Herts 7s CANCELLED

Due to the adverse weather and more rain forecast tomorrow's Herts 7s Festival has had to be cancelled.

New Hertfordshire cluster team established

Calling all girls aged 16 and 17!

If you'd like to play rugby come and join the new Herts Ba Baa's U18 girls rugby team, preparing now for season 2012-13 which kicks of in September.

The following clubs are working together to provide rugby at this age group for anyone in any part of the country. You can contact any of the following clubs through their coaches..

Bishops Stortford John Boyle JBoyle@netshapetech.com


Hemel Hempstead RFC Chaulden Lane, Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead HP1 2BS Manager Debby Kline -debbyk1@sky.com

Hertford RFC, Hoe Lane, Ware, SG12 9NZ
Head Coach- Mel Timpsonmelanietimpson@btinternet.com
Old Albanians RFC  The WoollamsPlaying Fields, 160, Harpenden Rd, St Albans, AL3 6BB
Head coach Jane Everett  junior.oasaints@yahoo.co.uk

Royston RFC The Heath Sports Club, Therfield Heath, Baldock Rd, Royston, SG8 5BG
Manager Fiona-fas2a-fiona@yahoo.co.uk

All these clubs also have girls  teams at U13, (years 7&8,)  and  U15 (years 9 & 10), as well as providing rugby for girls aged 6 to 10 years.

Youth Calendar for 2012-13

Alphonsi’s girls enjoy divisional festival finish

The competition phase of the Rugby Football Union for Women’s (RFUW) divisional programme for 2011-12 came to a successful conclusion with a festival of matches, training and coaching for Under 15s and under 18s at Hartpury College, Gloucestershire over the weekend of March 31 and April 1.

Each of the four divisional under 15s sides played 40-minute matches against the other three divisions, while the U18s completed their season’s series with the North defeating London 22-14 and the South West as 49-5 winners over the Midlands.

There were also coaching clinics split into forwards and backs, attended by international players Danielle Waterman, La Toya Mason and Isabelle Noel Smith as well as a number of RFUW divisional coaches who gave the girls a different perspective to build their personal development.

All the girls may hope to follow the example of Maggie Alphonsi, the England Women’s international flanker who is the London & South East talent development officer.

Alphonsi, who recently helped England Women win the Six Nations Grand Slam, was on hand at Hartpury to run her experienced eye over all four divisions’ budding stars.

“Overall the divisional programme has been a great success and I am pleased by the number of good players we have had come through the pathway,” said Alphonsi.
“With this being the last set of fixtures for both U18 and U15 age groups all divisions were looking to end on a high and demonstrate their skills.”

Each of the four divisions selected a player of the festival.

Izzy Collis (Sussex and South Sussex Barbarians) and Scarlett Millen (Kent and Folkestone) were the London & South East winners in the U15s and 18s respectively, for their overall contribution across the weekend.

The next step for all the players in the RFUW divisional programme this season is the chance to be selected for national talent development groups.

Around 30 players each will go to an Under 15s camp at Wellington College, and three camps for the U18s, while others may be involved in summer training camps.

Development of players is the principal aim in the RFUW divisional programme, which runs at three age levels – seniors, U18s and U15s – and forms an integral part of the RFUW Player Pathway helping talented girls move from club rugby to representing their county, their division and their country.

Left to right; Courtney Arberry; Lotte Clapp;
Olivia Stenbridge; Maggie Alphonsi;
Scarlett Cooper-Wall; Shira Kilgallon; Oren Blindell

London & South East Under 18s:
Bozenna Jackson, Southwold and Eastern Counties
Madeleine Lockwood, Rochford Hundred and Essex
Yasmin Pemberton, Rochford Hundred and Essex
Catherine Pugh, Rochford Hundred and Essex
Vicky Childs, Ellingham & Ringwood and Hampshire
Zoe Barber, Solent Sirens and Hampshire
Fran Hall, Solent Sirens and Hampshire
Zoe Joslin, Solent Sirens and Hampshire
Courtney Arberry, Welwyn and Hertfordshire
Oren Bindell, Welwyn and Hertfordshire
Lotte Clapp, Welwyn and Hertfordshire
Scarlett Cooper-Wall, Welwyn and Hertfordshire
Sydney Gregson, Welwyn and Hertfordshire
Shira Kilgallon, Welwyn and Hertfordshire
Olivia Stembridge, Welwyn and Hertfordshire
Scarlett Millen, Folkestone and Kent
Samantha Parker, Folkestone and Kent
Hannah Phillip, Beckenham and Kent
Flo Williams, Aylesford and Kent
Serena Carter, London Irish and Surrey
Lydia Davey, London Irish and Surrey
Gemma Joblanska, London Irish and Surrey
Siobhan Longdon-Hughes, London Irish and Surrey
Amber Luke, London Irish and Surrey
Rebecca Pritchard, London Irish and Surrey
Rochelle Smith, London Irish and Surrey
Emma Swords, London Irish and Surrey
Gabie Archer, Worthing and Sussex.

Left to right; Ellena Perry; Harriet Austin; Zoe Harrison;
Maggie Alphonsi; Hayley Everett; Rosie Kay; Katy Walker

London & South East Under 15s
Chloe Rix, Lakenham Hewett and Eastern Counties
Lucy West, Colchester and Eastern Counties
Georgia Bradley, Rochford Hundred and Essex
Emily Ferguson, Rochford Hundred and Essex
Faye Smale, Rochford Hundred and Essex
Megan Okey, Thurrock and Essex
Hannah West, Solent Sirens and Hampshire
Alex Clay, Solent Sirens and Hampshire
Harriet Austin, Hertford and Hertfordshire
Hayley Everett, Old Albanians and Hertfordshire
Ellena Perry, Welwyn and Hertfordshire
Zoe Harrison, Welwyn and Hertfordshire
Rosie Kay, Hertford and Hertfordshire
Katy Walker, Hertford and Hertfordshire
Ella Levey, Aylesford and Kent
Georgina Neary, Aylesford and Kent
Laura Tolley, Aylesford and Kent
Tazmin Bricknell, Medway and Kent
Aegean Leech, Aylesford and Kent
Daisy Lengthorn, Aylesford and Kent
Elizabeth Nicholl, Aylesford and Kent
Boo Wadhams, Medway and Kent
Sarah Bern, London Irish and Surrey
Jessica Boyd, London Irish and Surrey
Hannah Trenholm, London Irish and Surrey
Eleanor Boatman, London Irish and Surrey
Charley Brunton, South Sussex Barbarians and Sussex
Jessica Breach, South Sussex Barbarians and Sussex
Hermione Caddick, South Sussex Barbarians and Sussex
Izzy Collis, South Sussex Barbarians and Sussex.

Junior Divisional Championship 2012

London and South East U15s won the first official divisional championship for their age band last at the Divisional Festival at Hartpury College last weekend. However, as last year when they  were "unofficial" winners, the tournament went right down to the wire. L&SE, North and Midlands all won two of their three games, but L&SE - with six Hertfordshire girls in the squad - took the title with a superior points difference.

Results:
North 17, London and South East 10
London and South East 24, South West 15
South West 5, North 36
Midlands 0, London and South East 29
Midlands 19, North 5
South West 17, Midlands 24

The U18s were less fortunate. Winners last season, L&SE's older girls lost their opening game to South West - who went on to take the title with an impressive 100% record. L&SE's girls recovered from their opening game to beat Midlands, but then lost to North last weekend to finish a disappointing third.

Results:
Midlands 13, North 12
London and South East 19, South West 38
South West 29, North 5
Midlands 7, London and South East 27
North 22, London and South East 14
Midlands 5, South West 49

OA U15s play on 1st team pitch for first time

U15 girls rugby: Junior Saints win against Wootton School 27-22

Wednesday evening at Old Albanains RFC saw the first ever evening match between the U15 girls and a school team, held at the club, and the girls played on the 1st team pitch!

All the senior women were there to cheer the girls on in a very competitive match.

Interestingly the school team had been coached by Emma Nichol, Captain of the Saints 2nd XV, while the junior Saints have been coached by the club's own Jane Everett, a former Saint and former England player. Jane also holds a winners medal from when the England women won the the Rugby World Cup in 1994.

The junior Saints were Captained by Hayley Everett who has also played for the Herts County team and is currently in the RFUW London & SE Divisional team. Hayley took up rugby when she was 11 years old. We wonder if her rugby talent is hereditary as her aunt Cath Everett is also a former Saint and used to play for England A team. Clearly a player to watch.

Captain Hayley Everett said, “ Both teams really enjoyed themselves because it was a very competitive match reflected in the close final score of 27-22 to the Saints. All the junior Saints played well and brought all the hours of training on the park to fruition. We are delighted that Wooton School would like to make this a regular fixture. .”

Regional Girls Schools Festival

U15 tournament:
All 4 semi finalists were from Hertfordshire - Hockerill, Presdales, Chauncy and Nobel.
Presdales beat Hockerill in a very close final.

U13 tournament:
3 out 4 semi finalists were from Hertfordshire – Beaumont, Presdales and Hitchin.
Beaumont won the final.

51 school teams took part with schools from London North (Herts, Essex, and Eastern Counties)

Girls Schools Festival, Friday

Hertfordshire is hosting the London North Girls Festival on Friday. Part of this competition (Tag+) will send the finalists to the Army v Navy Day at Twickenham where the girls will play showcase games on the pitch. We have also put in place a Lon North v Lon South Finals for U13 Contact and U15 Contact on the same day (although not playing on the pitch).

The Regional Finals on Friday is taking place at Jobbers Wood, The Bishops Stortford High School, Great Hadham Road, Much Hadham, SG10 6JE.

Matches start at 11am.

If anyone from any of the clubs is available to come and assist with some refereeing, we would be very grateful for some extra help, as 51 teams are expected!!!

Referees will need to arrive by 10am, and the event should be completed by 2:30pm.

If anyone is willing and able....! please let me know : clarecooper@Rfu.com

Hertfordshire's Michaela Staniford wins 50th cap

Hertfordshire's Michaela Staniford will win her 50th cap today when she plays for England v France in Paris.

Michaela, who was born over the border in High Wycombe but first played when 13 at Rickmansworth School. Michaela said: “We competed at Sevens and I then joined Fullerians, the local team in Watford.

“Lee Parkin, my teacher, introduced me to rugby and put so much time and effort into the team"

Details of the Girls Rugby Day at Royston on 25th March

Venue    Royston RFC
             The Heath
             Baldock Road 
             Royston

Sunday 25th March     11.00am   - 1.00pm

11.00am  -  12noon   Coaching

proposed to have coaching stations that the girls move round 

At the moment confirmed as helping  are Mel , Adrian and myself
therefore 

Contact and Tackling   - Adrian
Open play, Use of space, lines of running, passing and positional play    - Mel
Scrummaging    - Kevin

the more volunteer coaches we have means the more we can break these  down in to more specific areas

12noon  -  1pm  Matches

Either mini tournament or single matches dependant upon the number of girls we have 
I assume the coaches will allso be OK to help out refereeing these matches

Unfortunately I dont seem to have a comprehensive contact list therfore could I ask that you forward this to any club that you think might be interested 
So far I have had confirmation of attendance from Royston  u13 & u15, Hitchin u13 , Welwyn u 13 & u15 and Hertford u13 & u15
Hemel wont be coming as they have a fixture with Harlow on the 25th

Peter Mccullough

Divisional news

England flanker Maggie Alphonsi will be hoping for double success on Sunday afternoon with her Six Nations match against France in Paris to be followed by the latest match for London & South East in the RFUW Women’s Divisional Programme.

Development of players is the principal aim in the divisional programme, which runs at three age levels – seniors, Under 18s and Under 15s – with the London & South East seniors kicking off against the North in Sheffield an hour or so after Alphonsi and her team get started in their international Test at Stade Charlety.

Alphonsi is the Talent Identification Officer in London & South East, and so is overseeing the region’s female players hoping to progress from club rugby to representing their county, their division and their country through the programme that forms an integral part of the RFUW Player Pathway.

Having kicked off their three-match fixture list with a 17-5 win over the South West at Newbury on February 26, London & South East seniors have made nine changes to the starting line-up to take on the North, who were 24-14 winners over the Midlands.

Tina Lee, the captain, switches from fly half to scrum half, four players step up from the bench and five come into the XV from outside the previous match squad.

Alphonsi said: “The squad will be without our England U20 players Mica Evans, Ellie Gatlin, Hannah Edwards and Fiona Davidson as they will, like me, be away playing their first match against the French.

“London & South East will also be without England Sevens players Leanne Riley and Emily Scott as they prepare for their next tournament.

“I am very confident though that we have some fantastic players who have all been involved in the programme over the last few years. They are starting to gel well together and will relish the opportunity to play against the North.

“This fixture last year saw London & South East dominate and win the match. I feel the re-match on Sunday will be a good one as both teams will be coming off the back of too good wins.

“I’ve got my fingers crossed, knowing the team manager Helen Richardson will text the news through to me in France.

“But, at all times, the main purpose in this programme is for all the players to enjoy themselves while adding to their understanding and appreciation of the game.”

London & South East Women Seniors v North, away, at Sheffield RFC, March 11, 2012 (2pm):

15 Sophie Nicholas (Richmond and Surrey)
14 Holly Myers (Trojans and Hampshire)
13 Stacey White (Wasps and Middlesex)
12 Louise Meadows (Saracens and Middlesex)
11 Charlotte Barras (Saracens and Hertfordshire)
10 Jayne Goodliffe (Richmond and Surrey)
9 Tina Lee (Wasps and Surrey, capt)
1 Sasha Acheson (Saracens and Eastern Counties)
2 Katherine Evans (Saracens and Hertfordshire, vice capt)
3 Ellisha Dee (Old Albanians Saints and Hertfordshire)
4 Sara Anastasi (Richmond and Surrey)
5 Debbie McCormack (Medway and Kent)
6 Becky Roby (Saracens and Hertfordshire)
7 Libby Povey (Richmond and Surrey)
8 Nicola Hoole (Richmond and Surrey)

Replacements:
16 Laura Kapo (Richmond and Surrey)
17 Nat McClarnon (Saracens and Essex)
18 Hannah Field (Wasps and Middlesex)
19 Helena Potts (London Welsh and Middlesex)
20 Claire Phelps (Lakenham Hewett and Eastern Counties)
21 Sam McCarthy (Richmond and Surrey)
22 Elaine Jaxon (Blackheath and Kent)

Head Coach David Mobbs Smith, Assistant Coach James Cooper, Manager Helen Richardson, Physio Lara Ryan.

Women’s Seniors’ fixtures 2012:

February 26: North 24 Midlands 14, Blackwell Meadows Darlington; South West 5 London & South East 17, Newbury RFC.

March 11: Midlands v South West, Whitchurch RFC, 2pm; North v London & South East, Sheffield RFC, 2pm.

March 18: Midlands v London & South East, Five Ways OE, Worcester, 1pm; South West v North, Stroud RFC, 3pm.

RFUW looking to unearth new international Sevens talent

Following the success of last year’s England Women Open Sevens Trials, the Rugby Football Union for Women (RFUW) will once again host open trials in April in a bid to unearth some new rugby talent.

12 months ago, 85 players attended the open trials and eight players, who had never played rugby for England before, were selected into the Elite Player Squad. England then went on to compete in five tournaments last year, picking up a championship win in the European Sevens and reaching the final of the inaugural Women’s Sevens Challenge Cup in Dubai.

With Rugby Sevens now on the Olympic agenda, with the sport set to make its debut in 2016 at the Rio de Janeiro Games, Rugby Sevens is going from strength to strength. This season there will be two further Women’s Sevens Challenge Cup Series in Hong Kong (March 23-24) and London (May 12-13) and there are plans afoot to establish an IRB Women’s Sevens World Series in time for the start of the 2012/13 season.

The England Sevens trials will be held on April 21st at Surrey Sports Park in Guildford and the trials are completely OPEN. You don’t need a huge amount of Sevens experience and players can be selected from both inside and outside of the current RFUW Performance Pathways. Those attending trials will be tested on their fitness, rugby skills and game play.

Nicola Ponsford, the RFUW’s Head of Performance, said: “We think there are players outside of our current system with huge amounts of talent who we’ve never seen before. Some of these players may only just have started playing at University or College for example but have the potential to become fantastic players. We really want anyone who has a great level of fitness or rugby skills to come along and show us what they can do. This really is a chance to unearth new talent.”

If you’re selected into the Elite Player Squad or Sevens development pathway , you’ll receive strength and conditioning training, one-on-one coaching and the opportunity to train with England’s top sevens coaches. Plus, of course, represent your country in the England Sevens programme which this season will include the London Sevens, the European Women’s Sevens series and the 2013 WRWC Sevens Qualification tournament amongst other high profile championships.

To submit your application to attend the open trials go to https://secure.jotform.com/form/20522116373. Entries must be received by April 13th.

Entries open for Herts Sevens 2012

Entries are now open for this years Hertfordshire Girls’ Sevens tournament.

In keeping with tradition the venue changes each year and so this season’s prestigious event will be hosted by TringRugby on Sunday 29th April 2012. Clubs may enter U15 and/or U18 teams and there will be up to 20 teams in each age group. This is an open tournament and is potentially the biggest Girls Seven’s festival in the South East and East Midland Regions this season.

Our key objective remains the same as every year which is to provide a festival where as many girls from Hertfordshire – and neighbouring counties - can take part as possible, so entries from combined teams from more than one club are possible, as is a “Barbarian” side at each age group. Please note however that places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Once 20 teams have applied at each age group, entries will be closed.

KEY POINTS

• Date: Sunday 29th April 2012 
• Address: TringRugby Club, Cow Lane, Tring, Hertfordshire, HP23 5NT 
• Website: www.tringrugby.com 
• Entry Fee: The charge per team will be £50, cheques made payable to ‘Tring Rugby’. Please note that this entry fee is non-refundable. 
• Combined entries & Barbarians: If you do not have sufficient players in an age group to form a team on your own - or you have too many to form one team but not enough for a second – you may either combine with another club, or we will (if entries permit) assist in the formation of a “Barbarian” team. If you are interested in the latter, please let us know on the attached entry form how many “extra” players you might be bringing. If a Barbarian team is formed the charge per individual player would be £5 payable on the day. 
• Numbers: Planning is based on up to 20 teams per age group, and we suggest a squad size of 10 players per team 
•  Age groups: Girls playing in the Under-15 event should have been between the ages of 12 and 14 on 1st September 2011. Girls playing in the Under-18 event should have been between the ages of 15 and 17 on 1st September 2011. 
•  Format: The planned format will be 4/5 pools; teams will then progress to Cup, Plate, Bowl or Shield semi-finals, finals and play-offs. The intention is that there will be at least four games per team. 
•  Rules: Playing rules will be broadly those used for the National Sevens – i.e. the standard IRB Sevens rules, with appropriate modifications for age. 
•  Referees: If you are able to supply an experienced Referee please mark their name and contact details on the bottom of the Entry Form. However, this should not be the Team Coach as they may be required to Referee another game at the same time as their Team is playing. Once registration is complete, we will be sending out details of the arrangements for the tournament to key contacts of registered clubs. 
• We will be liaising with a local hotel to obtain preferential rates for those that wish to travel to Tring the day before and stay overnight. Please advise us when registering your team if you wish to know about hotel accomodation. 
• An entry form should be completed and returned to the address on the form no later than Friday 23rd March 2012. Forms have been circulated to previous entrants, but if you have not received one please contact John Harrison: johnphilipharrison@yahoo.co.uk or call 07818 510041. 

 We look forward to hearing from you shortly and welcoming you to TringRugby Club.

 Yours faithfully, John Harrison TringRugby

London & South East Women's U18s and U15s teams take on South West at Esher this Sunday

London & South East’s Under 15s and U18s contenders looking to put down a marker with the England Women’s selectors will be hoping for better luck with the weather than last weekend’s Senior team when they take on their South West counterparts at Esher RFC on Sunday (February 19). While the Seniors are reorganising their postponed schedule, the two age-group squads representing London & South East are heading to Molesey Road for the start of their RFUW Divisional Programme campaign.

The Rugby Football Union for Women Divisional Programme forms an integral part of the RFUW Player Pathway, which can see players progressing from club rugby to representing their county, their division and their country.

Players selected for the Divisional Programme have been chosen by their Constituency Body and if they are successful at that level, they can earn an England trial or qualify for the Under 18s and Under 15s RFUW National Talent Development Groups.

Maggie Alphonsi, the England flanker who is Divisional Talent Development Officer for London and South East, said: “The U15s have a very good team this year with a mix of experience and youth. The team will be led by Sarah Bern who is one of our Talent Development Group players and she will be looking to emulate the efforts of the team last year. 

“This Sunday will be a good match as the South West team also has a mix of players so will present a good challenge for the London and South East U15s squad.”

London & South East finished top of the win-loss table in both age groups in last season’s programme, although the matches are primarily about developing players.

Alphonsi said of the U18s side: “The team will be led by Essex prop Cath Pugh who was the captain last year and will be looking to emulate the efforts of that team against a capable South West team.”

RFUW Division Programme, Sunday February 19, 2012:

Under 15s: London & South East v South West at Esher RFC (1pm); Midlands v North at Five Ways OE, Worcester (1pm).

Under 18s: London & South East v South West at Esher RFC (2.45pm); Midlands v North at Five Ways OE, Worcester (2.45pm).

London & South East Women’s U15, v South West:

Harriet Austin (Hertfordshire and Hertford), Sarah Bern (Surrey and London Irish, capt), Eleanor Boatman (Surrey and London Irish), Jessica  Boyd (Surrey and London Irish), Georgia Bradley (Essex and Rochford Hundred), Jessica  Breach (Sussex and South Sussex Barbarians), Tazmin Bricknell (Kent and Aylesford), Charley Brunton (Sussex and Worthing), Hermione Caddick (Sussex and South Sussex Barbarians), Alex  Clay (Hampshire and Solent Sirens), Izzy Collis (Sussex and South Sussex Barbarians), Hayley Everett (Hertfordshire and Old Albanians), Emily Ferguson (Essex and Rochford Hundred), Zoe Harrison (Hertfordshire and Welwyn), Rosie Kay (Hertfordshire and Hertford), Aegean  Leech (Kent and Aylesford), Daisy Lengthorn (Kent and Aylesford), Ella Levey (Kent and Aylesford), Georgina  Neary (Kent and Aylesford), Elizabeth Nicholl (Kent and Aylesford), Megan  Okey (Essex and Thurrock), Ellena  Perry (Hertfordshire and Welwyn), Chloe Rix (East and Lakenham Hewett), Faye Smale (Essex and Rochford Hundred), Laura Tolley (Kent and Aylesford), Hannah Trenholm (Surrey and London Irish), Rebecca Wadhams (Kent and Aylesford), Katy Walker (Hertfordshire and Hertford), Hannah West (Hampshire and Solent Sirens), Lucy West (East and Colchester).

Head Coach Simon Burgess, Assistant Coach Samuel Carpenter, Manager Melanie Liley, Physio Kevin Powell.

London & South East Women’s U18, v South West:

15 Sydney Grayson (Hertfordshire and Welwyn); 14 Lotte Clapp (Hertfordshire and Welwyn), 13 Rochelle Smith (Surrey and London Irish, vice capt), 12 Emma Sword (Surrey and London Irish), 11 Sioghan Longdon (Surrey and London Irish); 10 Flo Williams (Kent and Aylesford), 9 Sammy Parker (Kent and Folkestone); 1 Cath Pugh (Essex and Rochford Hundred, capt), 2 Lydia Beard (Kent and Aylesford), 3 Scarlett Cooper-Wall (Hertfordshire and Welwyn), 4 Lydia Davey (Surrey and London Irish), 5 Bowenna Jackson (East and Southwold), 6 Maddy Lockwood (Essex and Rochford Hundred), 7 Amber Luke (Surrey and London Irish), 8 Fran Hall (Hampshire and Solent Sirens).

Replacements: 16 Zoe Joslin (Hampshire and Solent Sirens), 17 Oren Blindell (Hertfordshire and Welwyn), 18 Courtney Arberry (Hertfordshire and Welwyn), 19 Zoe Barber (Hampshire and Solent Sirens), 20 Vicky Childs (Hampshire and Ellingham & Ringwood), 21 Gabie Archer (Sussex and Worthing), 22 Rebecca Prichard (Surrey and London Irish).

Head Coach Stuart McIntyre, Assistant Coach Jack Baird, Manager Lindsay Topham, Physio Jennifer Graham.

Joint training planned for all Herts girls (AT WELWYN)

On Sunday, the 19th February a training session for all U13, U15 and U18 girls in Herts is planned.  Teams will be created on the day, so everyone should come along regardless of actual club numbers.

However, for this (and similar future sessions) to work needs your support. Come along.

The session will now take place at Welwyn from 1.30pm.

Contact Adrian Pomfret for more information.

Girlz Allowed - Saracens Girls Rugby Programme

OA Saints win new kit, designed especially for them!!

There was great excitement at Old Albanians RFC recently due to the ladies team, best known as the OA Saints, winning  a competition! The winning entry was sent in by player Kate Barnes and the prize is a new kit designed specifically for women by TRU Sportswear  http://www.trusportswear.com ,working with students from  London College of Fashion BA (Hons) Fashion Sportswear, course. The students, their tutor Claudine Rousseau and TRU Sportswear Product Development & Sales Manager, Corne du Rand, visited the players at the club. The evening was spent looking at designs, materials, colours and most importantly how rugby kit can be made to suit the female form and fit comfortably during the playing of this very physical sport.

 Kate Barnes who wrote the winning tie breaker said,
 ''This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a leading specialist teamwear company TRU Sportswear and  London College of Fashion BA (Hons) Fashion Sportswear students, to design a kit that our players feel comfortable and dare I say, sexy in! As a squad that fields two strong ladies teams with our 1stXV in the Premiership, the kit we play in has a massive impact on our performance on the pitch.

"The kit we play in for league fixtures has to be inline with the club colours which we are proud to wear as OA rugby players representing the club at the highest level possible. We are a very social team and during the off season we attend many 7s and 10s tournaments so collectively we felt designing a touring kit would give the fashion students more scope and flare to come up with a unique design. Personally I feel this can only bring the Saints closer together as a team as well as attracting experienced and new players.
Promoting womens rugby to young girls who may be unsure of the sport is always a focus of the Saints as they are our future. By doing this in a way that shows them rugby girls are still feminine behind all that mud I feel is a good approach ''.

OA Saints would like to thank TRU Sportswear and  London College of Fashion for this fantastic opportunity. We are all looking forward to seeing the new design, the fitting session, taking part in the fashion show launch and the most exciting part of all, playing in the new kit!

London & South East Division Girls Squad

After the recent divisional trials at Guildford on 22nd January, the following Hertfordshire County Girls have been selected for the London & South East Divisional squad:

Under 18

Courtney Arberry

Oren Blindell

Lotte Clapp

Scarlett Cooper-Wall

Sydney Gregson

Shira Kilgallon

Olivia Stembridge

Under 15

Harriet Austin

Hayley Everett

Zoe Harrison

Rosie Kay

Ellena Perry
Katy Walker

Herts Girls U15 County Training Afternoon Sun 22nd January Welwyn RFC 1.30pm

The county coaches were really pleased with the way all the U15 squad improved both individually and as a team over the county season and want to help players continue that development. They also want to begin to identify Year 9 players with the potential to play for the county next season.

They will be holding a county training session on Sunday 22 January at Welwyn RFC, Hobbs Way, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6HX from 1.30pm - 3.30pm. They are also intending to hold a second training session on Sunday 12 February, and to try to arrange at least one match for this "Herts Baa Baas" team on one or more of the other divisional dates (19 Feb, 25 March, 1 April).

All girls in year 9 or 10 (or those in year 8 with dispensation) are encouraged to attend this session, regardless of experience or ability.

If you haven't already filled in a Herts Girls Permission Form 2011-12 then please complete the form (see right) and bring it on the day. If you attended the county trials we will already have one for you.

On 12 February, we hope to run an U13s training alongside the U15s. If any coaches would be willing to help with the U13s, or if any club would like to host on 12 February, please let me know.

Could coaches let me have a list of girls intending to attend the afternoon in advance to help with planning, though girls who just turn up on the day will still be allowed to take part.

Colin Summerfield
Herts Girls U15s manager
ca.summerfield@btinternet.com

Coach education week

Herts Coach Education Week 2012 takes place in February half term (11-19 February) at venues around the county. There is a full programme of courses, workshops, seminars, lectures and other events - click here to see the complete list in date order.

There are more than 20 individual sports featured, including rugby.

There are coaching award courses in Rugby

To see the full list of courses (in date order) please CLICK HERE.