Rugby Club Issue 76 | Page 55

has proved to be uy, sell, rent or let ion. Ely Tigers RC: What are your plans for 2018? DW: Onwards and upwards. We have recently made some improvements to the club house making it a nicer place to be. I would like to see us attract more players to enable us to run a regular third team again to bring some fringe players and some of the old boys back to the club. AS: We will be launching girls rugby at the Club in the New Year and with the increase in senior players, hope to be organising some midweek or Friday night 3rd team fixtures. RC: How important is youth rugby to the club? DW: Immensely important. We have a thriving youth and mini section. We are working hard on the message that we are one club and the focus of our being is not just to support the first team. We also run coaching sessions at local schools when requested and are trying to set up partnerships with these schools. AS: Essential - The Youth players of today are future senior players, club volunteers and committee members of the future. We must do everything that we can to keep the Youth players involved in the club and Rugby in general. website today. Pocock and Shaw is an enthusiastic, friendly and forward-thinking business based on traditional values, careful never to lose sight of the small things that are so often overlooked but which can make all the difference – integrity, respect and professionalism to name a few. .co.uk RC: How does the club ensure that young players enjoy a smooth transition into the senior game? DW: Some of the first team players attend youth training at various age groups and assist with coaching sessions. The first and some Development Squad players are encouraged to help out at Youth and Mini events whether that is cooking the food for the barbeque or assisting with car parking! At Colts level we try to integrate them gradually and ensure that they are seen as part of the group early on. AS: We try to integrate our Colts players into our senior sides as soon as we feel that they are capable and they themselves are confident and comfortable. Over a third of our Development team squad is under the age of 20. RC: What are the clubs ambitions for the next five years? 8091 DW: I would like to see the first team promoted and established in a higher league with a strong team made up of players who have primarily come through our youth system. I would also like to see the Development Squad strong enough to be pushing the first team for their places and to be running a third team. Most importantly I would like to see our youth section going from strength to strength and if I am being greedy I hope to see our plans for the return of ladies rugby to Ely to be a success. With branches in Ely, Cambridge, Newmarket, Burwell and Mayfair, a combination of local knowledge and a refreshing, pro-active approach has proved to be a magnet for people looking to buy, sell, rent or let properties in the region. For more information visit our website today. www.pocock.co.uk Ely Office 01353 668091 26 High Street, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4JU Magnus Woodroffe of Pocock and Shaw Estate Agents recently took the time to tell us more about his positive association with the club, saying, “I used to play for the club as a fly-half and full-back after I moved to Ely. As a company we have sponsored the club for one year and are continuing to support them for a second season. We are proud to be associated with Ely Tigers and support them because they are a great community rugby club.” eshire, CB7 4JU www.rugbyclubmag.com 55