As we approach the start of another season at Woodford RFC, I thought I would share my thoughts with you as to what has been going on so far this pre season.

Before we continue with what has been going on I would like to start with a thank you and some welcomes. A big thank you goes to the players energy, commitment and willingness to learn in challenging environments that has made for a great few weeks, lets keep this going! I also say thank you and welcome to our new coaching, management and medical teams. We welcome and thank Liam Dunseath who joins us as the clubs assistant coach who has made a great start already, Sagan Daniels who joins us as the clubs transitional coach responsible for managing the transition of U16s –U19s into senior rugby as well as club legend Terry Jackson and Charles Ross who come on board as team managers alongside Baden Clegg this year. A final thank you goes to our medical team who ensures our players are fit for playing and we welcome Angelika who joins us this year.

We are finishing our fifth week of pre season training for the Senior and Colts Players where we have seen around fifty different players attend. Since pre season has started we have had a consistent 30-35 which is fantastic. Training has been very games based, fun and lots of opportunities for development. This is something at Woodford we are proud of and look to embed across the whole club as we create a development and fun driven culture. There has been an optional fitness club on a Saturday morning for players wanting to get in some extra work, this has seen around 20 players attending and working really hard.

We have had a number of external coaches/players come to the club to offer their support to the coaches and players. We have had former England Saxon, Saracens and Former Woodford Junior Andy Saull, former Saracens and Wales Women Fly Half Amanda Bonnett and a national filming company to review the delivery of our training sessions. These have been invaluable in making sure we are constantly increasing the standard of our training and coaching at Woodford.

A lot of this success has been off the back of a successful Summer Touch Rugby Program. This was ran from June onwards and saw around 40-60 players attend every week aged 15-55 designed to build some relationships between age groups and senior players. Well done to all the club players that attended these sessions and we look forward to supporting the younger lads on a Sunday morning.

In terms of playing personnel, we have recruited a handful of new players across the board off the back of the Lions and increased social media activity which is key for our club to fulfil all 3 senior XV’s fixtures this season. We are also seeing a real positive transition of U18s & U17s make the move into Senior Rugby with 15/20 of the boys training with the senior squads. If these players are consistent we will be in a good place throughout the season.

If you want to be part of a young, vibrant club with enjoyment & development at the heart then please come along to training on a Tuesday and Thursday evening from 7.30pm onwards.

All the best!

Tom Redfern.