DORSET & WILTSHIRE RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION U15 COUNTY RUGBY U15 Seasons Report Management Team. Initial Manager – Martin Axon- agreed to take a break at Chairman Mini & Youth suggestion to reduce his D&W workload at a pressured time and to allow the alleviation of parental discontent in the age group. County Lead Coach – Chris Smith- Stepped Down Last Month Manager- Richard Bourne-Salisbury RFC Lead Coach- Laith Sabih-Bournemouth RFC Forwards Coach- Simon Hall- Warminster RFC (supported by Peter Short of Canford) Backs Coach- Terry Gilmour- Bishops Wordsworth School Trials. In line with the Development Player Programme (DPP) for this season, all trials for the County Selection were completed on the Festival Day 7th December. All players from the 3 DPP Centres attended the festival and a squad of 40 were selected to represent the County this season. Those not selected would still get high level coaching in the remaining DPP sessions As the Oxon game was cancelled by them with two days’ notice we hastily arranged a trial game at Chippenham RFC for Dorset to Play Wiltshire which was won by Dorset in a very tight game by 1 point. Bath Academy attended and we all agreed this was a game of great benefit to all. Bath picked a number of New Players for the Academy. Thanks to Chippenham for hosting this at short notice. Below is County U15 schedule for 2014-15. U15 County Squad Date Sunday 1st March DPP Training Sunday 1st March Sherborne U15 (H) @ Sherborne School Sunday 8st March Devon (H) @ Sherborne RFC Loss (score not known) DPP Training Sunday 22nd March April 8th New Training Team Takes Over Sunday 12th April Dorset V Wiltshire Trial Game @ Chippenham (Oxon couldn’t raise a side) Wednesday 15th April Bath Cup v Somerset RFU at the Rec. Won 40-10 Sunday 26th April Berkshire RFU A & B @ Bournemouth RFC Won Both Games by 21-20 ! (12 Players Missing) Due to the new coaching staff two additional non-contact training sessions were added at Salisbury RFC (10th & 24th April) so the new team could assess the players involved in the next games. First Aid and Physio. As per previous seasons Physio and First Aid will be supplied at the DPP Sessions by Rona Cruickshank and at County Matches by Cara Spence, Sarah Fuller and Declan Murphy. Martin Axon D&W U15 County Manager Tel: 07851 427560 (Mobile) e-mail: [email protected] DORSET & WILTSHIRE RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION U15 COUNTY RUGBY County Kit. Based on the same format as last season all squad members have been emailed the weblink to Michael Hopes website http://michaelhope.co.uk/shop/browsesubcategory/135/shop where they can order kit as required. Overall Whilst there was the well documented Training Team issue, I feel that the players have had a full and productive county season offered by both Training teams. There are some very talented players in the squad playing attractive & skilful Rugby. With 12 County Players missing for the U15 Club Cup Finals, The DPP system should be commended for being able to produce what was almost a 3rd County Team side which played and won against a Berks B side, a very impressive achievement. It was useful to invite next seasons U16 coaches to take them for a game before next season. Thanks should go to Martin Axon, Chris Smith and St John Coley all of whom rallied round to help make the Training Team transition as smooth as possible with excellent back up notes and general assistance. Lessons to be learned: The M&Y RDP should keep closer tabs on the CB Squads and react quicker to what is going on; I feel we should offer Parents a grievance system so they can complain re non selection issues without them feeling they may jeopardise their sons position, we should encourage Coaches to air any concerns earlier too. Dorset and Wiltshire RFU I feel confident that the reputation of D&W Age Grade Rugby is intact, it was a closer call than it should have been and we should be careful not to let that happen again. With some minor tweaks and adjustments this situation should easily be avoided in the future. Richard Bourne D&W U15 County Manager. Martin Axon D&W U15 County Manager Tel: 07851 427560 (Mobile) e-mail: [email protected] .