Dear all,
I hope this finds you all in good form and ready to get back into things at whichever level of rugby you're wanting to play. There is some exciting news and changes ahead with the leagues re-structure, at a time when we find ourselves in a unique position. Stronger post lockdown than many and with a vibrant and positive membership to drive things forward. Our wonderful facilities and a really positive feeling around the rugby club.
We are looking forward to seeing returning students and those lacing up their boots up that haven't for some time all joining the in-club activities. Additionally, we are looking for volunteers across a number of areas, for helping with match days, to website and social media. Please give me a call if you're interested in getting involved. Now for a little information on the plan for pre-season. As is ever the case, the following is flexible and I'm sure may change slightly. We are mindful of the other commitments in everyone's day-to-day lives, especially over the summer. We are aiming to make everyone's involvement with the rugby club fun and enjoyable across all teams, while looking to push us along and see if we can challenge for top 5 in the league, if not more. I truly believe we are a top 3 team in any league we find ourselves in, if we can get that buy-in for players to train and play over the course of the whole season. Across the whole club, the boys have been clear they are all keen to have a summer break from footy, which I totally understand. I would like to be crystal clear we will adjust accordingly and be as flexible around content of sessions as possible, only having Wednesday nights to work. This really does mean players will be responsible for their own conditioning, and we won't have time to ease into things. You're going to feel it if you've done nothing... So be prepared to hit the ground running; if anything the June Conditioning game sessions are going to be key to players getting themselves up to speed and will enable us to work on open phase calls and a framework for play. Before we increase the work throughout July and August, we also need everyone to please respond to Spond and let us know either way if you're attending or not. This helps so much with planning session content.
I'm also aware it is not realistic to expect to see everyone at every session, but please do let us know either way; this is really important, so we can maximise numbers and time we have on pitch. Time on pitch... For June we will look to work 7.45pm - 9.15pm - please make every effort to be ready to go for 7.30pm. We would also really like to build into training individual warm-up and activation time but that really depends on you guys getting there early. We won't have anyone on the pitch before training in June, so let's see if we can get this going. Also, with the limited time available, we have programmed in some joint training sessions with other teams, such as Camberley and Weybridge Vandals in early August. Please note that anyone who just wants to play touch, this will be accommodated on pitches alongside Senior training.
Everyone is welcome and we will look to run the same framework and moves across senior teams. However, we may need to be more focused on getting through detail and please don't be surprised with movement of players and coaches between working groups.
Ideally, we would like everyone to try and make themselves available for at least two of the listed pre-season fixtures, which are against a decent mix of opposition. We will manage this as we see fit to try and give everyone as much needed game time, before the early September league start.
We are also looking to organise a value and goal setting day at the club over the weekend of 9th/10th July.
Further updates will follow about our Pre-Season Tour to Den Haag in late August. If anyone wishes to tour please let us know - playing and non-playing all welcome.
Dates for your Diary and remember to respond to Spond please:
June 2022 - Pre-season: • Wednesday 1st (7.45pm - 9.15pm) Conditioning Games & Skills • Wednesday 8th (7.45pm - 9.15pm) Conditioning Games & Skills • Wednesday 15th (7.45pm - 9.15pm) Conditioning Games & Skills • Wednesday 22nd (7.45pm - 9.15pm) Conditioning Games & Skills • Wednesday 29th (7.45pm - 9.15pm) Conditioning Games & Skills
July 2022 - Pre-season • Wednesday 6th (7.45pm - 9.15pm) Team Play & Units • Saturday 9th / Sunday 10th
Possible Team day/s (TBC)
• Wednesday 13th (7.45pm - 9.15pm)
Team Play & Units
• Wednesday 20th (7.45pm - 9.15pm)
Team Play & Units
• Wednesday 27th (7.45pm - 9.15pm)
Team Play & Units
August 2022 - Pre-season • Wednesday 3rd (7.45pm - 9.15pm)
Joint training sessionithw Camberley • Saturday 6th (11.00am - 1.00pm )
Joint training session and controlled game play with Weybridge Vandals @Weybridge Vandals • Wednesday 10th (7.45pm - 9.15pm) Team Play & Units • Saturday 13th (3.00pm) Fixture Vs Eton Manor XV @Cobham • Wednesday 17th (7.45pm - 9.15pm) Team Plays & Units • Saturday 20th (3.00pm) Fixture Vs Havant XV @Cobham • Wednesday 24th (7.45pm - 9.15pm) Team Play & Units • Thursday 25th - Sunday 28th
Den Haag Trip (TBC)
• Wednesday 31st (7.45pm - 9.15pm)
Team Play & Units - team announcements and Kit hand out ahead of weekend fixtures.
Saturday 3rd September (TBC) Game 1 of the new league season For further information please Contact: Steve Pope: Director of Rugby Mobile: 07795 836610 Email: spope@reeds.surrey.sch.uk
Chris Melton: Senior Section Chairman Mobile: 07971 043310 Email: chrismelton_cobhamrfc@hotmail.com
