Plans for next year’s Yorkshire Terriers’ tour to New Zealand are progressing well. I was delighted to be invited to be the team manager for this tour earlier in 2008. We will take a squad of 30 players and 10 adults to New Zealand for three weeks in July/August 2009.
Yorkshire Terriers RFC has a proud touring heritage, taking the best young players form Yorkshire on ambitious tours. The club is essentially a Barbarians style side selecting an U19 touring team taking on global rugby challenges.
The tours are financed through fundraising and sponsorship - everybody on the tour is expected to pay their way. The generosity of sponsors can help relieve significant parts of the costs. All the tourists (players and management) are looking for sponsors. Obviously travelling to New Zealand is an expensive undertaking and I will be posting details of fundraising events here. I am looking for sponsors now please! If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or helping in any other way please contact me on brendan@nethersett.co.uk or on 07900 993303.
Pre-season training is now well underway with 6 sessions completed. However attendance from U19 squad members has been pretty poor so far. The training is led by the Simon Middleton (Leeds Carnegie) who is Ripon’s new head coach. Simon is being assisted by Colin Clarke (new 1st XV coach) , me, Andy Rickard, Al Norrie and Mick Hamill.
Tuesday is now the official/compulsory training night for the development squad (17-19s). You must give apologies if you are not attending for any reason. You should also attend on Thursdays if you are available.
Please also check the main club blog for updates and news on a regular basis.
Pre-season training will commence on Thursday the 12th of June with a players’ meeting at 7.00pm followed by training at 7.30. The players’ meeting will allow the new 1st XV management team to outline plans for the coming season, including details of pre-season training, selection policy and expectations and ambitions. The Under 19 squad will undertake pre-season training with the senior players - this will be lead by Simon Middleton and Colin Clark and will involve the Under 19 coaches also.
All Under 19’s are requested to attend on the 12th to get details of plans for pre-season and the Under 19 League..
Summer Tag Rugy starts tomorrow at Ripon Rugby Club. The tag rugby is open to anyone over 14 years and regardless of ability - the purpose is some fun and fitness during the summer. So get along tomorrow evening at 7.00pm and why not bring someone down who’s not currently a club member?
Last night’s end of season presentation saw Dan Dodson and Chris Armsby scoop the awards for the U17 squad. Dan’s contribution to the squad received the ultimate recognition as he deservedly won the Players’ Player Award for 2008. Dan has been a consistently strong and dedicated member of the squad and the award reflects the great honesty he shows on and off the pitch.
The Coaches’ Award for 2008 was presented to Chris Armsby. The coaches had elected to present this based on attitude to training and playing, willingness to learn and positive overall impact on squad. This was just recognition for Chris after his first season at Ripon rugby club.
A reminder that the presentation evening is on Friday night. You all need to cast your votes for your player of the season. Details are on the Club Blog.
Going anywhere interesting over the summer? If so, then I want your photos! Take Ripon Rugby Club on tour by getting a photograph of yourself in some exotic locations wearing your club badge or colours. Then send the pictures to info@riponrugby.co.uk with some background information.
I’m looking for pictures we can publish featuring recognisable landmarks, exotic locations, rugby grounds etc. from all over the world (inc. UK) - the more unusual the better. I’d also love to hear from “Ripon Exiles” who may be reading. So whether senior or junior player, retired or still too young to play, get your kit on and your cameras out!
The IRB is currently trialling a number of Experimental Law Variations (ELV’s) in the Super 14 competition. The key law changes being trialled include: most offences being downgraded to to free-kick; allowing the maul to be collapsed; a introduction of a 5 metre offside law at scrum.
The RFU is concerned about the potential imapct on grassroots rugby should the law changes become permanent. Therefore they are asking for views on the changes and their potential impact. You can view the ELV’s and have your say at rfusurvey.co.uk. It takes about 10 minutes to complete online.
Well done to everyone who played in yesterday’s 10’s challenge match. Ultimately we (Under 21’s) were beaten 36-21 by senior guile and nous in wet conditions. When were able to get ball away from the breakdown we looked very slick across the backs. However we didn’t have the ammunition to cope with their predictable “pick and go” tactics.
That said, I thought we played admirably considering our squad included eighteen players who are 18 or younger; in contrast the senior squad contained 8 first team players, with the club’s two top try scorers involved.
However, most importantly, the game was a great advert for the club and was enjoyed by a large crowd of club members, as well as supporters from Middlesborough and Selby before the North Yorkshire Trophy Final.
Photos from the game can be viewed by clicking on the picture above.
Good luck to Ollie Cook who is involved in county action again this weekend. Ollie is in the Yorkshire Under 16 squad that plays games against Edinburgh and Scottish Borders on Saturday and Sunday.
Details of the U21’s challenge game can be found on the club blog.
There will be a light session tommorow night in preparation for Sunday’s Under 21 challenge game. Details on the game can be found at the main club blog.
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