Rugby Club Issue 49 | Page 97

HAMILTOM BULLS and better understanding of one another’s requirements. Al Falconer, our club DO, facilitates this through both our junior academy and his development of mini and midi coaches who are welcome to attend senior coaching sessions. We encourage U18 players to attend the fitness elements of preseason training when they get an idea of the standards required which follows on from our involvement of the “graduating U18 class” in the 7s training at the end of each season, which is a great way to introduce them to the players, personalities and demands of senior rugby.” Community “We are most assuredly a community club – I said earlier that rugby is not only a sport, it taught me many lessons about life, both personally and in my business career. We continue to forward Hamilton RFC’s place in the community through our commitment to engaging in Primary and Secondary schools.” “On the field we want to reach the only league I didn’t play in – the top one!” Challenges/Ambitions “Our biggest challenges include the financial pressures of running a rugby club profitably, holding onto coaching and playing talent developed internally, encouraging local schools to actively participate in developing rugby and generally all sporting talent, attracting youngsters and keeping the fun in the game when there is a danger that money might r V