Novocastrians
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Novocastrians
RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
T
hings are looking bright for
Novocastrians RFC with a
fine set up, focused around
youth development setting them up for
a bright future. Rugby Club Magazine
caught up with their Director of Rugby,
Chris Ward to find out more about the
good work they have been doing lately.
Involvement
He told us, “I’ve been at the club since
2012, but I was regularly dragged along
from an early age with my dad, a lifelong
Novo. I’d call it hereditary (mis)fortune!
It is always rewarding when you see the
club website is in the top 10 in the country
on pitchero, not too bad for a Level 7
amateur club. The other sides regularly up
there are all semi-professional National
League sides. I think the success is more
of a testament to the community feel of
our rugby club.”
Atmosphere
“The whole club is on a high
after receiving grants to improve our
antiquated pitches! They’ve been given
proper drainage and flattened. It wasn’t
uncommon to be competing in a line out
four foot lower down than your opponent!
The junior section is thriving and that
is testament to the hard work done by
Colin Chater, Rob Ogilvie, Steve Gittins
and Rob Merlane for a number of years.
We’re finally reaping the benefits with a
stream of good colts players making the
grade to senior rugby. We’re regularly
hitting 50 men at senior training which is
unprecedented in the county!”
60 Issue 59