Old
Walcountians
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ANDREW PAICE BDS
FELICITY MURRAY BDS
DENTAL SURGEONS
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TEL: 020 8660 6565
PURLEY DENTAL PRACTICE
21 Foxley Lane, Purley, CR8 3EH Telephone: 020 8660 6565
email: [email protected]
36 Issue 65
“Over the past 20 years, the professionalisation of the
game has filtered down to junior clubs. Many of the clubs Old
Walcountians played in the early years of the National Leagues
now have professional players and coaches, and fitness levels are
much higher.
“Many local clubs like Sutton and Epsom and Chipstead have
developed a successful mini and junior rugby structure which
has funnelled talented players through to their senior ranks.
Old Walcountians, in contrast, has relied on its close links with
Wallington County Grammar School and the Under-21 side has
been an important gateway between school and senior rugby.”
“Like many clubs, the challenge for Old Walcountians is
player retention. Many of the school leavers go to university and
lose touch with the club. In the world of employment, people are
expected to be more mobile and flexible these days. We are just
about to lose one of our 1st XV in September when he moves to
New York.
“Even those living locally can be affected – at least three or
four of our 1st XV squad have to work on some Saturdays and
are not always available. So we need to develop reserve players
of sufficient calibre to cover for them.
“I am confident that the fortunes of Old Walcountians will
continue to improve over the next five years. We currently run
three senior XVs – not as many as when I started but pretty good
for these days.
“We are continuing to recruit new players to the club, as
well as attracting back former players as they finish University.
The Under-21s will continue to be an important conveyor belt
for feeding through new talent and we aim to retain as many of
the current 1st XV squad as we possibly can. I believe that Old
Walcountians has the talent and ambition to regain the London
League status we lost in 1998.”