braintree
We are hoping that this will continue on the back of the Rugby
World Cup.
RC: What are your plans for the season?
BW: Our plans for the season ahead are to bring new players
into the club at all levels, consolidate the work we are doing
with the Junior Academy, and hopefully finish in the top four
in our league. We want to eventually get at least 3 teams out on
a regular basis, and whilst we realise this may take a couple of
years, we feel this is achievable.
RC: How important is youth rugby to the club?
BW: Youth rugby is essential to our Club. You just have to
count the number of ex-Youth players in the 1st XV to realise
without a doubt that without the Youth coming through we
would not have a Club. Financially the Club would really
struggle to survive without the money generated by the Youth
Section through membership and supporting the bar. Also
players who were just children when we first started with
the club now have children of their own and are joining us as
Youth coaches – it is great to see the continuity.
RC: How does the club ensure that young players enjoy a
smooth transition into the senior game?
BW: We have struggled in the last 3 years to get an Under
17s team out which has really affected the numbers coming
through to our 1st XV and other Senior sides. As mentioned
before, this year we have started a Junior Academy for Under
17s and Under 18s, and have over 30 players in the squad.
We are treating them as the 1st XV of our Youth section with
specialist coaching, teamwear and their own Physio. Their
introduction into Senior rugby is being monitored, with no
player being released to the senior game until after Christmas,
and then only gradually. Players who we feel are not yet
ready will continue with the Academy until such time that it is
decided they are ready.
RC: Would you consider yours to be a community club?
BW: ]