Rugby Club ISSUE 87 | Page 46

Northampton Casuals FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/RUGBYCLUBMAG them occasionally, that way they get to know the lads, we also train on the same night, and generally warm up/ down together as one big group.” Community Trusted for over 200 years to provide expert legal advice to businesses and individuals. For more information, please call 01604 230400. Atmosphere “The atmosphere here at the club is one of excitement! Although we didn’t win on Saturday to be promoted as champions we have been promoted to Level 7 which is equal to the highest league position we have been. We have narrowly missed promotion for the last three seasons so it’s an important step for us. Our 2nd XV have won their merit league for the second consecutive year and are pushing the 1st XV.” “We are certainly a community club; we have many qualified coaches in the M&J section and they are heavily involved with the RFU All schools programme where they go and take rugby training sessions at the schools; this is a big help with recruitment of M&J players. We have also worked with the Northampton Saints community coaches and were involved with the first year of disability players. We have a good relationship with the saints and quite often their academy use our pitches and changing facilities.” Challenges “The biggest challenge is having enough space for the ever-growing membership, we are increasing in numbers each year and are running out of space. We as a club management committee are looking into a number of areas close to the club grounds that we can expand to to ensure there is sufficient space for everyone to play and train.” 2019 Ambitions “Personally, I am intending to carry on as DOR and will be playing again. As for the club, our main ambition for next season is to stay in the league above! If we can stay at Level 7 next season we will have had a good season, each game we play will be a tough encounter but we certainly feel we can compete at the level.” “Over the next five years the club would like to secure their place at Level 7 and be pushing to get to Level 6. We have ideas to extend our club house and changing room facilities and are currently looking for sponsors to assist us in making them reality.” Youth “Youth rugby is massive to the club, they are the future first team in making! We have a thriving Mini and Junior section with around 240 registered players from Under 6 to Colts. I believe from the match day 18 last week there were 9 or 10 that have come through our M&J section which is massive for us. If we can keep them playing together and add to the core of players from the colts, a few a year, we will be a stronger team!” Integration “We start integrating the colts through to senior rugby by having some of our senior players guest coach 46 Issue 87