Barnet Elizabethans R.F.C. Ladies Touch Rugby Festival

An Introduction To Touch Rugby - Experienced & Novices Welcome

Sunday 17th June at 2pm

Byng Road, High Barnet, Herts. En5 4np. Tel: 020 8449 0040

Barbecue, Bar, Stalls & Promotions
A Fun Day For All The Family!

To enter, or join a team, register at: www.barnetrfc.co.uk

Coaching is available and for more info about touch rugby contact:
Annemarie on: a.sand@btinternet.com

"First aid for appointed persons" course

Sunday 17th June
9.30pm - 4.30pm
University of Hertfordshire, De Havilland Campus

£35 (light refreshments and attendance certificate)

This is the minimum level of training recommended by the Health and Safety Executive for those acting in an emergency and is accepted by all sport and therapy governing bodies for insurance and CPD purposes. It has a sport and exercise bias making it practical, useful and will address many of the common issues and concerns you could potentially find in any sports environment.

If you would like to book onto this training please use the attached booking from following the simple instructions.

For any queries please contact Graham Keen (g.a.keen@herts.ac.uk) on 01707 281006.

Another referee's course.. but in Hertfordshire!

If south London was a bit far to go, there is now an alternative referee's course coming up at Letchworth on 17th and 24th June.

It isn't quite free in this case, but is still being heavily subsidised at only £20 for female candidates.

Don't miss out - book today using this form (the people running the course will know about the offer) before all the places are taken up.

National Girls Sevens 2007

The National Girls Sevens took place yesterday at a Leighton Buzzard RFC.

The Winners and Runner's Up in each of the Sections were as follows:

Under 17 Cup: Winners: Worcester - Runner's Up: Darlington Mowden Park
Under 17 Plate: Winners: Letchworth - Runner's Up: Dorking
Under 14 Cup: Winners: Cramberleigh - Runner's Up: Basford (Basildon and Rochford)
Under 14 Plate: Winners: Ellingham and Ringwood - Runner's Up: Gloucester Barbarians
Under 14 Bowl: Winners: Wellies (Welwyn and Saracens) - Runner's Up: Worcester

[Update] Full scores from all matches - including Sunday's senior competition - ca now be found on the RFUW website.

Herts 7s: in pictures

Four "galleries" of pictures from Sunday's Herts 7s at Welwyn are now available from the SportsMatters website.

Around 100 photos in all, covering both the U14 and U17 compteitions, and including pretty much every team that took part can be viewed and copies ordered.

Includes team groups, photos from the presentations, and a range of excellent action photographs.

Pictures from the 2006 tournament are also still available.

Coaching day for schoolteachers

This may be of interest, especially to secondary school PE teachers:

Advanced Coaching Day for TEACHER (Sponsored by: Daily Mail and Rhino)
Wednesday 20th June 2007, Queen Elizabeth School, Barnet

Presentations by:

• MARK MAPLETOFT (National Academy Coach , Former Saracens Academy Coach, Ex-London Irish, Saracens, Gloucester)
• JON CURRY (Director of Rugby : North Walsham, Leicester Tigers EPDG)
• LYN EVANS (Rugby Development Advisor, Ex- Coach Oxford University, Coach Assistant to Pierre Villepreux(IRB) )
• Rob Drinkwater - London North RRDM
• Ed Turnhill – London Referee Development officer
• Gavin Dovey – RFU Anti-Doping Officer

Includes practical worksops as well as presentations and Q&A sessions

£40.00 inc VAT (cheques payable to RFDL) - cost includes lunch and refreshments and all Conference material (inclusive of DVD’s and current RFU publications) plus clothing & vouchers to the value of £20.00 redeemable against Coach Development courses in the London North Region.

For more information contact Tony Robinson at the RFU.

Senior calendar 2007/8: final version

Representative:

• Regional (training, and Sundays, unless stated): 16th December (trials); 19th January; 27th January; 3rd February (match); Saturday 9th February; 10th February (match); 24th February; 9th March (match); 16th March (final).
• Super 4s:9th September; 30th September; 21st October
• England training: 16th December; 6th January; 27th January
• Six Nations: 3rd February (Wales @ home); 10th February (Italy @ away); 24th February (France @ away); 9th March (Scotland @ away); 16th March (Ireland @ home)

Club:

• Cup: 6th and 13th April
• Regional 10s: 20th April
• National 10s: 4th May
• Play-offs: 6th April
• League/fixtures: All dates not listed above.

FREE refereeing course!

• Ladies - ever fancied going to a Rugby World Cup? – why not go in 2010 as a referee?
• Are there some women/girls at your club/school interested in starting to referee?
• Would those who do referee, wish to improve their skills?
• Would they like to improve their game understanding?

Why not get them to do the RFU Entry Level Referee Award …. on Saturdays 23rd and 30th June, at London Welsh RFC, in Richmond.

Sponsored by in association with the South East & London Federations of Referee Societies, and as part of a RFUW initiative to encourage more women into refereeing, women and girls (aged 14+) can attend this course for free!

(Men are not precluded but any wishing to attend will still need to pay (£40.00) for this course.)
Contact Ed Turnill (RFU) (edturnill@rfu.com) 07894 783 373 or Amanda Bate(RFUW) (amandabate@rfu.com) 07809 512 738

Background:
The RFUW are trying to encourage 200 new female referees across the country.

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

Book in the usual way - click here. This is the application form for an individual booking - there is also one for a group booking. Castlecroft will know that this course is free to women.

Also...

If you have at least 10 women all wanting to do a refs course together, who can’t make this
course, let Amanda Bate (above) know…refs courses can be arranged for groups.

Fast Track Programme

This years, RBS 6 Nations England women v Italy match, saw the first ever team of 3 women in action at RFU Twickenham Stadium. 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 to 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 amandabate@RFU.com or David Rose, RFU Referee Development Manager [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 the touch judges for the recent 6 Nations clash with Italy 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

Junior calendar 2007/7: "Final" version

The "final" version of next season's calendar is now out, and predictably there are some significant changes from the earlier draft plus a few oddities (like the regional festival dates) which might point to some movement yet?

The key dates are as follows (all Sundays unless otherwise indicated):

Representative:

• County: 9th September; 30th September; 21st October; 4th November and 2nd December
• Regional (training unless indicated): 20th January (trials); 3rd February; Saturday 9th February; 10th February (match); 9th March; 16th March (match); 20th April; 27th April, 11th May (Festival).
• U18 TDGs: In weeks commencing: 22nd October; 17th December; 24th February; 25th March; 26th May; and 28th July
• U19 trials: 30th September and 21st October

Club:

• Regional 10s (U18s only): 7th October
• Rochford Festival: 14th October
• National 10s (U18s only): 28th October
• National Cup: 24th February; 30th March; 13th April.
• National Sevens: 25th May
• Training and matches: All other dates not listed above

Highlights:

• Regional/National 10s at a more sensible time... though a date clash with Rochford means (for U18s) two festivals in two weeks... unless Rochford could become the East's regional qualifier? Or would that be too sensible?
• National Cup staggers on for another year... but invites weather problems by moving to the New Year
• Six county and eight regional weekends (including one Saturday/Sunday in the latter).
• All the above leaves only 15 clear dates for club fixtures, and two of those may well clash with TDG weekends

Beyond Level 1 Coaching Weekend - next weekend!!

The beyond level 1 concept is aimed at providing technical and practical knowledge to coaches wishing to improve from level 1 and working towards level 2, this weekend will provide you with the correct skills in focusing towards completing your level 2 coaching course.

When: 2nd and 3rd Of June, 9am start.

Where: Haileybury School (Haileybury Sports Complex, Haileybury, Hertford, Hertfordshire SG13 7NU )

By Road:
Haileybury is situated between Hertford and Hoddesdon, about 20 miles north of central London, and is conveniently located close to the A10 Cambridge Road and easily accessible via the M25, A1, M11 and A414.

Course Details: We will cover 6 sessions including a special session by Saracens Academy Manager on Rugby basics. Principles of Attack/Game Sense/Continuity skills/attacking from the base of a scrum, Lineout technical and Tactical and Defence. There will also be opportunities to do micro coaching sessions and develop some group ideas.

Cost: £80.00 per person this will include an unlimited refreshment station, a 2 course lunch on both days, disc with all the sessions during the 2 day course. We will also have Mike Hynard – Saracens Academy Manager delivering a special session for us after Lunch on the Saturday

Booking Details: Bookings will close on Wednesday the 30th May, however space is limited and will be on a first come basis, payment and booking form must be received before the 30th May.

Please send booking form and a cheque made payable to (Herts Rugby.)

Address details: Peter Engledow/ Herts Sports Village/Hatfield Business Park/Hatfield /AL10 9EU

If you have any questions or need further information please e-mail me on peterengledow@rfu.com or call me on my mobile 07764 960 407

Confirmation will be e-mailed to you with directions and maps, upon receiving your booking form.

High Performance Academies

Girls nominated by their regions for the U17 "High Performance Academies" (HPAs - which replace last year's PDAs) should be receiving official notifications shortly.

It is essential that, if you are selected, that you return any forms etc. as quickly as possible.

Note that existing TDG girls are not included in this first HPA and will instead be automatically invited to the second HPA "camp" - so if you were in the TDGs for 2006/7 and you do not hear anything in the next few weeks don't worry!

Full details about this summers programme can be found in a "PDF" that can be downloaded or viewed here - it is quite significantly different compared to last summer. If you cannot follow this link or read the attachment in summary there are three stages this year:

1. A one-day HPA for regional nominees (not including existing TDG girls) on 15th July. There will be three camps across the country (ours will be in Oxfordshire) and from about 100 girls at these three venues about twenty will be selected to go on to stage two.
2. A two-day national camp at a venue to be decided on 26/27 July, which will include the existing 30 TDGs and the 20 girls selected above. From these fifty girls, thirty will be selected to form the TDG group for 2007/8.
3. A two-day national camp for the new TDG on 20/21 August. Other TDG session will then take place throughout the season, starting in October.

A parallel (and slightly simpler) programme for senior players will also take place (details here) leading to Super 4 selection in August.

There will be no U14 selection programme this summer as the process has already taken place.

Herts Sevens 2007

The Herts Girls Sevens took place yesterday at a Sunny Welwyn RFC. A total of 13 Under 17 teams and 12 Under 14 teams were in action on the day. Some teams had made round trips of up to 200 miles to take part, which meant that the quality of Rugby was extremely high, and the Winners of both the U17 Cup and U14 Cup will be amongst the favourites for next Saturday's National Sevens at Leighton Buzzard RFC.

The Winners of each of the Trophy's were as follows:
Under 17 Cup: Worcester
Under 17 Plate: Paviors
Under 17 Bowl: Reading
Under 14 Cup: Cramberleigh
Under 14 Plate: Welwyn
Under 14 Bowl: Reading

The Organisers wish to thank all the Players, Coaches and Supporters for their flexibility, especially in the U17 Section as game schedules and times moved forward (due to teams dropping out) then back (due to injuries) then forward again (due to teams electing not to play off for 3rd and 4th place).

Next Season the age bands move to U18 and U15 and the U15 Section will be played on Full Size pitches. We are therefore asking for Clubs in Hertfordshire with four pitches to volunteer to host this event in 2008.

President's XV Awards

In the President's XV Awards announced this week, two Herts Girls Club have been recognised in different Categories. Letchworth were Winners of the 'Modernisation' Category for the Letchworth Blog (winning a Trophy, £500 cheque and £150 towards a Presentation Ceremony) and Welwyn Warriors were Runner Up in the 'Girl Power' Category (winning a cheque for £100).

The full list of Winners and Runners Up in each of the 15 President's Awards are being announced in next months Rugby World Magazine. In addition all of the Category Winners and Runners Up will feature in a 'Models of Good Practice' booklet to be distributed to Rugby Clubs.

RFUW School of Rugby

Following her performances for East Region at the recent U14 Festival at Rugby School, Welwyn Warrior Sam Voyle has been notified by Tom Stokes (RFUW Talent Development Manager) that she has been selected for inclusion in the RFUW School of Rugby Programme next Season.

Sam is the second Herts U14 player to be selected, joining County team mate Clare Shutler of Saracen's.

Valuing your volunteers

The RFU have published an excellent booklet summarising good practice and highlighting the many award schemes available to clubs and their volunteers.

These award schemes are open to all clubs, large and small, and designed to reward all ages, and both groups and individuals. The schemes work and are accessible to clubs like yours. Just ask Welwyn and Letchworth who have both picked up RFU awards this season, with recognition going to individuals (such as Luke Williams and Joe Randall winning the "Young Volunteer Plus" Awards) and to the club as a whole (with both clubs recording successes in the President's XV award scheme, for example).

Obviously not every nomiation will win, but the fact that a volunteer has been nominated invariably gives a boost.

The booklet also shows how clubs have introduced internal methods of recognising the contribution of volunteers - methods that needn't cost very much (or indeed anything at all) but clearly work.

So either download a copy from the website , or apply to RFU for printed copies - its well worth it!

Herts Sevens Update

There have been some changes to the entrants on Sunday:

U14 Section: East Furies have dropped out to be replaced by Worcester 2.

U17 Section: Worcester 2 and Spalding have dropped out. Discussions are currently taking place with other teams that asked to go on the reserve list in this section. However, if any other side would like to enter at short notice please contact the organiser Peter Mccullough peter.mccullough@ntlworld.com ASAP, as filling these 2 available spaces will be done on a first come first served basis.

National U17 10's Finals Report

In atrocious conditions at Litchfield RFC on Sunday, Worcester were more than worthy winners of the National U17 10's as they won all 5 of their games without conceeding a point. Welwyn Warriors, who played them first suffered their heaviest ever defeat 0-33, and realised that the Tournament was then all about who would finish Runners-up.

Welwyn got back on track through a narrow 5-0 win over local rivals Letchworth and then stepped up a gear to beat Wimborne 12-0 and avenge their semi-final defeat in the National Cup in April. The next game was a see-saw 12-12 draw with Paviors and the Dorking game ended 17-12 to the Warriors. As Paviors lost to Wimborne then meant that Welwyn U17 finished Runners-up in a National Tournament, which is their best ever achievement.

PDAs RIP - HPAs new route to TDGs

If you fully understand that headline then well done!

For everyone else, last summer's summer training camps for elite players ("Performance Development Academies, or PDAs) will now be known as High Performance Academies (or "HPAs"). HPAs are being established for both senior and U17 levels, and regional coaching staff will shortly be nominating players for each programme.

Full details about what is planned can be found on the RFUW website, but in summary...

Seniors selected will attend a HPA on 14th/15th July (for our region at Heythrop Park, Oxon). The leading players from this weekend (and two others being held on the same dates elsewhere) will be invited back for a second HPA on 24th/25th August from which the Super 4 squads will be selected.

Regions will select 7-10 players each, who will be joined at the first HPA by player from the Super League teams, the England Elite squad, and England U19s.

At U17 level the format is a little different, being for most girls a two stage process.

First about 110 regional selections (7-10 from each region) will have to attend one of three one-day HPAs (for our region at Heythrop Park on 15th July). These selections will not include existing TDG girls.

From these three "camps" about twenty girls will be selected to go forward to two-day HPA at a "central venue" on 26th-27th July where they will be joined by members of this season's TDG. From this group of 50 a new TDG of 30 will e selected for 2007/8.

The first training camp for the new TDG will then take place on the weekend of 20/21 August.

There will be no U14 HPAs as the group selected last month will become part of the new "CB Schools of Rugby" for 2007/8.

Regions will be invited to make their selections over the next few weeks.

Herts girls defy the weather

Two girls rugby tournaments took place yesterday in - at times - appalling weather conditions, but despite the worst that the rain could throw at everyone both were completed - though it was touch and go at times.

At Hatfield 70 girls aged 9-11 took part in the Herts Youth Games girls rugby tournament. This is a tag event and designed to introduce new players to the game, though in practice a fair few of the players will have played mini-rugby.

It didn't quite rain all day, but by the time the final games were being played the downpour was unceasing. Fortunately the games were being played on Saracen's artificial grass pitches so the girls did not disappear into the mud (though some of the surrounding encampment became almost unreachable).

Of the ten districts in the county St Albans and Dacorum failed to enter, and Hertsmere did not show up. The other seven played off in two groups which eventually lead to Stevenage and Welwyn/Hatfield playing off for fifth place, Watford taking on North Herts for third, and a final between East Herts and Three Rivers.

Unfortunately your correspondent was running for cover by the time the final took place (with thunder rolling around the ground) but I should imagine that the superbly drilled (and Amazon tall) East Herts would have been clear favourites to repeat their group win over Three Rivers. Watford beat North Herts comfortably for third, and Welwyn seemed to be on top for fifth against Stevenage. Broxbourne came seventh. If it was not all totally washed away then hopefully the final results will appear shortly.

However there were some prodigiously talented girls playing in this event, so if you club was not involved with running a team I suggest you contact your local district council as soon as possible to find out who was... and start recruiting now!

Talking of being washed away, the National 10s at Lichfield endured monsoon-type conditions which resulted in the pitches being effectively waterlogged by the mid-point in the competition. Two Hertfordshire teams were in it - Letchworth finishing fifth and Welwyn second behind eventual winners Worcester. Full score appear below.

The RFUW are seeking feedback on this new initiative - so please let Keeley know what you thought of it. Teams in the final have had official reply forms - but I suspect Keely would like to hear from anyone - even teams that did not take part - about whether this was a worthwhile initiative, and what could be done to improve things (like getting more entries).

Anyway... the scores:

Letchworth 5 Dorking 0; Dorking 0 Wimborne 12; Letchworth 0 v Welwyn 5; Paviours/Lec 20 Dorking 7; Worcester 26 Dorking 0; Wimborne 7 Paviour/Leic 5; Worcester 33 Welwyn 0; Paviours 0 Worcester 15; Wimborne 19 Letchworth 0; Welwyn 12 Wimborne 0; Letchworth 0 Worcester 44; Letchworth 0 Paviors/Leic 44; Dorking 10 Welwyn17; Welwyn 12 Paviours/Leic 12; Wimborne 0 Worcester 7	Final table: 1: Worcester 15 points 2: Welwyn 12 3: Wimborne 11 4: Paviors/Leicester Forest 10 5: Letchworth 7 6: Dorking 5

(I have no idea how the points were worked out for the above table - so don't ask!)

Girls' Premiership Rugby Academy

Saracens are running a two day rugby "camp" specifically for girls at Welwyn RFC on 24th and 25th July (9.30 to 3.30) which, they say, "will provide a fun and enjoyable environment for female players to develop their game."

The two day course is specifically aimed at girls aged between 12 and 17 engaging in contact and will provide an opportunity for players to improve their skills under the guidance of qualified coaches and professional Saracens players.

The courses will cover:

• Handling Skills
• Tackling & Defence
• Contact Skills
• Continuity
• Dynamicity in your play
• Support Play
• Ruck and Maul technique
• Leaching
• SAQ & Evasion Skills

The two day courses allow for significant progression in these areas.

The full cost of the two day Camp is £50. Players will need to bring a packed lunch. A £10 deposit will be required to secure a place for this Camp, with the balance payable by June 30th.

For further information and an application form please contact Jacky Shutler on shutler4@tiscali.co.uk or 0208 368 5325.

Rochford Hundred U18’s girl’s 10’s and U15’s 7’s Charity festival

Rochford would like to invite clubs to play in the fourth charity 10’s & 7’s festival, last year’s festival was a great success and they hope you can join them this season to make it an even greater success.

It is to be held on Sunday 14th October.

They envisage that the under 18’s should play five fourteen minute games, these to be played in accordance with the under 18 girls laws for season 2007/2008. There will be no overage players allowed to take part.

The under 15’s will be played in accordance with the under 15’s laws for season 2007/2008. Hopefully the U15’s will follow a similar format.

Even if you do not have a full squad please contact Rochford as they may be able to put you in touch with another team in the same situation or form a Barbarian squad. So everybody gets a chance to play rugby.

Rochford are also trying to get an U12’s game arranged for the same day, so if you have any please let them know.

All they ask for is a donation of £25 for a full team, per age group, or £3 a participant if you do not have a full squad. This is to go to this years selected charity, which is LITTLE HAVENS CHILDRENS HOSPICE Charity No 2805007

Please contact Tina to register an interest on 01268 691409 or email her at tina@rugbyturners.plus.com

There is only space for twelve teams, in each age group, so register asap.

Emerging schools champions finish fifth in nationals

From East Herts Herald:

GIRLS from Hertford and Ware schools competed in a national rugby festival at the weekend and ended up at Twickenham.

A combined team of girls from Chauncy, Presdales, and Simon Balle schools took part in the Daily Telegraph Emerging Schools Rugby Festival under-14 Finals in Staines.

The East Herts youngsters - already County Champions - represented the East of England, playing five 10-minute games to finish a very creditable fifth nationally.

The team beat The West Midlands and North West, drew with the North East and Yorkshire and lost to East Midlands and the overall winners, South West Champions Gillingham School.

All teams were rewarded with a T-shirt; certificate and seats to watch the Army and Navy Rugby match the same afternoon at Twickenham.

Team manager Sandy Edwards said: "The girls played magnificently considering only one had played Rugby before this September, they were playing teams fielding older girls and many with county players."

Coaches Eric Riddle and Chris Fishlock were also very proud of the girls' achievements.

The team was: Georgia Peedle, Meg Harries, Emma Corby, Georgia Page, Katie Fulcher, Charlie Faloona, Chloe Rees, Holly Stilston, Shira Kilgallon, Izzy Maclean, Charlotte Bartlett, Katherine Henry, Georgina Suckling, Gabby Ranner, Claire Mills.

Herts Sevens Update

This Tournament is now less than two weeks away and final preparations are being made. All 16 of the Under 17 Teams and all 12 of the Under 14 Teams have now received information relating to arrangements on the day.

However, if you are not involved, but planning to watch then the key pieces of information that you may need are:

It is taking place at Welwyn RFC, Hobbs Way, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL8 6HX on Sun 20th May.

Those of you that have been to Welwyn RFC previously will know that it is surrounded by housing and that the Car Park is not very large. We have therefore arranged additional Parking nearby at Applecroft Junior School in Applecroft Road, WGC, AL8 6JZ.

The first games at 10.30 and the last Final will start at 5.10.

During the day the Bar will be open and there will also be a BBQ.

Region edged out of national title

A much improved performance by East Region U17s saw them recover from a crucial injury to one their leading players in the opening game to get within touching distance of the title at the regional championships yesterday at Rugby School.

Action from East v Yorkshire

Hannah Gallagher had split the Yorkshire defence several times in the first half of the region's opening game - but early in the second half she found herself at the bottom of a ruck which cleared but left Hannah on the ground in some pain. A swift visit to the nearby hospital saw her return later - but with her leg in plaster and her tournament, and season, over.

East were 5-0 ahead at the time and held out for a crucial 5-5 draw which - coupled with a win over South East - was enough to see them into a semi-final with South.

East were most observers favourites for the game and a place in the final alongside East Midlands - but an unfortunate mix-up allowed South in for a try right at the start of the game, a reversal from which East could not recover. However a fairly comfortable win over North East secured third place for the region who overall looked a far better side than they had done in their warm-up fixtures.

On Sunday the U14s had had a tougher time. Starting the tournament with back-to-back games they beat West Midlands but lost a vital (and rather bad tempered) game to South East. The girls recovered to reach the Plate Final against East Wales, but long delays between games had resulted in muscles tieing up, leaving them as Plate runners up and 6th place in the tournament overall.

Claire gets U14 call

Claire Shutler of Saracens has been selected to attend the CBs' School of Rugby from September - the only Hertfordshire U14 girl to be selected, and one of only three from East Region (the others being Claire Johnston and Charlotte Youngman, both from Diss).

Only 28 girls from across the country have been selected - so this is a trully elite group and Claire deserves every congratulation for getting in and "flying the flag" for Hertfordshire.

Well done Claire!

East Region Awards: time running out...

Have you voted yet in the East Region awards?

You do not have to be an East Region player or official. You do not have to be an official or player at your club. ANYONE interested in girls or women's rugby in East Region can vote.

Eastern Counties have now put the nomination details and voting form on the web - so you do not even need get one from your club. Just click here for the nomination detail and here for the voting form.

Don't delay - vote today!

RFUW Annual Conference: not to be missed

While it is understood that the words like "Conference" can have a slightly soperific effect please read on... because this one will be very good.

At Twickenham on Saturday 16th June you can

• Take part in four workshop on such diverse subjects as club development planning, fund raising, using local sports networks, and inter-club partnerships - all from people with real experience in each area.
• OR you can take part in practical coaching workshops with Gary Street, the England Assistant coach
• OR Ed Turnhill will be on hand to offer practical advice and assistance to female referees in two equally practical wokshop.
• AND you get an introduction to the RFU's "Go Play" initiative
• AND you have the chance to address that burning question that you want answered DIRECTLY to the RFUW's Director of Rugby, Carol Isherwood
• AND you will get to meet people from clubs across East Region, London and the South East
• AND you get fed as well!

All for a mere £5!!

Up to FOUR places are available for each club - but you only have until 25th May to apply. So fill in the form below and send it off asap!!

London and South East Clubs Conference
Booking Form
Saturday 16th June 2007
The North Tryline, Twickenham Stadium, Rugby Road,
Twickenham, TW1 1DS

Club:

Admin 1
Name & Position:
Email & Mobile No:

Admin 2
Name & Position:
Email & Mobile No:

Coach Name:
Qualification:
Email & Mobile No:

Referee Name:
Qualification:
Email & Mobile No:

Main Contact:
Correspondence Postal Address:

Do you require a session with RFUW Director of Rugby?(Please Circle)
Yes / No
Question:

Details of people requesting additional places
Name
Position
E-mail
Phone Number

Please return your completed form and £5 payment per person by the Friday 25th May to:
L&SE Conference, RFUW, Rugby House, Rugby Rd, Twickenham, TW1 1DS OR e-mail your form to sammarshall@rfu.com or amandabate@rfu.com and post your payment to the above address.