Trojans
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RUGBY CLUB
Trojans Rugby Club is a fantastic example of the important role that a club can
play in its local community. Rugby Club Magazine caught up with their Secretary
Lee Foster to find out more about the good work they have been doing lately.
Involvement
He told us, “I joined Trojans twenty
one years ago when I moved to the area
for work. I just looked for the local teams
and went for the one that was easiest to
get to. I had been playing for some years
in London and just wanted to carry on
playing.
Just like in life generally the most
challenging moments are when things
go wrong, either on or off the pitch and,
for me the most rewarding are when you
take those things and make them right.
I’m a positive person so always aim to
improve things and being part of the
committee allows me to have input in
deciding the future direction that the
club goes in. Of course, the main aim is
to make it better in every way.”
Atmosphere
“On the pitch things are going fairly
well, although with a club of our size
there is never one specific subject that
we can concentrate on. With nearly 500
juniors playing on a Sunday, two ladies
teams and three men’s teams inevitably
not all will be going well at the same
time. That said, many teams are doing
well.
The mood (and the workload) are
buoyed by some exciting potential
developments off the field which, if they
come to fruition will benefit the club for
many years to come.”
72 Issue 79
Youth
“Youth rugby is vital for any club.
Not only does it fulfil the need to be
providing the community with sports
opportunities for the young but also
provides a significant income stream.
With nearly 500 players in our youth
section, plus the coaches, parents etc.
Sunday mornings are the busiest by far
at our club.
Talking of the young players, we
were incredibly proud that our Academy
and Under 16s were chosen to represent
Hampshire at the unveiling of the Rugby
Memorial in France in September.
With only two other clubs from the UK
providing youngsters at the event this
was a truly special occasion for our boys.
They were impeccably behaved
and came back with some wonderful
memories and an appreciation for the
events of 100 years ago. This was also the
culmination of the Help for Heroes bike
ride and included representatives from
French and English national sides as well
as Army teams and the unveiling itself
of the memorial, which was designed by
former French International Jean-Pierre
Rives.”
Integration
“Integrating players into the senior
game is a challenge for all clubs. With
many younger players going off to
University and a large proportion
essentially not returning, having got
jobs in other parts of the country, we are
lucky to have even a few transition into
senior Rugby at our club.
We try to balance this by having
an arrangement with local universities
and this is, in itself, a challenge. We do