We are delighted to announce that Jack Green is returning to the club and has been appointed as Seniors Backs Player/Coach, working alongside Head Coach, Karl Braband.

After coming through the junior section at the club, Jack, 32, played 1XV rugby at the tender age of 17 years before moving onto greater things with clubs such as Coventry RFC and more recently, captaining National League 1 side Cambridge RFC.

Whilst Jack is still keen to continue plying his trade on the pitch, he is also keen to move into coaching and this is a great opportunity for him and the club to develop into this area. With his wealth of knowledge and experience this will bring valued support to Karl as he prepares for the new season ahead.

Scouts Academy

In addition to this, I would like to share with you a revised approach we are taking as a club in the support of our Colts (U17/U18s) who are a key part of the club's future.

It has become very apparent that in recent years that school rugby has become a major factor in the availability of youngsters within our game nationwide, as they make the transition from Sunday morning Junior rugby to Saturday rugby with a more senior approach. With this is mind, we have set up the NOSRFC Academy, which is designed to keep the squad as a whole across the ages, but giving the playing opportunity to all, in and around external commitments. Richard Bustin who towards the end of last season became involved with the Colts will take on the role of Head Coach for the Academy, assisted by Tracey Cowley-Coulton who will administer the structure.

Whilst Saturday rugby will continue, fixtures will also be available on Sundays as well as hopefully the odd Friday night under lights games to allow involvement for all. A more in-depth view on the structure and the coaching support behind Richard will be distributed to all of the squad players involved by Club Captain Mark Holliday very soon.

With this, I would also like to take the opportunity to thank JM Warburton for his time involved with the Colts, it is greatly appreciated.

Pre-Season Training

This leads me nicely onto pre-season training for both the Seniors and the Academy, which will commence on Tuesday 2nd July from 7pm.

Mid-week touch rugby, for those interested has begun at the club on Tuesday evenings and it is being run by Tony Morrison, again from 7pm and will run weekly up to the start of the pre-season sessions. This is open to all club members and new comers, including those who may be thinking of returning to rugby.

Non-Executive Board

Finally, you may recall towards the end of last season I mentioned about the Non-Executive Board that has been appointed within the club. The idea of this is to bring new blood, fresh ideas and valued input into the club, working alongside the main board. This is being driven by Mark Holliday and to date the following key personnel are involved, with others behind the scenes:-

Commercial / Sponsorship – Headed up by Stuart Relf, supported by Jason Inwood
Publicity / Social Media / Comms – Headed up by Rachel Holliday and Carl Booker
Clubhouse – Managed by Laura Bayes
Facilities / Maintenance – Headed up by Toby Chambers
Senior Playing structure – Headed up by Ryan Cousins, supported by Mark Holliday
Academy – Headed up by Richard Bustin, supported by Tracey Cowley-Coulton
Social – Headed up by Rich Martin and Darren Wootton

Over the closed season away from the playing side, the areas of attention are: the refurbishment of the changing rooms, updating and maintaining publicity comms, implementation of a Club Development fund and clubhouse work to name just a few.

A full overview and update will be given at the Club AGM which is on Monday 15th July, 7.30pm at the Clubhouse – Please attend to hear more about your club and its future!

Well, that’s it from me; I hope you are delighted with the progress we are making on and off the pitch and may I wish you a relaxing off-season and enjoy the summer.

Here’s to a great 2019/20 Season!

Keith Shurville
NOSRFC President