Macclesfield
Macclesfield
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Macclesfield
M
RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB
acclesfield RUFC is a fine example of the important role that a
club can play in their local community. Rugby Club Magazine
recently caught up with Club Representative Andrew Appleyard to
find out more about the good work they’ve been doing lately.
Involvement The Role
Andrew told us, “I’m fairly new
to the club, joining as an attack coach
in June for the 2018-2019 season. I
was working for the RFU at the time
but after a fantastic year assisting
in the England Camps I wanted a
career change where I could focus
my energy into one club at a good
level of rugby.
An opportunity presented itself at
Macclesfield to become the General
Manager. After taking the role I then
proceeded to take over as the Senior
Lead Coach in March 2019. So since
January 2019 I have been full time
at Macclesfield. It’s been a great
journey so far and I hope for this to
continue in the future.” “The most rewarding aspects
of working as the Lead Coach
is the small part you play in the
development of the people around
you. Our philosophy aims to
create a strong culture through a
positive environment that I believe
encourages the growth of great
people. In a nutshell it’s not just
about creating good rugby players,
at Macc we are looking to develop
the whole person.
This involves a number of
different methods you might not see
in some rugby clubs, mainly trying
to surprise the players or challenge
them out of their comfort zones.
These methods are backed up with
a quality diverse staff we are lucky
to have.
Assistant Coach: Rick Jones. Team
Captain: Tom Morton. Performance
Analysis: Matt Coleridge. Sports
Science: Mike Carolan. Physio: Issy
Adlington. Second Team Coach: Pete
Langley. Strength and Conditioning
Coach: Jason Curtis
I would say the most challenging
aspect of my role as I’m sure many
coaches would agree is selection. It
is really tough to select a 1st 18 each
week as we have a squad of 30+
players. Luckily, we have a good
competitive set up in our 2nd XV
where many of our players feature if
they don’t make the cut. This is then
backed up by our 3rd XV and also
our social (but competitive) 4th XV
which we are very proud of putting
out each week.
Mike Ransom has had a long and positive association
with Macclesfield Rugby Club and is the club’s main partner
with his business Moneyguru.com. He recently told Rugby
Club Magazine, “I was born and bred in Macclesfield,
joining the club as an eight-year-old and playing up until my
mid-twenties, playing in many of the back positions as either
scrum half, fly-half, outside centre or left wing; recurring
playing injuries coupled with family and work commitments
put an end to my career.”
“These days I help coach my son Oscar’s U10s team and
some seven or so years earlier I was doing the same role
with my eldest son Oliver who is now a current U15 player.
My middle son Zac has also been a product of the Mini and
Junior section and at present is a player for the U13s.
“One of Macclesfield Rugby Club’s strengths is its One
Club mentality which I feel helped many young children
develop into the sport, it was great to see over 200 people,
friends, families and club members on Saturday for the
World Cup Final, people who are still involved after all these
years; great examples to their own children and the club.
“The build-up to the RWC tournament offered a fabulous
visual in showing the England players as children starting off
in the game and now competing on the world stage playing
for their country, a great message to be sent out!
“My business Moneyguru.com are delighted to be
the main partners of the club and are more than happy to
support the work they are doing on and off the pitch. As
Macclesfield Rugby Club’s momentum grows I’m sure it will
provide many more years of fun and success for everyone
to enjoy!”
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This is not easy and there are
many games where our 3rds and
4ths head out with low numbers
but somehow they manage to do it
thanks to the team captains Simon
Grant and Jeremy Bostock. We are
always on the hunt for more players
so anyone reading who lives in or
around Macclesfield … we want
you! Please get in touch.”
Atmosphere
“There’s a real buzz down at
the club. Over the past twenty-
four months there has been a lot
40 Issue 88
Macclesfield. Home of
of changes - a restructure of the
committee, Staff and the Senior
Coaching Team. We have also
invested a lot into our facility that has
been neglected for some time. Our
members, sponsors and volunteers
have been fantastic throughout these
developments through donations
and good old elbow grease. This has
seen us develop a new bar area for
our members and the upgrading of
our large function room.
We are now halfway through
the renovation of our changing
rooms and are also installing a lift
for disabled access to the 1st floor in
12/11/2019 18:09
the next two weeks. This will then be
followed by a refreshed toilet block
and a welcoming club entrance.”
This Season
“The start of the season has been
great, out of the seven games we
have played we have won five of
them. The hiccups have been real
learning opportunities for the boys
especially moving into this league as
there are many changes, especially
how Referees are supported which
can create opportunities to bend
rules which a lot of clubs do in this
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