Whilst it hasn't been a year to sing about since March due to the COVID19 Pandemic, you will have seen from my regular newsletters and from our Social Media that your club has been busy on and off the field.
Season 2019-2020
The start of 2020 saw the First XV coming into the new year having not lost a game since March 2019. They then continued the fantastic run of form by being crowned undefeated league champions in Herts/Middlesex 1 and achieving promotion to London North West 3. In the National Cup competition they beat Cranbrook RFC in the RFU London & SE Junior Vase Final in front of a crowd of over 300 at Allianz Park. Then the hammer blow came, as the start of the COVID19 pandemic, meant that all rugby was put on hold and they were unable to play the National Semi Final and potentially the National Final at Twickenham.
The Second XV had a strong season finishing second in their respective league and they have now been pushed up two leagues. With a playing base continuing to build in strength, they have high hopes of progressing in this stronger league and having an even more succesful season.
Womens' rugby started slowly to say the least but they did play their first game against a strong Belsize Park squad before lockdown.
Summer/Autumn/Winter 2020
As soon as we were able under the restrictions, fitness and then rugby training for both men and women commenced and was maintained throughout the Summer months until from September the men also participated in the Ready4Rugby version of touch in a local mini league organised by our President and our Fixture Secretary and which was copied throughout the County. Then as a final sign off just before Christmas the men played against Finchley under the Adapted Laws - tackling, lineouts, rucks but no scrums or mauls and now we are back in limbo.
At the AGM Cian Hynes who had led the club as 1st XV Captain and Club Captain for two years stood down and Billy Burrell took over as 1st XV Captain, whilst Toby Ikwueke was elected as Club Captain. Toby then topped off that honour by getting married so congratulations on both counts are due. It was pleasing that the core of your club committee stayed on but there were also many more who put their hands up to work for the club, which is great for the future.
The Future
Despite the difficulties there have, however, been many positives which place the club in a healthy position:
- the support of sponsors some of whom have been supporting us for many years but also many new to the club
- the agreement and signing of a new 60 year lease on an expanded footprint of our land and clubhouse at Copthall, meaning we can press ahead with development plans
- featuring as the Team of the Month in Rugby World magazine January edition.
- the amount of work done on improving the clubhouse facilities
- the management by JP Cremin and Liam 'Cubby' Murphy to ensure that when the clubhouse has been open all the Covid protocols have been in place and the rules followed
- the enthusiasm of our players to support their coaches with good numbers at training and continued enthusiasm for the game and the club
- the successful recruitment of both men and women players including through our already strong relationship with Middlesex University
Coaches' View
Director of Rugby Phil Smith has been delighted with the addition of players to the men's squad and commented: .
"Last year's 1st XV promotion was built on a small squad and we were lucky with availability and injuries. Now we are playing in the league above we had to attract a few more players and provide cover and competition in key positions.. We needed a little more pace and at least another playmaker in the backs in particular . The addition of Charlie Scarr, Ed Fogg, Zak Scorer and Cameron Thomas has provided real quality to the squad . With Robbie Burrell a late addition last year as well the club can now put out two back lines that are all capable of playing in London 3 North West.
The forwards have also had a boost with James Meredeth returning after long term injury plus the introduction of Andres Yousif -Romero and Josh Stewart. We still have a couple of players that we are hopeful will join in the new year and having spoken to our Forwards coach Jim Dickin we believe that we can now put out two sets of forwards depending on the style and opposition that we are playing.
Competition for places is just what we need, for this will mean that the 2nd XV will be all the stronger as they will need to be as they too have moved into a tougher league.
The numbers Training at Allianz Park have been amazing during these difficult times and I know that the boys are desperate for a run out . Although this season will not have any League games it gives us the opportunity to look at the whole squad and work on a new game plan."
We still have ambition to relaunch a men's veterans side, with interest rising within the club community amongst former / older players to put their boots on a few times a season.
Women's Coach Liam Murphy was equally positive and said:
"We now have a potential squad of 20 players, with an average of 14 at training across Wednesdays and Saturdays. Recruitment went well over the summer, with numerous new players being introduced to rugby and player retention levels have kept high. We hope that they will be able to play a few games in the New Year once they are allowed to do so."
As we celebrate (responsibly!) the end of a very difficult year and what is, we hope, the start of a new one when we will be able to play and meet again at Copthall STAY SAFE and HAPPY NEW YEAR from me and all at Hendon Rugby Club.
