Director of Rugby 2009-2010
It is strange that in the club's 50 celebratory year and my own 50th birthday year that I find myself as your Director of Rugby. For those who do not know me, a brief introduction. I came to the club in 1984 and played at senior level for some 15 years. After enforced retirement through injury I returned when my son, Ross took up playing in 2000. I have coached at the club since 2000 and have taken some 25 lads to under 18.
In recent weeks the club has been looking at the way playing elements of the club have been performing and the best ways to take us as a club forward. 2009/10 is the first season in many years where we have in excess of 40 players of exceptional talent in the u17/18 and 19 looking to play senior rugby. Those players need to be retained in the club. I am very pleased to be taking over the role of DOR with the club, as a whole we are in a very strong playing situation. Can I take this opportunity to thank Andy Morris for his efforts in the preceding season to put the club in the situation we find ourselves.
I first looked at the senior sides. They have achieved great success in Cup and Surrey leagues last year. They are to be congratulated for the success they have achieved in Surrey Rugby over the past few seasons, drawing skills from within themselves. We now, as a club have to put in place a professional structure to take them forward. This forthcoming season sees the introduction of a lead coach for the senior squads in Matt Kemp. In the many discussions that he and I have had over recent weeks it is clear that we will benefit greatly from the imaginative ideas that he has and his experience in coaching county rugby and his contacts with the Harlequins academy. We have established a coaching structure to give all aspects of the senior sides the best available training. Can I take this official way to welcome him to the club and wish him success.
A couple of weeks ago we held a senior players meeting. The players were asked to complete a questionnaire. When the forms were looked at there were consistent avenues of concern. The analysis was split into 3 sections. Senior/U19/18/17. It is clear from the feed back that the same points were raised over all the sections. The comments for the clubs future were clear in that players wanted to get a regular second team and look at building to a third team. Some of the comments returned under personal playing aspirations could be equated to the clubs future, in looking for promotion to London leagues. The majority of points raised under player’s weak points were clear in lack of fitness and defensive work.
Suggestions that players required from pre match training were, Team routines/set piece drills/squad building. A requirement for regular pre match physio treatment. On the equipment front the over whelming request was for weights machine and gym. In response to this we have installed a weights bench and supplied some free weights in the changing room. Clearly the space is only available for the summer period but I hope that it will be put to good use.
Another request was for a new scrum machine. This was under discussion last season and I am acutely aware of the need for a junior scrum machine. I hope within a few weeks, to report back to you with news of a new machine to accommodate both junior and senior squads. We are also in discussion to purchase a second set of floodlights. The total cost of such expenditure is in excess of £12000. We are in the process of applying for an RFU grant for up to 50% of the cost. You will understand that they do not give this money out easily so please be patient. If successful we will have benefited to the sum of £6000 for the use of the club. Having seen and served on within the senior and junior sides of the club and am aware of the difficulties that we have had in emerging both sections together. I hope to have plans running very soon to help this issue.
The junior section has always been very well respected in Surrey and from requests that teams are having from other counties our reputation is spreading we must maintain that momentum. I will be having meetings with all junior coaches to bring about improvements to our refereeing and coaching structure, which are too long to report here. If any member wishes to discuss them then please contact me.
Some early discussions have taken place regarding the setting up of an Rugby Academy. Initially it was thought to include potentially gifted players. However I wish to look at the possibility of intensive training for players that enter the system from non rugby playing schools and do not have the knowledge or skills to settle into their age group. This will be a big commitment on the coaching front and will very much depend on the availability of coaches. You will have seen from the website that we now have a u21 page. We are actively seeking matches for both u18,u19 and u21 matches and will hopefully be entering a team in the National Colts u21 tournament which begins in September. Chipstead Rugby Club has a very bright future on all levels of playing, I see enormous enthusiasm coming from all age groups within the club and a great deal of professionalism amongst the coaching staff.
I look forward to the 2009/10 season with full confidence that we will achieve the aims we have set ourselves.
Carl Powley.