England Connected
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October 2012 Issue 150 The Official Newspaper of The RFU and RFUW ENGLAND CONNECTED Nicola Marshall Drybrook RFC in Gloucestershire, a club that embodies community rugby, recently played host to the eagerly anticipated Canterbury kit launch. Hundreds of members of the local community and national press turned out to see England captains, Chris Robshaw, Katy McLean, Rob Vickerman and Michaela Staniford, reveal the new England home and change kits. During a training session with the captains, as well as former Drybrook and England players Natasha Hunt and Danielle Waterman, girls’ and boys’ teams from the club were put through their paces by the players. The juniors made the most of the hands-on advice on technique and training, before picking up some personal memorabilia in the autograph signing session. Drybrook won the chance to host the event by demonstrating what rugby means to their local area. The England jersey is a huge source of passion and pride for players. The Canterbury kit combines the traditional styling that has been the mark of England Rugby since 1871, together with the technical construction that the company is known for. The shirt represents the dreams not just of those who wear it but of the millions who support England. The inside of the sleeve of the seniors, women’s and sevens shirts bears the slogan ENGLAND CONNECTED – a real reminder of the rugby family. To mark the unveiling of the new kit, and its partnership with the RFU, Canterbury also launched its England Is All campaign, featuring a series of iconic images by world renowned English photographer David Bailey. It celebrates the togetherness of all involved in England rugby across the whole game, from coaches to players, backroom staff to RFU officials, fans, and everyone involved in the English rugby community. Chris Robshaw taking part in the action at Drybrook RFC BMW PERFORMANCE ACADEMY ENGLAND WOMEN Nicola Marshall TAKE ON WORLD At BMW’s training academy in Wokefield Park, Stuart Performance Academy will help equip our promising young Lancaster, alongside Andy Farrell and Rob Andrew, players with the skills needed to succeed at the highest level. CHAMPIONS launched the BMW Performance Academy. As part We’re working hard in conjunction with their club coaches to Julia Hutton of its new long-term partnership with the RFU, it give them the individual support they need both on and off will ensure the continued development of the next the pitch as we work towards the Rugby World Cup in 2015 England Women take on old rivals France and World Champions generation of English players. and beyond.” New Zealand over four international tests this autumn, with An initial pool of more than 30 players has been selected by BMW will be using its expertise from the worlds of business Twickenham Stadium hosting the series finale on December 1st. the England coaches from across the existing elite age-grade and sport to support England’s young players. For example, England play France on November 3rd at Esher RFC in a one off development programme, through to those close to breaking it will facilitate knowledge sharing with its array of BMW test match. The two sides were equal last season, each winning into the senior squad. The initial group includes Maro Itoje, ambassadors, Olympians, TV personalities and industry two matches but England were victorious at Stade Charlety in Anthony Watson, Kyle Sinckler, and Brett Herron who all leaders to impart knowledge to Academy members on a Paris and went on to a Six Nations record win. They also beat France in the European Cup Final. attended the launch. range of topics, starting with London 2012 gymnast Louis Four-times World Cup winners New Zealand return to England Working closely together, their age grade coach, club coach Smith on the art of “Coping with Pressure.” in November to take on England over three matches: on It will offer members of the new Academy a variety of work and the player will create an individual development plan, November 23rd at Esher RFC, on November 27th at Aldershot’s which sets out their personal goals and development areas experience opportunities across its factories, dealerships and Army Rugby Stadium and finally following the QBE International for the season. For players to progress they need both a team other businesses in the UK, to help deliver wider life skills, as England v New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium on December environment and individual coaching – whether that’s skills, well as adapting relevant modules from its own internal staff 1st. The last match will be live on Sky Sports 1 HD and there will fitness or lifestyle choices. training programme. be free entry following the final whistle of the men’s game. England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “The BMW England last played New Zealand 11 months ago, defeating them twice and drawing in the final clash. England also became the first side ever to nil the world champions and inflict two consecutive defeats on them. England Head Coach Gary Street said: “We are really looking forward to four tough matches in a relatively short period. France are getting stronger all the time, with the incentive of the Rugby World Cup at home in 2014, and this will also be a great opportunity to give some of our younger players a chance to make a statement before the New Zealand tests. New Zealand will certainly be smarting after last year’s results and it’s really important that we improve on our performances from last autumn.” Continued on page 2… 1 ENGLAND WOMEN TAKE ON WORLD CHAMPIONS THEY ALL WENT Continued from page 1… The England Sevens team will also compete in international sevens tournaments in GAGA Spain, France and Dubai and Street acknowledges, “We will be juggling the XVs and sevens programmes, especially with the IRB Series in Dubai clashing with our final game against New Zealand at Twickenham. We are, however, really confident that the work done over the last couple of years has really given us strength in depth.” Tickets for England’s Autumn International Series www.ticketmaster.co.uk England Women Autumn International Series: Nov 3, 2012 – England v France – Esher RFC – KO 6pm Nov 23, 2012 – England v New Zealand – Esher RFC – KO 7.30pm Nov 27, 2012 – England v New Zealand – Aldershot Army Rugby Stadium – KO 7.30pm Tickets www.ticketmaster.co.uk Free entry after men’s final whistle – England v New Zealand – Twickenham Stadium – KO 5pm (Live on Sky Sports 1HD) No match floodlights, no verdant pitch, just 110,000 Lady Gaga fans, many in weird and wonderful outfits, declaring they were On the Edge of Glory over the two nights of Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th September. Lady Gaga’s stunningly theatrical shows at Twickenham Stadium at The Born This Way Ball showcased her talent as singer, musician, dancer and pop culture phenomenon. With characteristically colourful language and revealing outfits, this wasn’t one for the faint hearted, but the set was amazing and the performance from the Lady and her dancers wowed the crowd. They were Twickenham’s 17th and 18th concerts, since the first in 2003 featuring the Rolling Stones. Said Stadium Director Richard Knight, “The set was among the most impressive that we’ve seen. Fans came from far and wide and production company Live Nation, Lady GaGa, and her warm up acts, The Darkness and Lady Starlight, made sure they had a terrific time. The Born This Way Tour added real power to our concert portfolio and we look forward to welcoming more leading artists in the future.” SSE HELP CLUBS SAVE MONEY ON ENERGY BILLS Nicol McClelland Twickenham – three years to go It’s three years until Rugby World Cup kicks off in England. The 2015 tournament promises to be the biggest and best to date with over 2million tickets on sale and over 400,000 visitors expected from overseas. To sign up for all the latest news and details on tickets and how to volunteer join The Front Row, the official RWC 2015 ezine, at www.rugbyworldcup.com/signup/ PEARSON JOINS SIX NATIONS English referee Dave Pearson has become the first Elite Referee Coach appointed by the Six Nations. He has spent 10 years in the RFU’s Professional Referee Unit, taking charge of over 300 senior games including 29 Tests, and joins the Six Nations this month (October). Jon Davis, Six Nations Tournament & Operations Director, said: “Dave’s Official Energy Partner of English Rugby SSE Club Care will offer carefully engineered primary role will be to raise the and a National Community Partner solutions to meet the clubs needs and help them standard and quantity of elite referees of the RFU, SSE launched SSE Rugby become energy efficient. across the Six Nations. He will work Energy in September which will see clubs Steve Grainger, RFU Rugby Development closely with Donal Courtney (European up and down England benefit from a Director, said: “The RFU is committed Rugby Cup Referee Manager) working bespoke energy package based on their to helping clubs save money and run cost towards a common philosophy for efficiently. The partnership with SSE is helping coaching elite match officials across the requirements. SSE Rugby Energy has Six Nations.” been developed alongside the RFU and to achieve this goal, firstly by identifying Dave Pearson said: “Referee coaching Utility Aid with an understanding that what clubs need and then delivering the most is where I always saw myself going clubs don’t necessarily have the time or prevalent – saving on energy costs – through after refereeing at the top level and resources to monitor energy efficiency or SSE Rugby Energy.