Vagabonds
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the original members are still living in the area and at the start of the 50th season we held our celebration dinner at the Clubhouse which was well attended and enjoyed by all .
“ To conclude our anniversary year we held a Grand Finale dinner at a local hotel where almost two hundred past and present members enjoyed what was agreed to be one of our best functions , due in no small part to the excellent contribution of our guest , Mike Tindall .
“ Our 1st XV mens team play in the South Lancs Cheshire Two League whilst our Ladies XV play in the North West Division One . Our Ladies team is very well supported and as well as playing some very entertaining rugby the Ladies take the lead in organising many social events within the club .
“ Isle of Man Vagabands RUFC has a great involvement with the community . We have held events to support the local Hospice and the local farming benevolent fund . Another part of the community aspect of the Club is that we frequently host games between ourselves and a Farmers XV ( many of whom play for a variety of different clubs ) when charity collections are taken for various local causes .
“ The event is further enhanced by the Lady Young Farmers competing in a Tug-o-War against Vagas Ladies . In all an excellent day out ! At Easter the Club holds an Easter Festival including a sevens tournament for mens and ladies teams . All teams both local and visiting are welcome for a great weekend .
“ This year two teams , Sleaford and Hemsworth visited us and took part in our annual Memorial Game as a ‘ round robin ’ competition . Sleaford eventually emerged as worthy winners .
“ The game commemorates the lives of three of our young players who were tragically killed in a traffic accident and each year the families join us at the Club . This is one occasion when there is never any problem getting sufficient players of all ages .
“ At this point in time the general mood at the club is positive for the future . We have undoubtedly the best paying facilities on the Island which are kept to an impressively high standard by our Groundsman , Mike Caley .
“ Our three teams are competing well . The mens 1st XV ended the season in the middle of the table having enjoyed an impressive run of 14 games where they were defeated just once , whilst the Ladies were fifth in their division beating the then top of the table team on the way .
“ Our 2nd XV suffered towards the end of the season as their numbers were depleted by players having to augment the 1st XV who suffered from an unusually high level of injuries , although spirits remain resolute for next season .
“ During the off season , many of the players and their families enjoy a well-deserved rest , but it is anticipated this year that we will have a pre-season visit from a Northern Irish team to the Island bringing mens and ladies teams . This followed from a successful visit of our Ladies to Northern Ireland this season and a return visit of the Ladies to Vagabonds which was much enjoyed by the participants .
“ One of the main challenges to the Club in the next five years will , like so many other clubs , be the retention of players and attracting new players to the Club . To compete in the UK leagues , our teams have to have an early start , arriving at the airport by 6.15am and do not return until after 8pm in the evening . With young families and partners this can take a toll on relationships and the commitment to travel almost every other weekend is immense .
“ Clubs have to retain players and part of that is to challenge their skills by playing tough and different opposition both on and off the Island . Without players we are just another social club – something that nobody in the rugby community wants to see .”
10 Issue 63