I write this third instalment during June 2009. Three seasons have now passed (of the five year plan) and during those three seasons the First XV have won the following honours:-
- Champions of Kent Division 3 - and Cup Winners – 2006-07
- Champions of Kent Division 2 - and Kent Vase Runners Up – 2007-08
- Champions of Kent Division 1- and Kent Vase Winners – 2008-09
In addition to the above the First Team played and lost narrowly against Brighton in the EDF National Competition Round 5 (the furthest the club has ever achieved in that National Competition – reaching the final 32 teams in the country). The team we lost NARROWLY (I repeat) to, Brighton, went on to win the National EDF Competition at Twickenham and I suppose if you are going to lose a cup match (VERY NARROWLY) then it is encouraging that you lose to the ultimate champs!
The First Team’s success is unprecedented and no doubt many of you will have seen this month’s Rugby World where there was a spotlight on Medway RFC as Champions of Kent Division 1.
We at the club believe that no other club in the country who has won three English League titles consecutively as champions. The Kent County RFU believe that is also the case (Mr. John Carley of the Kent RFU cannot recall during the existence of the Leagues any other club achieving such success) and if there has been another then we will be in very good company!
This past season (Season 3) of the five year plan, our Extra First Team came third, our A Team came second (Runners Up) and our Holcombeians came second (Runners Up) in their respective leagues. It was a truly remarkable Season for the Club and at the Shepherd & Neame Annual Rugby Football Awards the Kent President and the other dignitaries mentioned Medway Rugby Football Club on no less than seven occasions (I ticked my menu each time Medway RFC were mentioned… how sad am I? [very - Ed.]) and as no doubt some of you will know we hosted for the very first time in our history a full Senior Kent Match at Priestfields in Rochester where both the Kent RFU Committee and the players and coaches of the home and away sides (Kent played Sussex that day) were full of praise for your club in its hosting of this prestigious event.
Youth Report 2009/2010
The Youth Section of your club has had a great season with every age group performing well throughout the season and in Kent competitions.
The Under 13s (Geoff Kempt, Tom Robertson and Peter Rann’s Group) made the semi-finals of the Kent Cup and won the Kent Sevens Cup at Canterbury. This group also hosted the Kent U13 tournament this season which again was a credit to Medway and we have been selected to host it again in season 2009/10.
The Under 14s (Peter Smith) are probably the largest group within the youth section and to their credit have managed to run an A and B team this season. They overcame personal hurdles this year when they beat Barking in the last match of the season for the first time and won the Worthing Cup whilst on tour.
The Under 15s (Cougars – coached by Gordon Stone, Alistair Stewart, Gary Simpson, Patrick Nolan, David French and yours truly) won the International Challenge Cup whilst on tour in Wales. They also hosted a French side Jean de Prades of Castelsarrasin at Medway one evening and to my enjoyment proceeded to play great flowing rugby and absolutely stuffed them 48-0.
The Under 16s (John Winson and George Cooke) have this season shown their determination to succeed and won the Kent Tens Plate competition at the start of the season and have gone on to achieve good results against teams from Essex and Kent. They look forward to entering a league for the first time at U17 level.
The Under17s made the quarter finals of the Kent League and unfortunately lost against a strong Westcombe Park team. They were also chosen to represent Kent in the National U17 competition beating Romsey on the way to the semi-final.
The Under 18/Colts squad had a mixed season with some impressive wins and some disappointing losses: they will hopefully all benefit from the new Development Squad being trialled next season.
Well done to all the youth section and a big thanks from myself and the Exec must go to all the coaches and parents for making MRFC youth the success it is.
Medway’s Mini Section achieved many awards, accolades, cups, plates and championships, too many to mention within this report but the whole of Medway Rugby Club's Youth and Mini Sections continue to provide the building blocks for the further First XV success.
A Development Squad
We will this next Season (2009/10) seek to play a Development (XV) on Saturdays.
The way that we will pilot this scheme will be to “cap” the Under 17s at Medway Rugby Football Club as being the most Senior youth group. When an individual reaches the age of 17 he may play Senior Rugby (with parental consent) . An 18 year old may play in the front row. This past Season’s Under 17s will be encouraged to play in the Development XV on a Saturday.
Mr. Graham “Ginger” Longstaff and Jane Wadhams have agreed with others help to manage this newly formed group. We are currently seeking fixtures against other clubs' Development Squads or Academies. We do not intend to place the team within a structured league at this time and we are treating it as a pilot scheme. We have the full support of the players and their parents looking to encourage them to play Senior Rugby when they achieve the age of 17, in what will be a 5th XV on Saturday at Medway.
As young men develop at different rates (between the age of 17 and, say, 22), the Development Squad will be used to develop their individual skills and allow them to mix freely with young players of a similar (but not the same) age. Some of those players will play for the First Team for example at the age of 17 and some others will not. With careful management and coaching Medway will benefit from this further development of individuals ensuring that they will be ready to play in the structured leagues with the First, Second, Third and Fourth Teams at Medway Rugby Football Club.
Clubmark & Beyond
We have Clubmark for the Junior Club. We intend to secure “ClubMark” status for the Senior Club. We have entered into arrangements with local Colleges/Universities to host their Rugby and if you have been to the club lately you will also see that we have benefited from a grant from the Rugby Football Union and training flood lights have been installed on Pitch 19 to further enhance training and development at the club.
Medway Touch Rugby and Beyond.
I am currently playing for the Vets in the Summer Touch Rugby Programme at Priestfields. There are around 100 members and it is a great deal of fun. We intend to develop that element of Rugby at Priestfields as well as facilitating further development and success in the Youth and into the Seniors.
There are a few individuals who are working hard to recreate Girls Rugby at Priestfields, the Ladies section continue to flourish, as does the Veterans Section. The ladies are now growing in strength and numbers after their season with their new coach Mr. Rob Mason.
I am pleased to report that Mr. Taff Gwilliam will coach the First Team for a fourth season. Mr. Liam Weobley led a fantastic First XV effort and he has stepped into Vice Captain’s role supporting the new First Team Captain for 2009/10 Mr. Simon Green. Mr. Matthew Jackson (supported by Vice Captain Geoff Kempt) will Captain the Extra First Team. Mr. Simon Thomas (with support from Mr. Gary Friel) will Captain the A Team and Mr. Tony Evernden (supported by Tom Evernden) will Captain the Fourth Team – “Holcombeians”. Mr. Joseph Thorpe moves to Africa after several seasons of solid service and we thank you Joe. Mr Trevor Jefferies is thanked for all his efforts at the Club and is wished well in the future.
The Wasps Partnership strengthens with a Summer School in August 2009.
And Finally…..
My personal target is a further promotion this coming season (the fourth year of the five year plan). We will provide physiotherapy, we have built an ice bath at the club, and the First XV are currently on a Strengthening and Conditioning Programme (through June and July 2009) paid for by the Sponsors of the Club. We have excellent training facilities, and we are intent on providing the strongest pastoral care for all of our players at Medway RFC.
We are most grateful to our Sponsors, old and new and the Vice Presidents' Association is almost at 50 members. Wiill you be the 50th Member?
The Website www.mrfc.net is the best! And you can become a member or Club sponsor by looking on the site.
There is a great deal to do so if you would excuse me I will go back to work and I thank you all for reading this and supporting your club through the Executive Committee. From the First XV Captain all the way through to the Baby Sister of the youngest player in the Under 7s the club thanks you. Get involved, what can you do for the club this coming season?
Good Luck this Season 2009 – 2010!
Mark Marriott – Director of Rugby at Medway Rugby Football Club.