LONDON & SE
DREAM EXPERIENCE
With backing from East London RFC, Graeme Bloom is unswerving in his aim to fulfil a long-held ambition. He wants to become a rugby referee despite living with MND and Asperger’s syndrome. Bloom, 38, has completed a referee course, joined the London Society and was a recent guest at West Ham-based East London, where he shadowed David Gallagher, the referee, in a game against Upminster.
He assisted in the coin toss, attended the pre-match briefing, delivered the ball for the kick-off and blew the whistle to start and finish the game. Bloom also took charge of the final scrum of the match and was presented with a ball bearing the East London badge by their captain Lewis Bourke as a memento.
He said: “I live with a condition that has no cure and makes me a permanent wheelchair user. I’m determined to make my dream come true and to referee in whatever context it may be. I’m grateful to East London for helping me to break the stigma between refereeing and disability.”
GRACIOUS GEORGE
George Spinks, a long-time member of Reeds
Weybridge, was proud but modest about being awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours list for services to the Two South-West club.
He said: “Reeds has been the bedrock of my social life for over 50 years. I’m so excited to receive this award and have taken it on behalf of the fantastic army of coaches, tea ladies and members that make Reeds such a great family club.”
JAKE’S PROGRESS
A long and winding road has taken Diss centre Jake Girdler to a century of senior games in seven years with the Two North-West club. Girdler began playing aged nine at Midhurst RFC in West Sussex, was then with Swaffham and played for Norfolk at U15 level.
He joined Wymondham two years later, represented Eastern Counties and the Leicester Tigers Elite Player Development Group and later spent a season with Mount Maunganui in New Zealand. His next stop was Diss, where he’s become vice-captain.
PASSAGE TO INDIA
Surrey One club
Effingham & Leatherhead, known as the Eagles, have received heartfelt thanks from the Jungle Crows for their support. The Crows are a successful club and charity that helps children from less privileged backgrounds across
India through the Khelo Rugby project.
Based in Kolkata, it was founded by rugby-mad expat Paul Walsh and delivers scholarships for school and college places. E&L have given a helping hand by donating kit now being proudly worn in Kolkata.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Enfield
Ignatians, of Two North-West, have reached the target of £10,200 from a crowdfunding project linked to rugby restarting in the wake of Covid-19.
Rob Bruce, the club treasurer and fund organiser, said: “We have strong links with the local area, especially through our youth section. The scheme touched the hearts (and pockets) of so many different people connected with us. We are so grateful.”
WEBB LINK
Gareth Webb, who played for London Welsh in the 1980s, made a nostalgic return ‘home’ to Old Deer Park in his role as Chichester club president.
His day was tinged with a degree of disappointment as the West Sussex club went down 48-12. They had caught the backlash of the Exiles’ first defeat of the season, 29-26 at Guildford in One South, the previous weekend.
BRINGING SUNSHINE
East
Grinstead, of Sussex One, presented local children’s charities with £17,000 raised by the annual Sunshine Sevens and an associated golf day.
Haywards Heath’s 34-24 defeat at home to Brighton II in Sussex Two East was the centrepiece of a fundraising day in their quest to build a new clubhouse.
Three North-West club Harrow are also looking to progress off the field with a significant donation to developing existing gym and shower facilities. Their limited gym area will be expanded to around 40 square metres.
MAY MOVES ON
Chris May has stepped down as the forwards coach at
Maidstone, of Three South-East, due to increasing family commitments. He joined the club last year as part of the restructured colts’ set-up and was also the coaching link to the senior squad.
Spare a thought for London Cornish, the only exiles club in England based on a county. They battled all the way when losing their 11th consecutive game in One South to Farnham, who set a club record with a 85-15 victory margin.