As the Youth Development Officer at CPRFC it is
for me to sum up the youth sections first season and it was fantastic
with all coaches and players putting in a lot of effort and time.
The teams themselves have worked tirelessly and
obtained some great results, who can remember the quarter final
display against New Ash Green, a team we had never beaten but on the
day we played the best rugby we had all season and the team deservedly
won 29 - 12.
This game summed up the season by pure
commitment, training regularly and good coaching the under 17's team
achieved what they did that day. Anything is possible with the
fundamentals in place and the players showing how by attending
training they were fitter and their skill levels increased.
The other teams did very well and the younger
players who attended this year were great especially with their lack
of games but this will change for the better for the forth coming
season.
As always we have the awards night and this year
for the first time the under 16's and below had a special night of
their own which was very well attended by over 120 people which
included the players and their families and friends. The under 17's
were invited to the club supper with all the senior teams. To the
award winners I congratulate you all on your awards but every award
was hard fought and a number of players were in contention for all the
awards up until the last game of the season.
The Barry Sykes Shield and the COOP Shield are
awarded to players who have, we believe them to be the complete player
off and on the field. These awards are given for their hard work over
and above just coming training and playing. The Barry Sykes Shield is
in remembrance of our own 'Sykesie' who wanted youth rugby at the club
and it is appropriate that this is the first year of the award and it
was presented at the club supper. The COOP Shield is in dedication of
Andrea Coop who was a PE ( and now returned) teacher at John Roan
School who started rugby there. I worked with her for a short while
before she went off to New Zealand and it was her inspiration that
this award was created and given to a John Roan under 16 boy for the
same reasons of the Barry Sykes Shield. This is the third year of the
award, which was previously won by Stephen Duffus and Matt Clarke.
So the awards for this year have been given out
as shown below so well done to all the winners.
Richard Gray donated medals to all the under 17
team, who won their way through to the semi finals of the Kent Bowl
and lost narrowly to Dover, at Dover. These were given out by Richard
at the club supper.
At the younger presentation night there were a
number of certificates given out to players who have come to notice
for their efforts and commitment. It was recognised by me that not all
players can win awards but it is important that players have come on
leaps and bounds through their own commitment and endeavour. Therefore
certificates were presented to a few players for various aspects of
their development which I believed they deserved recognition.
I also presented 3 'Certificates of Excellence'
this year and these are presented to players who I believe have
achieved more than some of their team mates and only three a year are
given out, so they have had to stand out to earn their achievement.
All three players have this year stepped up on to the plate when
called upon and all three played well above their age groups and did
not look out of place and their development has been great to watch.
The three winners are;
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Sean
Galloway
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Andrew
Holmes
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Jake
Noble |
Well done and well deserved to all three.
Before you see the award winners I would like to
thank all the coaching staff for their time and efforts this past
season. I would to thank the support given to me by the senior members
of the committee and club.
This section does not run without great admin
being carried out so to Elaine many, many thanks for your efforts and
for keeping us up to date and registered with what goes on in Kent
Rugby.
Award Winners for the season were;
Under 17's
Player of the Year; Andrew Gray
Barry Sykes Shield; Tom Williams
Players Player of the Year; Tom Williams
Most Improved Player of the Year; Tommy
Nightingale
Under 16's
Player of the Year; Jed Mincher
The COOP Shield; Charlie McCormack
Most Improved Player of the Year; Luke
Boswell
Under 14's
Player of the Year; Chris Cole
Most Improved Player of the Year; Alex
Blakesley
Players Player of the Year; Marc Simpson
So the season is now complete and what next for
us. It is onwards and upwards.
Pre-season starts on Sunday
the 29th June, at 11.00am, where the new fitness regime
will start for most. The future does look bright and we look forward
to everyone coming back, for more rugby and having some new faces join
us to take us to the next level.
