deal & betteshanger
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Deal &
Betteshanger
D
eal and Betteshanger RFC was first established in 2006 following a merger between Deal Wanderers RFC and
Betteshanger RFC in 2006. Talks had begun between the two sides in 2004 after the closure of Betteshanger Colliery
and the RM barracks left both clubs competing for a decreasing number of players.
The two clubs had very different
backgrounds but since they have
amalgamated they have started to put
together their own history, proving
that the decision was correct. They
are a great of example of a club that is
achieving success on the back of home
grown talent and currently compete at
level 7.
They play their home games at The
Drill Field on Canada Road in Kent and
their first team plays in the London 2
South East League. They are led by the
team of President Dave Ross Snr and
We are proud supporters of local community sports and
wish Deal and Betteshanger RFC all the success in the
future.
12 Issue 54
Chairman Ted Schofield and the club
has been progressing well under their
guidance.
This season their first team has put
together a steady league campaign,
having compiled a record of nine wins,
a draw and ten defeats from their
twenty matches. This has left them
sitting in a safe mid-table position with
46 points on the board.
With the season now complete they
can reflect upon a relatively successful
campaign in which they have played
some good quality rugby. They are a
forward thinking club and will already
have turned their attentions towards
improving in 2015/16. As long as they
can retain their current group of players and perhaps make one
or two quality additions they will be in with a good chance of
pushing on up the table.
One of the keys of Deal and Betteshanger’s success is the superb
youth section that they have in place. This part of the club looks
to provide young players from the local area with an opportunity
to play the game in a safe and enjoyable environment whilst
helping them to reach their full potential.
Their approach is highlighted by the following statement on
their official website, “Our aim is to share our love of rugby with
the community and we provide rugby coaching for all children
aged 6 to 18. The coaches work hard to ensure the clubs ethos of
teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship is
aspired to at all times.”
It is important for any club to be able to produce their own
talent if they are to be successful, particularly in the current
financial climate and this is an area that they appear to have
covered. Coaching staff overseeing their youth development
programme are confident that they’ve a number of players on
their books with the potential for a bright future in the game and
it will certainly be interesting to see how they can progress in the
coming years.
In order to help their youngsters to make the sometimes difficult
transition into the senior game Deal and Betteshanger also run
additional sides. This allows them to gain experience of adult
level rugby even if they are not yet considered ready for first
team action which can be an important step in the development
process.
Another benefit of having extra sides is that it allows the first
team to benefit from far greater strength in depth. If they are ever
left short on numbers through injury or work commitments they
have the option of calling players up with a limited amount of
disruption.
Deal and Betteshanger RFC is a club that plays a vital role in
their local community and they truly have a terrific set up in
place. Hopefully they will be able to continue in the same manner
for many years to come.
www.pitchero.com/clubs/dealandbetteshanger