So Christmas has rolled around and so as is tradition, we must all gather round and listen to her majesty give her queens speech and it's no different here at Wheatley!
So gather round and hear what our glorious leaders have to say!
Coach Geoff Ward:-
Coming in to this season and a new club was a voyage into the unknown for me, a club that; had just been relegated under the stewardship of a, now disgraced and former, captain who is harbouring an 'injury' that paracetamol could cure; was docked points for fielding ineligible (and possibly illegible due to the use of crayon on the team card) players; and by all accounts struggling to mass regular attendance at training.
Yet, nonetheless as we head into the Christmas break, the 1 XV are second in the table with a cup semi-final match lurking as dawn breaks on 2107. Why? I hear you ask. Is it the boundless enthusiasm and optimism of Alex Gabbidon. Well, yes, partly. There is a fantastic team spirit that has many sources both on and off the Holton field of dreams. A team spirit that says, 'I won't let you down, I will be there, a part of the purple wall, a raider of the night.'*
With a burgeoning squad of players more than capable of taking the 1 XV shirt - competition should be welcomed and the challenge to fight for a shirt relished by all. There is more to do and there will be blood, sweat and quite possibly tears but we are well on the way, and I like many are in for the ride and look forward to where it may take us in 2017.
Importantly, it is those that support us through our endeavours, whether it be on the sideline or at home, we must thank at this time of year. Have a great Christmas and fantastic 2017.
* Unless there is a Fratelli's concert, in which case you're on your own sweet cheeks.
Player, coach and chef Simon 'Tamworth' Chadbone:-
After a 17 year hiatus returning to first team involvement with Wheatley RUFC was for me quite an exciting challenge,
Off the back of an inconsistent season I wasn't sure what numbers we would see at training or whether the players would be receptive to a returning ex player that many of them don't know!
I was thrilled to find that as a whole the training ethos amongst the majority was good, there is a genuine want to improve and most importantly the players have bought into what we want to achieve what's more there is a genuine ambition within the committee to take Wheatley forward.
Getting to know the players and understanding the team dynamics both on as off the field has been a real enjoyable experience although I'm not ready for a 3 PC just yet!!
This group really have potential as does the club, we are just beyond the half way point and we have fulfilled all of our fixture commitments and thrown in a couple of extra ones to boot. In the new year the vets cup will be upon us and we will see 3 teams in the purple and black.
I'm not sure whether Wheatley have ever had the luxury of three coaches but having Geoff and Phil's guidance can only be a good thing and now offering training on both Tuesday and Thursdays and supper club is an example of the progress that is bing made seeing more of the players in the bar warms my heart as that's what it's all about, building the team, club spirit and the camaraderie.
I look forward to reviewing the season and I relish the challenges that the new year brings
Yours in rugby,
Tam