St Albans
St Albans
St Albans
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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
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