News for Mar 2008
HMS ILLUSTRIOUS - EXERCISE ORION 08
| Added: 24 Mar 2008 | |
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| HMS Illustrious left Portsmouth in January for a 4 month deployment to sunnier climates. With two new joiners from Navy Rugby onboard, Cdr Mark Deller(former Navy Head Coach and current Combined Services Head Coach) and CPOPT Billy May (former Navy Backs coach and Navy Sharks Head Coach from 2005 - 07), the rugby fraternity onboard were rightly looking for an upturn in their fortunes. Not to be disappointed Mark and Billy set about whipping them into shape, with weekly coaching sessions held both in the Hangar and on the Flight Deck. Players were introduced to some of the Navy Team Patterns and professional standards that led to both these coaches having success with Navy and CS teams last season. To date Lusty has played two fixtures whilst deployed, beating HMS Edinburgh 40-20 whilst in Malta and notably turning over Muscat RFC 45-21, the first Naval team to do so in 4 years. On their travels the community game has not been forgotten, during their stay in Malta, on the invitation of the Malta RFU they delivered a Tag Rugby competition to 300 Maltese school children at the Marsa Rugby Complex on the Island. Mark, Billy, CPO Taff Davies and PO Jan Curnow had to coach and referee the game to novice but enthusiastic schoolchildren using a variety of languages, English, Italian and even Cornish! An experience for all concerned. A return visit to Muscat, in addition to visits to Goa and Istanbul bodes well for this Rugby turnaround onboard the Fleets Strike Carrier, watch this space for more reports on Lusty RFC. |
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POTENTIAL RUGBY UNION COACHES REQUIRED
| Added: 14 Mar 2008 | |
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| Does your son or daughter play rugby? Would you like to coach your ships team? If so the Royal Navy Rugby Development Officer, CPOPT ‘Dusty’ Miller, is running RFU Level 1 & 2 coaching courses throughout the Summer Term. The RNRU will offer CPD upon success completion of the course with workshops led by some of the leading names in the game. Course date and venues are as follows: Level 1 3 – 5 June HMS Temeraire 22 – 24 Jul HMS Raleigh Level 2 6 & 7 Aug HMS Temeraire (Part1) 16 & 17 Sep HMS Temeraire (Part 2) Are you interested? If so please contact the RDO on 02392 724426, 9380 24426 or via e-mail dustymiller@rfu.com |
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COLE'S FAREWELL
| Added: 6 Mar 2008 | |
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| As Winter turns to Spring all eyes are now firmly focussed on the Inter-services. The Senior XV have a had promising start to the new campaign under their new management and coaching staff recording an impressive victory away in France after the reversal against Oxford University. These strong performances coupled with the return of a number of senior players from operational tours and injury means the future looks very bright. The Women have started with a bang this year recording victories away at Paington and Taunton; which was particularly impressive on a bitterly cold night. The defensive power shown by the Women was really something to see. They continue their preparations with their annual fixture against Trojans on 12 Mar 08. The Ancient Mariners are now playing a brand of rugby both the players and supporters alike are enjoying under head coach Mick Connolly. The squad of 25 are a decent mix of age and treachery and have produced some good performances against good quality opposition. For the first time in a number of years the Vets really took the Prison Service on head to head. This will be my last column as I head to a new challenge offered to me by the RFU. The decision to leave Navy rugby behind has not been a easy one, but I feel the time is right to allow someone else the fun I have had over the last 7 years. To all three teams in the Inter-Services I wish you every success and look forward to seeing positive results come April and May. A final thank you to all who have supported me over the years it has been great fun, even if results haven’t always gone our way. Good luck to all. [The final column form Sid Cole? Time will tell. Many thanks Sid from all of Navy Rugby and enjoy your time with England Counties - Ed] |
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