HERTFORDSHIRE RUGBY FOOTBALL SCHOOLS’ UNION

HONORARY SECRETARY’S REPORT 2008 / 09

Before the start of the season there was much talk about ELVs and their impact on the game or were they characters of modern fantasy! I am sure all of you are now fully aware of these law variations, although it did take some time for all parties (players, coaches and referees) to appreciate the different interpretations of e.g. where the defending scrum half could be at the back of the scrum, or the quick line out. I suppose that has always been the case and always will be! Paul Freestone gave a presentation at St. Albans school Woollams Pavilion at the start of the season Open evening to explain and clarify what these ‘little’ ELVs were all about. I would urge those teachers involved in rugby to attend events such as the Open Evening, other courses such as the refereeing and coaching courses that the RFU and Hertfordshire RU set up.

The Daily Mail cup competitions at Under 18 and Under 15 levels continue to have increased numbers and within Hertfordshire there was an increase at Under 15 level to 26 schools. There were fewer Hertfordshire representatives at Under 18 level. St. George’s School, Harpenden were the most successful school both at Under 18 and Under 15 level. Their Under 18 side just lost to Worcester Sixth Form College in Round 6 (the round before the quarter finals) in the Main Competition. Their Under 15 side also reached the round prior to the Quarter Final stage in the Main competition, again losing narrowly to Northampton School for Boys. An excellent achievement from a relatively small school with limited staffing resources. Roundwood Park School, Harpenden also performed with much credit, reaching Round 5 of the Under 18 Vase Competition. It is very good to see several schools, especially at Under 15 level, entering the competition who not so long ago were termed ‘emerging’ and are now competing successfully against traditional rugby playing schools.

The Under 18 Hertfordshire team were unbeaten, beating Eastern Counties, Essex and Middlesex (they also beat Surrey in a warm up game). 9 players were selected for the London & South East trial, with 4 players representing the Division. Matthew Steele (Dame Alice Owen) was selected for the England AER Tournament in France, where England lost in the Final to France by 1 point. Jake Sharp (Oaklands College) and Owen Farrell (St. George’s) were in the England 5 Nations squad who were undefeated. Jamie George (Haileybury) played for the England U20 team and played in the Under 20 Junior World Cup, losing in the Final to New Zealand. Unfortunately the Under 16 group were not so successful, losing their Inter-County matches, with no player(s) selected for the Division. The Under 17, 15 and 14 programmes are unfinished with the Under 15’s just losing the ‘A’ fixture to Hampshire but winning at ‘B’ level. Currently there are 5 players in the Saracens EPDG and 1 player with Northampton Saints. The Under 14 squad have also had a successful season with the ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams beating Berkshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire convincingly. Within this group there are currently 12 players in the Saracens EPDG. It is very important that schoolteachers continue to be involved with our county teams, be it in a coaching or in an administrative capacity.

The Morrie Morris Award was presented at the County Members Dinner to Jamie George (Haileybury), not only for his coaching and support of younger players both within his school and the Hertford club, but his outstanding achievement of representing England at Under 20 level whilst in the Lower Sixth. The Schools’ would like to thank the CB for the presentation of the Award and its continued support of the HRFSU.

The CSU held competitions in 7-a-side at Under 18, 16 and 13 levels and 10-a-side at Under 12 level. At 18 level Oaklands College were the winners; at Under 16 level Bishop’s Stortford College were the winners; at Under 13 level Tring were the main winners with Verulam the plate winners. In the Under 12 competition, St. Albans were the main winners and St. Columba’s the plate winners. The 18 and 16 tournaments were held at St. Albans School. Our thanks to Ian Simpson and Peter Coke for organising the event and to St. Albans School who also hosted the Under 13 tournament. Thanks to Steve Robins for organising the event. The Under 12 Festival was organised and held at Berkhamsted School and again our grateful thanks to Richard Mackay and his team.

It was Peter Engledow, the County RDO who suggested that more ‘new blood’ would benefit the CSU committee. Following on from the work of the RDO and the CRC’s, the number of rugby playing schools has increased and it is very important that all levels of the game are represented, including the ever increasing Girls’ game. Paul Freestone, as a CRC was very much involved with the emerging schools, especially in the north of the county. Chris Hambleton has similarly been very pro active as the PDM in the Watford and Three Rivers districts. It was very encouraging to see Nicholas Breakspear perform with great distinction in the Divisional under 14 state schools’ competition, coming third and losing only once (5-7) to the eventual winners.

On behalf of the CSU, I would like to thank David Williams, who represents the CB on our committee for his valued support and advice, as well as Rob Hardwick, as chair of the CBRDP for his unstinting support of Youth rugby within the county. We welcome Harry Harrison (CRC) onto the committee and we look forward to working with him. It is very much in conjunction with Harry that the CSU committee actively encourage schools’ to be involved in the RFU Pathfinders Scheme. This scheme is the initiative of the RFU to try and keep track of the school leavers and to give them the opportunity of continuing their involvement in rugby after they leave school. Further details of this scheme will be circulated, but if you wish to find out more log on to the RFU website > Pathfinders.

I would like to thank all members of the Committee for their continued support, involvement and their enthusiasm for the game at all levels. To the Hertfordshire Referees Society and the clubs and schools that have offered their facilities. We are very fortunate to have within the county a facility such as the St. Albans School facility at Woollams and we are extremely indebted to the Headmaster and also in particular to Chris Hudson for being so accommodating and allowing us to hold our meetings and for the use of their facilities.

The CSU committee would welcome new members and as a body to which you should address any matters relating to school rugby, boys and girls. We are very fortunate to have several very experienced people on our committee who serve on other committees at county, divisional and national level. I would like to remind all schools that in the event of a player being sent off, a report form (forms can be downloaded from the RFU website) should be sent to the Schools’ Disciplinary Secretary within 48 hours.

The number of school children playing the game, be it in curriculum time or extra curricular continues to increase and therefore it is incumbent on all who are involved to make sure that not only is the game being taught and played in the right spirit, but also by giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy the sport and are able to guide them appropriately. I would like to congratulate all schools for working tirelessly to promote and develop the game; hoping that those ‘little ELVs’ don’t cause you too much anxiety and to wish you success for the forthcoming season.

J D R Williams

Hon. Secretary