Introduction
Verwood Rugby Club was founded in 1995 off the back of former players living in the area, and the former Alderholt RFC, which previously had only played Sunday rugby.
The club itself was founded by Ken & Simon Banks who provided money & enthusiasm to keep the club afloat, playing frequent friendly games until entry into the Dorset & Wilts leagues in 1996.
Originally playing in club colours of white & red squares, Verwood secured a spot on the new Potterne Park playing fields, and over the following few years worked with the local town VCA to raise funds for the pavilion which now graces the centre of the park provided changing, storage and indoors coaching facilities for a variety of sports.
Initially coached by senior players, Verwood maintained a steady performance year in year out, however, due to increased travel with the way the league was then structued, numbers began to drop and results along with it. Consequently in season 2000/2001, Verwood transferred to Hampshire league rugby, and at the same time a change in team colours to black & gold quarters ensued.
The Hampshire 3 league had fewer teams and whilst travel distances were similar, it was deemed more likely to lead to success, due to lower demands on player availability.
As it was in season 2001/2 & 2002/3 Verwood had a major influx of experienced players, and results began to follow with a club best performance in 2003/4, of 3rd in Hampshire 3, under the coaching leadership of former Swanage & Wareham coach, Mark Coppage. Verwood missed out on promotion by means of points difference. It was a bitter pill, and subsequently, the following season saw significant change with Mark leaving to further his studies, and with several players moving from the area due to career.
The next season 2004/5 was tough. Verwood had a new coach, Jim McGuffie, formerly of Bournemouth Colts, who not only brought a different coaching approach, but also a large number of his colts to the club. Nonetheless, whilst fresh, the new squad had a good mix of youth & experience and several good results ensued, and despite a disappointing bottom 3rd position, hopes were high for the future. A further change to club colours, combining the original red, with the previous black ensued. Unfortunately a change in fortunes didn't follow and for the following few seasons, several of the senior players either moved or hung up their boots, with the team becoming increasingly fractured. The next few season continued in a similar fashion until Season 2009/10 when a very serious life-threatening injury to one of Verwood's most popular players, involving an off-the-ball incident from an opposition player sent shockwaves through the club, from which the team didn't recover for the rest of the season.
Consequently, this disrupted the club overall, and due to other unrelated circumstances, the coaching team departed the club, and the team was left to see through the remaining games without a coach, ending the season bottom of Hampshire 3.
Enough was enough, Verwood was eager for success, having not tasted any in several years. Furthermore, the committee decided that the things which had been previously tried but hadn't worked, needed to change, and a whole new approach and philosphy was born.
A new head coach, Mike Wheatley, who had played for the club between 2001-2005, was appointed during pre-season 2010/11, and along with him two former senior players to provide coaching support. The aim was to knit together the new young blood with the senior players, past & present, with the aim of encouraging some of these players to return to the game & club, in the new inclusive environment.
A detailed team & coaching plan based around progressive rugby skill development was created, and implemented throughout the season. The fresh approach, and young enthusiastic team, showed massive potential, and gradually players started joining the club in numbers. Whereas in the previous season the team had struggled to raise 13 players let alone 15, Verwood now had 20+ players for most matches.
Training sessions were initiated on Tuesdays & Thursdays and despite occasional attendance dips, on average training attendances stayed steadily well into double figures throughout the whole season.
This commitment, and consistency in coaching proper rugby, with particular attention to the set piece, paid dividends, and Verwood honoured a full fixture list of 22 games, several friendlies, and finished 4th in Dorset & Wilts 3 South, with the honour of the highest number of points scored. A huge turnaround from the previous season, and due to the relative inexperience of the team, it was deemed a better result than that in season 2003/4, which was achieved with a very experienced squad.
Most importantly, a fabulous day was had by all at the 2011 Memorial Game, where huge numbers of former players turned out to play against the current team, and an enjoyable and successful day was had by all.
Season 2011/12 now stands ahead, and already during pre-season the club has seen 17 new faces, all apparently keen to train and play for the club. This is roughly 3 times the number seen at the same point last season. Consequently, Verwood for the first time is scheduling 2nd XV fixtures, and is optimistic of a successful season.
Due to Dorset & Wilts League structure changes, D&W 3 South will be tougher this year. Whilst 2 sides were promoted, a total of 4 sides have been relegated from D&W 2 South, & New Milton II are a new entry. 5 sides have been relegated from our league to the new D&W 4 South,and the fact that Verwood retain their place, is indicative of last seasons performances, and is equivalent to a semi-promotion.
For our targets for the coming 2 seasons, please see the attached Powerpoint Presentation, also in our Documents section for the Squad & Coaching Plan.
Verwood, with realistic expectations, are aiming for a Top 3 finish in 2011/12, with a stretch target of promotion, which is definitely achievable if the club can maintain the encouraging numbers seen so far this season.
Whether you are new to the game, in your latter playing years, or just wanting to be involved in a club at the grass roots which has solid ambitions, and is planning for success, then please either contact one of the committee or coaches on the contacts page, or turn up on Thursday at Potterne Park, 7pm and introduce yourself.
The club itself was founded by Ken & Simon Banks who provided money & enthusiasm to keep the club afloat, playing frequent friendly games until entry into the Dorset & Wilts leagues in 1996.
Originally playing in club colours of white & red squares, Verwood secured a spot on the new Potterne Park playing fields, and over the following few years worked with the local town VCA to raise funds for the pavilion which now graces the centre of the park provided changing, storage and indoors coaching facilities for a variety of sports.
Initially coached by senior players, Verwood maintained a steady performance year in year out, however, due to increased travel with the way the league was then structued, numbers began to drop and results along with it. Consequently in season 2000/2001, Verwood transferred to Hampshire league rugby, and at the same time a change in team colours to black & gold quarters ensued.
The Hampshire 3 league had fewer teams and whilst travel distances were similar, it was deemed more likely to lead to success, due to lower demands on player availability.
As it was in season 2001/2 & 2002/3 Verwood had a major influx of experienced players, and results began to follow with a club best performance in 2003/4, of 3rd in Hampshire 3, under the coaching leadership of former Swanage & Wareham coach, Mark Coppage. Verwood missed out on promotion by means of points difference. It was a bitter pill, and subsequently, the following season saw significant change with Mark leaving to further his studies, and with several players moving from the area due to career.
The next season 2004/5 was tough. Verwood had a new coach, Jim McGuffie, formerly of Bournemouth Colts, who not only brought a different coaching approach, but also a large number of his colts to the club. Nonetheless, whilst fresh, the new squad had a good mix of youth & experience and several good results ensued, and despite a disappointing bottom 3rd position, hopes were high for the future. A further change to club colours, combining the original red, with the previous black ensued. Unfortunately a change in fortunes didn't follow and for the following few seasons, several of the senior players either moved or hung up their boots, with the team becoming increasingly fractured. The next few season continued in a similar fashion until Season 2009/10 when a very serious life-threatening injury to one of Verwood's most popular players, involving an off-the-ball incident from an opposition player sent shockwaves through the club, from which the team didn't recover for the rest of the season.
Consequently, this disrupted the club overall, and due to other unrelated circumstances, the coaching team departed the club, and the team was left to see through the remaining games without a coach, ending the season bottom of Hampshire 3.
Enough was enough, Verwood was eager for success, having not tasted any in several years. Furthermore, the committee decided that the things which had been previously tried but hadn't worked, needed to change, and a whole new approach and philosphy was born.
A new head coach, Mike Wheatley, who had played for the club between 2001-2005, was appointed during pre-season 2010/11, and along with him two former senior players to provide coaching support. The aim was to knit together the new young blood with the senior players, past & present, with the aim of encouraging some of these players to return to the game & club, in the new inclusive environment.
A detailed team & coaching plan based around progressive rugby skill development was created, and implemented throughout the season. The fresh approach, and young enthusiastic team, showed massive potential, and gradually players started joining the club in numbers. Whereas in the previous season the team had struggled to raise 13 players let alone 15, Verwood now had 20+ players for most matches.
Training sessions were initiated on Tuesdays & Thursdays and despite occasional attendance dips, on average training attendances stayed steadily well into double figures throughout the whole season.
This commitment, and consistency in coaching proper rugby, with particular attention to the set piece, paid dividends, and Verwood honoured a full fixture list of 22 games, several friendlies, and finished 4th in Dorset & Wilts 3 South, with the honour of the highest number of points scored. A huge turnaround from the previous season, and due to the relative inexperience of the team, it was deemed a better result than that in season 2003/4, which was achieved with a very experienced squad.
Most importantly, a fabulous day was had by all at the 2011 Memorial Game, where huge numbers of former players turned out to play against the current team, and an enjoyable and successful day was had by all.
Season 2011/12 now stands ahead, and already during pre-season the club has seen 17 new faces, all apparently keen to train and play for the club. This is roughly 3 times the number seen at the same point last season. Consequently, Verwood for the first time is scheduling 2nd XV fixtures, and is optimistic of a successful season.
Due to Dorset & Wilts League structure changes, D&W 3 South will be tougher this year. Whilst 2 sides were promoted, a total of 4 sides have been relegated from D&W 2 South, & New Milton II are a new entry. 5 sides have been relegated from our league to the new D&W 4 South,and the fact that Verwood retain their place, is indicative of last seasons performances, and is equivalent to a semi-promotion.
For our targets for the coming 2 seasons, please see the attached Powerpoint Presentation, also in our Documents section for the Squad & Coaching Plan.
Verwood, with realistic expectations, are aiming for a Top 3 finish in 2011/12, with a stretch target of promotion, which is definitely achievable if the club can maintain the encouraging numbers seen so far this season.
Whether you are new to the game, in your latter playing years, or just wanting to be involved in a club at the grass roots which has solid ambitions, and is planning for success, then please either contact one of the committee or coaches on the contacts page, or turn up on Thursday at Potterne Park, 7pm and introduce yourself.
Documents
Squad & Coaching Plan 2011/12 onwards
Private document: Supporter, Player, Parent, Club Member, Staff, Coach, Team Admin, Webmaster
Powerpoint presentation detailed Verwood Rugby's plans for rugby & coaching.
Size: 709 KB
Download
RSS Feeds