Rugby Club ISSUE 83 | Page 60

St Neots FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/RUGBYCLUBMAG 2019 “2019 brings more plans on and off the field. As I have said our development plan is in full swing and the next step will be to continue to build relationships with the local schools and look into a junior ladies set up to support our fantastic ladies team. And more coach development opportunities for our mini and junior coaches through the rfu coach mentoring scheme as well as cpds and other upskilling courses. Within the mini and junior section we have signed up to the quilter kids first programme to which we put the kids at the heart of everything we do, 2019 will be about pushing that further and accepting our award as quilter kids champions.” Youth “As I have said, taking the quilter kids first pledge and pushing it as hard as we do, the youth set up is paramount to our progression as a club. We are not only looking for kids to enjoy their rugby but we are looking to build an ethos of respect and sportmanship that they can follow not only in their rugby but also in life. As part of our development plan and to ensure that young players are ready for senior rugby, in the upcoming season we will be running a development side made up of mainly colts with a few ‘old heads’ to give them a softer introduction to senior rugby. This year we don’t have the numbers at colts to do this but with the current U16s moving into that set up next year we are looking at around 50 boys. This year we have given seventeen- year-olds a limited number of senior games in our second team as they will be senior players in September and I am a great believer in blooding the boys in gently and not just throwing them in at the deep end. This tact has shown in their game play and game management when they have returned to the colts this year with some real rising stars in their ranks.” Community “Everything we do at St Neots RUFC is family and community driven. We provide a place for boys and girls, men and women to come, feel welcome and enjoy their time. Every year at Christmas, some of our senior players and ladies attend the local hospital to give presents to the children’s ward. We “My son, Sam, plays at the club as a 10 or 15 and I have coached him from U7s through to the U14s. The U14s are playing well with a lot of learning and motivation to come and we’re really looking forward to the second half of the league. I’ve also sponsored the club for six years and currently supply funds for all age group coaching kit. The U14s are a small side and are learning to play the quick game rather than going toe to toe with larger teams. I love coaching people and helping them get involved in sport and hope to be able to continue to do so for many years to come. Rugby life is an education, we will get there and results will come – keep playing your game and use the pace and hands that we have.” Ed Noble 60 Issue 83