Marlborough
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Integration
“The Club recognises the requirement to both encourage
and assist the transition of youth players to the senior game. It
is a top-down process and begins with the Head Coach, Elisi
Vunipola, who expands his own coaching philosophy across
age-groups by being actively involved in the Junior Section
by regularly taking sessions in all age-groups and providing a
monitoring and advisory service each Sunday. Some of the first
team players also offer their services on a Sunday to help the
coaches which the youngsters love, who wouldn’t when you
have the off-load king in your sights (Pio Tuwai) for example.
The Colts are introduced to senior players through regular
touch rugby sessions, both during and outside of the season.
Colt players who are capable and willing are identified by
the coaches and given an opportunity to play Senior rugby.
By doing this we have had a number of Colts who have made
appearances for both the first and second team. Finally, the
Club’s coaching handbook ensures that there is commonality
across age-groups so that there should be no surprises for
players when making a step-up.”
Community
“The Rugby Club has been at the heart of the Marlborough
community since 1871. Being centrally located on land open
to all, gives the Club an influential position. As well as the
many volunteers delivering sporting opportunity to hundreds
of local residents, the Club provides facilities for other users
– Pilates, Zumba, local band practice, we have a Pool Team
who uses the Club for their home matches. The neighbouring
Nursing Home will borrow furniture for their Open Days and
the retirement home will host their AGMs at the Club as well
as other sports clubs.
We have also consistently had a member attend the
Marlborough Sports Forum meetings and we have consistently
provided prizes for their annual dinners as well as taking a
table at their annual dinner.
As previously mentioned, we are actively involved in many
of the local schools and we are a strong supporter of local good
causes. The annual Rugby Club Ball is also open to all and is a
fantastic opportunity for the community to come together in a
convivial manner and have a damn good night out.
We don’t see Community as just those who live within a
couple of miles of the Club, but the surrounding villages and
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we also have a very close connection with the Garrison town
of Tidworth, as many of our players live there. We have been
included in many of the celebrations such as National Days for
Fiji and Tonga, experiencing the culture, food, dance and music.
We are a very inclusive Club and all newcomers are welcome
whether it is to play rugby or for non-rugby activities.”
Challenges
“Our biggest current challenge is that we don’t have the
facilities in the Clubhouse to cope with the demand in terms
of changing room space and bar space. We also don’t have
enough car parking space and we don’t have enough pitches
for the numbers of players we have, and we are also limited by
no floodlights on any of our training areas.
This is all determined by the fact that we don’t own
our land as we are on Common Land which has strict rules
governing what can and cannot happen. Marlborough Town
Council have been very supportive with finding ways which
we could put up pitch side barriers, but the possibility for
spectator stands and scoreboards are more difficult, but they
are constantly working with us.
There is also a road which separates our pitches from
the Clubhouse which also restricts our opportunities. There
is danger associated with the road and so we have to ensure
that the crossing area is supervised when the mini/juniors are
there on a Sunday. The good thing is that the development and
expansion of the club has taken us to this by greater player
numbers and enjoyment.”
Ambitions
“Our ambitions over the coming years are to implement a
plan to develop the Clubhouse, to set up a centre of excellence
for the area to develop the Colts and working with the local
schools to develop the game, expanding the opportunity for
girls to play Rugby, to continue to provide a safe environment,
providing good quality coaching for all and to help all players
to achieve their own goals and to feel a strong sense of being
part of a team.
In addition to this, we will look to expand the number of
senior sides and most importantly will look to continue upon
the foundations which we have already achieved and ensure
everyone who is associated with the Club enjoys themselves
and feels part of the family.”