www.surreyrugby.com ISSUE 73 | AUTUMN 2016 SURREY RUGBY John D ougla s - se e art icle on p age 22 IN THIS ISSUE... Billll Beaumont CupCup Richmondchmond success OCsCs wwinin JunJuniorior VasVasee Clubub SSurreyurrey Women araree Countyunty CChampionshampions plus muchh more...o e 2 A Message from the President Trevor Sokell and the players. Without the support of our Clubs it would not happen. So feel free to applaud yourselves. I reiterate, the aim of Surrey Rugby is to Help our Clubs to Prosper and Thrive. Here are a few other ways we try to help:- 19 applications from Surrey Clubs were made for support under the NatWest Rugby Force scheme. 10 of those applications SURREY RUGBY were awarded £500 from that scheme. ne of the delights of being President Surrey Rugby supported the other nine of Surrey Rugby is the opportunity - applicants with a grant of £500. Oand privilege - to review the past year and sing the praises of Surrey Rugby Clubs. For 3 years an active programme has run 50 girls trialled for the U15 squad which aimed at recruiting and developing coaches It is impossible to cover everything – far too came 5th in the Divisional Festival and won and referees. Surrey Rugby has spent over much. I apologise if you think I have 3 of their 4 other matches. 3 girls played for £15,000 on these projects, including a very omitted something important to you. South East Division, 60 girls trialled for the successful CREFC/CCC conference. U18 squad which was also 5th in the The purpose of Surrey Rugby – the organisation Divisional Festival and won 2 of their 4 For 3 seasons we have encouraged students – is to Help Our Clubs to Prosper and Thrive. It other matches. 3 girls played for South East at universities based in Surrey to play for is in the Clubs where rugby is played. Division and 1 for England against Canada. our Clubs. We pay their travelling expenses The mangers/coaches of these girl’s do a to and from matches and also for some Striving to achieve this are over 100 volun- fantastic job. refreshments after the game. The object is teers, from all across the county, involved in a to provide players to our Clubs, and to myriad of activities. Those activities are In 2011 we re-entered Club Surrey, our introduce students to Club rugby so that planned and directed by a Management senior men’s team, into the RFU County they continue in the sport after university. Committee of volunteers, and all drawn from Championship Shield competition, the 3rd Over £4000 has been spent to support this Surrey Clubs. We should thank these 20 level of the County Championship competi- initiative. Clubs have benefitted and many dedicated, hard working people. tions. We were runners up. In 2012, 2013 students have participated. and 2014 we won the competition. All the The Management Committee, and all of our finals were played at Twickenham, a We have had a focus for some time now on Clubs, has the expert support of our diligent fantastic experience for all concerned. Women’s and Girl’s rugby. It is now paying and competent County Office administra- In 2015 we went up a level to the Bill dividends. We have been providing opportu- tors. Jo and Sarah provide an exceptional Beaumont Cup Division 2 competition. To nities and incentive to increase the playing service and deserve to receive the apprecia- everybody’s delight, and some surprise, we numbers and introduce girls and women’s tion of everyone. won that as well and so gained automatic sections into Clubs. As a result, the number promotion into the Bill Beaumont Cup in of girls playing rugby in Clubs has doubled. Surrey Rugby runs some very successful 2016. We did not win that, but gained Player Development activities with the main valuable experience playing against the likes So much for what Surrey Rugby has been objective to provide opportunities for players of Hertfordshire, Gloucester and Cornwall. doing to try and help our Clubs. What have and coaches to hone their skills and Watch this space. the Clubs been up to. hopefully take back the experience into their home Clubs. So out of 6 appearances, 1 runner up and In the Men’s game the following leagues were 4 wins. won by a Surrey Club We run a three year Development National 1 at Level 3 Programme for boys at U13, U14 and U15 I congratulate the players and particularly National 3 South East at Level 5 which has been shown to improve player the coaches and team management for London 1 South at Level 6 capabilities and produce players who can go these campaigns. London 2 SW at Level 7 on to represent the county. London 3 SW at Level 8 Our U15 squad was unbeaten this season. This year for the first time the RFU organ- 5 out of 6 league Levels won by a Surrey Our U16 squad, also unbeaten, produced 6 ised a Women’s County Championship. Club Club players for England against Wales. Surrey Ladies won their pool beating Essex, Our U17/18 squad produced 2 players for Kent and Middlesex. They won their In the women’s game a Surrey Club won England U18 against Ireland. semi-final against Berkshire. They played The Premiership at Level 1 Our U20 squad produced 2 players that Lancashire in the final and won, 32-17. The Championship at Level 2 toured Russia with England. Another success for Surrey in a County The league at Level 3 The mangers/coaches of these boys are to Championship. The league at Level 4 be congratulated. 4 out of 5 league Levels won by a Surrey Once again the players, the coaches and Club For girls we have a similar but smaller programme team management are to be congratulated. of development activities, which is growing. In the RFU organised cups Surrey Clubs won: This year we launched the U13 Develop- This success of the various County Squads, The RFU Junior Vase ment Programme which hopefully will grow actually belongs to the Clubs. Our Clubs The Women’s Senior Cup to be as successful as the boy’s counterpart. provide the team managers, the coaches Rugby in Surrey is alive and well! 4 roles. Congratulations to John Collins our new President; Janice Anastai as Deputy Chairman’s Jottings President and John Pownall as our new Nigel Heslop Honorary Secretary o rest it’s a 50 week a year game! A telling comment was made at the AGM There is no closed season for senior about the low level of attendance. Surrey N rugby any more. There can’t be, as the Rugby has resources and opportunities that sort of facilities being built by rugby clubs can directly benefit your club. There are require a 50 week a year footfall to maintain significant rewards by engaging with the that level of investment. county, e.g. there is money for loans, and Surrey Rugby will put on activities to help We saw the Rugby 7s become an official develop players, coaches, and referees. Please Olympic sport this year, with creditable engage with Surrey Rugby activity and performances from GB Mens and Ladies please could clubs find a committee member sides. 7s is a Summer sport. At my home to act as a Point of Contact with Surrey Rugby. club, Touch Rugby is already a 50 week Volunteer Awards season and Touch Rugby leagues ran during Keith Heal, our Volunteer Coordinator, the Summer months. Surrey Rugby will be would like two things: more clubs to put looking at ways we can facilitate this ‘rugby forward volunteers for rewards. And he would like new ideas of rewards (like a day at the races) we could offer to volunteers in AAnythingnythingything Interesting?Interestnterestining? addition to a tie or a scarf. Contact him Surrey Rugby, Riverbridge House, through the Surrey Rugby Office. If you would like to be a Surrey Rugby volunteer Guildford Road, Leatherhead, also contact Keith. growth’ in clubs and will be putting Surrey KT22 9AD together activities to promote this. Shop Tel: 01372 365 770 An on line shop is almost ready to go. All This applies to only Senior Rugby. There is [email protected] the functions and methods have been no need to extend the season for Youth agreed to provide a selection of Surrey Rugby, that should remain as it is. And the Rugby merchandise to people visiting the youngsters in our clubs need to get a bat or page on the Surrey Rugby web site: Editor: Gary Ashburn racket in their hands during the Summer. www.surreyrugby.co.uk Editor: Nigel Heslop New Committee John Douglas RIP New to our Management committee are John was the softly spoken rock at the centre Contributors: Trevor Sokell, Neil Sweeney our new Club Development of Surrey Rugby for 23 years. Much has Malcolm Caird, Reg Clark, Paul Chair, Barry Scott elected as Marketing been said about his service to rugby, the list Grindrod, John Hines, Phil Chair and Simon Rhodes as Revenue is long. I think none of us know anyone who Gibson, Lee Crabb (Photos) Generation Chair. has done more. He lost his battle with pancreatic cancer and was taken from us. Several are still round the table but in new Our duty is to continue running Surrey Rugby in the way he would’ve approved. Gilbert Rugby are delighted to be the Official Kit and Equipment supplier to Surrey Rugby, the current County Championship Shield holders. The relationship will see Gilbert supply kit and equipment to all of the County teams and provide discounted prices and support to all teams within Surrey RFU.