millbrook
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Millbrook
M
illbrook Rugby Football Club is arguably in the best state it has ever been since its formation out of a local
school 44 years ago. The 2014/15 has seen both on and off the field success and improvements with the men’s
senior teams and the youth teams having hugely successful seasons by their own rights; as well as the clubhouse
and associated facilities all being stepped up a level.
Starting with the clubhouse and
associated facilities, Millbrook RFC has
seen big changes over the last 12 months
- project managed by Club Treasurer
Chris Ings. This began last summer with
the installation of permanent floodlights
around a new pitch, and has continued
with the internals of the clubhouse being
renovated.
New flooring was soon followed by a
significant paint job right through; and
more recently the bar has been given a
face lift, new furniture has been purchased
and an extension to double the size of the
balcony that looks out across two of the
pitches is nearing completion. And this
is just the start, further work is planned;
drainage on the current pitches and more
to the clubhouse so as to provide an
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environment that is modern, welcoming
and suitable for all club members and
their visitors.
Now for the senior rugby. This season
the men’s 1st XV have finished second in
the Hampshire 1 league - guaranteeing
themselves a play-off game and a shot
at promotion into the London leagues a place the club has only resided in once
before. This success has been on the
cards over recent seasons, with third and
fourth league position finishes and two
Hampshire Plate final wins over the past 5
years, but with the players really “buyingin” to the clubs ambitions this is finally
starting to come to fruition. The playing
backroom staff has also been bolstered
with experienced coaches Mark Randell
and Gavin Evans coming on board,
to work alongside the current playing
committee of Gary Griffin and Andy
Christie (both of whom are ex-Millbrook
players).
The 2nd XV continues to strive forwards
with ever-improving performances and
the standard of rugby increasing meaning
that players are now regularly pushing
into and helping build the depth of the
1st XV. Moreover, the ambition to start a
men’s 3rd team is edging towards reality
with the club always on the lookout for
new players as well organic growth.
With regards to organic growth, the
youth set up continues to grow since its
kick-off 3 seasons ago. The club has not
had a youth set up for almost a decade and
over the past 3 seasons the regenerated
youth section, led by Youth Chairman