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St Albans St Albans St Albans FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/RUGBYCLUBMAG RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB St Albans RFC is a fine example of the important role that a club can play in their local community. Rugby Club Magazine recently caught up with Club Representatives Ian Watkins, Mike Thomas and Luke Gibson to find out more about the good work they have been doing lately. Involvement Ian told us, “I started playing with the youth team in 1976, I was a local boy looking for a local club and ‘The buns’ more than met my needs. Probably some of the best times of my life were during my youth team years. Mike Thomas, (Tommo) joined the club six years ago as a player and brought a wealth of experience with him having played for several clubs at a higher level. Mike joined Luke Gibson (Gibbo), a club stalwart who has been involved for many years on the coaching team which has proved to be a very successful partnership and one the boys have come to respect.” The Role IW: “We did go through a lean period before our recent success, that was very challenging, many clubs are struggling and the fear of going under are real. What has been rewarding is the commitment of the players, coaches, committee and support which united us in our drive to return past glories.” MT and LG: Mike, has seen reward in the shape of three promotions in his six years of being involved along with the challenge of recovering from relegation. We are firm believers in the social aspect of the game which unites the group both on and off the field. We have a fantastic group of boys at senior level who intergrate through our mini and juniors, and in return this provides a reminder of what the game is all about.” Atmosphere IW: The club has been buoyed in recent years by the revival and success of the senior side and the continued progression and growth of the mini and junior sections. We are all excited for our 125th anniversary which will be celebrated in two years. MT and LG: We are excited for the up and coming season and the players have really bought into the up and coming journey. We are extremely proud of the support from our mini and junior sections and by creating the right pathway we believe the future is bright. and not panic in some real nail biters. We as coaches are proud the players were able to deliver a perfect away record in the league and have learnt from the three home losses. 2019 IW: We will continue to grow our player, committee and support base, and continue encouraging the players to enjoy their rugby and hopefully continue with our run of recent success. MT and LG: We encourage the players to enjoy the game, it is pleasing to see the guys play with a smile on their face and bond social post game. Last Season Youth MT and LG: We as coaches are reflecting on another successive promotion, the step up in competition has brought more regular challenges for the players who have responded magnificently. We were behind in 60% of our games this season but the belief and respect the players hold for each other took us over the line. Success of the previous season gave the players the confidence to keep applying what we have worked on IW: I believe for the game to prosper the clubs need to encourage youth rugby to build from within. Unfortunately, we do not currently run a youth team, but in three years our under 14’s will become our youth. MT and LG: We are actively working on connecting the full pathway through mini and junior to youth and senior. We are excited at seeing a youth team in three years time and the talented players within our junior section who are developing through the guidance of our junior coaches. All club coaches are connected and it’s great to see their individuality come together under the club banner #BleedBlackAndAmber Integration MT and LG: We hold regular meetings between the senior and mini/junior coaching teams plus workshops. The mini and juniors have provided invaluable support at the majority of senior games and the senior coaches and players have reciprocated by attending and assisting in delivering training sessions for the youngsters. The club prides itself on the inclusion of the children and their parents within the club set up. We are also extremely proud that we do not levy any fees for training or playing for our mini/junior section, thus providing a facility for all, whatever their financial background. Challenges/Ambitions IW/MT/LG: Rugby at grass roots level has changed dramatically over the last few years with many sides struggling to put a 1st team out let alone a 2nd team due to today’s social enviroment. Our biggest challenge is to maintain an enjoyable yet competitive environment. We believe this is possible due to the underpinning and inclusion of our mini and junior section. We are actively working with the WRU for the RFC to achieve level 2/3 status. We look to improve on our current facilities to include the playing and training areas. Our growth as a club continues and we need to future proof for further expansion. Sponsors We would like to thank everybody that contributed in sponsoring the club over the last season. Special thanks to Trade Centre Wales who have continued their sponsorship in providing full kit again. The club would welcome the offer of sponsorship from any interested parties, it is these partnerships that have enabled our growth and are massively appreciated. https://www.thetradecentrewales.co.uk/news/ view-article/128/trade-centre-wales-support-local- team-in-preparation-for-125th-anniversary “I started with the club as a sixteen-year-old with my friends, playing mainly outside half or inside centre. I played up until my mid-30s when the body decided to call it a day. I had the privilege of captaining the club back in the day and have been and still am a sponsor as well. Last season business and family commitments kept me away from the club but I have full intentions of going down to support the lads this season. As a club they are lucky to have a great attitude towards fun and enjoyment and at a time where many other Welsh clubs struggle with developing youngsters St Albans do very well. Best wishes to everyone for the new campaign.” Mark Gulley 22 Issue 88 www.rugbyclubmag.com 23