Melbourne
The increase in numbers and flourishing nature
of the club is backed by the excellent coaching team,
headed and led by both Matt and Gary who are both
Level 3 qualified. A big area and focus has been
around the provision and support for junior players
pathway into senior rugby, with the development of
an academy environment for their players backed by
the club and its sponsors.
Matt and Gary believe a large portion of their
success at the club has been down to aligned values
and core beliefs, developing and building a coaching
environment that focuses delivery through a player
led approach and empowering players to take
control. The senior and junior sections are now fully
supported by an active physiotherapy support plan
with dedicated appointments available and fantastic
facilities on offer including a new build clubhouse, 3G
training facilities, floodlit pitches and physiotherapy
facilities.
In support of our youth section, the club boasts a
full committee supported by well qualified coaches
along with a number of volunteers and parent
helpers, including First Aiders and a Welfare Officer.
The thriving junior section is the life blood of the club
with no hidden agenda or recruitment drives, the
club solely relies on creating a safe and well managed
pathway for juniors to eventually feed through into
the senior section of the club. The current senior
section boasts an impressive 70% retention rate for
players who have come through the junior ranks.
Melbourne place great emphasis on playing
rugby within the core values Teamwork, Respect,
Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship. All players
are expected to play to these values for the good of
themselves, their teammates, Melbourne RFC and the
opposing team and it is viewed that this is what sets
Rugby apart from other sports.
Matt Derbyshire came to the club as head coach
with a clear vision and direction. Having successfully
coached his previous clubs’ colts side to multiple
divisional and county championships, his enthusiasm
for backing and investing in the club’s youth system
was his main aspiration and Melbourne met that
model.
“Melbourne is a club focussed on the players. It
is all about enjoyment whether that be playing with
mates, or challenging themselves to play at their
highest level.
Since I became involved with Melbourne, I have
only ever been impressed by the true spirit and
commitment the players show to the club and the
passion and pride they have in representing it. I have
never been involved with a club that shows a truer
and more honest sense of the term ‘community Club’.
I genuinely feel lucky and honoured to be a part of it.”
So far Melbourne have had a very successful
season with all senior sides performing well. The
first team squad have won their respective league
having won 21 of 22 games, alongside their highly
competitive second XV who also finished well within
their respective pennant league.
Matt says, “the club doesn’t judge the success
around solely league position but more on the
growing numbers, and retention of players at the
club. Training numbers and general competitiveness
of the squads has never been better and we continue
to drive our own standards up to ensure we create an
enjoyable environment for all.”
Matt Derbyshire outlines his future vision for the
club, stating:
“Over the next five years Melbourne have a desire
to play and maintain themselves at Midlands 1 Level.
However, this is not at any cost. We crave to create a
sustainable player pathway from our juniors into our
seniors and ultimately drive the competitiveness of
our squads and environment through full utilisation
ofour impressive mini and junior section and player
pathway route which includes our development side,
a mix of our academy players and senior players, who
play like minded clubs to provide a safe, competitive
and well managed environment for the players of
tomorrow.”
One of the Club’s great strengths is the tremendous
spirit that exists throughout the Club and the shared
passion to promote and celebrate all that is best within
the rugby environment for our members, supporters
and sponsors. The players regularly socialise together
both at the club and outside of it building lifelong
friendships and bonds with one another.
The fantastic volunteers and clubhouse provide a
great atmosphere at the club including provision of
food and drink post training to encourage socialisation
amongst the players and squads. What’s more the
club hosts fantastic charity events and nights giving
back to the community and supporting not only the
club but the locals.
Melbourne train on Tuesdays and Thursdays from
7pm and welcome all players.
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