Coaches' Half Season Report

The recent cold weather has prevented us from playing the last 4 games and most of our training, this is all the more frustrating for us because our season was going so well.
An undoubted highlight was winning the Maidenhead tournament in October but even more pleasing has been the success of the Development fixtures. Our squad has improved massively, there are more and more players now pushing for places in the League matches. We now have genuine tactical options from the bench rather than subs only to be used in case of injury.
Played 9 Won 7 Lost 2; 63 tries scored by 17 different players. Of course the wins are fantastic but more importantly the performances have been excellent. The boys are playing some great stuff and with big smiles on their faces. Our new selection strategy based on League matches, friendlies and development fixtures has worked really well, giving a much more even spread of game time with the right level of competition. Continuing to train as a single squad has reinforced the player bonds, despite the competition for places, and it has been great to see the new players integrating so well and so quickly. Come rain, shine or blizzard we've had over 20 players out at every Thursday evening training session, and twice hit a record number of 27. As coaches we're very grateful for this astonishing commitment from players and parents, it's a clear indication of how much parents value what we're doing and how much the boys are enjoying it.
We now look forward to a similarly successful second half of the season. We still have 5 league matches to play and are confident that the boys will acquit themselves well. We have yet to see the remaining friendlies and development match dates from the fixture secretary but we will aim to have plenty of games for the lads. The Edinburgh tour in April is taking shape nicely and we already have 22 boys and 8 adults signed up. The Rugby Tens tournament at Boroughmuir should provide a belting day with a chance to play such famous names as Melrose, Glasgow Hawks, Ayr, Boroughmuir and ... Teddington! We will have a Burns Night tour fundraiser at the club on Friday 28th January and look forward to your support at that.
 
On Wednesday 22nd December the coaching team will be meeting at The George and we hope to see a few Dads along from 9pm. If we don't see you there have a great Christmas break and see you in the New Year - first training Thursday 6th January, first match Eastleigh at home on Sunday 9th - weather permitting of course!