It remains an incredibly exciting and successful time on and off the pitch at Old Pats Junior Rugby Academy as anyone who visits Everest Rd on any Sunday during the season can testify.
There is a thriving Mini section under the supervision of Chris Raymond (chrisraymond124@hotmail.com) starting from 4 to 5 year olds and then when they are ready we begin junior rugby on the first ‘rung of the ladder’ with a u 9 team. Thereafter we run teams at every age group up to Colts and by this time many of the boys have progressed to senior rugby. This is particularly encouraging as many local teams have struggled to field teams at Colts level.
The club draws players from all over Cheltenham and local area and includes pupils from all the main schools, such as Balcarras, Bournside, Pates Grammar, St Edwards and Cheltenham College. And an s our reputation grows from Gloucester schools too! Everyone involved with the Academy is particular grateful of the continued support provided by Cheltenham College. Allowing the Club to use the College pitches and facilities has been a key factor in delivering the benefits of rugby to the local community.
All of our teams quitted themselves well in all of the County Cup last season with 3 Plate finalists and the Colts contesting the County Cup final. Additionally teams entered various festival matches with many notable results. The number of coaches increased from the previous year with several of the current and former first eam players giving of their time to support and train the junior teams. The ratio of 1 coach to 10 players is maintained.
All coaches have had CRB certificated approval, and have attended Child protection and first Aid course, alongside rugby training courses. The club operates and maintains an inclusive, family ethos. All players are given equal opportunity and teams are selected with this in mind.
Junior fees this season are £95 for a full season and this includes a casual Old Pats Hoody for each player and full social membership to Old Pats Sports and Social Club for one parent of guardian.
An exciting new development this season is a new sponsorship arrangement with Savills estate agents. In addition to sponsoring the hoody Savills have also offered a cash back offer for house sales which come from our referral- se the separate page for more information.
I would like to thank the players/parents/sponsors for their continued support, and an even bigger thanks to the coaches and other helpers, who give of their time for free in ensuring we maintain one of the most thriving junior rugby clubs in the county.
We are always looking for volunteers and people prepared to sponsor the teams if you are interested please contact me or our club Manager, Chris Downes - ldnz@hotmail.com
Chairman – Tony Fielding
Email: juniorchairman@oldpats.co.uk
Registration
If you want to join us Registration this year is Sept 5th from 10:15 (and 12th Sept). The juniors train from 10:30 each Sunday and Colts training is on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 but it is possible to join us at anytime by contacting the relevant age group coach.
The Coaches
A few words of thanks are due. The Club runs purely on voluntary efforts of both the many and the few- if that sounds bizarre let me explain. To run all the age groups we do requires a lot of effort from lots of dedicated people who turn up week in and week out, in sometimes appalling weather, so that the boys can train and play. In addition we are increasingly getting help from senior players who are coaching some of our teams and this is paying off in terms of results and performances most notably this year with the Colts and u17’s and u10’s. So a big thanks to these guys and gals! But we can always do with more help; in addition to running around with the boys there is an awful lot of admin to do so if you think you can help please volunteer to your son’s coach or contact me.
Sponsorship
One of the least arduous but MOST effective ways of helping is to SPONSOR us! It costs a lot of money to run a club like ours and we are very keen to match our playing endeavour and aspirations with facilities that match them. You can sponsor playing kit, matches, in fact anything and whilst as guidance for instance £600 would buy an entire squad a playing shirt we are open to consider all contributions.
So feel free to contact Tony Fielding at ajfielding@talktalk.net or our Chairman Simon Tupper on stupper@redcliffe.com
Club Shop
We have entered into a ‘partnership with Academy Sports’, situated in Churchill Industrial Estate, Churchill Road, Leckhampton GL53 7EG. They will provide the agreed club kit and all ancillary equipment from their shop, open 6 days a week and provide an online service to the players/parents. The club will benefit from all sales of OPRFC kit. As a result the shop will now cease to trade. Click here to go to the club shop.
