leeds medics
and dentists
experience and have come out with a lot
of experience.
Thanks to a multitude of injuries, the 2nd
XV survived a relegation scare to finish
in the lower half of the Yorkshire North/
West Division 1 Merit league and will be
eager to demonstrate their full potential
in this increasingly competitive league.
With the annual new crop arriving this
September, both teams are excited at the
prospects for the season.
RC: How would you say the off-season
has gone for the club?
LMD (Leeds Medicals and Dentists):
Being a student club, the majority of
players are off home or travelling over
summer, making preseason a challenge.
The student designed preseason ‘Strength
and Conditioning’ programs also have a
strong bias towards ‘beach muscles’, so
this results in large, but not always useful
rugby physiques. The harsh Yorkshire
winters quickly change this attitude
though, and come mid-season the players
will have wisely started their ‘winter
bulks’.
RC: What are your plans for the season?
LMD: Both teams are eager to push for a
top 4 finish in both their leagues and also
consolidate their reputation as being some
of the slowest pint drinkers in the whole
of Yorkshire. A big emphasis will also
be placed on the National Association of
Medical Schools (NAMS) competition
this year. This puts us into contact with
likeminded students who are keen to play
fast, flowing rugby, then enjoy the social
afterwards.
RC: Would you consider yours to be a
community club?
LMD: Absolutely. Being a student club
who play in the local Yorkshire league,
we incorporate both student rugby and
men’s rugby elements. Whilst playing
men’s rugby means that we are frequently
at a physical disadvantage in terms of the
size and strength of individuals, often
leaving the poor fresher’s desires a second
puberty, it means that we make links with
local rugby clubs across Yorkshire. This
helps to serve as a springboard for players
to progress onto new clubs once their time
and Medical School has come to an end.
RC: What do you believe could be some
of the biggest challenges the club may
face in the next 5 years?
LMD: One of the biggest challenges we
face as a student club is the constant
turnover of players. Last season saw the
departure of eight of our 1st XV squad
so rebuilding of both teams is a constant
phenomenon of the club.
RC: What are the clubs ambitions for the
next 5 years?
LMD: The club has 2 main ambitions
on the pitch. Firstly, to be a consistently
competitive outfit in the NAMS cup
competition, challenging the top medical
schools sides in the country. Secondly,
to make a successful and competitive
return to the Yorkshire 2 League. Off the
pitch, the club aims to continue to grow
as a friendly and sociable rugby club that
continues to avoid headlines except in
articles such as these.
The Ankle to Foot Clinic is a dedicated
multidisciplinary foot and ankle clinic led
by Mr Nick Harris, Consultant Orthopaedic
and Trauma Surgeon at the Spire Hospital
in Leeds.
The clinic deals with all aspects of foot
and ankle problems from acute fractures
and ligament injuries in professional
sportspeople to painful bunions. State of
the art imaging is available on site including
MRI, CT and ultrasound.
These can usually be organised within
24-48 hours if necessary. The clinic is
supported by a team of physios and
podiatrist.
For further information or to make an
appointment ring 0113 2185942.
www.pitchero.com/clubs/leedsmedics- Twitter : @LMDRUFC
www.sportip.biz
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