the
on-going development of a feeder system from
the colts rugby team. To facilitate and deliver
this objective the club has worked closely with
the NCEA Academy and other high schools in the
Ashington area to develop teams at targeted age
levels.
Through the work of the CRC we have established
an U13’s team which will become the clubs U14’s
for next season and the team have been very
successful in recent NRFU festivals. In addition the
Academy year 7 girls team were winners of the
recent NRFU festival held at Morpeth.
As a club we are indebted to the tremendous
work and support given by Mark Watson
the CRC - Community Rugby Coach - for his
continuous development and support of the
game throughout the NCEA Academy and to Craig
Walton for his tireless work with the Clubs’ U16
side.
This recently redeveloped establishment offers excellent,
affordable hotel accommodation to business and tourist visitors.
The Castle offers accommodation in twin and double rooms
with en-suite facilities, all newly refurbished.
Proud sponsors of Ashington RFC.
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The team has had a positive season and continues
to show tremendous development as a team
through the coaching of Crain who has enjoyed
the support and assistance of a number of First
XV players as well as additional support from
the clubs head coach Stu Rosser. The continued
development of this team bodes well for next
season when they will become the clubs junior
colts team.”
Rugby Club Magazine’s Media Director Ian
Finlay is good friends with Nick Brown, Step
Son of the club’s Secretary Albert Armstrong.
He’d like to take this opportunity to wish
Nick and his future wife Aleisha Scott all the
happiness in the world.
www.rugbyclub.biz
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