Here's some wise words from our committee members, for the 2007-8 season.
Manny Howkins, Club President
Stuart Parkin, Club Chairman
Laurence O'Connor, Secretary
Dave Middleditch, Fixtures secretary
Jarlath McElroy, Membership Secretary
Dave Smith, First Team Captain
Patrick Leahy, Second Team Captain
Ed Bowden, Colts Coach
Kenny, Physio
Manny Howkins, Club President
Stuart Parkin, Club Chairman
Laurence O'Connor, Secretary
Dave Middleditch, Fixtures Secretary
I am looking forward to the second season of publicity in the club. Highlights of last year were definitely seeing the younger player ssuch as Adam Wells and Duncan Taylor stepping up from the first year Colts to play for the first team. Both have played excellently and will be pushing senior players this season. Both players were instrumental in the Lewis Shield Win last season. Also congratulations to the U16s for the Lexus tournament win as well as Bucks Cup.
I am also pleased to see the introduction of our overseas players from New Zealand and I am glad to see that Reece and Ranna have decided to stay another season. I would also like to welcome brother Tanie to the club. The two boys have brought back the fire in the first team and have been excellent in form, bringing up the younger first team players.
With the World Cup this year there should be plenty going on down the club so look out on the website for events coming up.I wish all teams success for the next season and to those too old or lazy to play, get down and cheer on the teams and make sure you all stay for a beer afterwards.
Finishing third in the league last season was a fantastic achievement for the ladies team, and gave the squad its highest ever league position in its 12 year history. After a shuffle of the league structure, this year Olney Ladies are placed in Championship 2 Midlands and we have one simple aim for the season ahead: to win the league.
I'm 100% confident that we have the ability and commitment needed to take the title and although we'll have some hard games, my girls can do it! We face mostly the usual suspects including Loughborough and Shelford, but in addition this year we have Old Leamingtonians and Longton in our league. Old Leams I know have been improving at a great rate of knots and will come here wanting to cause an upset - for most sides in the league, we are the team to beat. All I would say to them is - bring it on!!
Once again, and thankfully, Tim and Icky are steering us on and off the pitch. We know how lucky we are to have those two as coaches, and our new physio Jade has also been a real asset to the set up. The girls side continues to attract new players and the skills and talent that these youngsters have is fantastic to see - Steve Micklewright is doing a great job in developing their rugby.
Those of you who know the ladies team know that we are a friendly bunch and that we play to enjoy ourselves, as well as to win. The door is always open for new faces, so please direct potential rugby girls our way. The same goes for supporters as well - the more the merrier to add to the banter and general coach-trip mayhem so come down and join in - it's all good....
Having negotiated our way through a busy Pre Season, I am sure we are all keen to return to what we love best – either playing, watching or coaching our children. We had a particularly good season in 06/07 with over 250 registered players aged 16 and below.
We achieved the Clubmark accreditation, which is an RFU award to signify that the club has attained a high standard in providing a safe and proper environment at Olney RFC. A great deal of work went into achieving this and we should shortly be receiving confirmation that we have been successful in retaining this, which is a credit to the club and it’s members.
On the playing side, particular mention must go the U16s who won the National Lexus Final in a thrilling competition, as well as retaining both the County Cup and League titles and achieving 58 games unbeaten – well done to all the players as well as the coaches, Ed and Bob. In addition, Sam Hodgson from this team was selected for England U16 – congratulations to Sam and good luck in the future.
In the Minis, the U7s won the Beds Cup won also by the previous year’s Olney U7s. The U8s played in 6 Competitions winning 4 and being runners up in the other 2. Olney were fortunate enough to host the Alliance U7 & 8 competition in 06/07 (a great day, with the exception of the dreadful weather) and we will host the Alliance Cup for U9-12 in March 2008.
Many of the other age groups showed very encouraging signs reaching finals or semi finals and more importantly, the regular attendance on Sundays and weekday evenings training sessions consistently increased on the previous season.
For the forthcoming season, please extend a warm welcome to all visiting and opposing players, coaches and spectators, as well as cheering and supporting our teams and officials in a positive manner. Please remember that all Referees, Coaches and Players attend each and every week to enjoy the game, meet their friends and to enjoy the benefits of a social game of rugby.
Finally, the club is only as good as it’s support. For the Mini / Junior Section, The Parents Committee support the Mini / Juniors primarily through organising the Bacon Roll Stand (thanks to Debbie Warn particularly here). The rota for this is spread amongst the age groups, and please spare a small part of your time to assist on a Sunday morning in the season. You will undoubtedly get to chat to a few different people as well and the time passes quickly. The money raised goes directly back to the Mini / Junior Section, which will help us to continue to thrive.
I hope you all enjoy another great season.
