Northwich
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Hazel Brench has had a long and positive association with Northwich Rugby
Club. She recently spoke to Rugby Club Magazine, “I am a local girl and grew up
around the club, my dad Barry James played for the club as a front row hooker
and my brother Chris James is a current first team player.”
“Although I no longer live locally I always like to visit the club when I return
home. It wasn’t long ago I celebrated my mums 70th at the club and it doesn’t
seem that far back when I was attending my own wedding reception there.
“When I moved to West London my son and I started looking for a rugby club
with the same values and family atmosphere as Northwich. Daniel who is now
ten years old now plays for Ruislip RFC and looks likely to be a forward like his
uncle and grandfather. When we visit Northwich they always frequent the club
together.
“My business Brenchmark Consultancy decided to sponsor the club last year to
help out a little and give something back to this great club which has given me so
much. Both my dad and brother helped out over the years with the club’s youth
development and coaching which is such an important part of any club.
“I would like to congratulate Northwich Rugby Club on another fabulous season
wishing them all the very best of continued success for the future - look forward
to seeing you all soon!”
both our younger sons Richard and Paul. Richard Dale
now a stalwart of Northwich 1st. For various reasons
(nothing to do with my injury), neither of my sons
played senior rugby.
Keeping physically active within the confines of a
power wheelchair is challenging but achievable (within
limits) and staying mentally active is as, if not more
important and this is where a volunteering role
can be so interesting and rewarding. I take
a lead role in communicating across the
club via our various social media; my
one finger typing has become quite
proficient. Since my injury I have
become more aware of mental
health issues, and only recently
top sportsmen Sam Warburton,
James Haskell and Israel
Dagg have openly covered the
physical and mental health
impact of the modern game and
it has received plenty of positive
feedback on social media. We are
pushing open the door in raising
an issue. But raise it we must and not
just at the elite level. The traditional stiff
upper lip and “I’ll be alright” attitude is being
challenged like never before and our own Northwich
Rugby Superstars programme has been developed to
help tackle children’s physical fitness and mental health.
Mental health problems affect about 1 in 10 children
and young people. Alarmingly, however, 70% of
children and young people who experience a mental
health problem have not had appropriate interventions
at a sufficiently early age. The emotional wellbeing of
children is just as important as their physical health.
Good mental health allows children and young people to
develop the resilience to cope with whatever life throws
at them and grow into well-rounded, healthy adults.
Coincidence or natural progression?
With this in mind and to “tackle” the issue in our
local community a new format was developed utilising
rugby core values, where greater participation-rewards-
fun and involvement encourages more children and
families to join in. The format is unique to rugby and
26 Issue 86
differentiates Northwich RUFCs rugby experience from
other local clubs.
Chris Blower explains, “Learning to lose is as
valuable a life lesson as learning to win in sport and
it’s not just the youngest who struggle with managing
their emotions when not selected or are used as a
regular replacement, those who do not “make it” are
easily forgotten, and these are often the greater
number who silently drift away unnoticed.
Attracting new players and the retention
of colts and juniors is a major issue
for many Clubs. It begins at an
early stage, Northwich superstars
mini’s programme stimulates
a mutual respect between the
differing mini age groups and
skill levels interacting together,
whereby the elder or more
technically advanced players
actively support in training drills
and demonstrations, to improve
not only themselves, their peers but
also their younger teammates. Being
a “Buddy” is encouraged. Coaches
engage the older juniors in conversation
urging them to talk openly about game tactics,
disappointments, and improvements encouraging them
in making decisions. At all levels player expectations are
managed, after all not everyone is going to get county
trials or play for the club’s 1st XV. However everyone
needs to be dealt with respectfully
Andy Naylor’s nephews, schoolteachers Eddy and
Sam Naylor, who both progressed via Northwich junior
rugby, have taken the lead supported by RFU qualified
Richard Dale, assisted by coaches two Chris’s, James
and Blower. As an aside, Dave Johnson now prepares
the Sunday food for all participants. And as is now the
norm, I’m still hovering in the background.
The Dale, Naylor, Blower coaching connection
continues with a new generation and your children are all
invited to join them and “Give it a Try”. The Northwich
RUFC SuperStars sessions are open to both boys and
girls aged 5-11, and continue during the summer months
provided free of charge by the Northwich RUFC Youth
Development Charity supported by a number of local
businesses; Majesticwoodfloors.co.uk, David Wilson