Bowdon
Youth
“We like to think that Bowdon is
one of the best in class clubs in Cheshire
and the North West with respect to
the mini and junior set up and not for
inconsiderable reason. The M&J’s are
home to almost 450 children between
age 5 and 18 with over 100 volunteer
coaches and an army of Parents and
Grandparents, who turn up weekly.
However, we do recognise the need
for continuous improvement and one of
those highlighted areas is Colts rugby.
This can sometimes be a tricky area to
manage as competing interests including
exams come into play. We are therefore
looking at plans for improving our Colts
offering at the club with a renewed focus
in order to strengthen and maintain.”
the Senor Colts against a VETs team
containing a number of their Coaches. A
tremendously successful day with large
crowds witnessing a fun packed game
and enjoying presentations and a BBQ
after the match.
We also have a ‘Returning Colts’
game at Christmas to encourage those
that have gone off to Uni to return to
meet old friends. This year we held
our inaugural ‘Coming of Age’ game.
Whilst we are continuously working
on improving in this area, we have had
success with over 25 current and ex colts
regularly turning out for the Seniors.”
Integration
“Both sections of the club have
worked together to develop a transition
plan in order to facilitate the transition
of Colts into Seniors. This plan is, by
necessity, flexible to account for the
ability of the players and to also ensure
we maintain a viable and successful Colts
setup but allows for building bridges,
making connection and ensuring the
introduction is as seamless and enjoyable
as possible.
We want our colts to aspire to play
Senior rugby here at Bowdon and to
enjoy what for some is a big step from
playing with their mates with who
they’ve been playing for a number of
years. We’ve recently started holding
a ‘Coming of Age’ which pitches
Community
“Rugby is the focus of our activities
but with over 1,200 members there is a
great community spirit within the club.
Many parents and members give up a
lot of time to ensure the club is well run,
friendly and welcoming. Our Marquee
Room facilities are used by the local
community, local schools, Cheshire
RFU and numerous charities for social
events such as wedding receptions,
christenings, parties and events.
The emphasis at the club is to promote
an inclusive, encouraging environment
for everyone who wants to play (or
watch) Rugby. As one of the oldest clubs
in the country, the generations of players
and ex-players who turn up every week
gives us a great family atmosphere, that
welcomes clubs from all over the North
West as well as visiting clubs from far
and wide.”
Challenges/Ambitions
“We are in a good place financially
but only as a result of a lot of hard work
by our volunteer members. We have
ambitions to improve the facilities and
are in the final stages of completing and
being granted planning approval for a
number of improvements to the club.
Expanding the club house to increase
the number of changing rooms, a bigger
physio suite, a new and separate entrance
to our Marquee Room which generates a
lot of the financial input and improved
floodlighting and car parking facilities
are all on the shopping list. It is therefore
imperative we keep a handle on our
finances so we can invest and improve.
We are certainly ambitious but
also want to maintain the community
feel to the club. Our ambition to reach
Level 6 feels right at this stage of our
development but things change and
we continually reassess our goals. Re-
establishing a 4th Men’s team and a
building a new Women’s team would be
fantastic ambitions to achieve.”
www.rugbyclubmag.com
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