Redditch
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Integration
“ Integrating young players into the senior section is our most difficult challenge which is not helped by the regulations concerning playing up and playing down and young players taking part in adult rugby . Whereas years ago lads could play with their Dads in the vets and little lads could be protected these days you can ’ t do anything . Our recent experience is that the U16 team seems to evaporate midway through their season .
Hopefully there are family connections which will keep some in contact with the club . When they are old enough to play senior rugby they start and try to bring in their old mates . We do run parallel training sessions where U16 players train with the adults , breaking off to do contact with their own coaches and peer groups . This works well and the keen ones at training are the ones who are retained the most .”
Community
Our club has been involved with the Active Kitchen programme working with the police and St Vincent de Paul Society to provide meals and activities for kids during half terms . He will be running a Summer Camp on August 22nd , 23rd and 24th . This will be the third season that we have done this and it will be a multi-sport event with coaches from Cricket and Hockey joining in . James has also been instrumental in setting up relationships with the Beacon School , Redditch , Pupil Referral Unit . They have enjoyed fun rugby sessions on the Redditch Cricket , Hockey and Rugby Club ’ s brand-new Astro turf hockey pitch .
The Beacon caters for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils who are presenting with Social , Emotional and Mental Health difficulties . The Beacon ’ s key message is “ Success and Achievement for Everyone ” and the rugby sessions are a novel method of getting pupil engagement .
He is regularly engaged at many of the schools locally working closely with RFU staff .”
“ We are very much a community club . Our Vice Chairman of Playing , James Shotbolt is a dynamo who looks at every opportunity to involve the club with our local community . He works closely with the Redditch and Bromsgrove Sports Partnership and the local schools to make sure that rugby is promoted in our area .
“ I first went down to the club with a friend when I was ten before leaving to play for a semi-professional club . I came back in 2007 and have been the head coach for the last two seasons , also sponsoring the club for the last three years .
Last season the lads did fantastically well ; it was pretty much a brand new team and the attitude and effort has been fantastic . They may lack experience but their enthusiasm makes up for it and I am proud to work with this group of players . The commitment is fantastic and I hope the group can keep up the good work !”
Simon Fitzpatrick , SPF Construction and Electrical
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96 Issue 79