Rugby Club ISSUE 83 | Page 20

Property T Greenock Wanderers FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/RUGBYCLUBMAG We run a second team which is quite unusual around here and we have high numbers at training because of the quality of our coaching staff and hope to be able to put out a third team on occasion so without going over the top we are happy with how things are going. “ Challenges Patten & Prentice are a Greenock based firm of solicitors providing advice to clients across Scotland and beyond. Over 140 years of experience tells us that legal advice delivered properly adds value to our clients. “The biggest challenge for the club is the recruitment and retention of young players into the game. I don’t know whether parents have become concerned about the safety aspect of the game but it is becoming increasingly difficult to attract players into the sport. If we can’t attract those players then we won’t be able to maintain successful 1st and 2nd XVs. Off the park the club is doing pretty well at the moment; the club has a very nice clubhouse but it does require a lot of work in regards to making sure it is used for events and attracting sponsorship. Like most clubs, we’re not making a fortune but we’re doing enough to keep our heads above the water.” Property | Court | Wills, Trusts & Incapacity Tax | Commercial | Family Proud Sponsors of Greenock Wanderers RFC For all life’s ups and downs Tel: 01475 720306 Web: www.patten.co.uk Lynn Rayner of club sponsor Patten & Prentice spoke to Rugby Club Magazine, telling us, “I like to support local sport; my previous partner, now retired, Ian Banks was a great supporter of club and the company has continued his support and wish them all continued success.” Proud Sp Dave Ramage is the club VP of Finance at Greenock Wanderers RFC. He told us, “I played at school with Greenock academy along with friend and club VP of rugby Steven Haldane. I played scrum half and naturally progressed to playing for Greenock Wanderers RFC, representing the first team for 21 years from 1980 to 2002 before progressing into coaching. Two years ago, myself and Steven Haldane encouraged change to take place at the club and encouraged a new direction to be taken. We are now two years into a five year plan and all is going well but not complete. I feel there is not the greatest divide between Division 1 West that we play in and National 3 rugby. I believe the club need to play at the right level and that national league rugby is that level. The club is very energised at the moment and are continuing to provide expert coaching for the various teams. The emphasis has to be on developing the junior boys and girls with a development officer advertising the Wanderers locally. Parents can then enjoy seeing little Johnny or Jenny enjoy themselves in a well organised, safe and fun environment. It’s a great site to look from the balcony of the Wanderers on a Sunday afternoon and see 6/7 year olds running around and then cast your sight and see the p1-p7s enjoying their rugby experience. Greenock is a satellite town 26 miles from Glasgow and Greenock Wanderers RFC need to operate at a sustainable level from seniors through to junior teams and the key to the club’s continued development and growth is within the club’s local community.” 20 Issue 83