Rugby Club Issue 52 | Page 99

Nailsea and Backwell Nailsea & Backwell RFC N ailsea and Backwell RFC play their home games at West End Park in North Somerset and their first team are currently positioned in mid-table in the Tribute Somerset Premier League. We caught up with Club Representative Dave Hudson to find out more about the club. He told us, “The general mood at the club is positive, the recent posting of Jason Hobson as Head Coach has given the Senior Squads new drive, reflected in the rise of numbers at midweek training. Having recently gained promotion to the Tribute Somerset Premier the First XV managed to hold a mid-table position last season, and are looking to improve on that this season, while the Second XV gained promotion to the Tribute Somerset 2 League. However, a growing injury list is not helping the cause and a lack of depth in the Senior Squads has resulted in the First XV not enjoying the success of recent seasons. Youth development is crucial to the club. In recent years the Club hasn’t always been successful in trying to attract senior players and it has become obvious that the Club needs an injection of young players from its junior teams as they develop into adult players. Nailsea and Backwell can currently boast a Mini/ Midi and Junior squad at every age group from U6 through to U18/17colts. Currently there are boys representing Bristol, Bath and Somerset County teams from the U17 age group down to U14, and two of the U17s have moved on into the Bristol Rugby Academy playing for the Academy teams The Junior Committee headed by Junior Chairman Phil Matthews, and supported by the Club Chairman Rosco Parsons, ensure that the coaches at every age group are both informed and supported to keep themselves up to date through coaching courses and CPDs. The Club made a conscious decision to join the Somerset U18 League for the U18/17 colts in a bid to introduce the older boys to Saturday games and allow them to mix with the Senior players. Blue Iris Coaches have been in operation since 1947 and has enjoyed carrying many passengers to many destinations. As a family company working with the community is something we pride ourselves with and there are many groups and organisations we work closely with. One of those groups is Nailsea & Backwell Rugby Club which Blue Iris has had an involvement with for a number of years. There are strong ties with the club and this is enhanced due to the fact that company director Ian Spiller still enjoys running out for the second team. Blue Iris look forward to a continued partnership with Nailsea & Backwell Rugby Club lasting well in to the future, certainly longer than Ian's playing career!! www.pitchero.com/clubs/nailseabackwell - Twitter : @NB_RFC www.sportip.biz 99