Youngsters’ moment to shine
With no senior rugby this week, Avon’s focus was instead on their annual Schools Tag Rugby Festival.
This was staged at their Hicks Field ground where Avon hosted around 160 boys and girls from their local eastern cluster of schools: St Saviours, Swainswick, Batheaston, Bathford and Bathampton.
This festival is the culmination of the free coaching sessions at these schools carried out over the past 5 years through the voluntary work of their schools liaison officer, Andie Parry.
A total of 16 teams entered took part and every youngster was presented with a medal and certificate. In addition, the Bathampton Rhinos were awarded the Teamwork trophy, whilst the Sportsmanship trophy went to St Saviours Cobras. The matches were admirably controlled by five schoolboys from St Marks school as part of their development programme.
Andie Parry said: “The festival always gives the children the chance to put into practice the skills they have developed throughout the year. Next week, Avon Minis section are holding an open day on Sunday 16th October between 10am and 11.30am, where any of the schoolchildren will be made most welcome if they fancy dropping in to try it out.”
Avon’s expanding Minis section caters for boys and girls aged from Under 4s through to Under 11s. These sessions are held each Sunday morning at Hicks Field with experienced RFU qualified coaches. Minis Coordinator Kane Book says “Our whole emphasis is on the youngsters having some fun, whilst being gradually introduced to the wonderful game of rugby. There is no pressure to compete, our main objective is to see the youngsters enjoying themselves, running around with the ball in their hands.”
With their three pitches, new floodlights, refurbished clubhouse, changing rooms and ample car parking, Avon boast an impressive set of facilities. For any potential new senior or minis players, Kane Book can be contacted on 07817 220418 or by email at kcbbath@aol. com. Otherwise simply come down to Hicks Field any Tuesday or Thursday evening for seniors or on Sunday mornings for youngsters.
A Bath rugby team were front and centre of a trailblazing annual tournament to raise money for vulnerable and disadvantaged children.
Tom Thie, a 40-year-old PE teacher from the city, is a member and supporter of UK charity Wooden Spoon and played for the Bristol, Bath and Somerset side at their Vets Fest 22 event this weekend. The tournament, at Birmingham’s Moseley Rugby Football Club, featured over 700 players from 16 men’s and 10 women’s Vets teams across the country.
Since 1983, Wooden Spoon have funded more than 1,300 projects, across the UK and Ireland, totalling over £29 million.
Thie competed against fellow Vets throughout the day and was greeted by HRH, The Princess Royal, who attended an afternoon reception to meet people involved in the event and watch some of the games.
He added: “It’s amazing, I was lucky enough to play for Somerset a number of times so my county means a lot to me.
“I’ve played a lot of these counties in championships so it’s nice to see some old faces and I’ve caught up with some boys from Devon today.”
Register for next year’s Vets Fest event at: https://woodenspoon. org.uk/wooden-spoon-vetsfest-2023/