Ponteland
FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/RUGBYCLUBMAG
miss out as there will be no guarantee
that tickets will be for sale on the
weekend. Tickets will go on sale online in
early February. More information about
the 2017 Beer Festival and photographs
of previous beer festivals can be accessed
at www.pontelandbeerfestival.co.uk.”
Challenges/Ambitions
“In September 2017, Northumberland
County Council is planning to build two
schools and a new leisure centre on the
current Ponteland Leisure Centre site
where we have operated from for the
last fifty years. Whilst the club welcomes
such an investment in new buildings and
facilities the disruption to the club over
the construction phase is without doubt
the biggest challenge we will face over
the next three years or so.
In March 2017, we should have a
clearer idea of how construction will
impact on the club. It is likely that teams
will have to train and play at other
venues within Ponteland and whilst it
is hoped to still keep a base at the old
Leisure Centre many teams and players
may consider themselves “nomads”
during this period. Sustaining the
club over this period is of paramount
importance and an incredible challenge.
“I moved to the area 30 years ago with my wife and
hooked up with Ponteland Rugby Club then. Having
played rugby with England youth and the under 23s squad
I was used to competitive rugby at a decent level and also
enjoyed stints with Gosforth ,Bedford ,Waterloo and West
Hartlepool. I also helped coach The Norwegian national
side for three seasons.
We have a very young side at the club at the moment
and hopefully we can hold onto them. This season we are
competing well and hopefully we can make promotion.
We like to say at Ponteland that we are an amateur club
with a professional style and this has proved itself with
our league position this season.”
John Chappell, Director of Rugby
34 Issue 70
Our ambition is for the 1st XV to be an
established team within Durham and
Northumberland 1. This will require
strength in depth and thus requires
an expanded senior squad. At mini,
junior and youth level we are working
towards an age group squad/team at
every age from U6/U7 to senior colts
with the emerging girls section becoming
fully established. Our ambition is to
achieve this despite the disruption and
challenges that will inevitably occur
whilst the current leisure centre site is re-
developed.”