Cinderford
Cinderford
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Cinderford
RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
Cinderford RFC enjoyed a fantastic season last time around that saw
them clinch promotion and are looking to build on that now. Rugby Club
Magazine recently caught up with their Chairman Rob Worgan to find out
more about how they have been getting along lately.
“I got the job for Pitch
Maintenance six years ago.
Two years ago after a chat
with Barry the treasurer at
the club I decided to become
a sponsor. I love going to
watch the games, attending
as many home fixtures as
possible also taking my
own clients there. I’m really
enjoying the games, all
the best in the league this
season.”
Paul Gibson
Involvement
He told us, “I’ve been involved
with Cinderford Rugby Club since
1963 playing at all levels in the club,
managing teams and coaching junior
teams before becoming a general
dogsbody and committee member.
The most challenging aspect of
the Chairman’s role is trying to find
enough money through our bar
takings, clubhouse venue hire and
sponsorship to fund both a semi-
professional first XV and two other
senior, plus three girls teams and a
nearly full set of mini/junior teams.
The most rewarding aspects of
the role are being able to facilitate
and watch good rugby at all levels
throughout the club as well as
helping others enjoy playing the
game. That, after all, is what rugby
club volunteers give up their time
for.”
Present
“The mood at the club is buoyant.
The first XV were promoted back
into National One last season on the
back of winning the National 2 (S)
Championship with 29 wins from
30 played in season 2017-18. We
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then finished in eighth position in
National 1 last season 2018/19. The
club’s United XV had a reasonable
season in the challenging ZOO
Sports Shield. While the Stags XV
struggled at times the clubs Colts
XV had an outstanding season as
did most of the junior teams. The
girls section also goes from strength
to strength.
Our plans for 2019-20 are to
continue to drive for success at
Level 3 and set an example for the
club’s other teams. To this end club’s
United XV entered the ZOO Sports
Shield several seasons ago in order
that the players could play at a
standard that facilitates the step up
to National League rugby. That’s
because, at the moment, there is
no other meaningful second XV
competition for them in the South of
England.
The Stags (3rd) XV struggled
last season but the team manager
and coaches are working hard at
raising standards and fostering the
strong spirit of togetherness that
has been the Stags team’s hallmark
for many years. Our ladies section
currently field U13s, U15s and U18s
and is confident of fielding an adult
team for the first time in the coming
season. We continue to maintain and
improve our facilities, two years ago
we re-roofed our changing rooms,
last year we added new pitch side
rails and this year we are refurbishing
part of the grandstand.”
Youth
“Mini, Junior, Colts and girls
rugby is very important to our
club. Schools rugby is non-existent
in Cinderford so most players who
come through our youth system
learn the basics and develop their
skills at Cinderford Rugby Club. We
want our juniors to be successful
and to have fun which is the reason,
I believe, that most of us started
playing rugby.
Our Colts team players are
introduced to senior rugby when
they are eligible and good enough
to meet the RFU criteria for youth
players to play senior rugby. Their
development is closely watched by
team managers and coaches and they
are introduced at the level which
is appropriate for them. In a club
such as ours they are well looked
after by older teammates who take a
mentoring role.”
Community
“Cinderford RFC is a community
club where within a town of just ten
thousand we introduce hundreds of
local schoolchildren to the game and
develop their potential.
We also welcome players from
the surrounding area and of course
with a semi-pro first XV we attract
players from a wider area many of
whom, over the years, have become
firm favourites with our fans.
The clubhouse is an asset that
is used everyday by various local
groups from Derby & Joan through
dance, keep fit, slimming club, blood
donation centre, conferences and
educational classes.”
Challenges/Ambitions
“The main challenges to our
club are those that nearly every club
in the country faces. Generating
enough money to continue to fund
all the things we do and to maintain
our pitches and clubhouse is a huge
task in the economically deprived
Forest of Dean. Especially so since
the RFU have now cut long distance
travel subsidies to National League
clubs.
Getting
volunteers
who
are willing to cope with the
administrative burden of RFU
regulations is a problem. The
burden of administrative tasks
“As a local lad I played for the colts but eventually stopped
playing due to work commitments. The club have been going from
strength to strength so I decided to sponsor them and have been
doing so for a couple of years now. I wish the lads the best for every
game, keep doing what you’re doing in the league.”
Adrian Williams, Winner Garage
continues to grow even though the
governing body have made cuts at
Twickenham. Volunteers get into
the game so that they can help others
to have fun like they had. They don’t
do it in order to fill in forms or sit in
front of computers.
The club’s ambition for the next
five years is to stay afloat, attracting
more players, while continuing to
have as many players playing and
having fun at the highest standard
possible.”
“I have been a member of the club since I was a kid and am a
massive rugby fan as are my kids. I go to watch all the games and
also help organise events with Donna at the club.
I’ve been a sponsor for four years; the guys do a great job down
there, keep up the good work and all the best for the season.”
Nikki, Nikki’s Events
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