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Contact Information
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Telephone
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01440 702871
- Postal address
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Castle Playing Fields, Haverhill
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Haverhill Rugby Club
U13—U16’s
 
For Action Photographs of Matches follow
this link, courtesy of Garry Lester - Just
Click Here
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Ben's
Record attempt
Ben S said in his profile that he made a
record attempt at his previous rugby club. He explains what it was
about :
When I played for Liskeard - Looe RFC in
Cornwall my Dad was one of the coaches and one of the other
players got a copy of the Guinness Book of Records for Christmas
and came up with the idea of breaking the world record for the
most tackles in one hour, the record was held by Cranleigh RFC at
the time.
The coaches looked into what the record
attempt would involve and how we could break it. The rules for
this record were; we needed two teams with ten players in each
team, each team would start ten metres away from a tackle bag and
have to make full contact with an arm and shoulder then take the
bag to the ground, the next player could start their run up when
the bag was back in a vertical position. Each team of ten players
had to carry out these tackles for a minimum of ten minutes before
the other team took over completing the hour in total.
We used to train on a Sunday morning before a
game, but once into preparation for this world record we trained
during the week as well, anytime that we could all get together
was used. We came up with a method of securing the bag to the
ground by using a big corkscrew type anchor, and having one coach
on each bag (to stand it back up) and one coach with each team to
keep them motivated and let them know when they could start their
run, this worked very well. |
On the day of the record attempt we had an
official from the Guinness Book of Records and a referee to
confirm that the tackles were 'legal' and we started. The
weather was slightly overcast and the ground was quite wet,
after a couple of ten minute sessions the pitch started to cut
up quite badly and we were running in mud, this was quite tiring
but we carried on. After about forty five minutes one of the
bags ripped, the only thing we could do was use the only
remaining tackle bag for both teams, this meant that the pitch
was even worse because of the pounding it was getting.
By the time we finished we were all well
and truly exhausted but had to wait to see if we had broken the
record, the referee disallowed seven tackles which meant that we
were awarded 1791 in total the old record was 1622 so we had
broken it by 169 tackles, we were all very happy with this and
couldn't wait for the new book to be published.
Unfortunately Cranleigh RFC were informed of our 'new record'
and promptly took it back (not sure how many tackles they did),
we didn't find out until the book was published and we weren't
in it!!!!!!
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AM
GLASS- SPONSOR TOPS
Support for
the youth section has been shown again. Adrian Marsh has helped
with the purchase of training tops that have been ordered for the
boys by becoming a sponsor. Adrian has his own business providing
gazing services. AM Glass are able to supply and install new
windows, doors, Conservatories, secondary glazing, sealed gazing
units that have broken down (gone misty between the 2 pieces of
glass) and even replace the garden shed window pane that a rugby
ball mysteriously went through while you were out! Please
ask Adrian for a quote for work you may require, he can be spotted
after training or match days by looking for Harry who now towers
over Dad! (A position all we dads will be in sooner rather than
later). |
Personnel
The youth team
has been very honoured with having Ian Stewart provide his
services to referee the recent home matches. This allows the
coaches to watch the matches and not officiate, the match
competed impartially, young rugby players experience rugby with
decision making as they should expect for the rest of their
careers and a reflection upon the club of how well set up we
are. Ian has been doing all this with a
knee injury and a smile ! (not to mention the teasing
from the side lines by ex players whom he ref’d years
previous).
Please spare a thought for Peter
Lester. We have all seen him hopping up and down the
touch line on match days recently. Peter received a knee injury
answering the call for the first XV when they were a man short
for an away match at Lakenham. Investigations have revealed that
there is quite a lot of damage to his knee which is going to
have to be repaired under the knife. At the moment even the
training sessions are painful for him at the moment. The
official line from Kim, his wife is that Peter has now
officially retired from playing !
Match
ref
You may have noticed that our match day ref
has changed into a younger  model.
Andy Johnston was a 1stXV regular in the pack until
injury forced him to retire earlier this season. He immediately
took a referees course and ref’ed his first match recently.
Andy is finding the Youth matches valuable experience and is
happy to ref our home matches when he is available.
Andy has played a lot of rugby in his time
as a forward and whilst refereeing the youth matches gets a
front seat view of how our forwards are performing. I’m sure
he would appreciate being asked his observations or tips he may
have about the game afterwards in the clubhouse by keen to learn
youth players determined to develop their game.
Ian
If you weren’t aware after the home match
against Ipswich in January Ian felt unwell in the afternoon and
on the Monday ended up in hospital being diagnosed with having a
heart attack. He had an operation on the Friday and returned
home on the Saturday (where one of the first things he did was
ring to apologise for not being able to ref the boys the next
day!) He said that on the following Monday with the operation
and medicine doing their jobs he could have ref’ed for
England. The sad news is that Ian has called it a day to
refereeing although when pushed on the question of if Andy was
unavailable and when fully recovered would he officiate the
match? to which he replied
“I’ve given all my equipment away but I’ve held
onto my whistle just in case” – never say never ! |
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More
Kitchen helpers required.
The mums are doing the boys proud with
providing hot food after the match. It has even been noticed that
some boys are even having seconds then going home and eating a
roast dinner (only just- Elliott) so they must be doing a good
job. The Ladies do the catering on a rota and would appreciate
more helpers coming forward as it takes a lot of preparation and
when on kitchen duties they are unable to get out to watch the
game.
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| Match
Day Preparation |
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Kit
bag
Boots, Shorts, Socks, Gum shield, Warm up
rugby top, Base layer shirt/shorts, Body armour, Scrum cap,
Gloves, Towel, Shower gel/ shampoo, Spare underwear, Tape, Cold
weather Tracksuit, Cold weather Hat, Personal ointments
Dress
Haverhill training top, Haverhill tie,
Collared shirt, Trousers, Clean shoes |
Miscellaneous
Match fee, Medicines (e.g inhaler), Drink,
Forms/ monies to be handed in, Personal spending money,
Knowledge of where and what time to meet, Who you are playing
against
On
arrival at home
Clean / dry boots, Wash gum shield, Empty
all dirty clothing out ready for washing, Remove unused clothing
from kit bag, Leave kit bag to ‘air’, Hang tie up.
Talk nicely to whoever does the washing explaining when you
require your kit next and offer to help! |
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Training.
Sunday morning training
will start on 16th September from10.30 am till noon.
Pete and Charles are
pleased with the commitment and effort shown so far and want it to
continue on the Sunday mornings, so please make the effort to arrive on
time and with a positive mind especially as it starts to get colder and
wetter!
Wednesday Night
training will continue and as it gets darker the floodlights will be used
but please remember when travelling to and from the club wear bright
clothes, make sure travelling plans have been confirmed and DO NOT JUST
WANDER OFF into the dark !
With the Sunday morning
training starting it gives a great opportunity for the families to sit in
the club house and have a cup of tea and meet fellow parents whilst
training takes place.
The Bar opens for
business on Sunday dinnertimes. |
‘Fire Prevention
Products’ offers to pay for Ties
Fire Prevention
Products who already sponsor the Rugby Club have kindly offered to pay for
club ties for our current group of boys to wear at matches.
Paula Glenister Parent
of Jonathan who plays in the Boys Youth Team and Manager of Fire
Prevention Products has agreed to fund the purchase of all the ties for
the Boys Youth Group.
She said “ Jonathan
loves belonging to the club and playing in the team and so we feel that it
is great to be able to show our support and help the club.
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Training
attendance
Steve
Nash records the attendance of the boys to each training session at the
coach’s request. If you plan not to attend a session or are injured
please inform Steve as he will then mark you as a ‘justified’
absentee. |
| Let
the coaches coach. |
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One of the great benefits of playing Rugby is that fact
that it instils discipline in young people and hopefully this
stands them in good stead for the future both on and off the
pitch.
We need to ensure that we as spectators are always
setting an example. It is always fine to have a bit of
banter with the referee but it's only that; nothing else. Our
Sunday Ref's are just someone's Dad who has been brave enough
to take the whistle and no-one deliberately makes mistakes,
they are not paid professionals. Remember this next time we
don't get a decision, as the boys will always take their lead
from us, we have a huge responsibility in this regard. |
We also need to remember that, once the Team takes the pitch,
the Coaches are in charge and therefore it's them who should
be talking directly to the boys at vital points in the game.
The boys get very confused when they get "tips" from
too many voices and we've all been guilty of this in the past.
Our
boys are doing really well this year and it's
all coming together for them under Pete's and
Charles’ guidance, let's throw ourselves
behind the Coaches and offer great support to
our boys from the sidelines.
PETE ADDS
"I would agree with this. It is quite frustrating when you are
trying to get a point across to the boys and several well
meaning parents are also getting involved. It goes without
saying, as coaches we do appreciate the level of support the
section has with a lot of very involved parents. We also could
not manage training sessions and games without their
help!" |
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Potential
coaches.
Planning for the success of the Youth
section as it expands next season and beyond is always on
going which is why more potential Coaches of the boys in the
future need to come forward. A Coaches' course is available to give qualifications and
confidence so please if you fancy putting something back in to
the community, chat to Pete and Charles to get an insight to
the world of coaching and how rewarding it can be and GO FOR
IT!
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MEET PETE
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Name Peter Lester [Peter]
 Age 50
Family married 29yrs to Kim. We have two grown up children, Simon age 25 plays for
Haverhill, Charlotte, 22 studying at Cardiff U
Profession NHS Security Advisor / Facilities Manager
Favourite Club Wasps
Favourite Country England
Rugby CV
Played schoolboy rugby
at Haverhill Secondary School wing forward and then for Haverhill club on
the wing. Left Haverhill in
mid 70’s and work commitments made it difficult to play for some years.
Invited to play for
High point prison service as a guest and played for 3 seasons as fly half
/ utility back returned to play for Haverhill late 80’s playing first
and second team rugby as winger. Due
to shortage of front row, started playing hooker for Haverhill 2nd team in
2000 and still prefer this position to any other.
Last first team
appearance was in 2006 away against Norwich Union ------------- We lost
Started coaching youth
and juniors late 90’s and have been involved with coaching and the club
committee since.
Currently Hon Secretary
for the HRFC senior committee and also sit on Eastern Counties Leisure
rugby committee.
I hold old RFU
intermediate coaching qualification and new RFU Level 1 coaching
certificate and first Aid. |
Best Rugby Moments
1
Playing
Being able to play with
both my Brothers and my son for the same team
2
Watching
2003 sitting in
Barcelona Rugby club bar watching England win the world cup
Favourite player
of all time
Serge Blanco, France.
This really was a tough choice between Blanco and Wales’ Barry John both
heroes of the early 70’s. I decided on Blanco as he was probably the
best attacking full back ever he would always have a go try to find the
space which is what I would like our new youth squad to be looking for.
Best modern day
player
Jonny Wilkinson.
a bit of a cop out I know but when fit still the best fly half in
the world, Skilful with ball in hand and with the boot, great defensively
one of the best tacklers in the game.
Coaching Ethos
My main aim is for the
players of the youth section to enjoy their rugby play to the best of
their ability and develop their skills in a safe environment.
Rugby should above everything else be fun both on the pitch off the
pitch.
We need to develop
their special awareness and team work so a lot of the early training
sessions will be focused on doing
that.
We want them to play an open running style of rugby which
concentrates on good support play and finding space with continuity of
ball retention. In life as in
Rugby do your best and enjoy it. |
Meet
Charles
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NAME Charles Shannon
 AGE:
35
PREFERRED
TO BE KNOWN AS: Charles
FAMILY: Wife, Melody, 3 kids
Benjamin, Tiffany, George
OCCUPATION: Self Employed owner Plumb
Central (www.plumcentral.com)
Please call me if
you or any one you know require any plumbing work
to be carried out!
RUGBY C.V.: In South Africa I
played from U11 at school at John Graham Primary as prop.
Moved to hooker halfway through season where I played most of my rugby.
Went for provincial trials at U13 with
Western Province got injured and out of squad.
Played for Plumstead high school U14,
U15, and 1st XV and again went for trials at U19 but unable to
take part as serious back injury.
Also moved to open side flank this
season.
Played regional sevens tournament twice
that year and progressed to semi finals and quarter finals.
Moved to England in 2000. Played for
Haverhill in a come back game last season but unfortunately got injured.
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BEST RUGBY MEMORY: Tackling
the provincial 100m sprint record holder in sevens tournament into the
crowd !!!
FAVOURITE CLUB SIDE: Stormers
in South Africa and follow
Saracens here
FAVOURITE NATIONAL SIDE: Got
to be the Boks (Springboks)
FAVOURITE PLAYER OF ALL TIME :
A combo of Chester Williams, Breyton Paulse, Carel Du Plessis, Joel
Stransky - All have showed guts and determination and made it
against the odds (Haverhill boys take note)
FAVOURITE CURRENT PLAYER:
Skalk Burger Jnr. He is always in the thick of things and there to
support his team mates (only wish he could pass more)
IN YOUR VIEW WHAT IS THE MAIN OBJECTIVE
FOR THE YOUTH SECTION? To
form a unified and disciplined team who will always deliver their best
FINAL WORDS OF WISDOM:
Believe
in yourself because you can achieve whatever you want even if others
don’t believe
FAVOURITE
DRINK IN THE CLUBHOUSE:
Pint of Stella!
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Pete and Charles would
like to see a bigger squad train with them. There is concern that if a few
boys pick up injuries or illness then they will not be able to field a
team on match days. School
starts soon so will all boys start recruiting any 12/13 year olds who
would like to play rugby at Haverhill.
Parents if you know of
a lad who might be interested please bring him along to training.
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Meet
the Club Captain - Mark Jury
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Name. Mark Jury
Age. 41
Family. Married to Vicky with 3
Children, aged 13-10-6
Profession.
Lion Tamer and Crocodile Wrestler, retired Beaver
trapper. Professional
Hairdresser to the famous! See the committee
page for proof!
Favourite national club team.
Wasps
Favourite country team. England
“of course”
Rugby CV.
Best rugby moments,
1 Playing
Captaining Eastern Counties vs
Cornwall in County Championships. 8000 Cornish
supporters down in Redruth. We made the mistake of
going 7 nil up in the first 5 minutes, they
subsequently beat us 44-7 and we ran out of subs to
replace the wounded.
Have been fortunate enough to
have played lots of representative rugby over the
years and have Captained Romford, Sudbury, Haverhill,
Suffolk, Essex and Eastern Counties. Each brought
it’s own highlights which are many, if you buy me
some beer I’ll tell you all of them but do bring a
sleeping bag as I can bore people to death.
Actually Captained Eastern
Counties U21 vs Kent with Jason Leonard on the subs
bench, also played with his brother at Sudbury in the
late 90s.
2 Watching
It
would have to be watching Tom and Oliver play with the
boys at the Club, It always takes me back to when I
was young and reminds me of when my Dad used to drive
me around the Country on Sundays. I probably now
realise how proud he might have been watching me, as I
am with Tom and Oliver. One day I’d just like 5
minutes on the same pitch as they boys! Probably a
sign of being past it!
Any embarrassing moments ?
Dropping the ball over the try
line in my first game for Sudbury 11 years ago, as a
cocky flyhalf I tried to put it round my back as the
wing forward tried to charge it down. Dropped it and
he fell on it and scored !!! |
Favourite player of all time.
At International level it would
have to be Rob Andrew, I really liked his calming
effect on the Team.
Favourite player at the moment.
The South African winger Bryan
Habana, he’s very exciting indeed and a real
finisher.
Words of wisdom to the lads just
starting out on their long rugby careers.
Enjoy training and throw
yourselves into it, the guys that are there to help
are there in their own time and really want you to
succeed. Remember that it’s a bit of fun, but, there
is a lot more fun to be had when you are winning and
playing some great rugby. It’s a very special game
which builds character and social skills which are
valued anywhere you go, the friends you will make in
your Rugby career will be friends for life and
you’ll be surprised (when you are older) just how
many you will continually bump into.
What are your duties as club
captain?
It’s a great role. A great
Honour to be able to do it for the 2nd time
since I’ve been at the Club. I get to meet the Ref
and usually make sue that he is take care of, in
practice they generally just walk straight through the
club and go straight to their changing room.
One of the most important things
I do is to be a sounding board for Captains and
others, there may be issues which need to be raised
and people sometimes just want to talk it through with
someone who has knowledge of the game and the club.
I’m also supposed to mediate in
disputes within the club but thankfully there are not
too many at all.
I also get free licence to
“fine” all players for any reason whatsoever and
without challenge. The monies raised go towards the
Players night at the end of the season (strictly over
18s) where we visit every pub in town and attempt to
drink them dry, we also dress up a few candidates
should they have transgressed at any time throughout
the season.
I’m also expected to turn out
for the First Team when they are short.
Favourite
drink in the bar.
Honestly, I’m really not fussy
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Contacts
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| Chairman. Neil Poulton : 01440 763133. 07886103987. neil@safetychampions.co.uk |
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| Fixtures
Secretary. Roger Willmore 01440 710537.
07760375909 rtwillmore@tiscali.co.uk |
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| Social
Secretary. Steve Nash 01440 710667. |
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| Newsletter
compiler. Julian Patrick 01440 713836. julian@patrick5.fsnet.co.uk |
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| Coaches |
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| Pete Lester 01223 891642. mail@lester1978.fsnet.co.u |
Charles Shannon 01440
710330. 07947860022. plum_central@sky.com |
WEDNESDAY
NIGHT TRAINING
The
mobile floodlights are proving to be a wonderful investment for the club and
it’s encouraging to see near full attendance every week.
An
important point to remember is that at the end of training the floodlights have
to be returned to the container which plunges the area into relative darkness so
it would be appreciated if when training finishes the boys collect there
belongings and make their way home immediately.
Please
appreciate that Pete and Charles would like to get home ‘ASAP’ after midweek
training so please try and ‘chat’ with them at the beginning or use the
contact numbers on the back or catch them Saturday/Sunday.
Welcome back Josh
It is good to see Josh return to
playing rugby again and new faces turning up to training. It’s always
encouraging to the coaches when players return or new players start so get
recruiting in the playground at school especially year 8 boys!!!!
Did
you know ….. Josh scored the first competitive try for Haverhill’s newly
formed junior side when they played their first ever game at Sudbury in 2005.
(With
some good support work from George, Niall, Francis and Elliott)
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