Guernsey Raiders
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that plays in the Jersey Rugby Association competition. We
are unique in the fact that we are a completely amateur club,
but our 1st XV still manage to hold their own against the semiprofessional teams they play against in their league.
Semi-professionalism is a bridge we haven’t crossed yet;
however, it is something we may need to consider doing as
greater demands are put on players both on and off the pitch,
in terms of travel, trainings, sponsorship and the general
physicality of the game.
We also have a Ladies rugby team that are enjoying their first
season playing in RFUW National Challenge South East South
1, after being promoted last season and a growing Academy
set up, which also includes girl’s rugby. We have 350 children
actively involved in our Academy, supported by 40 coaches.
The transition between youth and senior adult rugby
is vitally important. Our Colts players undertake vigorous
strength and conditioning programmes to ensure they are
ready to make the step up into adult rugby. There is a close link
between adult and academy players, with many opportunities
for coaching and development between the two throughout the
age groups.
This season we have begun rebranding the club by taking
on the nickname of ‘Guernsey Raiders’, a fresh logo and
introducing a mascot, Rocky the Raider. Rocky features heavily
on our match days and out in the community. It is our hope
that we can continue to have the support of the Guernsey
community and play our part in the further development of
rugby in the Channel Islands.
48 Issue 61