May 20th has been set aside by RFUW for regional sevens tournaments at all age groups - U14, U17 and senior. However, unlike regional 10s, RFUW are not organising these events centrally - clubs will not be invited by HQ to bid to host an official regional sevens competition.
So the East Region is taking the initiative and calling for clubs to step forward to host competitions. This initiative is aimed at ensuring that at least one event happens for each age group, as well as co-ordinating bids to avoid several clubs competing with each other!
Last season there were four "regional" junior sevens tournaments in England (but no senior events) prior to National Sevens. The junior events - at Worcester, Darlington, Dorking, and Letchworth - excited (in the latter two cases at least) massive interest with clubs undertaking round trips of up to 200 miles to take part. As a result the Dorking and Letchworth events were possibly the largest and second-largest one-day girls rugby events ever. There is clearly massive interest at junior level at least, and probably senior level as well - especially from clubs who see the National Sevens as really a step too far for inexperienced sides.
So the RPM (John Birch) for East Region wants to know whether any clubs be even faintly interested in hosting (or are you already planning to host) a Sevens competition on 20th May. At least one club - Tabard RFC - have already expressed interest in hosting but may be restricted to hosting an event for just one age group.
There is a small extra incentive of a £500 grant for clubs in Hertfordshire willing to run a junior sevens, but the fact of the matter is that demand is such that - so long as there are not too many competing events - you cannot fail to make a reasonable surplus.
A quick Q&A...
Why are you doing this? What gives you/Herts/East the right to decide anything?
Because no-one else is doing anything, and time is running out. If everyone is assuming that someone else will be running a Sevens in east of England (ie. East, East Midlands or Thames Valley - the area that Letchworth's event drew on last year) then there will be no Sevens at all, anywhere.
Is Letchworth planning to run any event?
No. Last year's Herts 7s was a massive success and great fun to run but a key part of that success was - I feel - that the event moves every year and does not belong to one club. Last year was in effect the third year of the competition and each year it has been bigger and better and that is mainly because each succesive host has seen it as a "special" event and been determined to "do it better than it has ever been done before". If it stayed at one club it not be special, would not evolve and grow, and might almost become a chore. If there was absolutely no interest at all from anyone - if there might otherwise be no junior sevens in East Anglia, East Midlands or Thames Valley - then we MIGHT think about doing it again but I really, really would rather not.
Why is there a grant for holding an event in Hertfordshire but no-where else?
There is a £500 grant available from Herts Sports Partnerships (which Letchworth are holding on to) as an extra incentive for a Herts club to run a junior event. Clearly - and by definition! - this money could not go to a club outside the county, and if no-one steps forward that money just goes back to HSP.
What criteria will be used to decide between bids?
No idea - up to East Forum. My main concern at this stage is to try to ensure that there is at least one viable event - if several clubs step forward it would actually be a nice problem to have and if sufficiently geographically separated there is no reason why there need be only one event - in fact demand was such that you could have easily split last year's event at Letchworth in two and had two perfectly viable and enjoyable competitions.
What would be the minimum requirements to host?
Clearly it depends on the number of entries, but I think for the a senior sevens at least two pitches, for juniors (assuming you run U14s and U17s concurrently) at least three.
What help would a host get?
Nothing can be promised (and outside Herts there's no money!), but I think if a club took on the responsibility for running what was recognised as the region's (or wider area's) event they might reasonably expected to receive as much support from other clubs as possible. Certainly I'd be more than happy to give any help I could including passing on any lessons learnt from last year's event.
Is there any closing date?
Not really - but ideally John would like any (even vague) expressions of interest by 15th January so that the idea can be discussed at the next East forum.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Regional 10s: Venues announced
The venue for the RFUW regional 10s tournaments on Saturday 28th April 2007. have been announced. The senior tournament will be Colchester RFC and the U17 event will be at Hemel Hempsted RFC. There is no U14 event.
Officially these are "London North" heats and will be qualifying tournaments for a National 10s tournament, due to take place "in the Midlands" on 12th or 13th May.
This is the first time there has been official RFUW 10s tournaments, at either regional or national level.
Officially these are "London North" heats and will be qualifying tournaments for a National 10s tournament, due to take place "in the Midlands" on 12th or 13th May.
This is the first time there has been official RFUW 10s tournaments, at either regional or national level.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Maggie on top of the world
England and Saracens flanker Margaret Alphonsi was last month named the Women’s Rugby Personality of the Year at the IRB’s awards ceremony, in association with Emirates Airline.
The dynamic 22-year-old was short-listed together with New Zealand fly half Anna Richards and France number eight Delphine Plantet. Alphonsi, who is a rugby development officer for Saracens, played in all of England’s five IRB Rugby World Cup matches this September in Edmonton, Canada, including the 25-17 defeat to New Zealand in the final.
Said Maggie Alphonsi “I am so pleased to have won this award. I have really enjoyed this season, being part of a team that won the Six Nations Grand Slam and finishing as runners-up in the IRB Rugby World Cup final has been terrific, though of course we would have preferred to take the title. This award has certainly capped off a great year.”
She continued, “The whole of the England team worked so hard to get where we are today and it’s a shame that we came so close in the final of the Rugby World Cup and didn’t come away with the prize we desperately wanted.
“Hopefully this award will go some way, for all the members of the squad, towards knowing that what we achieved in Canada has been recognised.
The dynamic 22-year-old was short-listed together with New Zealand fly half Anna Richards and France number eight Delphine Plantet. Alphonsi, who is a rugby development officer for Saracens, played in all of England’s five IRB Rugby World Cup matches this September in Edmonton, Canada, including the 25-17 defeat to New Zealand in the final.
Said Maggie Alphonsi “I am so pleased to have won this award. I have really enjoyed this season, being part of a team that won the Six Nations Grand Slam and finishing as runners-up in the IRB Rugby World Cup final has been terrific, though of course we would have preferred to take the title. This award has certainly capped off a great year.”
She continued, “The whole of the England team worked so hard to get where we are today and it’s a shame that we came so close in the final of the Rugby World Cup and didn’t come away with the prize we desperately wanted.
“Hopefully this award will go some way, for all the members of the squad, towards knowing that what we achieved in Canada has been recognised.
New regulations on abuse by players and officials
Amanda's remarks on her departure about the need to raise standards in the county were echoed today by the issue of new instructions to referees about verbal abuse and the use of obscene and offensive language and gestures by players and match officials.
The new instruction say that the use of obscene and offensive language is contrary to the spirit and ethos of the game as set out in the International Rugby Board’s Playing Charter and the RFU codes of conduct for players and spectators.
The regulatory regime to deal with abuse already exists. RFU Rule 5.12 prohibits any “conduct which is prejudicial to the interests of the Union or the game.” IRB Law 6.A.5 demands that “all players must respect the authority of the referee”. IRB Law 10.4 (k) prohibits “acts contrary to good sportsmanship in the playing enclosure.” That includes any form of verbal abuse and can lead to on field sanction and, in extreme cases, further disciplinary sanctions.
Verbal abuse of opponents carries a recommended disciplinary sanction ranging from a low end of two weeks’ suspension to a maximum of 24 weeks. Verbal abuse of match officials carries a recommended disciplinary sanction ranging from a low end of six weeks’ suspension to a maximum of 24 months. Referees must also always report any unacceptable abuse or offensive language by coaches, spectators or others from the touchline.
RFU Chief Executive RFU, Francis Baron, said, “The Management Board has taken this decision and introduced these steps for all levels of the game from Level 12 through to the Guinness Premiership because it is important that the ethos and culture of the game is maintained. “Although the cases of player to player and player to official abuse are not widespread, they are increasing and that is why these initiatives are being introduced now as a preventative measure.”
RFU Disciplinary Officer, His Honour Judge Jeff Blackett, said, “Clearly in a robust game there will be banter but there is a line that cannot be crossed where it becomes gratuitous and offensive abuse. “That is unnecessary and reflects badly on the image of the game, and players must be aware what is and not acceptable. Serious abuse of players and officials is unacceptable and I welcome the RFU Management Board’s strong action to combat this issue.”
East Region are already planning to review and if necessary tighten up their codes of practice for players, officials and spectators ahead of the regional programme in the New Year.
The new instruction say that the use of obscene and offensive language is contrary to the spirit and ethos of the game as set out in the International Rugby Board’s Playing Charter and the RFU codes of conduct for players and spectators.
The regulatory regime to deal with abuse already exists. RFU Rule 5.12 prohibits any “conduct which is prejudicial to the interests of the Union or the game.” IRB Law 6.A.5 demands that “all players must respect the authority of the referee”. IRB Law 10.4 (k) prohibits “acts contrary to good sportsmanship in the playing enclosure.” That includes any form of verbal abuse and can lead to on field sanction and, in extreme cases, further disciplinary sanctions.
Verbal abuse of opponents carries a recommended disciplinary sanction ranging from a low end of two weeks’ suspension to a maximum of 24 weeks. Verbal abuse of match officials carries a recommended disciplinary sanction ranging from a low end of six weeks’ suspension to a maximum of 24 months. Referees must also always report any unacceptable abuse or offensive language by coaches, spectators or others from the touchline.
RFU Chief Executive RFU, Francis Baron, said, “The Management Board has taken this decision and introduced these steps for all levels of the game from Level 12 through to the Guinness Premiership because it is important that the ethos and culture of the game is maintained. “Although the cases of player to player and player to official abuse are not widespread, they are increasing and that is why these initiatives are being introduced now as a preventative measure.”
RFU Disciplinary Officer, His Honour Judge Jeff Blackett, said, “Clearly in a robust game there will be banter but there is a line that cannot be crossed where it becomes gratuitous and offensive abuse. “That is unnecessary and reflects badly on the image of the game, and players must be aware what is and not acceptable. Serious abuse of players and officials is unacceptable and I welcome the RFU Management Board’s strong action to combat this issue.”
East Region are already planning to review and if necessary tighten up their codes of practice for players, officials and spectators ahead of the regional programme in the New Year.
East Region trials: important information
If you have been nominated to attend the regional trials (see the u17 and u14 lists, published below) on 28th January you MUST confirm that you are going to attend by completing this form and returning it to RFUW by 19th January. If you fail to do so you risk not being allowed to trial, despite being nomiated.
More information on the trial process, including dates and venues, appears on the East website.
More information on the trial process, including dates and venues, appears on the East website.
Regional trialists: U17 (with additions)
The revised and updated list of girls who have been selected to attend trials for the U17 East Region squad, which will be held at Ely RFC on 28th January is now availabel on the RFUW East region website.
Monday, December 18, 2006
A new year's resolution for Herts clubs?
On her last day in her Hertfordshire role Amanda Bate has asked if in the New Year clubs could seek to promote the highest standards of behaviour.
In particular she asks clubs to...
1. Check that everyone working with girls has an up-to-date CRB check.
2. Please while coaching girls rugby can they also be coached in good sportsmanship. In particular she asks coaches and players to ensure that they..
In particular she asks clubs to...
1. Check that everyone working with girls has an up-to-date CRB check.
2. Please while coaching girls rugby can they also be coached in good sportsmanship. In particular she asks coaches and players to ensure that they..
- take care to tone down their language,
- try and win through having good rugby skills, not through intimidating the opposition!
3. Remind parents of the spectators code of conduct and that can be banned from the touchline, by a ref or the club or the county exec - its not just players or coaches who can be disciplined!
4. Reminded coaches and parents that girls rugby is also about developing the girls as people, and that we want them to be enjoying the game. Coaches need to lead by example. Bad feelings between clubs and coaches will rub off on the players, and that is not a positive.
Amanda concludes by saying that Herts has got really good girls rugby going on. It would be a pity to get a bad reputation for poor behaviour from parents, coaches or players. She will be writing to clubs to ask club refs to remember that girls play to the same laws as reagards discipline as boys.
Regional trials: extra invitations
With all nominations and "wildcards" in and processed, the East Region's coaching and management team have decided that there is room to invite a few extra players.
It was previously decided that all players who had been to the 2005/6 PDAs would automatically be invited to trials. This is now being extended and all members of last season's U14 and U17 squads, whether or not they were nominated previously, will now be invited - so long as they are still qualify as junior players and still playing regularly with an East Region club.
In practice this means that the following six names will be added to the U17 trial list:
From the 2005/6 U17 squad:
COOK, Georgia
KELLY, Carla
From the 2005/6 U14 squad:
ALCOCK, Nikki
SMITH, Sam
THRELFALL, Natalie
WOODHAM, Celestine
It was previously decided that all players who had been to the 2005/6 PDAs would automatically be invited to trials. This is now being extended and all members of last season's U14 and U17 squads, whether or not they were nominated previously, will now be invited - so long as they are still qualify as junior players and still playing regularly with an East Region club.
In practice this means that the following six names will be added to the U17 trial list:
From the 2005/6 U17 squad:
COOK, Georgia
KELLY, Carla
From the 2005/6 U14 squad:
ALCOCK, Nikki
SMITH, Sam
THRELFALL, Natalie
WOODHAM, Celestine
Friday, December 15, 2006
Girls have a "fantastic evening" at Saracens
Girls from across the county who desended on Saracens' Bramley Road ground last night had a "fantastic evening" according to Amanda Bate, the county's Rugby Development Officer - who was at her last event before moving "upstairs" to a regional job at RFUW.From the start of next month Amanda will become the Womens Rugby Development Manager for the east and south-east of England, so we will not lose her entirely. However instead of dealing with one county she will be responsible for about 11 or 12!
Last night girls of all ages demonstarted how successgful Amanda has been in Herts when they took part in an excellent coaching session with players from Saracen's women's team, which included England star Maggie Alphonsi, before everyone repaired inside to take on board a small feast that the Saracens club had laid on.
The evening also allowed the county to express its thanks to the Local Community Network for the support it has given to the county, and individual clubs, over the past season and to show how effective that support has been.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Girls rugby partnership up and running in Welwyn-Hatfield
Welwyn Warriors week just got better! After winning through to the quarter finals of the National Cup, the club has been awarded £1,000 by The Herts Sports Partnership to help the club with its Club/School links programme.
Team Manager Dave Marques was absolutely delighted. ‘This is fantastic news! It means we can really get our Girls Rugby Development programme going. Welwyn Warriors is the most successful team in the County and we intend to make it even better! We couldn’t have achieved this without the help of so many people. Jo Higson Welwyn-Hatfield’s Sports Partnership Manager & Colin Smyth, Sports Development officer from Welwyn-Hatfield Council and Amanda Bate & Pete Engledow from the RFU, they have given us so much help & support, we couldn’t have done it without them! On top of that Gary Peterkin and everyone at Welwyn Rugby club who work so hard to ensure the girls success. When I met with Matt Eames from HSP he is just as enthusiastic as we are!’
The money will be spent providing rugby coaching to girls in years 5 & 6 and 9 & 10. These age groups are the clubs ‘Key targets’ as the WRFU has a scheme in place for years 7 & 8 and Saracens are running a community coaching programme across Welwyn-Hatfield as well, so girls rugby is really getting a huge boost! Some of the money will be spent on extra equipment which will also be a massive help to the girls group. Assistant Team manager Pete McCullough felt it is a vindication of the hard work Welwyn has put in over the last few months. ‘Our U14 girls are the cornerstone of the County team as are the U17 girls. We have 8 U14s and 9 U17 girls going for regional trials in January as well as girls in the England talent development group. This is the club to be at now, it will be even more so after this great funding. Thank you HSP!’! Our partner schools are so fired up for working with us on this, we’re certain we’ll be the biggest & most successful club in the region by 2009 but this isn’t just a ‘one off’ scheme, we intend to keep the school links going on a permanent basis’.
Fullerians is running a similar scheme in SW Herts so across the County girls rugby is getting a higher profile. The WRFU is really driving the game forward and other sports should look to the RFU model for how to take Sport forward in Hertfordshire. Welwyn Warriors is actively seeking new girls to join them and get into rugby so any girls from yr 5 upwards, interested in joining Warriors, pls ring Dave on 0786 676 5411.
Team Manager Dave Marques was absolutely delighted. ‘This is fantastic news! It means we can really get our Girls Rugby Development programme going. Welwyn Warriors is the most successful team in the County and we intend to make it even better! We couldn’t have achieved this without the help of so many people. Jo Higson Welwyn-Hatfield’s Sports Partnership Manager & Colin Smyth, Sports Development officer from Welwyn-Hatfield Council and Amanda Bate & Pete Engledow from the RFU, they have given us so much help & support, we couldn’t have done it without them! On top of that Gary Peterkin and everyone at Welwyn Rugby club who work so hard to ensure the girls success. When I met with Matt Eames from HSP he is just as enthusiastic as we are!’
The money will be spent providing rugby coaching to girls in years 5 & 6 and 9 & 10. These age groups are the clubs ‘Key targets’ as the WRFU has a scheme in place for years 7 & 8 and Saracens are running a community coaching programme across Welwyn-Hatfield as well, so girls rugby is really getting a huge boost! Some of the money will be spent on extra equipment which will also be a massive help to the girls group. Assistant Team manager Pete McCullough felt it is a vindication of the hard work Welwyn has put in over the last few months. ‘Our U14 girls are the cornerstone of the County team as are the U17 girls. We have 8 U14s and 9 U17 girls going for regional trials in January as well as girls in the England talent development group. This is the club to be at now, it will be even more so after this great funding. Thank you HSP!’! Our partner schools are so fired up for working with us on this, we’re certain we’ll be the biggest & most successful club in the region by 2009 but this isn’t just a ‘one off’ scheme, we intend to keep the school links going on a permanent basis’.
Fullerians is running a similar scheme in SW Herts so across the County girls rugby is getting a higher profile. The WRFU is really driving the game forward and other sports should look to the RFU model for how to take Sport forward in Hertfordshire. Welwyn Warriors is actively seeking new girls to join them and get into rugby so any girls from yr 5 upwards, interested in joining Warriors, pls ring Dave on 0786 676 5411.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Celebrate girls' rugby (Part 2)
Date for your diary: 14th January.
Last year Herts Girls provided the "Guard of Honour" at the start of a Saracens game at Vicarage Road when Saracens dedicated a match to the promotion and celebration of the game in the county. It was a good day and everyone there have an great time, so Sarries are doing it again.
The game is a crucial European game against French side Narbonne, and will kick-off at 3pm.
Tickets will be discounted to £14 for adults and £9 for juniors - but its actually cheaper to order online. The first 20 to arrive on the day will form the Guard.
Last year Herts Girls provided the "Guard of Honour" at the start of a Saracens game at Vicarage Road when Saracens dedicated a match to the promotion and celebration of the game in the county. It was a good day and everyone there have an great time, so Sarries are doing it again.
The game is a crucial European game against French side Narbonne, and will kick-off at 3pm.
Tickets will be discounted to £14 for adults and £9 for juniors - but its actually cheaper to order online. The first 20 to arrive on the day will form the Guard.
Celebrate girls' rugby (Part 1): This Thursday!
A reminder that THIS THURSDAY there will be a special evening at Saracens RFC (Bramley Road, Southgate) to celebrate girls rugby in Hertfordshire.
There will be drills and exercises with the Saracens women's team, who will also give a short presentation on what its like to play for (arguably) the strongest women's rugby team in the land, there will also be food, and photographs, and the usual "stuff".
Its not just a "County Squad" event - everyone who plays in the county is invited. It promises to be a fun evening - so don't miss it. The event "kicks of" and 7.30 with the drills and training activities, which go on until around 9 o'clock, and the evening itself is due to finish around 10pm.
There will be drills and exercises with the Saracens women's team, who will also give a short presentation on what its like to play for (arguably) the strongest women's rugby team in the land, there will also be food, and photographs, and the usual "stuff".
Its not just a "County Squad" event - everyone who plays in the county is invited. It promises to be a fun evening - so don't miss it. The event "kicks of" and 7.30 with the drills and training activities, which go on until around 9 o'clock, and the evening itself is due to finish around 10pm.
Monday, December 11, 2006
A photographic look back at Westcliff
Dozens of pictures of all kinds can now be viewed on this commercial photography site.
Click on Rugby / Westcliff / 2006 / Essex Girls Rugby Festival.
Click on Rugby / Westcliff / 2006 / Essex Girls Rugby Festival.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Herts 1:2 in National Cup qualifier
Hertfordshire's best ever year in the National Cup continued today with local clubs taking both qualifying places in the rearranged South East qualifier held at Letchworth.
A last minute withdrawl from Surrey side Cramberley left four teams in the contest - Letchworth, Welwyn, Saracens/Fullerians and last year's South-East League champions Worthing.
Letchworth and Worthing kicked off early in order to get the fixtures through before nightfall, and their performance gave the other Herts sides some useful pointers on how to play the unknown Sussex team. Letchworth dominated up front, which starved Worthing's fast and talented backline of useful ball for most of the game and in the end the host side were probably far more comfortable winners than the 10-7 scoreline suggests, Worthing's only score coming at the end of the game.
Welwyn played the south coast side next - and, with the help fresh legs, strolled to a 48-0 win. Meanwhile the hosts match faced Saracens/Fullerians and recorded a second victory - and again a more comfortable win than 10-5 might suggest, and despite playing with only 14 in the second half owing to one player falling ill.
With two teams going through Letchworth had now qualified but still had to face Welwyn, who need a win to guarantee their place in the next round. The first half was an exciting, closely matched affair with Welwyn edging it 10-5 before going on to stretch their lead against a tiring home team to 34-5 by the end.
Saracens/Fullerians were Welwyns last opponents. Coming out of a narrow loss to Worthing, Saracens performed superbly under the floodlights holding Welwyn to the narrowest wining margin of the day - 17-0.
So on 4th February three Herts teams will be playing in the southern finals of the National Cup - Herts Barbarians U14s, Welwyn U17s, and Letchworth U17s. Can one of them take the next step to national glory? We shall see...
Results:
A last minute withdrawl from Surrey side Cramberley left four teams in the contest - Letchworth, Welwyn, Saracens/Fullerians and last year's South-East League champions Worthing.
Letchworth and Worthing kicked off early in order to get the fixtures through before nightfall, and their performance gave the other Herts sides some useful pointers on how to play the unknown Sussex team. Letchworth dominated up front, which starved Worthing's fast and talented backline of useful ball for most of the game and in the end the host side were probably far more comfortable winners than the 10-7 scoreline suggests, Worthing's only score coming at the end of the game.
Welwyn played the south coast side next - and, with the help fresh legs, strolled to a 48-0 win. Meanwhile the hosts match faced Saracens/Fullerians and recorded a second victory - and again a more comfortable win than 10-5 might suggest, and despite playing with only 14 in the second half owing to one player falling ill.
With two teams going through Letchworth had now qualified but still had to face Welwyn, who need a win to guarantee their place in the next round. The first half was an exciting, closely matched affair with Welwyn edging it 10-5 before going on to stretch their lead against a tiring home team to 34-5 by the end.
Saracens/Fullerians were Welwyns last opponents. Coming out of a narrow loss to Worthing, Saracens performed superbly under the floodlights holding Welwyn to the narrowest wining margin of the day - 17-0.
So on 4th February three Herts teams will be playing in the southern finals of the National Cup - Herts Barbarians U14s, Welwyn U17s, and Letchworth U17s. Can one of them take the next step to national glory? We shall see...
Results:
Letchworth 10, Worthing 7
Welwyn 48, Worthing 0
Letchworth 10, Saracens/Fullerians 5
Saracens/Fullerians 10, Worthing 19
Letchworth 5, Welwyn 34
Saracens/Fullerians 0, Welwyn 17
Photgraphs from some of todays games can be found here
| South East Qualifier | P | W | L | F | A | Pts |
| Welwyn | 3 | 3 | 0 | 99 | 5 | 9 |
| Letchworth | 3 | 2 | 1 | 25 | 46 | 7 |
| Worthing | 3 | 1 | 2 | 26 | 68 | 5 |
| Saracens/Fullerians | 3 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 46 | 3 |
Photgraphs from some of todays games can be found here
Regional trialists: U14
The cmplete list of girls from Eastern Counties, Essex, and Hertfordshire have been selected to attend the U14 regional trials at Ely RFC on Sunday 28th January is now availabel on the East Region website
County fixture on 17th December cancelled
Unfortunately the proposed county games for 17th December have now had to be cancelled as first Essex and then Eastern Counties have announced that they are unavailable to play us on that date.
Our apologies about the uncertainty that this has caused, and leaving this announcement until today - but right up until a few hours ago a game against one or the other still seemed possible.
Once we are through January and know where we stand with the regional squad we hope to revive the county programme.
Our apologies about the uncertainty that this has caused, and leaving this announcement until today - but right up until a few hours ago a game against one or the other still seemed possible.
Once we are through January and know where we stand with the regional squad we hope to revive the county programme.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Last minute withdrawl complicates U17 National Cup
The last minute withdrawl of Cramberleigh from has resulted in some changes to tomorrow afternoon's National Cup round at Letchworth. The good news is that we are at least guaranteed at least one Hertfordshire team getting into the semi finals as three of the four sides competing for two places will now be from Herts.
The revised draw for the round has now been published on the Letchworth blog.
The revised draw for the round has now been published on the Letchworth blog.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Extra county U17 fixture (?)
Vicky has asked is it would be possible to organise an extra county fixture on Sunday 17th December, joining Essex who are hosting Kent on that date. At this stage its probably just an U17 venture unless Simon wishes to enter his U14s as well.
The major barrier to this - a planned game betwen Welwyn and Letchworth - has now been removed as Welwyn have cancelled the fixture.
However this is obviously very short notice and an extra game beyond the dates agreed at the start of the season and so players will not have been asked to keep the date free. So if anyone is unavailable because families have booked a day's Christmas shopping or a trip to the grandparents or whatever that is understandable. The county would not want to ask your to disrupt your Christmas arrangements, not least because we do not want lots of unhappy parents (and grandparents!).
This fixture will also not affect selections for the regional trials for any counties (Essex, Eastern Counties, or Herts), because these will have already been selected and announced this coming weekend.
Equally clubs had been told that this was a club date, and so it would be unfair and unreasonable to ask them to cancel anything they may have arranged for this date.
Mainly because of all this uncertainty it is likely that the entire squad will not be available so we need to know as soon as possible - really by the weekend at the latest - who will be.
Could you please therefore let Vicky know (scoopscoop@hotmail.com) if you or county squad girls at your club are available for 17th December. If we do not receive a positive reply from any player - either directly or via their club - by this Sunday (10th) we will assume they are unavailable.
This deadline is being set so that Vicky has time to find players to fill in any key gaps that may occour if she is a few players short, but also to give clubs at least a week's firm notice of what definately is (or is not) happening.
The major barrier to this - a planned game betwen Welwyn and Letchworth - has now been removed as Welwyn have cancelled the fixture.
However this is obviously very short notice and an extra game beyond the dates agreed at the start of the season and so players will not have been asked to keep the date free. So if anyone is unavailable because families have booked a day's Christmas shopping or a trip to the grandparents or whatever that is understandable. The county would not want to ask your to disrupt your Christmas arrangements, not least because we do not want lots of unhappy parents (and grandparents!).
This fixture will also not affect selections for the regional trials for any counties (Essex, Eastern Counties, or Herts), because these will have already been selected and announced this coming weekend.
Equally clubs had been told that this was a club date, and so it would be unfair and unreasonable to ask them to cancel anything they may have arranged for this date.
Mainly because of all this uncertainty it is likely that the entire squad will not be available so we need to know as soon as possible - really by the weekend at the latest - who will be.
Could you please therefore let Vicky know (scoopscoop@hotmail.com) if you or county squad girls at your club are available for 17th December. If we do not receive a positive reply from any player - either directly or via their club - by this Sunday (10th) we will assume they are unavailable.
This deadline is being set so that Vicky has time to find players to fill in any key gaps that may occour if she is a few players short, but also to give clubs at least a week's firm notice of what definately is (or is not) happening.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Girls rugby represented on county Elite Athlete Support Programme
Ten athletes - including rugby's representative Megan Williams from Welwyn - will receive individual nutrition consultations, physiotherapy assessments, individual and small group training sessions with a strength and conditioning coach and performance lifestyle advice. The programme has a value of approximately £800 per athlete but will be free of charge for the athletes.The programme is a joint venture between the Herts Sports Partnership, University of Hertfordshire and Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.
The athletes are aged between 14 and 17 years of age and have either been selected to represent England, are part of a national development squad or have competed in national competitions. All training sessions take place at the £15m state of the art Hertfordshire Sports Village.
The programme was officially launched by Lisa Wooding (Hockey Bronze medallist in the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, 2006) on the 20th November. Following the launch, the athletes were given advice by Dawn Airton (Athlete Support Manager for the English Institute of Sport and ex-England Rugby player) and Lisa on managing their time to juggle their busy training schedules, education commitments and a social life with a “Performance Lifestyle” workshop.
The English Institute of Sport fully endorse the programme and have been very supportive of the scheme. Dawn Airton says: “Its great to see a programme that will support athletes on their pathway to World Class success. This programme fully embraces the principles of the EIS by providing talented athletes in Hertfordshire with sports science services that aims to make a difference to their performance.”
Fiona Castree from the Herts Sports Partnership says: “this is a fantastic opportunity for these athletes to receive top class support services to help them reach their full potential in their chosen sport.”
“We are very fortunate to have been able to form a partnership with the University of Hertfordshire and Lee Valley Regional Park Authority to set up this new programme.”
Nick Brooking, Director of Sport at the University of Hertfordshire says: “We are delighted to be able to contribute expertise to this programme which provides a valuable first step for these genuinely talented young people towards the national level programmes and schemes that are also run here.”
Simon Gardner, Senior Development Manager, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority says: “The Authority is very pleased to be able to support these talented athletes in their training. I look forward to following their progress representing their country at future international sporting events such as the London 2012 Olympics.”
Nominate a volunteer for county awards
Amanda Bate writes:
"http://www.sportinherts.org.uk/article.asp?ref=SPORTSAWARDS2007&parent=CLUBMAIN
Above is the link to the nomination form and details of the categories for YOU, YES YOU, to nominate a volunteer for an award.
In girls rugby, I would like to see Clive nominated and I will be nominating him, but others can as well to strengthen the case, but John Birch could do with recognition, and Luke, and what about the youngsters in your club who have coaching/refs awards and are putting them into practice?
Dave Marques is a great administrator for girls rugby at Welwyn, Vicki Hopcroft for Tabard, Chris Fishlock has been coaching in girls rugby for a long time, Jacky Shutler seems to be a shaker and mover for youth at Saracens.....as you can see the list is endless and those I have mentioned are just the people who sprung to my mind...
Last year at the awards rugby did very well, lets clean up again with the awards in 2007!
Please pass this onto your club execs, and please take action, don't leave it up to someone else! and more than one person can nominate the same volunteer. "
"http://www.sportinherts.org.uk/article.asp?ref=SPORTSAWARDS2007&parent=CLUBMAIN
Above is the link to the nomination form and details of the categories for YOU, YES YOU, to nominate a volunteer for an award.
In girls rugby, I would like to see Clive nominated and I will be nominating him, but others can as well to strengthen the case, but John Birch could do with recognition, and Luke, and what about the youngsters in your club who have coaching/refs awards and are putting them into practice?
Dave Marques is a great administrator for girls rugby at Welwyn, Vicki Hopcroft for Tabard, Chris Fishlock has been coaching in girls rugby for a long time, Jacky Shutler seems to be a shaker and mover for youth at Saracens.....as you can see the list is endless and those I have mentioned are just the people who sprung to my mind...
Last year at the awards rugby did very well, lets clean up again with the awards in 2007!
Please pass this onto your club execs, and please take action, don't leave it up to someone else! and more than one person can nominate the same volunteer. "
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