Rugby Club Issue 71 | Page 86

Sidcup FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/RUGBYCLUBMAG pitch whilst trying to build a large enough squad to deal with the physicality and inevitable injuries. Our ambition, like any team that is promoted, is to secure our status in the division next season and then to try to push on after that. We have been knocking on the door of promotion for the last few years with a squad that is predominantly home grown and played its Mini/Junior rugby at Sidcup. Level 5 is highly competitive with some clubs paying significant amounts of money to players to achieve success. We’re not in that bracket and nor do we want to be. We do not want to change the 86 Issue 71 ethos that has bought us to where we are now. We believe we are strong enough to survive at level 5 but only time will tell.” Ambitions “Off the field, the ambition for the next 5 years will be to improve the facilities. Major projects include; acquiring additional playing space, improving bar areas in the clubhouse and enlarging the stand and adding terracing either side. On the pitch at senior level the aim will be to consolidate at level 5. If the 2nd XV continue the success of the last season, we will need to consider an alternative league challenge which brings the added test of more travel and a bigger time commitment. Building out the senior player base to increase from three to four regular Saturday teams will be a major achievement as will be the continual development of the Academy to ensure the continuity of conversion from youth to senior rugby.”