Marlborough
“I joined the Club in 2008 because Jamie (my eldest
son started playing senior rugby and then in 2009, his
younger brother Joe, joined the minis. The reason for joining
Marlborough was because it was the closest club.
The most challenging aspect of my role is making sure we
have enough pitch space for all of our age groups to play and
train, as we only have two full size pitches we can use and then
the ground around the club for the minis to use.
The most rewarding is seeing all the youngsters on a
Sunday enjoying their rugby and on Saturday having two senior
sides attracting new players, succeeding in their leagues and
enjoying playing with their mates.”
Dave Pittams, Director, First Team Manager and
Facilities
“I have been associated with the Club for around fifteen
years initially as a Coach for the senior side, because at the
time there was only one senior side and have since become
a Director when the Club became Private company limited by
guarantee 201 and I have been the Chairman for about seven
years.
The most difficult aspects are trying to keep a balance
between keeping the club going and planning for the future
financially. The most rewarding thing is seeing everyone
enjoying themselves and handing out medals at the minis end
of season awards.”
Gary Sharp, Director and Chairman
“I have been at the club since 2011, when we moved
to Marlborough from Fareham. My son, Jack started playing
pretty much straight away and I got involved in coaching the
youngsters as a result. I then became a full-time coach and
then head coach, before taking up the Youth Chairman role
three years ago. I was attracted to the club after receiving
some advice from the parents of Jack’s primary school friends,
that the club was very much family focussed and a great place
for Jack to start playing - we weren’t disappointed!
Being the Youth Chairman and a junior’s coach is a pretty
‘full on’ role and sometimes it’s hard to juggle rugby business
with my work and family life. Volunteering to coach in any
sport is not for the faint hearted and requires a great deal of
commitment and determination, but the rewards of watching
the young boys and girls at the club develop and progress
through the age groups, is inspirational and keeps me going!”
“I was attracted to MRFC for many reasons, firstly I played
for MRFC as a young man, in my 20’s, so to come back as
a coach seemed like the natural thing to do. Secondly, my
son Jack was getting to the age where I felt the rugby values
(TREDS) were perfect for his development and MRFC is a very
proud, friendly club, where a variety of people from different
back grounds can come together and have a common interest.
2018/19 was my first season as a Coach for MRFC.
Being a coach is very similar to binge a parent in some
respects; I would say the most challenging aspects would be
managing everyone’s expectations, both parents and players.
We all engage at different levels of ability, so to manage that
can be quite challenging.
The biggest reward in coaching is seeing the players
develop, seeing their faces light up when they ask me to watch
a new skill they have learnt outside of coaching. Also, having
an email from a parent to say their child wants to go to sleep
wearing his rugby boots. Creating that passion and fun in a
child’s life is the biggest reward for me.”
Richard Tully, U7 Coach
“I have been involved with the Club for thirty-eight years
and I retired from playing at the age of 62. Its friendship and
the meeting of so many like-minded people who love the game
as much as me. I have been a player, a Captain, Chairman and
Bar Manager.
The most challenging of my former roles was as 1st team
captain many years ago and it was phoning around to raise
the team for Saturday. One of the most rewarding things was
playing with both of my sons. Also, to see how the club has
progressed over the years into a great family and community
club for all ages – male and female.”
Rod Adams, 1871 Chairman
Clive Robins, Youth Chairman and U12s Coach
“I joined the club eighteen years ago, initially just for the
social side of a Rugby Club but ended up playing again and
then being Captain of the first team, eventually a junior coach
then Senior Team Manager and now also the Bar Manager.
The most challenging thing for me is availability of players
and our limited facilities in terms of pitches, changing rooms
and no floodlit areas to train on at the Club so we have to use
Marlborough College Astro or travel to Tidworth to use their
Astro pitches.
The most rewarding thing is to watch the development of
the squad of under 15s which I have coached from boys into
young adults and progress as players and people. Also, to
watch the two senior sides play with enjoyment, sportsmanship
and friendship while playing an exciting brand of rugby.”
Mike Banfield, Team Manager, Fixture Secretary, U16s
Coach and Bar Manager
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