WARMINSTERRUGBYFOOTBALL CLUB

Folly Lane Sports Ground

Warminster

Wiltshire

BA12 7RG

Tel: 01985 214755

Date: 6 July 2017

Club Captain report 2016/17

So here we are, my last official act as Club Captain summing up the 2016/17 senior playing season.

Well it didn’t get off to the best of starts and there was a sense this could be a long old season when on the first weekend we failed to get a 2nd XV team out to travel up to Minety. Thankfully that wasn’t a taste of things to come and although we gave two further walkovers against SWCOB and Alfreds Nomads, it’s credit to Jimmy and the other players on those days who still travelled to both and ensured no points were lost.

The 1st XV have had one of the most successful seasons in recent history and barring an administration error on my part costing 25 points, would’ve finished second in the table. The nine game unbeaten run at the start of the season saw some great running rugby being played which is tantamount to Mosi’s coaching and what he’s trying to install in the side. Beating, no, actually hammering Supermarine with just 13 men for me was one of the stand out performances, but at the same time very much highlights there is still plenty of work to do with building a solid squad base. To climb further up the ladder we cannot afford to travel to places understrength. It’s noticeable that once again over the Christmas period we lost three games on the bounce, two of those against opponents with the longest travelling distances.

The 2nd XV have also had a successful season under Jimmy’s leadership finishing fifth. The performance at home against a top of the table at the time, Corsham II’s was one of the standouts along with reversing a 97-7 defeat against BoA to win 40-19 in the return fixture. Towards the end of the season it’s been good to see the introduction of a few younger faces who I hope will continue to play with us next season, and of course it’s always good to see the older ones soldiering on season after season too!

Overall we’ve managed to put strong squads out across the season but one interesting stat (and you all know I like a stat!) is that we used 93 separate players across the season. Those of you who are good at maths will realise that’s over 6 teams worth. So when we struggle to put out two sides on occasions it can be pretty frustrating. And that will be the challenge going forward – trying to turn more of those 93 into regular week in, week out players. How do we go about that? That’s the million dollar question.

Attracting people to training would be a good start. Mosi’s coaching and training sessions are extremely enjoyable and I think those that attend always come away having learnt something new. One thing I would like us to get better at though is how we interact with each other as a whole squad both playing and training which I think will help. There has to be an acceptance that some people simply don’t want to train (bodies, age) and some people simply can’t (family, work). One of my gripes is how we use social media. I fully appreciate people are trying to gee up the troops into coming training but let’s not go into rants. We all know people are giving up their time to do it, blah blah. How about if we have low numbers at training one week, just come away and post “Great training session tonight, looking forward to the next one”…be positive, people will then become intrigued and are more likely to turn up at the next one to taste it for themselves. Airing our dirty laundry doesn’t do anyone any favours. Word gets around so fast these days.

Off the field Jimmy is building a really good social scene where hopefully we’ll all get to know each other better. There is no 1sts and 2nds, we’re all one squad. And I don’t know about anyone else, but after the games I’m more interested in finding out how the other team has got on, I know how my game went, why not find out about the other? It’s the little things like that which will help us build our player base and if we can buy into that and the old school values of rugby we won’t be going far wrong.

So now, the end is near…anyone know the rest?!

I would just like to finish by saying what a massive honour and privilege it has been to be Club Captain of Warminster RFC. It’s been tough and stressful at times, I won’t lie, but all of that gets far outweighed by all the fun and laughter along the way. I’d like to put on record my thanks to Rob and Mosi for their coaching during my reign, Pixie and Jimmy for taking control of the 2nd team and dealing with all the last minute chops and changes every week. I always said I would never leave the role until we found someone who would appreciate what it entails and without a shadow of a doubt we’ve found that person in Jimmy. He really will make a great club captain and is already well on the way in doing that. I really hope everyone gives him the same support that I’ve had.

Lastly I’d like to thank our chairman Glenn. We’ve swapped countless emails over the years about all things rugby. I’ve had my moans and groans at him as we all do, but the time and effort he puts in to making this club tick is something we really all should be grateful for and is often not appreciated enough.

This club really has given a lot to me and will continue to do so for the years to come. It’s a special club and special group of people which I am immensely proud to be involved with.

Up the WRFC!

Gav