Stourbridge
We put an eight point plan before the
membership at the AGM and it focused on
coordinating the rugby playing elements
of the club whilst also reorganizing and
managing the supporting elements that
makes any club run smoothly.”
Youth
“Youth development is absolutely
vital, this is the future of the game and we
are fortunate to have a thriving mini and
junior section. The reintroduction of the
colts team has been particularly important
and we are certainly providing plenty of
opportunities for youngsters to come
down and try rugby. We are also well on
the way to starting up a girls team and
they are training in increasing numbers
every week.
We are working on the issue of
integration into the senior game with help
and guidance from the RFU. The key stage
seems to be 18–24 when we lose many
people who have been players all the way
up from 6 years old and then somehow
they drift away from the game. There are
several factors involved here, the move
into higher education or employment can
mean a change of area, a move away from
the local club, there is the option of other
sports, there is the possibility that the
social side is not what they want – there
are a myriad of reasons however we need
to make the game accessible to all, every
club needs to be welcoming, drop in and
play comes to mind.”
future. Getting this balance right requires
careful planning so that you neither
underperform and lose status or you have
one super season followed by a collapse.
All clubs need to be prudent in their
approach and have to build on a solid
foundation.
Incremental improvements across
all aspects of the club (a la Brailsford),
providing
entertaining
rugby
for
everyone, being socially active and a
vibrant part of the community where all
our members can take part in a friendly
yet competitive atmosphere.”
Challenges/Ambitions
“I believe the balance of financial
remuneration for the semi pros and the
maintenance of social rugby will be the
definitive factor for clubs of our size in
David Craddock of Club Sponsor Craddock’s
Brewery recently told Rugby Club Magazine, “I
played junior rugby for Stourbridge Rugby Club
from age 11 until I left at 17 for the academy at
Worcester where I spent 2 years.”
“I remained absent from rugby for 12 years when
I went travelling and nursed a shoulder injury.
Recently, I have returned to play for the hoppers
in my usual position as flanker. I have to say that
touch rugby and training on a Wednesday night
have been instrumental in my return to Rugby.
“The bringing together of young and older
players within our club has been tremendous fun
and integrating the aspects of touch rugby and
the benefits it brings have allowed me time to
recover from my old injury.
01384 440 202
25 Coventry Street,
Stourbridge, DY8 1EP
01384 397 218
107 Worcester Street,
Stourbridge, DY8 1AX
For more information visit our website at:
www.craddocksbrewery.com
“My son Arthur now gets along to the micros
and hopefully he will develop into an enthusiastic
player and enjoy the sport as I do. I would like
to wish everyone at Stourbridge RFC continued
success and in particular those who have
developed our Wednesday nights into such a
wonderful experience for all!”
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