Ashbrooke
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Ashbrooke
SPORTS CLUB
Sunderland Rugby Club has a thriving junior section. It boasts an army of volunteer coaches, and has many participants.
One of the coaches is John Howe, who is part of the ‘Mini’s’ section. He gave us more insight into how the section works and
what they hope to achieve, “I first became involved nine years ago with the under 7s. I turned up one Sunday with my son,
Tom and was spotted. As a teacher and ex player prone to volunteering I said I would help out. And I’m still doing that.
The club has a real family feel to it with lots of connections through the generations.”
In terms of rewards and challenges, John concentrates more on
the off field aspects of the young players development, “I suppose the
most challenging thing is dealing with other clubs who don’t always
share the same core values as ours: friendship, respect, teamwork. The
most rewarding thing is seeing friendships flourish, players develop,
connections to the club cemented for life.”
The club has an almost entirely home grown First Team squad, as
well as having one of the youngest average ages for a First Team in
their league. The Women’s side have also started to see home-grown
players enter their side, as they go from strength to strength.
According to John this progression has had a good effect on the
mood around the club, “The mood is buoyant, positive. Our senior
teams are reaping the rewards of players coming through the junior
section - which are themselves in great health along with minis.
Alongside that is a thriving 02 Touch Centre, women’s team etc.”
2018 saw the first team lift the County Cup, with many of the
successful squad coming through the club’s Player Pathway. However,
the section is not sitting back and has big plans for 2019.
“2018 has been a fantastic year. Winning the County Cup and
transitioning so many young players into our senior teams through
the player pathway.
“Plans for 2019 are to secure a long term base for junior and mini
rugby in the city, to stengthen connections to rugby across the city and
to continue to kick on with our senior teams.”
The club is also looking to develop their site at Ryhope Road, to
create a safe environment that can be used by juniors from across
Sunderland, of all ages to come and participate in rugby.
This is a major project, and will require a large amount of
investment, but junior development has been a core value of the club
for many years.
“Youth development is pivotal to the section. Just look at the
number of players in our senior sides aged 21 or under. That’s a
testimony to its importance and the great work coaches do.”
“We have a player pathway which is well established and senior
coaches who are keen to support and nurture young players through
our networks and teams.”
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38 Issue 01
“I am involved in the club through my stepson Joe Arrowsmith who is now the
1st team captain. He started playing when he was 11 and is now 25 so I have
been involved with the club for fourteen years. I have three lads that all play
rugby, Joe, Harvey and George, I have helped coach the different age groups
that they play for.
I got involved in the coaching as a dad being asked to hold some tackle pads
and then that led into doing my coaching badges etc. I have always loved sport
and find it rewarding looking at the kids we have helped over the years and
some come up to me at the bar and it’s amazing to see them having grown up
since I coached them as kids.
The club has a fantastic family orientated atmosphere and the Sunderland
Rugby Club are doing their best to help Ashbrook Sports Club create more
space, if anything the club is too small and would be fantastic if we could
expand further.
I have been a sponsor on and off for fourteen years but most recently have
sponsored the first team kits for the past two years. From everyone at Nordstrom
Timber we would like to wish the club all the best and hope we continue to go
from strength to strength.”
David Nordstrom, Nordstrom Timber