Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Herts Sevens Update

Saracens, last years Under 14 Runners-Up, have confirmed their entry in this years U14 Section, bringing the number of teams in this age group to 11.

East senior team: third place play-off, Saturday

The team for Saturday's game against East Midlands has been announced:

1 Charlotte Sayce LAKENHAM HEWITT
2 Amanda Jennings IPSWICH
3 Ellisha Dee SARACENS
4 Louise Anning CAMBRIDGE UNI
5 Katie Hannam VICE CAPT SARACENS
6 Becky Roby FULLERIANS
7 Michelle Napier ROMFORD
8 Claire Frost CAPT SARACENS
9 Sarah Howard BASILDON
10 April Brown SARACENS
11 Holly LeGrave BASILDON
12 Emma White BASILDON
13 Becky Prosser BASILDON
14 Racheal Glanville LAKENHAM HEWITT
15 Laura Evans FULLERIANS

16 Libby Peak LAKENHAM HEWITT
17 Jo Convoy THURROCK
18 Louise Micklewright SARACENS
19 Vicky Hudspeth SARACENS
20 Sarah McKenna OA SAINTS
21 Christine Walker BASILDON
22 Sarah Stimpson HARLOW

MANAGER Malcolm Baker
ASS MANAGER Vicki Wells
LEAD COACH Alan Brown
FORWARD COACH Joe Randall
BACKS COACH Wendy Le Grave

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Herts Sevens Update

The sixteenth and final place in the Under 17 Section has been booked by Hertford. If any more entries are received in the U17 Section then they will be put on a waiting list (in case any of the original 16 teams drop out).

Hertford have also entered an Under 14 team, which brings the number up to 10 in this Section. There are up to 6 places still available for younger age group teams, although one will almost certainly be taken by a Barbarians Team.

The official closing date for entries to be received is this Friday (30th March).

East Region: Junior triangular @ Ely

The format and times for matches at this Sunday's triangular "warm-up" fixture in Ely (where the regional trials took place, so you should all know where it is!) will be:

12.00 Arrive, changing rooms available
1.00 East vs. Yorkshire
2.00 North East vs. Yorkshire
3.00 East vs. North East
4.00 Depart

Games are likely to be 20-25 minutes "each way"

Monday, March 26, 2007

Barbarian traditions thriving in girls rugby.

Simon Shutler reports on Herts Barbarians heroics in the National Cup:

On Sunday 12 girls travelled from all over the East region to play for a Herts. Barbarians team in the Southern finals of the National Cup at Petersfield RFC. Five teams had players represented; Diss, Letchworth, Saracens, Tabard and Wymondham.

In the first game the team played against Cramberleigh from Surrey and in a very close contest two great breaks by Charlotte (Diss) twice put the Barbarians in front, but Cramberleigh pulled back and in a nail biting finish the Barbarians scored what would be the winning try, before Cramberleigh came back from the kick-off to pressurise the try line. The girls threw everything into try line defence to hold out for a win 15-10.

Unfortunately the game probably took too much out of the girls, and with no substitutes a very tired team took to the field after a short break to play Ellingham & Ringwood. With many girls playing out of position a well drilled team, with abundant pace out wide punished every error. The girls fought hard but were outflanked on a number of occasions and finally lost 43-0.

After another short break they played Thornbury. They looked more like the team in the first game again. Probably down to the wine gums provided by Sam's mum! Unfortunately two missed tackles left us trailing 3 tries to 1 at half time. With the girls again playing better it looked like they could get back into the game. But with Sydnie down injured Thornbury went on to score. That was the last Sydnie was able to play in the game and with no substitutes the girls played on with 11 players. Being 1 player short Thornbury were able to exploit the overlap advantage to seal victory and win the Southern place.

For the girls to come together and play as well as they did, without ever training together is testament to their skills. Many had never played games at this level and intensity before and their tackling and work rate was phenomenal.

Anyone for "touch"? Summer women's festival proposed

Want to keep fit this summer AND attract new players into the game?

Annmarie Sand - captain of Barnet Elizabethans Women’s Rugby Club - is interested in promoting Women’s Touch Rugby during the summer of 2007

It is planned to hold an initial pilot event at Barnet Elizabethans on Sunday 17th June to be evaluated and hopefully followed by further events in July, August and September 2007 (with an eye of the men's Rugby World Cup in September and October 2007).

The Touch Rugby would be played is as per the RFU Touch Rugby booklet, six or seven-a-side; squads of 12; rolling substitutions, etc.

No more than two regular rugby players in each team on the pitch at any time - other players to be newcomers - the key objective is to encourage new women participants into the game.

The festival would be run with groups of 4-5 teams playing games 7-10 minutes each way and with a social activity to follow the event.

A progress meeting will be held at Barnet Elizabethans in due course, but if you are interested contact Beverley Collier (BeverleyCollier@rfu.com)

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Regional U14 & U17 finals: draw

Thank you to Wimborne RFC for spotting this, buried away on the RFU (but not RFUW) website:

U14s:

Group 1: EAST, West Midlands, South East
Group 2: Yorkshire, South West (North), WRW
Group 3: South West (South), East Midlands, North East
Group 4: North West, Thames Valley, South

East fixtures: 11.00 v West Midlands; 11.40 v South East

Semi-finals (bowl, plate and cup) 2.00 and 2.30. Finals 3.15 and 3.45.

U17s:

Group 1: South West (North), Thames Valley, East Midlands
Group 2: West Midlands, South, North West
Group 3: South East, Yorkshire, EAST
Group 4: South West (South), North East, WRW

East fixtures: 12.30 v Yorkshire, 1.15 v South East

Semi-finals (bowl, plate and cup) 2.15 and 2.50. Finals 3.45 and 4.15.

Disappointing day for Herts in National Cup semis

It proved to be a disappointing day for Hertfordshire's three remaining entrants in the U14 and U17 National Cup.

The U14 combination of Saracens, Letchworth, and Eastern Cos ("Hertfordshire Barbarians") were probably favourites for their tie a week ago, but a rash of injuries and illnesses resulted in their taking a bare 12 players for their round, where they finished third having won their opening game - tiredness amongst a squad that could have no rest being a signficant factor. Complete results will hopefully be available soon.

In the U17 tournament favourities Welwyn and Letchworth both had a mathematical chance of going through right up to the final round of games - but it was not to be, an impressive Wimborne team from Dorset winning through with a 100% record.

Results:
Welwyn 17, Letchworth 0P W A L F A Pts
Ivel Barb 0, Wimborne 7Wimborne3300

40

5

6
Letchworth 22, Ivel Barb 0Welwyn3111

22

7

3
Welwyn 5, Wimborne 7Letchworth3102

22

43

2
Letchworth 0, Wimborne 26........ Ivel Barb'ns3012

0

29

1
*Welwyn v Ivel Barbarians abandoned owing to injury

Friday, March 23, 2007

Herts Sevens Update

Spalding from Lincolnshire are the latest Club to enter sides in both the U14 and U17 Sections. This brings the number of teams currently entered into the U14 Section up to 9 and the number into the U17 Section up to 15.

East region: award nominations

East Region are now taking nominations for the Awards (listed below). Please give the persons name, club, award to be nominated for, and a few lines as to why they should win. Nomination form below... awards are won by the most nominations so get voting.

The Awards are:
SENIOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
UNDER 17 PLAYER OF THE YEAR
UNDER 14 PLAYER OF THE YEAR
CLUB OF THE YEAR
MANAGER/COACH OF THE YEAR
THE UNSUNG HERO AWARD
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
COUNTY TEAM OF THE YEAR.
THE OUTSTANDING ACHIVEMENT AWARD

EAST REGION NOMINATION FORM
AWARDS 2006/07
SENIOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR

PLAYERS NAME
CLUB/S
REASON
UNDER 17 PLAYER OF THE YEAR
PLAYERS NAME

CLUB/S
REASON

UNDER 14 PLAYER OF THE YEAR
PLAYERS NAME
CLUB/S

REASON
CLUB OF THE YEAR
CLUB NAME

REASON
COUNTY TEAM OF THE YEAR.

COUNTY NAME
REASON

MANAGER/COACH OF THE YEAR
PERSONS NAME
CLUB/S

REASON
THE UNSUNG HERO AWARD
PERSONS NAME

CLUB/S
REASON

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
PERSONS NAME
CLUB/S
REASON
THE OUTSTANDING ACHIVEMENT AWARD

PERSONS NAME
CLUB/S
REASON
RETURN TO
EAST RFUW, 27 Rainsthorpe, South Wootton, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 3UF
Alternatively, email to eastrfuw@btinternet.com

East Region presentation night: tickets on sale

VENUE: THE DUKES HEAD HOTEL, TUESDAY MKT PLACE, KINGS LYNN, NORFOLK PE30 1JS
DATE: FRIDAY 15th JUNE 2007
TIME: 7.30PM FOR 8PM START (disco until 1am)
DRESS CODE: EVENING DRESS/BLACK TIE
TICKETS: £30 PER ADULT OR £25 FOR PERSONS 17 & UNDER.

The Tickets are now on sale, so hurry as the amount of tickets for sale are limited

EACH TICKET IS ALSO A DRAW NUMBER

Extra draw tickets available on the night at £1 per ticket.

I hope that you can make it. The night will be full of glitz, glam, tears of joy, fun and DANCING. Just think of the Oscars but as a more exclusive occasion.

PRESENTATION DINNER & DANCE 2007

Friday 15th June 2007

LEAD NAME:

CLUB ASSOCIATED TO:

FULL ADDRESS:

POSTCODE:

CONTACT NO: MOBILE NO:

EMAIL ADDRESS:

NO OF TICKETS:ADULT£30.00 CHILD£25.00

TOTAL COSTS

NAME OF GUESTS (INCLUDE LEAD NAME ALSO)

ADULT

CHILD

East senior training: extra session

Following the senior region team's qualification for the third place play-off there will be an extra training on Saturday at Ipswich RFC. Training from 11am please arrive ready to start at 11am.

Address details:
Ipswich RFC
Humber Doucy Lane
Ipswich
IP4 3PZ

Directions:

  • Leave the A14 at junction 53, then at roundabout take the 1st exit onto the A1156 (signposted Ipswich West and North)
  • Continue forward onto Bury Road - A1156. Entering Ipswich
  • At roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Bury Road - A1156 Meredith F/stn
  • At mini-roundabouts turn left onto the A1214 (not shown) (signposted Woodbridge A12, Felixstowe A14)
  • At Valley Road roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the A1214 (signposted Woodbridge A12, Felixstowe A14)
  • At roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the A1214 (signposted Woodbridge A12, Felixstowe A14)
  • Turn left onto Sidegate Lane West
  • Continue forward onto Sidegate Lane
  • Turn right onto Humber Doucy Lane

Thursday, March 22, 2007

East region kit problems: details needed

It is reasonably safe to say that most recipients were less than bowled over with the kit they received on Sunday.

We know that there were no "beanies" at all, but other than that if your kit was incomplete or the wrong size or otherwise unsatisfactory please could you send details of your complaint to your team manager (Malcolm, Cathy or Tina) as soon as possible so that we can provide RFUW with one single definitive list of things that need putting right.

Women in refereeing

Dates for your diaries from Amanda Bate:

"Two ref courses the new ELRA, in the SE and E regions are being earmarked for women, though men can go too!

50% Discount Entry Level Referee Course for women. i.e £20!

The RFUW are subsidising women on the ELRA course as we are trying to get 200 new female refs, across the country.

The two day courses are being held at Reigate RFC on Saturdays 21st and 28th April and Saturday and Sunday 19th and 20th May at St Albans School (Pavillion and playing fields, at the back of Old Albanians RFC.)

The course is the standard RFU new Entry Level Referee Course and will qualify you to referee club and school games and step onto the refereeing ladder. At the end of the course it is hoped that you will join your local referee society and referee matches for men, women, girls and boys in your local community. Referee societies often have people who are prepared to act as mentors for new referees and will always allocate you to games you are comfortable covering.

Book in the usual way here or via your club - this is the application form for an individual booking and there is one for a group booking.

Castlecroft knows women are booking on these courses for £20, so just send a chq for £20!

If you have at least 10 women all wanting to do a refs course together, let me know…refs courses can be arranged for groups.

Fast Track Programme

This England women v Italy match, saw the first ever team of 3 women at Twickenham Stadium Refereeing. Through these courses and other events nationally we are looking for 6 talented women or girls to be selected to take part in a fast track scheme where they will get a personalised support courses throughout the year and will be assigned a personal mentor from the RFU Referee National Panel. These 6 women or girls will be selected because they have the potential (physically and mentally) to become an elite referee, and will have the opportunity to work towards refereeing in the Women’s World Cup 2010 and 2014, Women’s 6 Nations and will hopefully go on the referee in the men’s game at Level 5 and above. This is a great opportunity for any women or girls who enjoy rugby but may not be able to fulfil elite aspirations through playing and may consider elite refereeing as an alternative pathway. If you want further information about this please contact Amanda Bate a amandabate@RFU.com or David Rose, RFU RefDM Midlands davidrose@rfu.com

Back to Refereeing

If you know any women who are currently qualified as a referee but are not actively involved with their local society or refereeing for their club, we are running a Development Course at the London and South East Conference on the 16th of June (venue TBC). This course will look at giving women the skills they need in decision making, positioning, confidence and controlling the game, so they can confidently go out and referee within their societies. If you are interested in attending this course and want further details please email me on amandabate@rfu.com

National Women’s Refereeing Conference

The RFU and RFUW will also be holding a National Women’s Refereeing Conference on the 14th and 15th of July. The cost of the weekend is £25 and has workshops around female specific fitness, nutrition, lines of running, controlling the game, psychology and much more. There is also a formal dinner for all delegates. You must be a qualified female referee to attend. If you are interested in going on the mailing list to receive more information please email David Rose on davidrose@rfu.com

Female Referee Ambassadors

We have appointed 10 women nationally to act as Female Referee Ambassadors. Amongst these are Debbie Innes and Claire Daniels who were both the touch judges for last week’s 6 Nations clash at Twickenham. Their role is to work with schools, universities, clubs and counties to promote refereeing as a pathway for women and girls. If you would like the contact details of your local Ambassador please contact David Rose davidrose@rfu.com

The great Leicestershire hailstorm

Thanks to Siobhan Franklin's Dad, Paul, for this glimpse of what brought about the early end to East's U17 game against East Midlands on Sunday:

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Problems with East website

False dawn. The East region website is again not accepting any new edits. All regional news will continue to appear here.

Herts Sevens Update

The number of sides now entered into the Under 17 Section of the Festival has risen to 14 as both Romford and Gidea Park Chix, and a combined Aylesbury & Milton Keynes & Chesham side have now confirmed their places. This leaves 2 remaining places at U17, with up to 8 U14 places still available.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Regional U14s @ East Mids: Before and after!

A sunny day in early spring ...
... becomes a cold day in winter as the snow and hail begins to fall...


... and that is before it REALLY came down. If anyone has any pictures of the end of the U17 game please send them in!