JUNE 2023 NNOORRTTHHRRUU MAG G A G ZINE BBYY Coaches Spotlight Player Spotlight Leagues Announced! @northrugby1 @northrugby1
Welcome Welcome to the second edition of the North Rugby E-Magazine I never expected the results I have seen following the first edition of North Rugby's E-Magazine. A basic concept but gives alot (I hope). Ive been messaged, emailed and spoke to with thank you's and some great ideas. I am truly grateful. I make nothing from doing this. It is about giving something back to North Rugby. To the followers. You are the ones that make things happen. I am a huge advocate of this level of rugby and feel that it goes under the radar somewhat. If you have any observations or would like to be considered for one of the future editions please contact me at [email protected] Mike Brown
Leagues Announced 23/24 Regional 1 North West
Leagues Announced 23/24 Regional 1 North East
Where will the 2023 Rugby World Cup be held? In international rugby, who is the all-time highest points scorer? Which 'set piece' is used in Rugby Union but does not feature in Rugby League? In what year was the Five Nations expanded to become the Six Nations? The Calcutta Cup is contested between which two countries? Who finished the 21-22 as North Premier's Top Points Scorer with 285? Also, 21-22. How many league tries did Matt Lamprey end on in his final season with Preston Grasshoppers? Who were crowned league champions of North Premier in the 18-19 season? Which 2 teams were promoted in the shortened 19-20 season? (North Premier) Answers on page 23
Coaches Spotlight Chris Young DoR - Driffield Something different this month as we catch up with newly appointed DoR and Coach of Driffield, Chris Young. It was nice getting a different perspective from a coaches point of view. MB: Driffield... What a season. 3rd place in Regional 1 NE and a trophy win a Twickenham. Give me your thoughts on how the season went for Driffield? This season was always going to a step into the unknown for us, but what an opportunity. The club went above and beyond for our first outing at level 5 in over 20 years and the results on the field certainly reflected the efforts from everyone involved. To finish 3rd in such a competitive league was a massive achievement for us, and something we hope to build on next season. The Cup competition was a great way to finish off our year, getting to Twickenham was obviously reward in itself for the efforts of all the 45 players who played through the league and cup campaign, but to go and win was something else. To experience the full weekend is something that dreams are made of, and bring home the trophy really topped of the season for us.
Coaches Spotlight MB: Did you set any goals for the season? CY: As a team we had 2 goals; to be competitive in the new league, and to maintain level 5 status. Safe to say we met those goals! We knew it was going to be a challenge, but it was one that gave the squad a lot of excitement and we saw that not only in the results but in the performances week after week. From a personal point of view I wanted to try and develop as many of the colts coming through to seniors as possible. Having 3 debuts in the first cup fixture against Rossendale was a very proud moment, and something I will look to build on next season. MB: Have you planned any goals for next season? CY: To avoid the dreaded second season syndrome. Winning is a habit, so promoted sides regularly do well first time out. So the goal has to be to cement our position in this league. We want to build on the success from last season, and not take a 3rd place finish for granted. Many teams now know what to expect from a Driffield side, so this season will be a new challenge for us. Chris Young DoR - Driffield
Coaches Spotlight MB: Coach to DoR... Congratulations! Can you tell us a little bit about your journey into the coaching seat and now DoR? CY: I think I always wanted to be a coach more the a player. I Studied Sports Coaching at University, and always found myself more interested in the technical side of the game. My playing career was scattered between Bridlington, Hull Ionians and Driffield, but following a knee injury 5 seasons ago I wanted to stay involved whilst not playing. An opportunity to work with Kyle Dench at Driffield came up, with a plan to develop the 2nd team here and build a squad depth that could sustain a promotion push. When Kyle left for Otley in 2020 I found myself in a first team coaching role, with the clubs long term plan to develop from within. The last couple of seasons has seen the club follow through with that development with my appointed of Director of Rugby for the 2023/24 campaign. At 35 I think my playing days are now done (maybe the odd Vets Game appearance), and I’m excited to help build on this young squad we have. The aim has to be National League rugby with a fully Amateur side built on the strength of our Mini & junior Section Chris Young DoR - Driffield
Coaches Spotlight MB: Whats the coaching philosophy at Driffield? CY: It sounds very basic, but Heads Up Rugby. Play what you see not what you expect to see. I feel at times players can be over coached, particularly at this level. We get 2 training sessions a week, time is precious. So developing skill sets across the board, giving players the freedom and the skill set to play what’s in front of them. MB: What are your expectations of the players at Driffield and what can they expect from you as a coach? CY: My expectations of the players is quite simply Honesty. If we have a squad of players who are honest with each other and themselves then the development of the squad is much easier. As soon as people start to cut corners or make excuses then it becomes difficult to manage. The players can expect from me someone who is prepared, at training or on game days. My job is to ensure that all the players can get the most out of themselves. So I am always aiming to be as prepared as I can be, so they can focus on the job at hand. They can also expect a coach which is understanding. Everyone has external stresses away from Rugby with family life, friends, work etc, and the pool of players who train twice a week and are available every weekend through the season is clearly reducing for all clubs. I personally feel it’s vital for coaches to be understanding of external factors and understand everyone has a life away from the rugby club.
Coaches Spotlight MB: Whats the atmosphere like at the moment? CY: The club has a real buzz around the place. All 4 senior sides have had a fantastic season, with finals/semi-finals for all sides. We have a thriving mini and junior section, with a number of players stepping into senior rugby each season. It certainly has the feeling that this is just the start of a journey. And the future certainly looks bright on and off the field. MB: Do you have any coaching role models? CY: Clive Woodward and Alex Ferguson. Rather typical choices, but they both set high standards of themselves and the teams they coached. MB: Controversial question: RFU at present. Your thoughts and ideas of ways to improve the game, the reputation it currently has? CY: I don’t think the RFU have had much to shout about since COVID. The league restructuring and reduced league fixtures didn’t seem to please many people, and certainly had the feeling that it went against what most people wanted. The new cup structure again felt rushed and poorly planned, with communication very last minute. And then the tackle height changes has been a disaster from start to finish (and yet to see how it takes shape on the field). The divide between the professional game and community game has been growing for a number of years, but over the last 12 months it feels like the gulf has become even bigger. In my opinion the community game needs to be given a greater voice within the RFU. Local clubs are struggling, playing numbers are reducing
Coaches Spotlight CY cont...The RFU are built on its members, the community clubs, and until the RFU starts to listen to the needs of its members the decline in both the professional game and community game in this country will continue. When we see the focus shift, and they build from the bottom up, then the game will be able to grow again. Unfortunately I can’t see anything changing from the top, and community clubs need to find ways to be more selfsufficient and work together to build the game on a regional basis
Player Spotlight Will Scholey York We catch up with Will Scholey, York, Yorkshire and Team of the Year. A formidable prop forward with an abundance of talent. MB - Will, How do you feel the season has gone on a personal level? WS - I believe I’ve had one of my better seasons this year, only missing 3 games and playing 80 mins every week. This has led to me being selected in the leagues team of the year, yorks players player and finally making it into the men’s yorkshire team. MB - Whats the feeling amongst the team at York on how the season went? WS - I believe as a club we have finished the highest we ever have, so that is something that everyone is happy with. We threw away a few games away from home which was the most frustrating, especially Driffield away when we were 3 tries up with 10 minutes to go,however we know there is still plenty of room for improvement in order to challenge for the top spot. MB - How did you become involved at York? WS - I started playing for York when I was 5 and played through to u16s. I then left for a new challenge, went to uni and travelled before returning 3 years ago
Player Spotlight Will Scholey York MB - Any other personal ambitions on the rugby field? WS - Personally I would love to see this club promoted again and I believe it is more than capable of doing so MB - How would you describe your style of play? WS - I would describe it as a want to be back in a forwards body, I do love to carry but also firing the ball through the hands on a Saturday afternoon with your mates is what it’s all about! MB -What’s life like off the field for Will? WS - So I’m a farmer which keeps me busy most of the time, however when we aren’t busy I like to play other sports such as cricket or golf, quite a few of the rugby lads are part of the york foss league cricket team which is always a good laugh and cricket is definitely the winner MB -Who has been the toughest team to face this season? WS - Billingham were definitely the toughest team to face this season, I think we all agreed that both home and away, the better team won and I wish them the best of luck in Nat 2 next season MB - What about toughest opponent? WS - As a tighthead prop I should probably pick a loosehead, Richie Elliott for Alnwick is always a tough opponent
Player Spotlight Will Scholey York Quick Fire Questions!! Who inspired you to play? My father Whose good on a night out? Angus barrick, a bloody good lad What player did you most enjoy playing with? Toby Atkin, he just runs the show Which coach do you think helped you the most? Tough one to answer, all my coaches have taught me different things so hard to pick one coach Whose longest in the shower? It’s between Archie Forthergill (takes ages washing his hair) and Sam Forbes (he believes it’s a spectators sport) A massive thank you to Will for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer these questions. A great insight into the modern day grassroots rugby player
MEET THE TEAM ELLIOTT HUSBAND CAPT Anselmians First up on our meet the teams is league newcomers; Anselmians. I caught up with Les Woolaston - Anselmians media guru and ask him a few questions. Who are Anselmians? Old Anselmians’ RUFC was formed in 1947 by a group of former pupils of St. Anselm’s College, Birkenhead. The club relocated from Birkenhead to Eastham in the mid 1950's - the ground is named after a Christian Brother teacher at the school. With the advent of merit tables and then league rugby many traditional 'old boys' fixtures lapsed and the “Old” was dropped from the club's name. Anselmians received planning permission to develop a new clubhouse in 2018, the work was completed 3 years ago creating exceptional facilities to welcome new friends from North 1 West in the 2023/24 season. Facts and figures from last season: Where placed: Winners - North 2 West Games won: 20 Games lost: 2 Points scored: 743 Points against: 290 Ground: Malone Field, Eastham, Wirral Key player (s): Hard to single out one player when the team's success is built on cohesion 1 through 15. If pushed; Derek 'Degsy' Sailsbury, the cornerstone of the pack and Dai Morley Amselmians fly-half who brings points in spade loads with his boot.
MEET THE TEAM ELLIOTT HUSBAND CAPT Anselmians Who are Anselmians coaching team? Head Coach - Derek 'Degsy' Sailsbury Backs Coach - Tommy Banks Directors of Rugby - Jamie Kimpton and Steve Pilgrim Who is the skipper? Captain: Will Grabe Describe Anselmians style of play: A technically drilled pack allied with a belief in playing 'total rugby' How did they get here? Last season saw Anselminas promoted in successive seasons having been champions in the previous season too. The 2021/22 season also saw Anselmians reach the final of the Cheshire Cup. Any facts that others may not know about Anselmians? 4 internationals have played for Anselmians; The roll of honour....... Austin Healey (England), Simon Mason (Ireland), Christian Saverimutto (Ireland) and Ben Johnston (England).
MEET THE TEAM ELLIOTT HUSBAND CAPT Anselmians
COUNTY HONOURS Harry Oliver (Macclesfield) - Cheshire Tom Gardner (Stockport) - Cheshire Harry Harding (Macclesfield) Cheshire Will Connor (Stockport) - Cheshire Ross Sutherland (Sandbach)- Cheshire Nck Hearn (Wirral) - Cheshire Callum Morris (Lymm) - Cheshire Mark Williams (Wirral)- Cheshire Matt Lawrowitsch (Stockport) - Cheshire James Oliver (Macclesfield) - Cheshire Gavin Woods (Lymm)- Cheshire Will Connor (Stockport) - Cheshire Jimmy Gore (Sandbach) - Cheshire Nathan Beesley (Lymm) - Cheshire James Preston (Sandbach) - Cheshire Will Scholey (York) - Yorkshire Ross White (York) Yorkshire Tom Morton (Sandbach) - Cheshire Sam Russell (Blackburn) - Lancashire Joe Anderson - (Kendal) - Cumbria Alex Ryder (kendal) - Cumbria Alistair Thompson (Kendal) - Cumbria Matty Houghton (Kendal) - Cumbria Will Addyman (Ilkley) - Cumbria Josh Ree (Kirkby Lonsdale) - Cumbria Leo Mercer (Kendal)- Cumbria Greg Wrathall (Kendal)- Cumbria Aaron Stephens (Kendal)- Cumbria Apologies for anyone missed Adam Brown (Billingham) - Durham Dan Dixon (Billingham)- Durham Kieran Clark (Billingham) - Durham Jordan Foulds (Billingham) - Durham Ed Graham (Billingham) - Durham Ben Walton (Billingham) - Durham Mike Walton (Billingham) - Durham Nathan Myers (Billingham) Durham John Padley (Billingham) - Durham Dan Burns (Billingham) - Durham Peter Eavns - (Billingham) - Durham Martin Hopley (Billingham) - Durham Peter Youll (Billingham) - Durham Luke Armstrong (Billingham) - Durham Luke Wilson (Billingham) - Durham Jobe Roxby (Billingham) - Durham Elliott Husband (Billingham)- Durham Eldon Myers (Billingham)- Durham Matt Kirby (Billingham)- Durham Connor Witton (Billingham)- Durham Evan Moir (Alnwick)- N'berland James Bird (Alnwick)- N'berland Ali Blackett (Alnwick) - N'berland Richie Elliott (Alnwick) - N'berland Drew Thompson (Alnwick) - N'berland Alex Robson (Alnwick) - N'berland Duncan Smith (Alnwick) - N'berland
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