Rugby Club ISSUE 83 | Page 50

Thirsk FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/RUGBYCLUBMAG The Barker Partnership is a firm of Chartered Accountants based in North Yorkshire, with offices in Thirsk, Ripon, Pateley Bridge, Leyburn and Harrogate, offering accounts, payroll, taxation and business advisory and support services to a wide range of businesses and individuals. At The Barker Partnership we provide a cost-effective, high value solution to meet all of your financial needs. We work hard to get to know you in order to deliver timely, individual advice on how to improve your business and personal wealth. SERVICES • Accountancy Services • Support Services • Consultancy & Systems Advice • Business Start Up • Taxation • Payroll Services Tel: 01845 522045 | Web: www.barkerpartnership.co.uk Thirsk Branch: 17 Central Buildings, Market Place, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 1HD “We’ve sponsored the club for eight years now; the founding partner here was a keen member fo the club so we have sponsored in various ways over the years. One of my close friend’s sons plays for the club so I always keep up to date with how they are getting on. All the best from the Barker Partnership for the remainder of the season.” Bill Pearson Present “This season started really well but the past couple of months have seen us put in some really solid performances without bringing home the points. It’s frustrating but we can see the effort that the boys are putting in and whilst I’m side-lined, I’ve been a frustrated supporter but I have been genuinely impressed with the standard of Rugby. If we keep putting in the hard work, the results will follow. We are notoriously poor up until Christmas, it was the same last year and we finished the season strongly, winning the Club’s first ever silverware (Yorkshire 4 Shield) and reached the final of our cup competition so I still have faith.” Youth “Without youth rugby, there is no Thirsk RFC, it’s as simple as that. Over 80% of the current first team have played for the junior teams. The real strength of our team and the club as a whole is that we really are a family club. The junior teams are made up of children whose siblings and parents form the senior team. It’s a special atmosphere.” 50 Issue 83 Challenges “Our biggest challenge at the moment is ensuring young children give rugby a go. We’ve got successful junior football teams in the area so it’s important that we get kids to try a real sport! My son is 10 and came to the junior team last season after watching me play a few times. He gave up football to play Rugby because he loved it so much. His confidence has grown massively and that’s thanks to the environment, the fact that the club and everyone involved gives so much time and effort really does make it feel special. The Senior players giving up their time on a Sunday to help coach the Juniors is massively important and the first team coach Neal Martin Sargent or Sarge as he’s better known is literally Mr Thirsk. There’s not a game, training session or event at any age level that he hasn’t had some involvement in. Without Sarge, there would be no Thirsk RFC.” Ambitions “The next five years should be great for the club, we’ve got a new sports village being built at the moment that will give a dedicated Rugby pitch, club house and all weather pitches so the facilities will be there and I’ve no doubt that with the calibre of the lads playing for us at the moment, we will see a promotion or two. The average age on the team is about 21 (especially now I’m injured!) so there’s bags of potential. I’m excited to see where it goes and we would love to add more trophies to our collection.”