Rugby Club Issue 77 | Page 98

Oldham St Annes Oldham St Annes FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/RUGBYCLUBMAG Oldham St Annes Amateur Rugby League Football Club O ldham St Annes ARLFC is based on Higginshaw Road in Greater Manchester and their first team currently competes in the National Conference League Division 3. They are a fine example of the important role that a club can play in its local community. Over the years the club has put together a history of whi ch they have every right to be proud and were able to celebrate their Diamond Jubilee in 2006. The club had humble beginnings and started out playing on various grounds and using hostelries as their headquarters. Perhaps one of their greatest successes came in 2003 when they won the BARLA National Cup in front of a large crowd at Bloomfield Road, Blackpool. Their current group of players will be keen to add to this success over the coming years. In 2017 their first team put together a good league campaign, putting together a record of eleven wins and eleven defeats from their twenty two matches. This saw them finish in a safe mid-table position with 22 points on the board. This should provide them with a solid platform from which to build as they look ahead to their 2018 campaign. As long as they are able to retain their current group of players and can perhaps make one or two quality additions they should be in with a good chance of doing just that. Oldham St Annes is not a club to focus solely upon their senior section and this is reflected by the fact that they also have a number of youth sides in place. These teams look to provide young players from the local area with an opportunity to play the game in a safe and enjoyable environment whilst helping them to reach their full potential. It is important for any club looking to be successful over a sustained period of time to be able to produce their own talent, particularly in the current financial climate and this is an area they appear to have covered. It will certainly be exciting to see how their youngsters can progress over the coming years. In order to help make sure that they enjoy a smooth transition into the senior game they also run an additional side. This allows them to gain experience of adult level rugby even if they are not yet considered ready for first team action which can be an important step in the development process. Another benefit of having an extra side is that it allows the first team to benefit from far greater strength in depth. If they are ever left short on numbers through injury they have the option of calling up replacements with a limited amount of disruption. PERSONAL TRAINER WITH 12 YEARS EXPERIENCE FORMER PROFESSIONAL BOXER HOLDS 3 BELTS • PRIZEFIGHTER FINALIST Sessions/Price list: Monday / Wednesday / Friday 4-10 years 5pm - 6pm £3 11-15 years 6pm - 7pm £3 Senior Classes 7pm - 8pm £4 Tuseday & Thursday Circuit & Pads 6.45pm - 7.45pm Over 15's Saturday - 9am - 10am Mix Saturday training class Body M.O.T included £5 Proud Spo Local businessman Tony Tibbott is the founder of Discounted Plastics Ltd based in Oldham. Tony has been a keen rugby fan all his life and once played for Oldham St Annes ARLFC as a youngster. He told us, “When I played for the club it never crossed my mind where the money came from to pay for the kit. But someone had obviously dug deep into their pockets to help the club.” “Since founding my own business I have always believed in giving something back to the local community and by sponsoring Oldham St Anne’s I am carrying on that tradition”. Tony believes that businesses that sponsor sports clubs should think long-term about the benefits sponsorship can bring to local youngsters. “Yes, small firms can get good publicity and create valuable goodwill by sponsoring a local rugby team, event or good cause – and it doesn’t have to break the bank. “But when I think back to my youth, someone, somewhere was kind enough to pay for my kit so I believe it is only right that I should do the same and carry on this spirit of goodwill”. Tony believes that firms that sponsor sports clubs - looking for a return on their investment - are sometimes sponsoring clubs for the wrong reason. “Where possible, you should measure the benefits of sponsorship in helping young people develop their careers. “In other words: not what can the rugby club do for me but what can I do to help the rugby club”. Mobile: 07534 187133 | Email: [email protected] Facebook: Darren Stubby Stubbs Stubby's Shaw/Royton ABC, Trent Industrial Estate, Shaw, Oldham, OL2 7UT. There is much to admire about the fine set up that Oldham St Annes ARLFC currently has in place and this is thanks to all of the hard work that goes into the club. If they continue in the same manner then they should be able to look forward to a bright and successful future for many years to come. “I wear several different hats at the club as well as being overarching Chairman of Oldham St Annes ARLFC. My son, Declan Wardle is eight years old and plays in the U9s. I coach the U9s and have been since they were in the U7s. I’m very pleased with their overall performance. Our approach is, Run fast and tackle hard.” Barry Wardle, Chairman At discounted plastics we offer a wide range of building plastics at the market’s lowest prices. We are committed to outstanding customer care, we provide long-lasting and cost-effective building solutions which will save you time, money and energy. We went into business to build the UK’s premier one- stop-shop for all your building plastic needs – a goal we’re proud to say we’ve accomplished. Web Products • Windows • Composite Door • Rock Doors • Bi-folding Doors • • PVC Doors • Conservatories • Fascias • Cover Board • Soffits • • Rainwater • Roofing Products • Cladding • Soil & Underground • • Drainage • Window & Door Hardware • Glazing • Proud Sponsors of Oldham St Annes A.R.L.F.C Telephone: 0161 665 0052 Website: www.discounted-plastics.com Unit B, Acorn Enterprise Centre, Barry Street, Oldham, Lancashire OL1 3NE 98 Issue 77 www.rugbyclubmag.com 99