Y&J Chairman's Report
ECA Sponsorship of Tackle Tube Equipment
In the current austere financial climate, a very generous and significant donation of £1,000 managed by Mr. Victor Fagence on behalf of the Electrical Contractor's Association (ECA - representing the best in electrical engineering and building services in the UK www.eca.co.uk) has enabled the Ipswich RFC Y&J to purchase a whole suite of Tackle tubes and bags from Glen Remant www.tackletube.com (0) 151 342 5312.
We met Glen at the BSE Festival at the beginning of the season when our U11s and U10s won their age groups Cups with the U13s winning the Plate Trophy. He gave a great demonstration of the use and fun that one could have with the doughnut Tackletubes and the Y&J was determined to gain some to enhance and vary their Boys' practice.
Having coached throuhg the frst years of contact at U9 and U10 and having spoken with those current age group coaches, it became apparent that the same problems afflicts every group; some players are natutally gifted tacklers and do it effectively and safely on a regular basis, there are those that relish it but get it wrong technically and there are those that do not like it at all.
Our goal with the introduction of the doughnut Tackletubes was to support those Children with a fear of hurting or being hurt. In addition, we wanted to enthuse our smaller players or those slighly slower at aligning at speed the necessary body positions and thought processes needed to execute a safe tackle. As importantly we wanted to ensure that the element of fun was put back into the mix.
The doughnut Tackletubes enable us to work with less confident players to show them how to complete the tackle; by engaging the doughnut correctly we can practice bringing the opposition "player" to ground; our Boys are learning to get their head in the right place behind the ball carrier on contact, to hold on hard and tight, to remain in contact with the ball carrier until the tackle is completed, pop up to recover and go again. By varying the angle of the roll of the doughnut Tackletube and its speed, various exercises and games can be played and practiced to promote confto idence and improvement.
For more accomplished players we have been able to introduce multiple player tackle exercises on an increasingly competitive basis to practice chasing down a runner, hitting head on, hitting side on, how to react to a turnover; we have been able to focus our Boys on keeping light on their feet before the contact, closing down the ball carrier's space, tackling low and driving through the tackle.
All of the age groups that have engaged with the equipment (U9s, U10s & U11s) have really enjoyed their experience and within the eldest age group of U11s we have noticed a significant increase in the banter and laughter during these exercises; very importantly, a couple of these players have finally faced down their fears to accelerate forward in terms of performance and selection; what a wonderful and productive n incredible investment in our Boys made possible by the ECA's generosity !
Black & Yellow ! Black & Yellow ! – A Half Season Review December 2011 by Paul Rowland
ECA Sponsorship of Tackle Tube Equipment
There is a growing concern that Children are being tempted away from competitive sport due to apathy, a lack of facilities or opportunity; also some of our local Schools continue to be fixated upon the more “glamorous” sports of Basketball and Soccer. So it was that on the first day of the season, Sunday 4th September 2011, the Sun shone brilliantly as the Y&J Committee set out the individual registration packs and tables outside and waited anxiously to see whether our players would return. We were not disappointed. The excellent work of the first season, together and the continued promotion, recruitment and retention of the age groups across the Summer, led to our largest ever numbers signing on. In addition, we have registered scores and scores of further Boys across September - December; what is very pleasing is that Families on the outskirts of Ipswich, new to the area or wanting to offer their Son a high standard of care and coaching, have chosen Ipswich RFC over our local rivals.
At the last count our Y&J Section numbered 350 with a growing number of enthusiastic volunteers and skilled coaches dedicated to looking after the players’ welfare and coaching.
Every Sunday, home and away our Boys are supported very well by their families but it is the “home” fixtures where our community/family spirit comes to life; the little Bugs of the U6s and U7s scampering around the ankles of the older youth players looking cool and flicking their hair !
Our brilliant army of volunteers, together with the pod of leading Ladies aka “The Dream Team” has provided their usual excellent communication, preparation, service and support; there is a continued integration across all age groups as evidenced by the friendships of the Parents and pods of our Boys with a 10 year age gap out on the pitches after training, larking around, smashing into one another (happily!), learning new skills while playing.
Our 1st Team HC Johnny Breedt and a number of senior coaches and players have set out a Masterclass programme that continues the excellent previous work of Aaron Brown; the sessions are designed to impart encouragement, knowledge and support to the Boys. These have been very well received by all age groups which is testament to the friendships and respect that continues to be fostered across the playing sections.
Our excellent grounds man Steve Flegg has once again created perfect pitches for all age groups; despite the hot summer and hard clay, he has maintained a lush layer of grass to provide for quick, skilful games during the first half of the season; his efforts over the past 2 years have been recognised and rewarded with an RFU Volunteer Award presented to him before a packed HDL Club house after the U15s match vs. Mistley and U16s match vs. Southwold.
Socially we have enjoyed two significant events with an Halloween extravaganza (brilliant fireworks from Steve Beazley) and a poignant Act of Remembrance made exciting with the participation of a 662 Squadron Apache from Wattisham courtesy of Tony “Frankie Boy“ Worthington; in the run up to Christmas most age groups have enjoyed a party including a visit from Santa for the U6s & U7s !
We continue to draw upon all of the experience and talent available to us; we are not satisfied at simply winning trophies but want our Y&J Section and age group teams to evolve, to improve, to progress, to conquer again and again. We must not stand still because our local and regional competition is certainly not....Cambridge, Colchester, Shelford, Sudbury and Woodbridge et al continue to attract and actively recruit new coaches, equipment and financial investment.
The Club is putting into place a long term vision that should take us forward year after year.
We will continue to concentrate on being the best that we can be; by indoctrinating our Boys with a Rugby DNA whereby diligence and hard work is rewarded, we will seek to improve, to innovate and to create a Y&J Section greater even than the sum of its exceptional parts. The little things have become important; things like being courteous, friendly, hard working, punctual and correctly kitted out at all times....we have progressed to a point where we are doing this together.
Our Coaches believe that if they give a strong enough lead to the Boys as to why it is important to be responsible and respectful to their team, this will help to ensure they learn what that team represents and means to them.
Environment shapes behaviour and our Boys reflect the excellent standard of values being set by the Y&J Section’s coaches and volunteers. Collectively, our Child Safeguarding and Welfare has recently been highly commended by Martin Peacock. Win, lose or draw, our Boys’ positive conduct and sportsmanship are often remarked upon by opposition Coaches. In addition, our parents continue to embrace the spirit of Rugby and there have been no instances of the aggressive abuse from the touchlines that continues to dog matches elsewhere.
While we are by no means the finished article, you should all be very proud of the environment that your efforts are creating. Our Y&J Section is projecting the right vision of Junior Ruby to our Boys; our Coaches impose discipline, we offer them emotional and social boundaries, we push them to try harder, we show them that they need to learn what failure is all about....it must be working because across all age groups our Boys are desperate to get on the paddock to play for their teams and keep on improving.
Our Y&J Section’s commitment to the Boys and everyone that visits HDL on a Sunday is to always strive for better, to never rest on our laurels and to exceed all reasonable expectations.
We should reflect on our present blessings, of which there are many, and look to the future with great hope and optimism....there are great challenges ahead, higher peaks to conquer....the talent is there for the Y&J to shine....are you up for it ?
To conclude, and on behalf of the Y&J Committee, may we take this opportunity to wish you all a happy Christmas with a healthy and prosperous New Year.
Important Diary Date: Training @ Sunday 8th January 2012 !
Paul C Rowland & Richard Taylor
On a crisp November morning of Sunday 13th, Ipswich RFC held its Act of Remembrance to honour the fallen from our shores and those of the Commonwealth with particular reference to the continued work of our Armed Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. With Steve Beazley's patriotic music on the PA system, the Club was alive as whole generations of families from childen to grandparents, players, parents, supporters and Club members came together on this important day.
Our special guest was the visit of an Apache Helicopter from 662 Squadron that flew in from the east to hover 10 feet above our 3rd Club pitch, dipped its nose in salute to our assembled ranks of players and parents before banking away into the clear sky. This was an amazing part of our tribute and a wonderful gesture by the Commanding Officer 3 Regt Army Air Corps and in particular Tony "Frankie Boy" Worthington, Albert Finney, Bertie Banfield, Neale Moss, Del Lee and Chuck Nicol without whose support this wonderful experience could not have been realised; all have been presented with commemorative certificates by Ipswich RFC with our greatest respect and thanks.
Our Act of Remembrance Service was made poignant with poems read by Elliott Day and Sam Evans (U10) "In Flanders Fields, Joe Hindley and Harry Rowland (U11) "I vow to Thee my Country" and William Bagnall and James Vickers (U12) "The Fallen" as each Y&J age group, Mistley, Southwold, Senior Coaches and Players, Club President and Chairman laid their wreaths at the foot of our Union Jack covered dias.
The "Last Post" and "Reveille" was performed hauntingly by Mr. Vince Taber and the observation of the 2 minute silence was held immaculately.
Our guests from Mistley and Southwold were afforded a very warm welcome and we considered it an honour to have them with us on such an important day together; Mistley gave up home field advantage to join us and thus helped to demonstrate what Rugby does best in Suffolk; uniting people from all different areas and walks of life and bringing the best out of them.
With our U17s away on Eastern County Cup duty at Norwich (winning 29 - 5) , it was left to our U15s vs Mistley and our U16s vs Southwold to provide the Rugby entertainment at Humber Doucy Lane which was accomplishd with two Suffolk Plate matches of highly skilful, physical and absorbing intensity with Ipswich emerging victorious in both games (U15s) 56 - 0 and (U16s) 22 - 17.
As well as the sale of poppies our Y&J section will be giving as a donation some of our proceeds generated on the day to the Anglian Regiment Benevolent Fund to support the amazing work that they carry out with their wounded and in supporting the Families of the Boys that have not returned from Afghanistan.
After "battle" was complete and all players and spectators were back in a packed club bouse, commemorative certificates were presented to the Mistley and Southwold Head Coaches and their Players of the match as well as for Ipswich. In addition, RFU Valued Volunteer Commendations were awarded to Ipswich RFC HC Jason Smith for his work with the U15s this season and to Steve Flegg our groundsman for his unstinting efforts to transform our heavy clay soil into immaculate playing surfaces week in week out come wind, rain or shine.
Kevin Kinsella, Southwold "The Sharks" U16s Team Manager had this to say:
"Congratulations and thanks of Southwold Rugby Club and the U16 Southwold Sharks on to all of those who organised the Act of Remembrance today. It was hugely impressive, very well organised and it was an honour and a privilege for the U16 Sharks and all those associated with them to be invited to participate. Very well done - the lads were 'well impressed' with that Apache helicopter salute which was amazing and a great tribute.
Please also pass our thanks on to all associated with the Ipswich U16s and of course to the players themselves for hosting us so well. It was yet another incident packed nailbiter (in this series of seesawing games between the two) but this time it was your lads who took the honours and did themselves, the whole U16 coaching team and Ipswich RFC proud.
Good luck and enjoy the rest of the season, and thanks once again for allowing us to participate in your fantastic tribute."
Copies of the poems read at the service and the order of service ca be downloaded below:
Poem - I Vow To Thee My Country
Poem readers at the Dias from left to right:
Harry Rowland and Joe Hindley (U11), Sam Evans and Elliott Day (U10) with James Vickers and William Bagnall (U12)
662 Squadron Apache Helicopter hovers 10 feet above the 3rd Club pitch.
Passing On The Baton November 2011
Last season's U10s were the most succesful in the Y&J Club's history as their "A" team enjoyed an undefeated season in Club matches, became the Eastern Counties Leicester Prima Cup Champions with Wymondham, won the BSE and Colchester Festivals and enjoyed a winning tour to their new friends at Old Northamptonians. Aligned with this was a great squad spirit, enjoyment and pride in their Club. This season's new U10s are setting out their stall to become as equally successful on the paddock.
The attached picture from Tim Bowden shows U11 Captain, Harry Rowland, accompanied to his right by stalwarts Elliot Chilvers, Harry Williamson and Zack Beazley, passing on the BSE Festival Winner's Shield they won last year to Sam Evans, Captain of this season's winning U10s, with some of his teammates, Tyen Muller, Elliott Day, Ben Norval, Max Orr and Alex Hassan.
With the U11s winning their Cup again this year and the U12s winning the Plate, Ipswich RFC Y&J enjoyed a hatrick of trophies at our first Festival outing of the season.
