East Region physio strikes gold

The regions may be no more, but East can maybe claim one final bit of glory.

Nicky Hunt - winner of the gold medal at the weekend in the women's compound archery event - was the East Region team physio in 2007. Even then archery was important - but she fitted her support for the rugby team into her punishing schedule.

She did a great job - but unfortunately was unable to work with the region after that as her own sporting training took priority. And it looks like she got her priorities right!

So congratulations to Nicky from everyone involved with the 2007 East squad!

World cup heroes support record-breaking schools tournament

Every school year begins with headlines about the decline of school rugby, with claims that fewer and fewer schools play the game, and children choosing less traditional activities. That may be true in some places, but in Hertfordshire one part of the game is expanding – and expanding massively.

A couple of years ago Hertford RFC hosted the county’s first girls’ schools tournament. There were only four entrants. But on 20^th October Hertford will host a girls’ school rugby festival which will feature an incredible 38 school teams across two age bands. Over 400 girls from every part of the county are expected making it one of the largest girls’ state school rugby festivals ever staged – anywhere.

27 teams will take part in a tag rugby tournament for Years 7 and 8, while another 11 take part in a full-contact tournament for Years 9 and 10 – including the Presdales school team that won the national championship in 2009 (full list below).

Representatives from several of the county’s club teams will also be present. Girls’ rugby is now well established at many rugby clubs across the county as the game continues to grow, helped by the summer’s massively successful Women’s Rugby World Cup.

And if the girls want an incentive to take up the sport then they could no do better than learn from two of the country’s World Cup heroes, who will be watching the event. England and Saracens superstar Maggie Alphonsi – one of the greatest female rugby players in the world – will be joined by international team-mate Michaela Staniford, whose rugby career began thanks to her being introduced to the game at her Hertfordshire school.

With Hertfordshire’s girls picking up the ball in record numbers, how many will be following Maggie and Michaela into the England team?

Come to Hertford and see the future of Herts schools rugby – and maybe even some future England champions!

·  

• The event would not have been possible without the work of the county’s School Sport Co-ordinators (SSCos) and Partnership Development Managers (PDMs), who ensure that inter-school tournaments like this can take place – and that the talented players that the schools unearth can move on to become the sports stars of tomorrow.

Event details

Hertfordshire Schools Girls Rugby Festival, At Hertford Rugby Football Club, Highfields, Hoe Lane, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 9NZ, 20^th October 2010, from 1- 5pm.

Entrants:

Years 7 & 8:			Years 9 & 10
Turnford John Warner Presdales Chauncy Sele Simon Balle St Mary's Catholic A St Mary's Catholic B Birchwood Rickmansworth Queens	Westfield Monks Walk Hertswood Sir Frederic Osborn Hitchin Girls Nobel Knight's Templar John Henry Newman Adeyfield Hemel Hempstead Tring	Sir John Lawes Nicholas Breakspear Loreto Beaumont Dame Alice Owens	Queens Presdales Nobel Chauncy St Mary's Catholic Sir John Lawes Knight's Templar Westfield Roundwood Park

Herts Sports Partnership's guide to funding opportunities

HSP's latest e-newsletter is a very useful guide to all of the funding opportunities available to clubs and individuals, both local and national.

Click here for details.

Herts Women's and Girls' Newsletter

The latest newsletter can be downloaded from here.

2010-11 Leagues for Herts Womens Clubs

RFUW Premiership (1st Tier):

* OA Saints
* Saracens

RFUW Championship South 1 (2nd Tier):

* Saracens II

RFUW Challenge South East (North) 2 (5th Tier):

* Hertford
* Hitchin
* OA Saints II
* Tabard

Girls Talent Development Group (TDG) 2010-11

Congratulations to the following Herts U18 Players who have been selected as part of this Seasons National TDG Group of 35:

* Georgia Peedle (Welwyn)

* Claire Shutler (Saracens)

* Sam Voyle (Welwyn)

Hitchin also win promotion

Further success for Hertfordshire. Hitchin Ladies have been promoted following their performance in South East West 3 last season. They will now play in South East North 2 next season - a league that will include representatives of all Herts clubs as it also includes Tabard, Hertford and OA Saints II, as well as Harlow, Wellingborough and Southwold.

County fixtures 2010-11

RFUW have issued the county fixtures for next season, for both senior and junior teams. Hertfordshire's games are:

7th November
Seniors, U18 and U15 v Leicestershire (away)

12th December
Seniors v Notts, Lincs & Derbys (home)
U18 and U15 v Eastern Counties, and Kent (triangular, at Eastern Counties)

OA Saints to compete in top flight

OA Saints WRFC received the exciting news that they have been promoted to the elite women’s rugby Premiership, the top flight of women’s rugby in England. The Saints will now compete along with the other top 8 women’s sides in the country, no mean feat considering the growing sport now has over 170 senior sides.

At the start of the season the Saints celebrated their 20th Anniversary, with this promotion topping off an amazing season for the club. St Albans WRFC was formed in 1989 by a group of friends after a challenge in a St Albans pub. Playing, and winning, their first match against Eaton Manor with a squad of just 15 players the club has gone from strength to strength. Moving to Woollams, the home of Old Albanians in 2003, the Saints now boast over 60 players and 2 successful teams. Over the years the club has had many successes reaching the Premiership for a short spell in 1997, and having home grown international players for England, Ireland, and Italy over the 20 years.

The Saints had a fantastic Pre-season, the recruitment of new players was good, particularly from the talented u18’s squad at Welwyn Garden City RFC, and the return of some home grown talent complemented an already strong squad and allowed the club to achieve its primary aim of winning the league.

The results, 13 wins from 14, scoring 75 tries-a staggering 30 more than any other team in the league, they were ready to step up a level but were disappointed that the National Governing Body (RFUW) had decided to hold any promotion due to the impact of the Women's Rugby World Cup in August 2010. However, luck was on the Saints side when a Premiership side from the north asked to be relegated soon after the Saints won the North v South Championship Cup and the rest is history...

Reaching the Premiership is a culmination of 3 years hard work, setting and achieving goals with the ultimate aim to end up in the Premier League. Reaching the Premiership is a massive achievement and a true testament to the spirit of the club and the hard work that goes on behind the scenes and on the pitch.

This achievement is not just down the players on the pitch each week, but testament to the dedication of coaches Ed Knighton, Glyn Barraclough and Andy Weldon, and the never ending support of OA Rugby and fantastic facilities at Woollams.

‘’We really hope to make an impact in the Premiership and whilst it will not be easy by any stretch, we are certain that we are in the league where we belong. The Saints are an amazing club to be involved with and I am extremely proud to be the Chairwoman during this amazing milestone in the history of the Club - and all of this in our 20th Anniversary year!’’ Tasha Saint-Smith, OA Saints Chairwoman.

The 2009/10 season has been an exciting one for all those at Old Albanians. With the Men’s 1st XV also gaining promotion this season to National League 2, the 2010/11 season is set to be an exciting one for the Saints and the whole OA Rugby Club.

OA Saints are recruiting players for the forthcoming season, running 2 sides we would welcome players of all abilities from new players to seasoned internationals! The Saints are also looking for additional coaches to join the team, an assistant 1st XV coach (preferably level 2) and an assistant 2nd XV coach (level 1). Coaching women is a great way to get involved in rugby coaching an opportunity to coach at Premiership level. Anyone interested in playing or coaching should contact OA Saints Chairwoman Tasha Saint-Smith on 07971 849290 or tasha@saintsmith.com

• Saints played at St Albans RFC from 1989-2003, moving to Woollams in Autumn 2003. Woollams is the premier rugby facility in Hertfordshire boasting 5 senior men’s teams, 2 women’s teams, colts, mini’s and juniors along with being the training ground for Saracens.
• OA Saints also run u14’s and u18’s sides, with close links to Welwyn Garden City RFC established u18’s.
• International Representation from:
• Jane Everett (England)
• Trina Edgar (Ireland)
• Nadia Brannon (Italy)
• Sarah McKenna, Karina Page & Cath Botterman (England A)
• Geri Thomas, Milly Fuggles, Hannah Clark ( England u20s)
• Megan Williams (Wales u20s)

Festival of Girls' Rugby, October 2010

Herts RFU are looking for schools to enter a Festival of Girl’s Rugby we will be running at Hertford RFC on Wednesday 20th October 2010.

Start time will be 1:00pm with a finish time of approximately 4:30pm – exact timings to be decided once we know how many Schools enter.

There will be two separate tournaments taking place on the day ….

Year 7 / 8 (combined) Touch Rugby tournament:
Teams will be 7-a-side on a half size pitch. No limit on squad size.
Teams made up of pupils in years 7 & 8.
Games will be based on “6-down” touch rugby rules.
At the halfway stage of the tournament, there will be a coaching session for all year 7 & 8 girls to introduce them to the early concepts of tackling and contact rugby.

Year 9 / 10 (combined) Contact Rugby tournament:
Teams will be 10-a-side on a half size pitch. No limit on squad size.
Teams made up of pupils in years 9 & 10.
Games will be full contact except for scrums (5 man) which will be uncontested.
At the halfway stage of the tournament, there will also be coaching for all year 9 & 10 girls in an aspect of contact rugby – ie: rucking/mauling.

Please can you all send your entries by email to mikeharrison@therfu.com.

Closing date for entries is Friday 1st October. The earlier entries are received, the better please.

Thank you for your support.

Harry Harrison
Herts RFU Community Rugby Coach
Tel: 0789 448 9249

President's XV Recognition Young Volunteers Award 2010 Presentation

Jason Leonard OBE, 2003 World Cup Winner and England's most capped Rugby Union Player, was at Welwyn RFC last Friday Evening (June 4) to present the RFU President’s XV 'Young Volunteers' Category Award to Oren Blindell and Rachel McCullough, both of whom are Welwyn Saints Under 18 players.

The pair came up with the idea of the Herts Rugby Awareness Week which ran in more than 40 of the county’s schools last November.

The annual RFU President's XV Awards, supported by specialist business insurer QBE, recognise and celebrate innovative thinking aimed at promoting and developing rugby. There is a trophy and prize money of £500 in each of 15 categories and £100 each for 30 runners up.

Leonard, the former prop forward who is now a National Member of the RFU Council, was on the 2010 awards judging panel led by John Owen, the RFU President, along with Immediate Past President Brian Williams, Senior Vice President Richard Appleby, Junior Vice President Willie Wildash, Rugby Football Union for Women President Gill Burns and Paul Morgan, editor of 'Rugby World' magazine. QBE was represented on the day by Senior Underwriter John Warwick.

The creation of Hertfordshire's Rugby Awareness Week by two 15-year-old rugby playing girls, Oren and Rachel from Welwyn RFC, proved an outstanding initiative which grew into a major boost for the game in their area.

They were successful in applying for just under £10,000 of funding from The Big Spend (Youth Opportunities Fund) and with support from Amanda Bate, Herts RFU Volunteer Co-ordinator and the Hertfordshire RDO Peter Engledow, the idea became reality when Hertfordshire Rugby Awareness Week took place between November 16-20, 2009, with young rugby players speaking about rugby at assemblies in schools throughout the county, supported by leaflets, posters and a 'This is Rugby' DVD.

Leonard's visit formed part of Welwyn RFC’s Girls Section end of season Presentation Evening.

National Girls 7's Harpenden RFC Sat 29th May Results

U18 Cup Winners: Ellingham + Ringwood; U18 Cup R/Up: London Irish.



U18 Plate Winners: Tyldeseley; U18 Plate R/Up: Letchworth Saracens.



U15 Cup Winners: Ellingham + Ringwood; U15 Cup R/Up: Worcester.



U15 Plate Winners: Burfield; U15 Plate R/U: Morpeth.

New team manager for adult county team

Message from Charlie White:

I just wanted to introduce myself. Next season i will be talking on Jo's old role as the Hert's Womens Rugby Team manager.


I know we have talented players who are currently playing in many of the women's team across Hertfordshire, this season i want to give the Hertfordshire Women's team all the support they need to compete at a decent level and show the other counties all the talent we have.


The first thing i am doing is looking for commitment coaches and setting up the date and venue for the County Trials.


As i'm new to this role any help is more than appreciated.


Hope to hear from you all soon


Thanks


Charlie

Herts Girls 7's Tring RFC Sun 16th May Results

TringRugby Club hosted the 2010 Herts Girls 7's tournament on Sunday 16th May at there grounds in Cow Lane,Tring. 40 teams from Herts, Beds, Bucks, Surrey, Kent, Oxford, Leices and Worces Clubs and Schools attended. After competing in Leagues the U18 and U15 Semi Finals and Finals were keenly competed with some attractive and flowing Rugby being played,, the U12's played in a round robin league format to decide the champions.

The tournament was possibly the largest Girls 7's competition held in the UK ,TringRugbys premier league partner club, Wasps provided 1st team players from their men's and women sides for the presentations along with the club mascot "Sting". The results are as follows:

U18 Section

Cup: Winners - Worcester; Runner up - Welwyn Saints
Plate: Winners - Ealing; Runner up - Reading
Bowl: Winners - Paviors; Runner up - Letchworth Saracens
Shield: Winners - Oxfordshire; Runner up - Aylestone St James


U15 Section

Cup: Winners - London Irish; Runner up - Paviors
Plate: Joint Winners - Rochford and Berkshire Ba Baa's
Bowl: Winners - Bucks Jesters; Runner up - Letchworth Saracens
Shield: Winners - Guildford; Runner up - Oxfordshire B
Egg Cup: Winners - Hertford; Runner up - Old Albanians

U12 Section

Cup Winners: Hertfordshire Ba Baa's.

Girls National Cup Litchfield Sat 8 May + Sun 9 May Results

Under 18 Tournament:

Cup: Winners - London Irish; Runners up - Reading Baa baas (Semi Finalists: Welwyn and Worcester, but no 3rd / 4th play-off game took place).

Plate: Winners - AGT Jaguars; Runners up - Paviors.

Bowl: Winners - West Park Leeds; Runners up - North Dorset.

Under 15 Tournament:

Cup: Winners - Paviors; Runners up - London Irish (Semi Finalists: Welwyn and Berks Baa baas, and Welwyn won in 3rd / 4th play-off game).

Plate: Winners - Worcester; Runners up - Burfield.

Bowl: Winners - Morpeth; Runners up - Hertford.

Herts Sevens 2010: Fixtures and match times (REVISED)

Tring have now published the FINAL fixtures and match times for Herts 7s on 16th May. Click here for details. You are requested to bring a copy of this with you to the tournament.

Further information from Tring:

LEAGUE FORMAT:

1)WIN =  2 POINTS , DRAW = 1 POINT, LOSE = 0 POINTS.

2) NO conversions in the league stages.

3) EQUAL POINTS AT THE END OF THE LEAGUE FORMAT = winners of the match between the teams on level point / try's scored / try's conceded / toss of the coin.

SEMI FINAL FORMAT:

1) Conversions will apply.

2) If at full time teams are equal on points = Team with most trys scored / most conversions / toss of a coin.

FINAL FORMAT: 

1) Conversions will apply.

2) If equal at full time = Team with most trys scored / most conversions / if all equal then teams will share the trophy.

---

What happens next?

1) Let Mark Firth at Tring (mf@taplowconsulting.com) know if you are coming by coach, we need to reserve spots to park them.

2) All teams need to fill in there squad sheets and HAND THEM IN TO THE TANNOY UPON ARRIVAL

3) PLEASE NOTE - NO DOGS ALLOWED ON SITE

4) PARKING IS FREE - NO PARKING ALONG COW LANE WHICH WILL HAVE CONES ALL ALONG IT.

5) Presentations - will follow completion of ALL FINALS by the Tannoy area, Medals for both teams competing in the final and trophy for the winners.

Try women's tag rugby this summer

Try Tag Rugby - a London based company - are developing the sport of adult Tag Rugby which is extremely popular in Ireland, Australia and NZ firstly in London and then hopefully the UK.

They are currently running six mixed gender leagues and one men’s league in London and were planning on running a women’s only league at Finsbury Park on Thursday nights, but are currently struggling for numbers of interested players. Hampstead ladies Rugby Union club entering a team and a few further individuals signed up. However we were hopeful of running a 4 team league.

Interested players should visit www.trytagrugby.com or email info@trytagrugby.com or call Alistair Davis on 07780880893.

Herts Sevens 2010: the draw

Tring RFC, hosts of this years' Herts Sevens, have now made the draw for the tournament. Organiser Mark Firth reports:

Ladies and Gents,

The Draw (details below)
Last Night at OA's clubhouse the Herts 7's tournament draw took place, with celebrities and TV companies grounded due to Icelandic ash , our good friends from Herts RFU drew the teams whilst marching bands and the Chippendales danced in the spotlights.

We have 22 teams for the U15 section and 22 teams for the U18's participating in the tournament. We devised a "seeding" system that took into account last years finalists and tried to keep teams from the same counties apart from each other in the "league" stages,although some Hert's teams will play each other at that stage due to the number of teams entering from the area.

U18's - Late entrants Wisbech are in group 1, We have put a Ba Baa's side in group 3, Hertford have 3 ladies for the Ba Baa's but if other teams have "extra" players, please let me know, so we can confirm this Ba Baa's side. Groups 1 and 3 have 6 teams, so the 2 teams that finish bottom from those groups will play in a "wooden spoon" final.

U15's - Groups 1 and 3 have 6 teams, so the 2 teams that finish bottom in those groups will play in a  "wooden spoon" final.

U12's - We only had 2 teams enter, we are trying to get others involved and are talking to the 2 teams concerned, we do want to have an U12's section to this tournament.

What happens next?
1) In the coming 2 weeks ,we will announce the fixture schedule, Due to the number of teams we intend to kick off the tournament at 10:00am on the 16th May.

2) Once the league matches have produced a table, Group 1 winners will play Group 3 in the semi's, Group 2 winners will play Group 4 winners in the semi's for the cup,we will also have plate, Bowl, Shield and golden spoon semis and finals depending on where teams finish in the leagues, this should ensure all teams make a semi final.

3) We will issue details about parking etc at the same time as the fixtures. I NEED TO KNOW IF ANY TEAMS ARE COMING BY COACH SO I CAN MAKE PARKING ARRANGEMENTS.

Pre Tournament Entertainment
In Tring the largest company is Grass Roots PLC, they support a number of the towns sports clubs including the rugby club, to celebrate the companies 30th anniversary, they are holding a "SPIRIT OF TRING" night on Saturday 15th May at the football club next door to us, 6000 people are expected and Tring Rugby is helping organise food and drink for the event.

We cannot give any "group" discount" as this is a local fund raising event, BUT TRING RUGBY WILL SPONSOR A MEAL AND DRINK TICKET PER PERSON IN YOUR PARTY THAT BOOKS (please advise me once you have completed the online booking for yourself or group).

Any teams that are looking to travel up to the area the night before and want entertaining, the details are:
Doors open at 6m and the show will conclude around 10.30pm, TICKETS ARE: ADULT £20/ U16 £15 per person.

The fabulously talented and well known local band Soul Fish will kick the event off in style with their unique brand of high energy Soul and Rhythm & Blues.

They will be followed by The Music of Queen – A Rock & Symphonic Spectacular, which features a full rock band and songs from the West End smash hit musical We Will Rock You, combined with an orchestra, performing epic arrangements of Queen's huge hits.

The event will conclude with a stunning Proms Symphony Orchestra playing the full range of memorable classics.

There will be food,drink available and a fabulous fireworks finale.

FURTHER INFORMATION AND  TICKET PURCHASES CAN BE FOUND AT - www.spirit-of-tring.com

U15 DRAW

Group 1
London Irish
Aylestone St James
Oxfordshire A
Letchworth Saracens
Oakmeadians
OA's

Group 2
Welwyn Garden City
Rochford 100
Ealing Middx leapords
Guildford
Old Northampton

Group 3
Worcester
Berkshire Ba Baa's
Stevenage
Camberley
Oxfordshire B
Royston

Group 4
Paviors
Bucks Jesters
Hertford
Newquay
Bishop Stortford

U18 DRAW

Group 1
London Irish
Bucks Jesters
Oakmeadians
Oxfordshire
Royston
Wisbech


Group 2
Worcester
Paviors
Ealing Middx Leapords
Bishop Stortford
Welwyn Garden City Sinners

Group 3
Welwyn Garden City Saints
Reading
Newquay
Richard Hale School
Aylestone St James B
Hertford BA BAA'S

Group 4
Rochford 100
Letchworth Saracens
Aylestone St James A
Thomas Becket School
Old Northampton

Kind Regards

Mark Firth,TringRugby

Gloucester 10's Hartpury College 17-18 April

Under 18 Tournament:

Cup: Winners - Worcester; Runners up - Welwyn.

Shield: Winners - Reading; Runners up - Thornbury.

Plate: Winners - Burfield; Runners up - Newport.

Under 15 Tournament:

Cup: Winners - Worcester; Runners up - Welwyn.

Bowl: Winners - Ellingham and Ringwood; Runners up - Newport.

Plate: Winners - Exeter; Runners up - Reading.


Results involving Herts Team:

U15 Tournament:

Group stage:

Welwyn 17 Burfield 0
Welwyn 12 Drybrook 0
Welwyn 26 Cleve 0

Cup Quarter Final:

Welwyn 22 Newport 5

Cup Semi Final:

Welwyn 10 Cardiff 5

Cup Final:

Welwyn 0 Worcester 12

U18 Tournament:

Group stage:

Welwyn 5 Burfield 0
Welwyn 10 Reading 7


Cup Quarter Final:

Welwyn 19 Thornbury 14

Cup Semi Final:

Welwyn 12 Cardiff 7

Cup Final:

Welwyn 0 Worcester 17

Regional Festival Results Litchfield RFC 10 + 11 April 2010

Under 15s

Group 3:

East 17 Yorkshire 0
East 0 Scarletts 7

Plate (5th-8th):
West Midlands 7 East 5

7th/8th:
East 17 North West 7 (East U15 finished 7th)

Under 18s

Group 1:

North West 0 East 10
Scarletts 7 East 7

Cup (1st-4th):

East 12 South West South 5
South 12 South West North 7

Cup Final: East 0 South 0 (East U18 finished as joint winners)

A strong East U18 Squad went to the Regional Festival, with Herts. girls playing a substantial role. The Draw saw East yet again with the Welsh Regional Winners in their Group, a strong Scarlets team containing an number of their U18 players who played last week for Wales. First up for the East was a North West Team who had battled hard to hold the Scarlets to a draw. East knew a win was necessary and started well applying pressure from the kick off. North West tackled and defended well again but the East were too strong and won 10:0. Next up were the Scarlets and East were all up for this tough encounter. Unfortunately an early mistake in the backs saw the Scarlets intercept the ball and run in a Try under the posts. East came right back at the Scarlets and the rest of the game saw the East pressing the Scarlets line in wave after wave of attack and stout defending of the line by the Scarlets keeping them out. With two minutes left Chloe Bake made a break down the right but was tackled into touch just short of the line. The pressure on the Scarlets lineout saw them throw not straight. The Scrum to East was won cleanly and the ball was passed down the line to Alex Grant who was driven over under the posts. Emily Scott kicked the conversion to see East draw and progress to the Cup Semi-Final.

Here they came up against a resurgent South West South. From the kick off East attacked SWS. This paid off with a score in the first minute easing their nerves. SWS came back but the East defence was strong and kept the pressure on SWS preventing them from building momentum. In the second half built up the pressure on the SWS constantly attacking the line and were rewarded with another Try by India giving a 12:0 lead. SWS came back from the kick off and got their reward with an unconverted try in the corner, but the East defence held out for the final two minutes.

This set up a rematch of last year’s Final against the South. This was a Final everyone knew would be decided on by the narrowest of margins, a mistake or unlucky bounce of the ball. Every Player gave 110%, ferocious tackling stopped every break and neither team could get the ascendancy. Injuries abounded by the nature of the contest making it a stop start game. The East finally got the break with a long range Penalty but in the windy conditions it drifted narrowly wide and the game finished 0:0. In sudden death for 5 minutes, neither team making a mistake or giving an inch. Again East got a Penalty, this time out wide by the Touchline and again the ball drifted just wide in the wind. At the end both teams fought each other to a standstill and the Trophy for the last ever Girls Regional Festival was shared, with the East U18 being undefeated for the past two years, having won the Cup Final in 2009.