Widdop announces senior coaching appointments
May 7, 2010
Director of Rugby Andy Widdop is delighted to announce the appointment of Andy Hickling and Mike Marchant.
Andy Hickling was last involved with The Blues two seasons ago and is highly regarded by players and supporters alike. Previously Hickling was Director of Rugby with the Army Rugby Union and is qualified to the highest level (Level 5) normally the preserve of elite National and Premiership Coaches. He is a proven motivator and somebody that you “want to play for”, he is a fantastic addition to our team. Andy will primarily be involved working with the 1st XV squad forwards.
Mike Marchant has been coaching with Newbury Blues for 5 years taking charge of the 2nd XV and more recently the development XV last season. Again Mike is an experienced coach who is very widely respected especially in Hampshire where he has been involved with the U20’s team looking for and developing new talent. Mike is also an England divisional coach. Mike will primarily be working with the 1st XV squad backs.
It is great news for Newbury Blues that we are able to put together an experienced coaching team and more announcements will be made soon. As previously stated we will be looking to improve players right across the club and having the correct coaching structure is a prime objective for Andy Widdop.
Blues Development v RAF - 23 March at 7.30pm
March 18, 2010
The Development team will be playing the RAF on Tuesday 23 March at 7.30pm at Monks Lane. Entry is free.
Blues Development beat the RAF U23 side back in September and will be hoping to put in a strong performance against the senior RAF side who will be using the match as part of their preparation for the inter-services matches taking place in April.
Come along, enjoy the bar facilities and support our young Blues players.
Newbury Development 40 - RAF U23’s 12
September 22, 2009
Photo copyright Richard Bennett - picturesandnews.co.uk
NEWBURY DEVELOPMENT TEAM 40pts
V
RAF U23′S 12pts
Newbury’s Development played it’s first official game of the season, on Sunday 20th Sept, following a couple of pre-season games & came away with a well deserved win against the RAF U23 team.
The early exchanges were even during the first 20 mins. Newbury had a couple of penalty chances which were missed but eventually the forwards won good ball for the backs to engineer a good opening for Anton Welling to cut through to open Newbury’ account. A few minutes later it was Welling, again, who cut through for his second try. This was converted by Sam Katz. The RAF finished the half strongly & forced their way over for an unconverted try. Half time 12-5 to Newbury.
Photo copyright Richard Bennett - picturesandnews.co.uk
Both sides made changes at half time but this did not prevent them from continuing to play fast open rugby. Newbury began to assert themselves. Forwards won good ball & the backs began to spread the ball wide. Welling collected a further 2 tries & these were added to by Alec Kingham & Jake McGregor. These were all converted by Katz. The RAF finished the days scoring with a converted try.
Newbury deserved this win & it shows what is waiting in the wings for the future. The team will play further games during the season.
Final score Newbury 40 RAF U23 12.
29/07 Updated squad pictures and profiles
July 29, 2009
We have updated the 1st XV pictures and profiles page
See here http://www.newburyrfc.co.uk/players/2009-squad/
24/07 1st XV backs coach required
July 24, 2009
We are currently seeking a suitably quailified backs coach to coach our 1st XV. The committment is Tuesday and Thursday training, matchaday Saturdays (home and away) and some hours during to week to review matches and plan training sessions.
We are already talking to a couple of suitable individuals however we would like to open the reach wider.
If you know anybody who has a suitable level of experience and qualification to coach a division one club please ask them to contact professional@newburyrfc.co.uk or call Julian Lewis on 07768488666.
09/07 Blues Squad Announcement
July 9, 2009
NEWBURY BLUES 1ST TEAM
NEW SEASON & NEW LEAGUE
The 1st Team returned to pre-season training on Tuesday 7th July. So a new season has begun. It brings with it a New League (with the same name!) with new teams & a great deal of travelling.
One nice thing about the first night was the fact that there were far more “old boys” than this time last year. Last year we started the season with only 5 players that had played more than 10 games for the club & a brand new coaching team - not easy. This season we start with at least 11 players who have played more than 10 games! We feel that we have strengthened the team in key areas & we are all very excited about what the season has in store.
In’s and Outs.
The following players have re-signed:
Players Name (Positions)
Rob Green (1)
Paul Fincken (2)
Tom Fidler (1,3)
Ien Ascroft-Leigh (4,5,6)
Scott Witcomb (6,8)
Sean Fox (7)
Liam Perkins (6,7) - was on loan at Havant
Waylon Gasson (9)
Matt Humphries (12,13)
Charlie Perry (11,14,15)
Matt Williams (11,14,15)
Nick Scott (12,13,11,14)
Greg Sullivan (10,12,15) - was on loan at Havant
We are still talking to:
Mark Lee (6,7,8)
Paul Gittins (12,13) - made a couple of bench appearances last season. Played for The Army, in the centre, against The Navy.
The following players are new & have signed:
Chris Rowlands - Tight Head (though can play across the front row) Played at Clifton last season & played for England Counties in the Japan & Korea. Will be one of our Community Sport Coaches
Craig McGrath - Hooker Scotland U21 Scotland A International
Dan Hodge - 2nd Row. Played at Bridgewater & Albion last season he has also played for Coventry in National One
Steve Pape - 2nd Row. Played for Launceston last season
Jed Hooper - Back Row Gloucester Academy & Cinderford last season
Mitch Burton - Fly Half. Previous Clubs include London Welsh and Jersey. Will be one of our Community Sports Coaches
Chris Hughes - Winger Former Leeds Academy played at Doncaster last season
Others that will move into the squad from our development group:
Jack Avery (9)
Andrew Cannock (4,5,6)
We continue to talk to other players, some of who were with us last season & others that will be new. Other players will be asked to come on trial so that we can assess their ability.
Those that have left are:
Joe Clark - Plymouth Albion
Brad Mockford - South Africa
Tom Kessell - Plymouth Albion
Gareth Griffiths - Spain
Marc Sweeney - Rosslyn Park
Jonny Hylton - Esher
Martin Nutt - Oxford Harlequins (Player/Coach)
Andrew Henderson- Rotherham
Harry Pendleton - Ireland
We hope to make more announcements shortly but do ask supporters to be patient. Often negotiations can take a little time & we only want to announce those that we know are definite.
We are very excited by this squad & with a couple of extra additions feel that it is well placed to give our supporters a season to enjoy both in results & in the style of play.
23/06 Gasson, McGrath and Hughes sign up!
June 23, 2009
Newbury Blues are delighted to announce the signing of three very strong additions to their squad.
Waylon Gasson was 1st choice scrum half for the Blues last season and he has signed again. Waylon is an experienced player at this level and has a good mixture of fast delivery, sniping runs and abrasion at the base of the scrum.
Graig McGrath is a former U21 Scottish hooker and his addition means that along with Paul Fincken we have two very capable hookers.
Chris Hughes is a former Leeds and Doncaster winger who adds pace and experience to the back line.
Dont forget our pre-season
Pre-season (All Home)
8th Aug Clifton Kick off 3pm
15th Aug Richmond Kick off 3:30pm
22nd Aug Heineken 10’s
22nd Aug Bristol Kick off 5:30pm after the Heineken 10’s
12/06 Perkins and Sullivan to return from Havant
June 12, 2009
Newbury Blues are delight to announce that we have given contracts to two players who last season went on loan to Havant.
The progress of both Liam Perkins and Greg Sullivan has been monitored and both players have impressed with their development.
Perkins is capable of playing at both open and blindside flanker and adds pace to our forward options.
Sullivan is a utility back and is able to play at 10, 13 and 15 across the back line.
The fact that these players have been able to develop at other clubs and then come back to us better players is testiment to the selective use of the loan system that Newbury have started to use.
12/06 Mike Marchant still a key man at Newbury
June 12, 2009
Following a report in the Newbury Weekly News I would like to clarify the position of Mike Marchant.
Mike has for a number of years helped Newbury Rugby Club develop rugby talent. Mike has brought to the club several players who have gone on to play 1st XV rugby for Newbury. Mike is very committed to his role at Newbury.
We asked Mike earlier in the year to continue and enhance his role with the club’s development team and he will be working with Andy Widdop on developing players both home grown Newbury boys and lads from the surrounding area.
During his time with us Mike has always continued to have other rugby interests and we are delighted that he is taking a role at Winchester, this role will not interfere with his commitment to the development squad on a Tuesday.
Mike brings to the club a depth of rugby knowledge and is a great sounding board for all of us involved with 1st XV rugby as well as his direct involvement with developing talent. Our relationship with him and our commitment to player development is as strong as ever.
Regards
Julian Lewis
03/05 Sturnham signs for the Blues
May 3, 2009
I am delighted to announce that Ben Sturnham has signed a new two year deal with Newbury Blues as Head Coach.
Ben took over the Blues last year when the club had lost many players and its former head coach. It has been a difficult first season but Ben has completed the job that was given him in ensuring the Blues finished above the bottom 2 teams within the budget given. Only the intervention of the RFU’s restructuring has found the Blues now playing at level 3.
The target for next season is to ensure that The Blues are competitive at the top of level 3 and to again stick within the budget.
I know that Ben is an ambitious coach and we are delighted that he is staying with us in what is the second year of a rebuilding program. Ben has been a big part of us putting together a team that fits our budget but is still entertaining and competitive. This season we needed some luck and we all knew that from the start, we got some bad breaks but throughout the whole season the squad remained positive and competitive and that was in no small part due to the leadership from Ben.
Ben is currently working to sign up a squad of players for next season. We are expecting to keep 50% of the current squad as well as adding some exciting new prospects in key positions. This will be coupled with a much greater emphasis on developing our own talent that undoubtedly exists in our and other local Junior and colts sections under the guidance of Andy Widdop and Mike Marchant.
Julian Lewis
Chairman Professional Rugby