Last season, 2009/10, we ran both under 17 and Colts teams but trained and operated as one squad. This proved to be problematic at times because it wasn’t possible to have a coherent fixture list for both teams prior to the County Cup competition starting and when it did start with key players involved in both teams we then had fixture clashes!
Neither did we have the coaching resources to play two games on the same Sunday. Consequently this season we are not trying to do the impossible and like many other clubs we now simply have a Colts team for age group 16-19 years. Simpler administratively but this itself is not without its pitfalls. Playing rugby as a 16 year old against 19 year old men is a big ask and not every 16 year old is ready for it.
There also the real worry that too few 16 year olds are staying on in the game- finding fixtures for age group u17 is difficult even if there are enough players to form a team and not many clubs have that luxury. That said we can only perform with the resources we have and if OLD PATS COLTS can repeat last year’s achievements and bring some silverware back we shall all be delighted.
Last years under 17 players will inevitably be crucial in determining our success this Season, add in a few hardened Colts and a blend of fresh legs from the former u 16 team we will start the season with optimism. New to us is our entry into the National Colts Cup competition.
New ventures are always exciting yet I have a feeling that we may be looking for some friend lies on the dates earmarked for the later stages of the competition! If the players are our most important asset then the coaches contribute the glamour- introducing below. Nocker (Rob Nock), Darren Moore and Mark Peacey.
For more information about Old Pats Colts contact Tony Fielding at ajfielding@talktalk.net
