Phoenix
Phoenix
RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
P
hoenix
Rugby
Football
Club is enjoying a season to
remember this time around
and have been crowned champions
following a 15-50 away win at third place
Littlemore RFC. We recently caught
up with their Director of Rugby Paul
Jefferies to gain an insight into what has
been behind their success.
Involvement
He told us, “I first joined the club
many years ago back in the late 70s when
I was introduced by a friend Joe Byrne,
who sadly passed away 4 years ago. I was
about 18 and had played at School with
Joe (our school was rugby orientated),
enjoyed it from the off and rose to be
Captain of the 1s and club Captain for
many years, being first Captain to gain
promotion as champions in the BBO
leagues.
I played for the County and various
representative sides before doing my
coaching badges and then coaching and
managing Phoenix for few years. It is a
great spirited club whom pride themselves
as a top social club whilst having a serious
approach to its rugby. I then left 3 years
ago to better my coaching and went to
Bracknell RFC, progressed and came back
this season.”
The Role
“The most challenging part of any
coaching job and I believe it is the same
here is to keep the players focused,
committed to the task, and to find the fine
balance of a team of seasoned players and
relatively new recruits, while at the same
time enjoying this level and above.
Rewards come in the clubhouse after
training nights and match days, seeing
the players with smiles buzzing about the
session or the performance on a match
day when the clubhouse is rocking you
know you’re doing a good job.
Another reward is the youngsters
coming through approaching you and
asking as many questions as they like. I
learnt from a fine school of rugby players
and adopted what my rugby forefathers
taught. To now pass that on to the young
players of today and watch them grow
into good players and getting in the 1s is
very rewarding.”
Atmosphere
“This season the clubhouse is so so
positive with new refurbishment, good
Images courtesy of Alan Richards
www.sportip.biz
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