Pile Up !!

We are in danger of having the longest rugby season for a number of years!!  We already have three league games to catch up on and a Silver Trophy fixture that also needs fitting in to an already busy schedule.  Obviously, the league will take precedence over everything else and we already have re-arranged dates for the Baildon and Wath games.  Unfortunately, yesterday saw another postponement and we now have to fit a re-arrangement against Otliensians.  The League Committee have already deemed that Easter Saturday will have to be made available for fixtures - normally it would not be used to allow people to have a break with their families.

We also have the AGM of the Aire-Wharfe cup coming up shortly.  Fitting this into an already crowded schedule is going to be almost impossible.  However, it may give us the opportunity of giving the 2nd XV some exposure to competitive cup rugby and will also give those players an opportunity to experience a higher grade of rugby.  Something that needs discussing at Committee level perhaps?

Next week also sees the start of the Six Nations.  England take on Wales at Twickenham (5:00 pm Kick Off) and, as always, games will be shown at the club.  Its always better to watch these games in a crowd and the atmosphere is always the better if a lot of people are involved in watching the game.  Sadly, it does not look as though England will be able to pose a real threat to the Championship this year, although I do predict a win against the Welsh next weekend.  Looking back to the Autumn internationals I think it is likely that the Championship will be between the Irish and the French, although any predictions about the latter are fraught with their perennial ability to self-destruct !!  

So, a very short blog this time around.  There has, sadly, been little domestic rugby to write about but, hopefully, the weather will begin to improve and we can get back to business as usual.

Happy New Year !

Traditionally, the New Year is a time for looking both backwards and forwards. Indeed, January is named after the Roman God Janus who had two faces - one looking forwards, one looking backwards.

So, it is probably time for us to do the same. Firstly, looking back and, as President of the club, I have to say a very big thank you to all those members of the club who have given freely of their time and have volunteered to make the club what it is.  I am not going to fall into the mistake of naming names - the problem with that is you always forget someone, and inevitably someone else will take great pleasure in telling you that!  So, if you have made a contribution to Aireborough RUFC during 2009 then, with all sincerity I would like to say "Thank You".  Much is made about the contribution volunteers make to our game, and it is a truism that the game would not exist without volunteers.  It is also a truism that many of these people do not actually consider their contribution to be anything other than "normal" - after all, many of us who do volunteer have been involved in the game and, from the moment we started playing, we have always had to do something - collect the shirts after the game, make sure the bucket was filled with water, take to touch flags up to the pitch.  It then becomes a natural progression that after we've finished playing we continue to do those little jobs, or in other cases some of the bigger jobs.  The end result is a collective of (dare I say) talented individuals who would probably charge in their professional lives, but give freely to a game we all love.

On the playing field we had another inconsistent year, and only narrowly escaped relegation.  Were it not for some hard fought wins at the end of the season we.........  well, we'd probably have been in the same Division given the league re-organisation that took place. Still, the season had it's high spots with the end of season games (and a second succesive Aire-Wharfe Cup Final) against Otliensians providing a finale to the season.  This season has seen us have more success in the leagues and we currently lie third in the Division.  I have a suspicion that the second half of the season will prove very crowded as the current bad weather is going to provide some fixture congestion towards the end of the season. 

So, looking forward where do we see ourselves going ?  Well, I would like to think that we are capable of finishing in the top four of our Division, I would hope we can, at least, reach the semi-finals of the Silver Trophy and the icing on the cake would be another good run in the Aire-Wharfe Cup. The 2nd XV and 3rd XV need to ensure that we have teams out every weekend possible in the new year and Mark Lester will, I am sure, be looking to get at least four Vets fixtures before the season closes.

Off the field I get the feeling that we have lost a little of our momentum. I'm not complaining or blaming - the underlying infrastructure of the club is as sound as its ever been but having that solid base to work from we need to concentrate on the little things that will make a real difference to all club members. Hopefully, we've all had a good break over the Festive Season and have managed to re-charge our batteries and can set ourselves some targets early in the year and ensure we meet them by the end of the season. 

Whatever, and overriding  everything let us not forget that we are all involved in the game for our own enjoyment. I hope your festivities have been successful over the Christmas and New Year period.  Let's all get back to what we really enjoy - rugby.  Happy New Year to you all.

Tour Update (3)

My last weekend with the touring Australian Schools XV as I hand them on to colleagues in the South West.

Friday evening saw us take the Australian Management to  "Curry Mile" in Manchester to treat them to the delights of a Chicken Bhuna or two!  A good evening was had by all.

The Australian Management had decided that they would give the players a day off, so Saturday was a clear day spent around the Team Management hotel, tidying up a few loose ends and generally relaxing.  In the afternoon Graeme Dedrick (know to all as GD) and I went and watched Lymm take on Wilmslow in a North 2 West fixture.  Entertaining, even if the rugby wasn't of the highest quality.

Sunday morning dawned after a hard frost the previous night.  An early breakfast before the team started arriving at the Management Hotel.  As I've said previously, the players were all billeted out with local families and it was time to say goodbye to them as they prepared for the international against England U18.  The match was played at the old Sale ground at Heywood Road and when I arrived preparations were well under way with dressing rooms cleared ready for the arrival of the teams.  The RFU grandees started arriving around 12:30 pm for the pre-match buffet.  Sadly, the team bus was caught up in traffic outside the ground and neither side arrived until after 1:00 pm. Still pre-match warm ups were quickly underway as I snuck off to partake the buffet!

The match itself was a fantastic game of rugby with England eventually winning 30-28.  After opening up an early lead England were pegged back and the Australians went into the break ahead.  However, the second half turned into one of those ding-dong affairs with both sides having chances and taking them.  Australia went in to the last ten minutes of the game 28-23 in the lead but pressure by England allowed them a try which was converted by fly half George Ford to seal a memorable victory.

After the game there were the usual post match speeches and presentations before the Aussies boarded the bus for the last part of their tour where they will be based at Hartpury College in Gloucester. 

Sadly for the tourists they depart the North of England without any wins.  However, I hope they enjoyed a taste of Northern Culture (even though it was in leafy Cheshire) and I hope that I was able to make their stay as enjoyable as possible.

No peace for the wicked, as they say.  Next weekend I'm in training camp with North U18 !!

Tour Update (2)

Second phase of the tour for me.  The first game of the English part of the tour was on Wednesday against an U19 Regional Academies XV at Lymm RFC. 

After being on Anglesey the tourists finally got to England proper via. Chester where they had some R&R and shopping to do.  The plan was to meet at Lymm RFC for a training session whilst I and Graeme (Tour Manager) went over the plans for the game.  I got to Lymm a little before the tourists and was greated by a hive of activity.  The pitch had not been played on for a fortnight and was in the process of being rolled and verti-drained when I arrived, courtesy of a local farmer and club member who has a verti-drain attachement for his tractor. The Car Park was being marked into bays and the pitch fencing checked to ensure everything was in place - all done by volunteers!   A fantastic effort.

My meeting with the Aussie Management centred around timings pre-match.  Whilst this was going on the players went through their paces on the pitch.  With all this sorted out it was time to get the lads assigned to their billets. Over the years it has become a tradition that school's sides are billeted with local families, so they get a feeling for local culture and, in many cases, make friendships that last a lifetime.  Len Davies, Master i/c Rugby at Lymm H.S and also Chairman of North U18 had done a fantastic job in preparing families willing to take one (or two) of the Aussies for the week.  Boys sorted out and it was time to ensure the Management were settled into their hotel - and our first problem of the tour !!

The Coach of the Australians is called Rob Nowlan.  His nickname is "Tiny" - there's irony in there, he's one of the biggest men I have ever met. When we arrived at the hotel he was meant to share a room with two others but, only two beds in the room and, once personal kit was in the room, no room for an ordinary sized man - never mind "Tiny".  Thankfully, some of the RFU Management were staying in the hotel and we were able to move things around so that rooming was satisfactory.  Thanks go to Charlotte Gibbons, England U18 Team Administrator/Manager who helped with arrangements.

Wednesday morning and match day.  The build up began early - 8:30 a.m. meet at Lymm H.S.   First the players were given a tour of the school, then myself and the Management Team were ushered into the Head's Study for an official welcome. An early lunch was followed by preparation.  Tim "Needles" Needham, Physio and Dr. Michale McLean were kept busy for 3/4 hour taping and massaging players. From the hulabaloo of earlier in the morning the team room went very quiet and players did their own stretches, sat silently concentrating on the task in hand and generally prepared themselves mentally for the game. Then on to team bus, again, hardly a word spoken as we travelled to the ground.

Once in the changing rooms things  got interesting for a short while.  First there was a query about interpretation of the lineout laws from the Aussies - apparently they were pinged on a number of occasions by an English ref earlier in the tour. I had to try and find the ref. - Rob Debney, a Premiership Referee and put him in touch with the Aussie Coaches to clarify things.  Then just seconds from Kick Off a message that paramedics had not arrived.  Australia were quite happy to start the game but not the Regional Academies.  Thankfully, just seconds before we got into a delayed kick off the paramedics arrived......phew!

The game was, to some extent, a one-sided affair which the Regional Academies won 27-12.  The difference in physicality between the U19 lads and Australia was apparent from the kick off and the Academies, led by Owen Farrell, son of Andy Farrell, were on top throughout most of the game and physically dominated their opponents from the off.  Still there was a good crowd and plenty of support for both teams.

After match presentations were hosted by myself.  Len officially welcomed the Australians before Robin Wannop an RFU Council Member made presentations to Lymm RFC, the referees and the Australians.  Graeme Dedrick, Tour Manager responded and made presentations to the club and referees.  Owen Farrell then spoke on behalf of the players and presented his opposite number with a tie. Finally, Matt Lucas (not THE Matt Lucas), Australia Captain, spoke and presented the Academy Players with pin badges. 

Finally, Len and I spent the evening with the Aussie management team and went for a Thai meal.  Some recriminations over the make up of the Academies side, in particular the strength of the side for a midweek fixture but, all in all things are going well at the moment.

I now have a day off - back to work - before joining up again on Friday evening as we lead into the international against England U18 on Sunday.   I'll report back after that !!

Tour Update (1)

The Aussies have arrived ! They're not actually in England yet -- still on Anglesey.

I drove down to Anglesey yesterday (it's a bloody long way) to welcome the Australian Schools Team for the English part of their tour.  Why Anglesey ??  Well, they are being hosted by Lymm High School (just outside Warrington) and Lymm have an outdoor pursuits centre on the isalnd, so the tourists are staying there until Tuesday when they move up to Lymm itself and will be billetted out with pupils from the school for the remainder of their stay.

The Aussies have played three games to date beating an Irish Schools XV quite convincingly before going down 15-0 to Ireland U19s (four penalties and a drop goal).  On Saturday evening, according to one of the coaches, they ground out a 10-6 win over Wales U18 at Colwyn Bay. 

Then it was on to Anglesey and the beginning of the English part of the tour.  They arrived around 2.30 p.m. and we quickly got them settled in to their rooms and left them to it whilst Len Davies, who is Master i/c Rugby at Lymm and myself had a couple of meetings with the Australian Management to outline the next couple of days of the tour.

Today (Monday) the lads will be up and out for training - breakfast is at 8.30 a.m. with training due to start at 9.45 a.m.  Then its back to the centre for a spot of lunch and back to the pitch for more training.  They are due, around 4.00pm to have some rehab in the Swimming Pool in Holyhead before being given the rest of the night off. 

The team consists of twenty eight players and seven management including doctor and physiotherapist. The biggest gripe at the moment (and I'm not suggesting they have many gripes) is that after a fortnight of playing in Irish and Welsh conditions they are starting to run out of clean kit, so the washing machine at the T'yn y Felin will be working full time over the next couple of days.

Discussions with the Management centred around the training requirement for today (Monday) and onward arrangements for Tuesday.  I'm not actually with the team at the moment but will rejoin them tomorrow (Tuesday) in Lymm when they have the Captain's run - basically and hour where they go through the moves etc. under the direction of the captain, rather than coaches.

More of that later......

Strength in Depth

With the 1st XV game cancelled yesterday it was good to get the opportunity to watch the 2nd XV. The fact that they recorded a good win was an added bonus. What struck me was the number of players who had the potential to, perhaps, represent the club at 1st XV level but, it was then pointed out to me, the majority of them don't train !
Now, I know that training is one of those things that, traditionally, Aireborough don't do. In all the years that I have been associated with the club its been a constant call to arms - "We need numbers at training". In all the years it has resulted in, perhaps, one or two extra bodies turning up. So, let's repeat it one more time "WE NEED NUMBERS AT TRAINING". The normal response from 2nd XV players is that they don't want to turn up and be cannon fodder for the firsts - well, that's not an excuse any more. In Andy Wray you have a dedicated coach who will go through drills etc. with the 2nd XV players who turn up. But there's the rub - not enough second teamers are turning up to make anything worthwhile happen, so they end up having to join in with first team drills and, to an extent, becoming cannon fodder. It's a classic chicken and egg situation.
With Christmas just around the corner and New Year after that why not make a resolutiion to get yourself training - the club has made the resource available to you. It is willing to invest in its coaches by sending them on coaching courses but, without a commitment from you this is just a waste of money, plus coached get browned off turning up week after week to find there aren't enough players to do anything meaningful with - it becomes a downward spiral and, quite honestly, I can sympathise with the coach who says "Why should I bother, the players don't". Come on, make that resolution, get into the habit of turning up each Monday and Wednesday, don't give us all that crap about work commitments. If you want to train you'll make the time and, guess what, you might even enjoy your Saturday afternoon even more if you have practised those drills and moves!

As some of you may know I'm going to be pretty scarce over the next few weeks. As soon as I've finished this I'm off over the Pennines to meet the Australian Schools team. They are on tour in England for the next fortnight and it is my very great honour to have been asked to act as liasion officer to them by the RFU.
Basically, my job is to work with the Team Manager to ensure that everything goes smoothly and to act as a link between the tourists and any club they are involved with. The Australian Schools have a great tradition and, going back, have had some future internationals in their ranks. I remember seeing a very young Michael Lynagh playing for them somme years ago. No doubt there will be some future Australian Internationals in their ranks this time. They play two games in the North of England, against a Regional Academies XV at Lymm RUFC on Wendesday and England U18 next Sunday at Sale FC. It should be a fantastic experience for the players involved and those of us associated with the tour. I may, if I find the time, give this blog a bit of an update to let you know how things are going !

So, its into the car and off to Anglesey for me....... let's get those numbers training and let's hope the English sides can get one across the Aussies !!

Buzzin'

Is it just me, or is there a  bit of a buzz around the club at the moment?  We've made a pretty good start to the season at 1st team level, O.K. a couple of blips against 'Hegians and 'Ensians but on the whole the performances haven't been that bad.

The 2nds got off to a rollicking start but have found things more difficult in the last few weeks and the thirds finally tucked that elusive first win of the season under their belts this weekend. Last, but by no means least , the Vets had what I believe was a successful outing to Wetherby and the Juniors are maintaining their numbers and winning  games.

That's only half the story though.  At the moment I just feel that the spirit in the club is pretty good and it feels a happy place to be. It has always, in my opinion, been one of the strengths of Aireborough that we have maintained a "family" atmosphere and it seems that this season, to date, it has been a particulalry healthy atmosphere to be in.  I don't know why, I don't know what's causing it, I don't think one thing or person is responsible for it but let's keep it going.

Saturday saw another family "tradition" maintained at Aireborough when Tom Baxter took the pitch with father Tim.  A couple of people comented on it but, to be fair and not taking anything away from it, it's not unusual at Aireborough - we have a number of instances where father/son partnerships have appeared on the pitch.  So well done to Tim and Tom for keeping up the tradition !  (It should be competition time to name all the father/son combinations but my brain feels fuddled, so I can't be bothered!) 

Saturday also saw the start of the Autumn Internationals.  A pretty poor display by England who were lucky to loose !  The forwards looked pedestrian apart from Moody and Haskell.  Sadly, Danny Care looked very indecisive, Banahan looked what he is - a second row on the wing and poor Ugo Moyne didn't seem to know what day it was, never mind the fact that he was playing out of position.  Very few positives for England unfortunately and it looks as though it will be a long Autumn with Argentina and then the All Blacks as visitors to Twickenham.  Honestly, I can't see them coming away with anything other than a scraped win against the Argentines and then damage limitation against the Blacks !  If you do have a masochistic streak in you then don't forget you can always watch the games in the club.

Well, over the coming weeks we have an opportunity to seal our position in the league for another season.  Next up are three games where we need to really turn the screw and try and build a good points difference. Vandals, Northallerton and Mods have all had difficult starts to the season and have found points difficult to come by. Let's ensure that they don't get any free gifts from us and that the club is still buzzing at Christmas time.