Ashby
Ashby
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Ashby
A
“I started playing for Ashby in 1983 when I moved to the area, eventually stopping due to old
age. I then coached for a while and am now president. My sons both played for Ashby before
they moved away. Fisher German have sponsored the club for 10-12 years and would like to take
this opportunity to wish the club all the best, they have had a great start to the season, and above
all enjoy the game!”
RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
Andrew Jackson, Club President
shby RFC is a fine example of the important role that a club can
play in their local community. Rugby Club Magazine recently
caught up with their Chairman Andrew Large to find out more about
how the club has been getting along lately.
Involvement
Andrew told us, “I joined Ashby RFC in 2006 as a
complete novice, at the age of 26. I had barely ever
picked up a rugby ball, let alone thrown one. Ashby RFC
is a close-knit social club with a strong family emphasis.
Training sessions were hard with more established
players putting me firmly in my place as a rank amateur.
I arrived at my first training session with another
new player; a former England Under 21 backrow player
– the difference was clearly noted by coaches and players
alike. Henry went straight into the first team and myself
to the bench of the third team! Over the years I have
grown as a player with support of our coaching staff
culminating in me captaining our second team for five
years, playing for our first team in more recent years and
still pushing for selection at the ripe old age of 39.”
The Role
“Balancing the role of chairman, player and father of
a son who plays for the under 12’s whilst still having
normal work and family commitments which include
a livestock farm is my biggest challenge. I am grateful
though that I have the support of a very proactive
committee, coaching staff, volunteers and players alike.”
Youth
Atmosphere
“I would say the atmosphere at the moment is positive
but challenging, our age grade rugby teams continue to
prosper, our girls section so much that we require more
coaching staff to assist – a nice problem to have and
having now identified and recruited an additional coach
to works alongside Lloyd Hankins this is moving in the
right direction. We obtained consent for a clubhouse
extension and are busy sourcing sponsorship and
funding.”
Present
“From a senior perspective, we benefit from four
coaching staff and this has shown dividends during
pre-season. I think we are fitter than ever and we have
“I have been good
friends with Andrew
Large for six years and
wanted to help support
Ashby RFC. This is
my second year being
a sponsor and I also
occasionally get to go
and watch the games.
I’d like to wish the club
the best of luck for the
season.”
Adrian Wagstaff,
Wealth Management
60 Issue 88
seen fresh approaches including obstacle courses and
live training games with club’s playing at higher levels
than us; we have been able to glean fresh ideas and
perspectives on our style of play. Everything seems to
have paid off with a 36–0 win away at Southwell in our
first league game and I even managed to get on the score
sheet! Promotion for the first team is a high priority. I
would like to think our second team can finish towards
the top of the table. We would like to get the ground
works complete for our club extension as well.”
“Youth development is massive for us – this is the
foundation to our club both in terms of bringing through
the next generation but also being a focus for families
and friends to come together. We are lucky to have had
Tam Bream at the helm as our minis and juniors chair
and he has spearheaded the growth of our minis and
junior sections.
Indicative of this is that Ashby RFC have had two
players selected at international level; Will Hurd for
Scotland’s under 20’s and Archie Vanes for England
under 18’s – we must be doing something right and this
is great recognition for the club. We have set transition
training sessions where colts play alongside the seniors
in non-contact training scenarios this alongside standard
assessments ensuring players are ready for the step up to
senior rugby.”
Community
“We are very much a community set up, the club not
only supports and caters for rugby players, their families
and friends but we have had events ranging from military
re-enactments to drone flying held at the club which the
whole community enjoy. We are currently working on a
collaboration with the local Hockey Club.”
howkinsandharrison.co.uk
“I moved to the area twelve years ago,
my brother Andrew Large was playing
for Ashby RFC so I joined too. I play
on the wing and am probably going to
play for the Veterans. I have two kids
that will probably get involved with the
minis as well.
We are feeling positive for the new
season, the coaching has become more
professional. I would like to say to
my brother Andrew that it is time he
hung up his boots, he’s an old man,
40 now and playing is crippling him
– he should just concentrate on being
Chairman at Ashby RFC forever!”
Ian Large, Howkins and Harrison
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