U15’s Newsletter – Sept= 2007

Hi – to save the old jungle grapevine I have decided to do a brief newsletter to cover where we are and where we are going in this new season.

First half of this seasons fixtures

= Date=	= Who<= o:p>	= Wher= e	= What= for
30^th September	Walcott	Home	Friendly
7^th October	Kingswood=	Away	Friendly
14^th October<= /p>	Weston Hornets	Home	BJCC First Round
21^st October<= /p>	Keynsham	Away	Friendly
28^th October<= /p>	Chippenham=	Home	Friendly
4^th November<= /p>	Winscombe<= /span> (or= BJCC QtrFinal)	Home	Friendly
11^th November=	Thornbury<= /span>	Home	Friendly
18^th November=	Caldicott<= /span>	Away	Friendly
25^th November=	TBC (or BJCC Semi Final)=	TBC
2^nd December<= /p>	Frampton Cotterell	Home	Friendly
9^th December<= /p>	TBC (or BJCC Final)	TBC
16^th December=	Painswick<= /span>	Home	TBC

Selection & Replacements

A bit of a hot topic – but I feel is essential to let you know the selection and replacements policy – this is always based on (in this order) – Availability (Injury or cannot attend), Needs of the Game, Fitness, Attendance and Behaviour. The squad is selected by Dan (with input from other coaches if necessary) and then once a game has started replaceme= nts are made as the game requires. We endeavour to get the subs at least &frac1= 4; of the game if not a half, but this is NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE and we will make this up with a following fixture. Every one of our squad is a team member a= nd they ALL contribute in some way or form. Some of the players in key positio= ns may NOT get on if their counterpart is having a good game, but again we will make this up with a following fixture. If anyone has any queries please ask myself or Dan or Johan.

Bris= tol Junior Combination Cup

We’ve made it through the preliminary round and are in the cup proper. Given the correct attitude and planning we have the ability to perform well in this – let’s re= main focussed on the next game only and take it forward from there. With this we have declared a squad of ALL 25 of our players but can only take 22 to each game – sadly three player’s need to drop out at each fixture but this tends to be based on injury or availability. If we play an unregistere= d or undeclared player we could lose the fixture. Attendance at training and remaining focussed on the ensuing games will ensure we keep the necessary momentum going forward.

Other Fixtures

After last years’ mixed bag we have picked some new and varied fixtures this season. This can only strengthen the squad’s amb= ition and should lead to better focussed Cup Run’= ;s. Other fixtures will present opportunities to rotate the squad. Whatever hap= pens in the cup we have arranged a game this season with Cleve for the Cecil Gra= nt Memorial Trophy.

Kit

Sponsors are providing the Club with new Rugby playing shirts this season. These are to be quality branded shirts and will= be kept and pooled for matches. This season we are going to rotate the shirt washing (and weekly check on all shirts being present) amongst the parents of playe= rs – given the number of fixtures you will only have to do it once this season. This will be rotated alphabetically by surname (I am changing my na= me by deed poll to Zebedee)

Text Messaging

Every week I notify you of fixtures, training etc by using a mass text messaging system – the cost of this is included in your subs. I need = to know that you are all receiving messages OK. Can you please let me know if = you are not getting the messages? Or if you require a numbe= r to be changed.

Availability and Commitment

Dan, Johan and our other helpers give up their time for no rew= ard (apart from that great feeling when things go well, and that deep pint when things go wrong). If a player is not available for training or a match can = they text me on 07778-301199. If a match is looming and no notice of a player not being available has been received then the guys are presented with selection problems. Similarly non-attendance at away fixtures or any training session= can be construed as a lack of commitment. We are aware that players are not alw= ays available or may have transport issues. All it takes is a text message and those doub= ts can be alleviated, and where necessary lifts arranged.
Steve – Tel 07778-301199 – steve@smobrugby.c= o.uk - 25^th September 2007

Don’t forget regular updates available from our website http://www.smobrugby.co.uk - the website include pictures of games from our very own Lord Lichf= ield – Mr Nigel Button – prints available to order (cost 1 pint of Guinness Each)