PROGRAMME £1 Match Sponsor National League 2 South Saturday 8th September 2018 v TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS Meet The Fly With Us Work Place Woes Freshmen Principal Sponsor cantrugby.co.uk Programme produced by Hayward Design & Print A MESSAGE FROM 01227 721864 • www.hayward-design.co.uk THE PRESIDENT Proud to sponsor Canterbury Rugby Club Today we welcome Tonbridge transition, and many clubs did However we keep evolving with Juddians to the Marine Travel fall by the wayside or split in the new challenges and opportunities Ground in our first home game new professional era. Canterbury both on and off the pitch. The of the season. This match is adapted, setting out on a path that possibility of moving the club to a always something special with the embraced both professionalism new purpose built development added spice of a local derby. Last and community rugby and that at Highland Court is one such season we had tough encounters progress is still evolving today. It prospect, something we will all with honours even making this has been this ability to adapt and have a keen interest in. afternoon’s meeting an even more retain the game’s core values that intriguing prospect. has underpinned so much of our None of this, of course, would success in providing National have been possible without the This is my third year as president; League and social rugby and hard work and dedication of our time to reflect on the changes I expanding into Wheelchair, Touch committee, volunteers and, not have seen over the years in my and Women’s teams along with a least, our enthusiastic sponsors. association with the club. The vibrant Youth and Mini section. All, including our loyal supporters, greatest of these, although it have played their part in making seems almost a lifetime ago, has I am sure our founding this a very special club. I will been the move from amateur forefathers would be proud of the always be proud to be a member. to professional status and the achievements we see today with introduction of the leagues. Canterbury’s prominent status John Scurr, President Many of us were sceptical as both in Kent rugby and promoting Canterbury RFC the old order changed, despite the game in the wider community. the promise of a seamless Match Sponsor Dynamix Group comprises five companies providing Accountancy, Taxation, Business Consultancy, Coaching & Mentoring along with a range of other Business Services across Kent, Surrey, Sussex and London. It has recently started working internationally with plans to develop this aspect of the business. The company is based in Canterbury with additional offices in Sandwich and Hove, Sussex. Our thanks to Naz Khaliq for his company’s continuing support for Canterbury Rugby and also to Match Ball sponsor Jenner, the local building firm, another valued backer of the club. dynamixgroup.co.uk CANTERBURY TALES MEET THE Left to right: Sean Stapleton, Tristan King, Harvey Young, Charlie Grimes, Ed Oram FRESHMEN & Tyler Oliver The season kicks off at The area and brought in Number Other notable additions are Marine Travel Ground today Eight Tyler Oliver and open hooker Tristan King, who in the best possible way side flanker Sean Stapleton. steps into the gap left by Tom with a Kent derby. After the Tyler joins from Welsh club Rogers’ retirement, and fly half disappointing result at The Bedlinog and was on Cardiff Harvey Young, a Kent man Rams on the opening day the Blues radar before moving to who played in the Scottish First team have plenty to prove this Kent, while Irishman Sean is an Division last season. afternoon. Experience tells us experienced operator who we that the first round of matches knew well from his time at Bury The back division has also in a new season are never a St Edmunds. been augmented by Chris reliable guide to subsequent Grimes and Ed Oram while this form. Teams take time to settle, Other good news around the week saw the arrival of former bed in new players and find back row is that two of the long Cinderford and Gloucester their rhythm. term injury victims are back in county centre/wing Sam the fold. Seb Roche has spent Goatley. There is certainly no shortage the summer proving his fitness of fresh blood in the senior in Sevens competitions, while With the vast majority of last squad with seven players Sam Rogers is only weeks season’s squad are still with joining over the summer. After away from a return following us the competition for places the serious injuries we suffered cruciate ligament surgery. will be keen and that is how it last season, which put the should be. entire first choice back row out of commission, Andy Pratt has paid particular attention to that FANCY FLYING TO GUERNSEY? So how does the National 2 South Division look this season? We have lost the upwardly mobile duo of Cinderford and Chinnor, both promoted to Division One, while Broadstreet, Wimbledon and Barnstaple got that sinking feeling and dropped to Level Five. In their place we have old rivals in Bristol- based Dings Crusaders, now installed at a shiny new home with a 4G pitch, plus Barnes and two clubs we have never met before. The level transfer system kicked in again and moved Bimingham & Solihull from North 2 to South 2 and we have a Channel Islands trip to WORK PLACE WOES look forward to with the arrival of Guernsey. We travel to meet Injuries are, of course, an as serious as they might have them on November 3rd leaving inevitable part of any contact sport, been and Alex hopes to make a on a Saturday morning flight but our players seem to devise fairly swift return. Kyan is training from Gatwick at 10am. The even more ways to put themselves again and may have an outing return flight from Guernsey is out of action. Two familiar names with the Pilgrims today. Another 6.15pm the same day. If you from the senior squad, scrum victim, new boy Ed Oram, avoided fancy joining the team, seats half Kyan Braithwaite and prop any disasters at work but then can be booked with Aurigny Alex-Wake-Smith, had accidents encountered a dodgy, rutted pitch Airlines, Flight No GR603. at work. Kyan managed to drop in the pre-season visit to Midlands As ever, the three promoted something heavy on his foot (we side Hinckley. Ed never got the sides all started with defeats, think it was a table) and broke chance to show his paces as he Guernsey heavily by the one a toe, while Alex, an apprentice twisted his ankle in the warm-up club relegated from Division carpenter, damaged a hand. and misses the opening games. One, Old Albanians. Fortunately the injuries were not ANDY’S VIEW after a huge amount of work and some promising performances Another National 2 South season over pre-season. It was always and a big opener for the club going to be a tough fixture but at the Marine Travel Ground. we did not show what we were Welcome to TJs who made a capable of nearly enough, with winning start to their campaign some basic aspects of our game last week with victory over letting us down. Credit must go Birmingham & Solihull. They to Rams as well, as they have an had a great season last year in extremely effective style of play their first foray into the national and are very ambitious off the leagues so will be coming field. As ever, thank you for the into this derby with justified wonderful support both home confidence. A tough start to the and away – enjoy the game. campaign for us at Rams last week. We were all disappointed Andy Pratt, with the performance we gave Head of Rugby th SOCIAL MEDIA Oktoberfest 2018 Canterbury RFC @CantRugby New open men’s training evening every Wednesday at Langton Boys artificial pitch. All welcome - whether you want OKTOBERFEST IS COMING to try for the first time, start again, get fit through rugby or improve your skills. A key date for all you hedonists, The Foundry, White Horse Lane or supporters as we like to call and Hayward Design & Print. We them, is Saturday, October 6th. will be operating the free shuttle Yep, its Oktoberfest time with bus service between Canterbury Kentish Ale and Cider flowing all bus station and the club from day, live music, food and a great 12 noon ready for the festival’s league match against Worthing in 12.30pm start. the afternoon. To get into the festive mood there Save yourself money by is the hugely popular Evening snapping up an advance ticket with the Jazz DynamosOktoberfest Oktoberfest Oktoberfest on the Canterbury Bike Ride from club caterer Ted Phillips at previous night, Friday October @TheCantBikeRide £7.50. It costs a tenner on the 5th. It’s a brilliant date with great day but only £5 for season ticket music and great food. Tables of BREAKING NEWS! Steve Brown, holders. Tickets are also available 8-10 people2011 2011 2011 are available and the former GB Wheelchair Rugby Captain from a variety of outlets in and cost is £28.50 per head. Demand and @Countryfilelive presenter will be around the city. They are The is always heavy so get a table starting the Canterbury Bike Ride! Local, Chartham; The Unicorn organised now. Inn, 61 St Dunstans; GET ON YOUR BIKE The Canterbury Bike Ride, If you fancy getting on your bike starts and ends at the club on to help a very good cause you Sunday, September 23rd.