Rugby Club Issue 77 | Page 64

Cheltenham North Cheltenham North FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/RUGBYCLUBMAG Over 20 years quality printing & design Quick turnaround Free experienced technical advice Free quotations Cheltenham North • Flexo Printing • Design & Repro • Laminating • • Technical Consultation • Film Stock Service • • Conversion Service • Slitting & Rewinding • Proud Sponsors of Cheltenham North RFC Telephone: 01242 262 002 Website: www.modern-packaging.co.uk RUGBY Football CLUB C heltenham North RFC has been enjoying a fine campaign this season and continues to play an important role in their local community. Rugby Club Magazine recently caught up with Manager Neil Carpenter to find out more. “I moved to the area in 1986 and started playing as a fly-half, continuing for seven years before I got an injury and also moved away. I still keep track of their results and keep in touch with some of the old boys. I wish them well for the future and hope they can prosper and continue to enjoy their rugby.” Tom, Modern Packaging Involvement He told us, “I have been involved with Cheltenham North since the age of 12 when they put an advert out in the local paper looking for players to run an U12 side. I made my first team debut back in 1987 and have been involved in the 1st team ever since, in fact I am still playing for the 1sts this season.” The Role “The most challenging aspects in the role of Rugby Manager is trying to get players to be available, there is always players who play week in week out but you do get players occasionally being unavailable and whilst we are doing well we have such a small squad that this becomes a challenge to get a strong side out each week. Also, attracting players to the club, in an area dominated by rugby teams it is very hard to attract players, so we are doing are best to give the players the best environment to play rugby. The reward is seeing the end product of everything that the coaching team of James Wilkins, Isiah Young and Brad Hepi being brought to the game we are playing at the moment.” Atmosphere “The mood at the club is really good at the moment, the side is playing well and challenging for promotion, whilst playing a really attractive style of rugby. We have also challenged the Fat Toni’s has arrived in Cheltenham! The refurbishment of our New Cheltenham Pizzeria Restaurant is complete! We are now open! Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 12pm – 10pm (Last Seating at 9.30pm) Sunday 12pm – 9.30pm (Last Seating 9pm) Yes! We’re now open at lunchtimes too! For Reservations call us on 01242 692424 or email us at: [email protected] www.fattoni.co.uk No.4 Regent Street, Cheltenham GL50 1HE players to organise social events each month, which they are buying into, as well as the rugby we are playing and this is creating a really good mood within the club. We have also been training at a local boxing club called Kings ABC and Xtreme Gym and this has created a really good atmosphere with the players as well as keeping them fit. As well as that we managed to tie up a deal with Crew Clothing for all our after match attire, we had an evening at the shop which went down really well with the players who all look really smart in there pink shirts.” Present “2017 was a hard year for the club, we had to accept relegation last season due to a league reorganisation, but we have bounced back this time round. We did have a struggle in the first couple of games, as I said before, once the players started to buy into what we are doing, it made the last few months a lot easier for the club. Our plans on the playing side are to push for promotion, which is a realistic target, and to get a regular 2nd team out. Also, we now have plans in place for a new million pound clubhouse so raising money for this project is a major plan.” Community “We are most definitely a community club, being part of the village of Bishops Cleeve we try and immerse ourselves into the local community. We have had stalls at the Village fair to encourage players and junior players to join the club. We would also like to get up and running a girls rugby team to integrate the community more 64 Issue 77 www.rugbyclubmag.com 65