Manager: Andy Hill
Head Coach: Gary Collicut
Assistant Coaches: Andy Hill, Andy Edwards, Clive Austin
First Aid: tba
Contact: gro.sregitmahnetlehc|reganam9u#gro.sregitmahnetlehc|reganam9u
The Under 9s squad now consists of a group of approximately 20 players, and recently came runners up in the County Cup.
Our objective this year is to develop the basic skills and understanding of the game in a way that is fun and enjoyable for as many of the players as possible. Knowing that players of this age have short attention spans, the Coaches ensure that the training sessions are varied and full of different tasks so that the players can develop their skills in ways they find entertaining and interesting.
As a result, the motivation of the players is maintained and the size of the squad continues to grow. No less important, the quality of the rugby gets better and better each week. We ensure that all players, girls and boys, are included each week, both in training sessions and in matches, and we welcome new players to the squad at any time – it’s never too late to join. We play on Sunday mornings, from 10.00 to 12.00, either a match or training at Newlands Park. We are also scheduled to participate in a number of tournaments throughout the season.
To view the under 9s Coach profiles, click the link below.
Coach Profiles
To view the under 9s squad list, click the link below.
Player Profiles
Latest News
Gloucestershire RFU County Cup Finals Day
29th March 2010
And so, attention turns from the thrills and excitement of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, to the more prized possession on offer in Gloucestershire this March, the County Cup. Under 8s is the first age group that contest this trophy, and following the drama of the Group stages, the Tiger’s headed to Chosen Hill for the final day.
Some 44 teams lined up with Cheltenham represented at every age level in the County Cup. In our semi-final we had been drawn against Longlevens, a team we have not played for over 12 months. Not knowing what they would face, the Tigers ran through some drills under bright sunshine. The ever present Quickshelter was used more to protect chocolate bars from melting than protection from wind and rain. With these consistent performances, Quickshelter must be a strong candidate for some of the end of season awards.
Game time arrived, just after St Mary’s OB had been upset at some of the decision making by the referee and nothing to do with the fact they had lost to Minchinhampton by a single try. One team into the final, one team down and out.
Eager to avoid the same fate, some blatant referee schmoosing was on display, only to realise that a different referee would be in charge of the Tiger’s first game. Undeterred, the Tigers strode out to battle.
Cheltenham quickly took command of this fixture with the opening scores. In defence Cheltenham were quick to attack the players and close down the space on what was a wide but short pitch. (Anyone at this point drawing similarities between the pitch and Andy H should be ashamed). The intense defence forced Longlevens into numerous handling errors at key times. Cheltenham, not perfect by any means, gradually turned the screw ever tighter and took full hold of the game.
Despite protestations from the opposition that the Tigers should not be running with the ball in one hand, a quick clarification of the rules saw normality resume and the game continue.
With crowds cheering and booing like patrons at a pantomime, noise levels grew. They grew to the point where the Longlevens’ coach asked the Cheltenham coach not to shout so loudly. Our coach, of course, duly obliged.
With tries from Jasper (2), Murray (3), Tom, and a Shane Williams-esque try from William, saw Cheltenham run out victors 7 tries to 4.
What followed was around an hours wait until the final. Minchinhampton v Cheltenham. Our Tigers were again buoyed by this victory, and were full of confidence for the final.
Starting strongly, Cheltenham took an early lead and with it secured the Silver try. Should the game be a draw at the end, Cheltenham would win on the fact they scored first in the final. Not playing as well as they can, but still tagging and running well, Cheltenham finished the half leading 3 tries to 2. Job 50% done. 7 and a half minutes from glory.
Both teams made changes at half-time and the second half commenced. A different Minchinhampton arrived on the pitch and moments after the restart they scored a try to level the score. Cheltenham appeared stunned. Partly because of the equaliser and partly for the pitch invader from Minchinhampton who kindly pointed out where the half way line was! Thank you kind sir.
The rest of the half was played with Minchinhampton taking advantage of a Cheltenham team seemingly becoming more and more confused. Arguably, this could have been due to what could be considered barging, which was pointed out to the referee much to the disgust of the Minchinhampton support. Interestingly, Minchinhampton managed to travel to Chosen Hill. I have not checked the AA route finder but I can only imagine Chosen Hill is within a certain radius within which they can travel.
At the final whistle, Cheltenham were beaten by 6 tries to 4 with tries from Saxon, Tom and Jasper (2) The boys should be very proud of what they achieved. They came second in Gloucestershire, a strong rugby playing county, and for that feat they should be very proud. Each one of the team played their hearts out over the two days and each of them deserved that medal.
It was not only Runners Up in the cup that the team achieved, but for the spirit in which the game was played the boys were awarded the Fair Play award, voted for by the referees. (Nothing to do with the blatant schmoosing that had been on display)
It should be said that all of the boys were delighted to be presented with their trophies by a man they can normally only ever dream of seeing… ahem…
Photos from Dephoto can be found at the following link with our boys appearing around page 23.
There are also some good photos with the shield at this link starting from around page 18.
