Stafford Rugby Girls Gain Regional Honours and National Recognition.
Four Girls from Stafford Rugby clubs Under 15 team gained selection to represent the West Midlands in the National Regional Festival held at Lichfield. The girls all from Walton High school play for the newly formed under 15 girls team of Stafford Rugby Club. They were selected after first gaining county honours for Staffordshire earlier in the year and then attending a number of regional trials and matches for the West Midlands .
The national festival brings together the top 200 girls from the whole of England and is greatly supported by the RFUW and is the window to view potential international players of the future. Following the festival two girls, E.J Bennett and Emma Jones for the under 18 age group and Chelsey Fuggle for the under 15 age ,were selected to attend trials to gain places on the national school of rugby elite development programme. Unfortunately for E J she was injured early on in the trial and was unable to show her full potential to the selectors.
At under 15 level Chelsey Fuggle was successful and has been selected for the Schools of rugby for the following 2008/ 9 season. Where she will be coached by some of the best RFUW coaches in the country.
Ladies Team manager and coordinator for the girls section at Stafford Rugby Club, Neil Maguire said "We are tremendously proud of these girls and their achievement in such a relatively short space of time. I am hopeful that if they keep going and take advantage of the opportunities presented to them to develop by the RFUW that one day we will see a Stafford girl pulling on an England shirt. The development of the under 15 and 18 youth teams is very important to the club and we invite any girls of high school age to come down to the club and see what girls rugby is all about!"
Any girls or ladies interested should contact Carla Lund (Ladies Captain) on 07985 585 033.
Supplied by Barry Fuggle under 15 girls coach , any further info can be obtained from barry on 07748656317
Training
Senior mens and Colts players Coaching and training with Graham MacDonald Head coach Tuesdays & Thursdays 7:00 - 9:00pm.
All players existing and new are welcome. Shown left is a picture from a recent training session.
Women's training is on Wednesdays at 7pm and Sundays at 12:30pm.
For more information - contact Neil Maguire Women's team coach 07709 532081
2007 - 2008 Season Overview
The 2007- 08 season was a mixed ‘bag’ for Stafford Rugby Club. The first XV having been relegated to the Midlands West 3 League, it was of paramount importance the same thing didn't happen again.
The Season started with the appointment of a new coach, Graham Macdonald. Unfortunately, the run of bad results continued with the first five games resulting in losses. However, on 20th October, after a lot of straight talking our first win was achieved on home turf against Leek. This was the clubs first win in a season and a half of rugby so it was most welcome. The next nine games resulted in four wins, three draws and two losses enabling the club to climb into the top five. However, complacency set in and instead of moving forward the next four games resulted in losses and put them in a relegation struggle. The players were told in no uncertain terms by coach Graham Macdonald of the dire situation they were now in and only hard work would ensure league survival. The players responded winning two of the last three games, thus shrugging off relegation fears.
Summing up, it was somewhat of a "curates egg" type of season (good and bad in parts). Graham Macdonald’s view was "I felt we generally underachieved but progress was made". He continued “that player awareness of their roles and the emergence of some of the younger players combined with some steady performances of the older players worked well. If we continue to train through-out the summer, I feel we have the ability to be a top four side at the very least" continuing Graham said "but I do stress the effort has to be maintained. We cannot take the foot off the pedal as we did this year".
The season was also the first full season for the town’s ladies rugby team, who started this season with a 108-0 defeat through a lack of experience team to seeing a draw of 10-10 on home turf three weeks ago. Despite having no victories, the ladies teams continues to remain strong and are hopeful in still joining a league next season. Pre-season starts in earnest on Tuesday 3rd June where any new players will be welcome at 7:30pm for. (Seniors and Vets). Ladies train on a Wednesday night at 7pm and on Sundays at midday.
Club Chairman Ceri Evans “wished everyone to build on the good news of last season and keep expanding the clubs horizon’s, so that we can regain our position as the premier club in Staffordshire Rugby”
For all League Results & Tables Visit the Rugby Round-up
Have you seen the Stafford R.U.F.C. page on the R.F.U.'s club pages? You can view the site here RFU Seal of Approval Club |
The New Laws Explained
On Tuesday 29th July the new Laws were explained by Colin McDonald from the Referees Society. It is essential that all players and coaches understand the law amendments so we are able to incorporate the law changes into our pre season training.
Working Party
The changing rooms and grounds had its first spring clean and painting on July 5. Pictured are volunteers hard at work. 
Wednesday Nights
The Club is now open Wednesday nights from 8pm onwards serving drinks to Wednesday night training groups (women, vets and junior squads) ; card players and any other social drinkers who wish to call in for a drink. Please support the Club in this service.
Colts XV 2008 - 2009
Stafford RFC are once again be running a Colts XV in the 2008 - 2009 season. Ernie Nevin has accepted the role of Lead Colts Coach. The team will play in the Staffordshire RU Colts League.
A structured training and player development is being put in place for these Junior players to help them make the important transition from junior to senior rugby.
Training will take place on Thursday evenings with their Coaching needs being lead by Ernie Nevin but supported by rest of Senior Coaches staff.
New players are most welcome and can contact Ernie via the Club. The starting date for Colts training will be published here.
Ladies, have you played rugby before, or do you fancy trying?
Training is on Wednesday's at 7pm and Sundays at 12:30pm.
For more information - contact the Stafford Women's team coach Neil Maguire 07709 532081 Click Here for the Ladies web site
Stafford RUFC and Staffordshire University
Stafford RUFC have formalised their long-standing partnership agreement with Staffordshire University (Stafford campus) by signing an RFU Club / HE link document.
Seen in the photograph shaking hands on the partnership agreement are Kanishka Jayasinghe "KJ", University Rugby Club chairman and former Stafford RFC coaching co-ordinator Eric Stokes. Overlooking the handshake are Simon Jones Staffordshire's RUSLO and Tom Bartram Staffordshire's RDO
Why not join Stafford's 100 Club?
Prizes Consists of 10 Monthly draws
1st Prize £100
2nd Prize £50
3rd Prize £25
Two Jackpot Draws - June & December
1st Prize £400
2nd Prize £200
3rd Prize £75
If you are not a member and wish to join talk to:
Steve Galliers on 01785 215090
It costs only £5 per month and 50% of the income is paid monthly in prizes. Please support your club.
Download a standing order form from here.
Why not join Stafford's 200 club?
Cost is only £13 per annum with 200 members only
50% of the income is paid monthly in prizes
There are some vacancies in the 200 Club now - please ask Brian Barrett 01785 226644 for a 200 Club membership form. For all winners click here.
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