southwold
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Southwold
N
ewmarket rained on Southwold RFC’s glorious
parade in the last league match of the season as
their 1st XV won a hard fought match against the
unbeaten league winners. Southwold RFC have
played 22 league matches and won 21 this season
earning them promotion (several weeks ago) out of Eastern
Counties 1 and into London North East 3. Not a bad way to
celebrate the club’s 50th season.
David Fossett, Southwold RFC’s chairman, says, “We are all very
proud of what the squad has achieved this year. Until Saturday
they had been unbeaten in the league for over a year since February
2014. A complete turnaround from several years of underachievement. This is a terrific tonic for the club and a tremendous
effort from our new coaching team of Ally Butler and Skip Webb
and commitment from our players. A great effort all round and we
look forward to a new challenge next year in the London leagues.”
The spirit in the club is palpable and this isn’t just in the seniors.
The Colts have reached the semi-finals of the Eastern Counties
Cup and face Colchester on the 19th April. They also reached
the quarter finals of the Colts LV Cup and nine of the team
have played for the 1st XV this season. Meanwhile at the other
end of the club, the U10s won the Prima Cup earning them the
right to play at Welford Road in the finals - one of only eight
teams from a pool of over 70 who entered the competition.
Other Minis’ teams have also picked up silverware throughout
the season including the U8s, U9s and U12s all winning at the
Diss festival and with successes at the YM and N Walsham
tournaments. The Minis section is not only the future but is also
a credit to the club, winning the fair-play award at the Bury St
Edmunds Festival.
The Minis’ Chairman at Bury said, “Southwold RFC were voted
as being the club that visited our festival that most displayed
the qualities the rugby community expects from a participating
side. All our coaches witnessed examples of Teamwork, Respect,
Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship from not only the
players but coaches and parents alike.” Piers Currie, Southwold’s
Minis’ Chairman, proudly picked up the award which
included a fun day for all the players at Xplore worth £3000.
The Youth section started the season well with the U13s winning
the Suffolk Sevens back in September. Though the results have
been mixed since, the teams have taken some big scalps during
the season and can boast a total of 16 players with county caps,
4 with Eastern Counties caps and 10 that have been in the
Premiership EPDG schemes.
But arguably the greatest victory this season was the U14s
joining forces with Beccles RFC from October to ensure
enough numbers to play fixtures. Their coach, Duncan Hume,
108 Issue 54
Nicholson Groundworks are very proud to sponsor such
a great club. We’d like to take this opportunity to say well done
on the fantastic league title victory. Congratulations to the
players, coaches and Committee involved in the success.
concludes, “By merging and sharing facilities with our arch
rivals, 20 boys have played rugby every Sunday rather than
Xbox or that other game where they wear shiny shorts!”
While other clubs in the region struggle to recruit players, Southwold
has squads in every age group from U7s to Colts, two men’s teams
and a Ladies’ team (who were promoted last season). Not bad
for a little club on the coast with a catchment area of mostly sea.
The secret is not just the quintessentially British location
which, as visitors know all too well, can be the coldest place
on earth in January. Nor is it just the impressive and friendly
RFU funded clubhouse. It is a combination of enthusiastic
and dedicated volunteers and considered management
who ensure that it is no longer a club of team silos. Five
years ago a steering group was tasked with exploring the
key issues and proposing solutions which resulted in a five
year plan. Five years on, the plan seems to be working.
The club’s ambitions are now firmly focussed on benefitting
from the increase in rugby’s profile from the Rugby World
Cup in October. Southwold RFC welcomes with open arms
any player of any age, gender or ability who would like to give
the game and the club a try (excuse the pun!). Simply visit the
appropriate age group page and contact the team manager.
www.pitchero.com/clubs/southwoldrfc- Twitter : @SouthwoldRFC