New Brighton Juniors Update - January 2006

The Race Night held on Saturday, 3rd December was a great success. All the races had sponsors and the owners, trainers and jockeys were sold in advance of the event. There was a profit of over £9OO, which does not include the amount taken at the bar on the evening. This was in excess of £900. Biff Smith deserves our sincere thanks for all his work in organising this enjoyable fundraiser.

A new range of sportswear is available we had received orders for almost £1000 running up to Christmas.

Although they do not represent The Junior Section, two young players have played for the Pirates and the Second Team this season. They are Ian Tempest and Craig Wilson, who also play for The Wallasey Schools’ Consortium Team, which is made up from boys who attend Mosslands, Oldershaw and The Wallasey Schools. Their home games are played at Hartsfield. Ian Tempest helps with the coaching of the Under 12’s.

There have been a large number of new recruits to the Junior Section this season. We now operate five groups, Under 11, Under 12, Under 13, Under 14 and Under 15. It is anticipated that this will be extended next season to include an Under 16 group. In order to run this extra group next year we will require additional coaches. If you are prepared to help with the coaching please let me or Ken Roberts know as soon as possible.

The vast majority of the boys in the Junior Section attend schools that do not play rugby over one or two terms during the autumn and winter. When we play clubs such as Caldy, Wirral or Old Anselmians, we are at a disadvantage, playing against boys who receive coaching in school and on Sundays. However, it is pleasing to note that the margin of defeat against these clubs has decreased over the last two seasons since the Junior Section began in November 2003.

A number of boys in the older groups have been attending Cheshire development sessions. Some players have been nominated by their schools and others by the coaches at New Brighton. In the New Year we should learn if they have been selected to progress to the next stage.

The Under 15’s won their first game when they played Port Sunlight last Sunday. Colin Jones, their coach has twenty boys who come regularly. He has worked on his own with these boys, but we have managed to obtain another coach to assist him after Christmas. Many of these boys come to fitness training on Thursdays and this is paying dividends in matches. They are beginning to demonstrate greater organisation in their play. Most importantly they show great enthusiasm and team spirit, which is exemplified by Tom Allen, who attends every session but is happy to come on as a replacement during the matches.

A large number of new players have joined the Under 14 group. They have yet to win this season but their defeats have been against teams with much greater experience. Compared with Last season, the margins of defeat are much improved.

The Under 13’s have done well so far this season. They have won two of their four games so far and one of the defeats was by a narrow margin. They are beginning to get the basics right and the decision making on the field has improved enormously.

The Under 12’s won their first game of the season against Ellesmere Port. They too have many new faces this season. There is some evidence that they are beginning to put the drills learnt in coaching sessions into practice in match situations.

Finally the youngest group, The Under 11's which contain boys who are aged eight and over. They have yet to win but they Lost very narrowly to Hoylake, who defeated us by scoring one more try.

We are most grateful to Ellie Taylor and her Loyal assistants for providing refreshments throughout the season.

What is most pleasing throughout The Juniors is the enthusiasm and willingness to improve. A large number of parents attend the sessions and offer the right kind of support at the matches.

Colin Bruce (Chairman of Junior Rugby)