Date of release: Sun 13th May 2007

SEASON ROUND-UP

“Season ends in style for Hinckley RFC”

The season has ended on a high for Hinckley RFC with trophies marking great team performances right across the Club. Firstly the Vets brought back the International Cup from Rouen in France, followed by the Second team who won the League Cup, beating South Leicester. The Colts side continued the winning trend, playing Market Bosworth at the Tigers ground, winning, and bringing back the Colts County Cup, literally followed by the First team in the next game on the same night, bringing back the Seniors County Cup, by winning against South Leicester, a league above Hinckley. Not content with this silverware, the Under 16’s played Melton at Belgrave in the Under 16’s County Cup, winning convincingly, to bring back the Club’s 3rd County Cup. Our Under 13’s just missed out on securing another, but can reflect on a fantastic season of achievement marked with their County Runners-up Shield.

The honours continue, as our Under 15’s ended their season as Syston 7’s Champions, our Under 14’s as Broad St 10’s Winners, our Under 11’s as County Bowl Winners, and our Under 10’s as County Shield Joint Winners, and Southport Festival Bowl Winners – a great result for our smallest squad…!

The season’s list of impressive performances continues throughout our other teams, who continue the trend, as with the Under 12’s - County Cup Semi-finalists and Sutton Festival Runnersup; our Under 9’s - County Bowl Runners-up; Under 8’s - Sutton Festival Plate Runners-up, and our youngest Under 7’s - County Festival Semi-finalists… all ensuring there is a steady supply of young stars for the future…!

This season we have also had two players from our youth section, Huw Marsden and Ryan Bower in the England Team for the Under 16A’s having played in three International games at that level – a tremendous achievement and another example of the talent coming through the club.
The club also received thanks from Chester RFC, who visited us on tour, bringing five coach loads of their youngsters, who we played and entertained for the day. The Minis Festival was also a superb day for everyone, with thanks due to all those involved in the organisation.

Our Community Coaching Scheme to develop and nurture grass roots rugby in local schools has also got off to a great start this season, and was combined with an official presentation of the Club’s prestigious RFU Seal of Approval, by David Coe, President of Leicestershire RFU.
The scheme which uses our own Colts players to teach the basics of the game through tag rugby sessions in school PE lessons now has a waiting list of approx 10 schools...

All in all, a great 28th season, due to the commitment of players, coaches, managers and of course the volunteers that continue to maintain our leading position in Mini and Youth rugby in the County.

SOCIAL EVENTS

This season has also seen a great response to the Club’s social events, most of which were ‘sold out’. We look forward to future events given great members support and ‘tales of the night before’... Any ideas for future events to Neil Haagensen please, who gets our thanks for being the driving force behind many of these events…
Many teams also experienced their first tours this season, which were exhausting but a great success - in providing great rugby, teamwork, and social experiences for our young players. Quite a few parents (and organisers…!) will remember these experiences for a long time to come also...! Our teams travelled to the North (Southport Festival – U9’s, U10’s, U12’s), the West (Irish Festival at Midleton RFC – U11’s), and to the South (Southcoast Festival at Bognor Regis RFC – U13’s) – it’s already time to start planning, for next year...

GET INVOLVED

We are lucky to be one of the strongest clubs in Leicestershire, but still rely on the support of volunteers, so please get involved, however you can, this is your chance to help develop your own kids, and indeed community…
...however some parents take this to extraordinary lengths…!

We don’t expect all parents to mop the pitches…!, but need help next season in Junior Fixtures, Child Welfare, Club press & publicity… now’s your chance to make a difference…

We welcome your views, just contact any committee member….

Or you can even contribute to the RFU’s Way Forward Debate, striving to evolve the elite national game…www.rfuthewayforward.com

CONTACTS

All the club contacts are on-line at www.hinckleyrfc.net or please contact one of our Joint Chairmen, Stuart Elder on 07721 407008, or Kim Swift on 07721 037182, for any query.

For further details on age group training from Under 7 to Under 17 or information on any aspect of Hinckley RFC Mini and Juniors please contact the Chairman, Stuart Elder on 07721 407008.

Contact: Nigel Abraham
Press Officer
Telephone 07850 301443