News Archive

Ashfield RUFC have enjoyed the best season in their history and there are big plans for the future.

The Club won promotion into Midlands 3 East North and only missed out on winning the Notts RFU Intermediate Final and the Notts/Lincs/Derbyshire Vase against Long Eaton.

A new coaching team and the hard work of the players has resulted in a team who play a fast and exciting brand of rugby which has clearly gained results. And bigger things are planned for the future, not least in the support the club is providing to the development and performance of the players.

Exciting new partnership with My Gym Space, Kirkby

From June 2018, Ashfield RUFC will be going into partnership with local strength and conditioning specialist, My Gym Space, in Kirkby in Ashfield. My Gym Space will be running all aspects of the strength & conditioning for the players in the Ashfield 1st XV squad. This will commence with a strength phase over the off-season period and move into strength and conditioning during pre-season and then maintenance during the season itself. The training will be position-specific and strength data will be provided to the Ashfield RUFC coaching and medical teams for analysis to improve the performance of both the teams and individual players.

Ashfield RUFC Performance Director, Matt Gibson commented;   “This is a very exciting step for the club. It is a clear statement of intent both in terms of the professional approach to player development and an expectation of continued success in higher leagues.”

Entries are now open for the 2018-19 NLD U14-16 Competitions!

Please see attached the updated competition rules along with the entry form, by entering you agree to abide by the rules so please make sure you read them first!!  The closing date for entries is Friday 20^th July 2018.

NLD U13-19 Competition Rules 2018-19
NLD U14-16 Competition Entry Form 2018-19
NLD Age Grade Rugby Playing Calendar 2018-19 – FINAL

NLD U14 Competition Format

The U14 competition will be run in the same format as in 2017-18.  It will be a tiered waterfall competition and full details will be circulated once entries are confirmed and we know exactly how many teams have entered.  Please indicate on your entry form if you wish to enter the Cup or Shield competition.  We will do our best to accommodate all requests but this will depend on entries.  Please note that last year the U14 competition was over subscribed, entries will be on a first come, first served basis so please enter early to avoid disappointment.

NLD U15 & U16 Competition Format

The format for the U15 & U16 competitions will be as previous years with a Cup and Shield competition.  The number of rounds in each competition will be determined by the number of clubs that enter.

U15-16 Semi Finals

The winners of each pool and the best runner up of the three pools will go through to the semi-final draw. The draw will seed the two teams from the same pool in opposite semi-finals the remaining two teams will be drawn into the remaining places. In the event of 4 pools the top team from each pool will be entered straight into the semi-final and a straight draw will take place.  The Semi Finals will be only one game and the team drawn first will be given the home advantage.

Once entries have closed we will aim to have the fixtures circulated as soon as possible so that clubs can plan for the season

NLD were delighted to recognise two long serving volunteers within NLD at the NLD AGM last week at Mansfield RFC as well as present awards to some of the clubs who have enjoyed success in 2017-18.

Kevin Price who has managed the Nottinghamshire Pennant Leagues & Knockout Cups for many years had been nominated by Nottinghamshire RFU for his longstanding service to the game.

Nottinghamshire RFU Honorary Secretary Ian Marriott commented, ‘Kevin is a very worthy winner of this award. Over a number of years he has single handedly put together and run both the Nottinghamshire Rugby Union Knockout cups that involves over 20 local clubs and the more complex Security Plus Pennant leagues that involves over 30 NLD clubs.  The time and effort that goes into the formulation and running of these competitions is immense, especially when the bad weather sets in!  Kevin, somehow manages to keep his cool and decorum even when things appear to become challenging.’

NLD also recognised Roger Swain who has recently stepped down as International Ticket Officer for the Three Counties.  A Past President and former Treasurer of NLD Roger has been a long standing supporter of rugby within NLD and will be enjoying a hard earnt retirement from CB roles.

NLD Honorary Secretary Tracy Edmundson commented, ‘We are exceptionally lucky to have some brilliant volunteers within NLD and both Roger & Kevin have been longstanding supporters of the Three Counties.  We are very grateful to them both for their many years of hard work.’

Also at the AGM the four clubs within NLD who won promotion from their respective leagues were awarded with their RFU plaques by NLD President Chris Johnson. Pictured clockwise, Brian Dobb on behalf of Ashfield RFC, Phil Cass on behalf of Cleethorpes RFC, Graeme Gunn on behalf of West Bridgford RFC & Paul Gardner on behalf of Long Eaton RFC.

Derbyshire RFU were awarded with the NLD Domestic Unions Trophy and Brian Dobb of Ashfield RFC was presented with the NLD President’s Cup by outgoing President Chris Johnson for their hard work in developing their Junior section, excellent disciplinary record and progress with the new clubhouse.

As the meeting concluded Mason Cole, incoming NLD President for 2018-19, thanked Chris for his hard work and presented him with a plaque to commemorate his time in office (pictured below).

Job Description

Job Title:  Office Administrator for Sports Organisation (Full Time – Maternity Cover)
Location:  Northgate Business Centre, 38 Northgate, Newark, Notts, NG24 1EZ
Line Manager: Honorary Secretary

Job Brief

We are looking for a reliable Office Administrator (Maternity Cover) who will work independently to manage the day to day running of the office and support the Management Board.

The role will include general office duties, working with and supporting both the volunteers and professionals in the structure of the organisation to ensure effective & efficient running.

The ideal candidate will have excellent verbal and written communication skills, be self-motivated and trustworthy while managing their time productively.

An exciting opportunity to become a part of a small but dynamic family first organisation with some flexibility available in the role and working hours.

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Coordinate and manage the day to day running of the office
• Perform all office duties including answering the telephone, replying to messages and emails and dealing with all post
• Coordinate meetings, agendas, reports & minutes where directed
• Provide administrative support to the Board of Directors
• Budgeting and bookkeeping procedures including banking & invoicing (Sage 50 Accounts package used)
• Create and update records and databases with personnel, financial and other data
• Track stocks of office supplies and kit and place orders when necessary
• Submit timely reports and prepare presentations/proposals as assigned
• Work closely with and offer support to other stakeholders within the organisation
• Manage and develop all social media platforms and website
• Organise and coordinate events, competitions, festivals and other initiatives

Requirements

• Proven experience as an office administrator, office assistant or relevant role
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal abilities
• Excellent organisational and leadership skills
• Familiarity with office management procedures and accounting principles
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Ability to handle confidential information
• Flexible working including occasional evenings and weekends
• Good understanding and knowledge of social media platforms
• Full & valid driving license with own transport required
• Ability & willingness to react to the business as required
• Maintain high professional standards at all times, endorsing the core values of the game

What we can offer the successful candidate

• Interesting and varied role in a small but dynamic organisation
• A supportive and close knit management team
• Some flexibility in hours and responsibilities
• Family first organisation

The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check.
Salary and Holiday allowance will be subject to experience and qualifications of the successful applicant.

The role description, responsibilities and role title may be subject to change at the discretion of the organisation and in accordance with business developments. Any changes will be communicated to the role holder as appropriate.

Applications should be made in writing to [email protected] including a Covering Letter & full CV.

Closing date for applications Tuesday 10^th July 2018.

Interviews to take place on Monday 23^rd July 2018.

Please find below the round 1 draws for the NLD Senior Knockout Shield, Plate and Vase Competitions. The Cup QF draw has also been made and will be issued shortly.

Match cards and competition regulations are available by clicking here.

The “play-on” dates for these matches are;

R1: 22nd Sep

QF: 10th Nov

SF: 23rd Feb

Finals Day: Sat 27th April (at a venue to be nominated by Notts)

Shield

Round 1

Plate

Round 1

Vase

Round 1

Due to M4EN having 14 clubs this season there will not be many free weekends to play these matches so clubs are encouraged to play earlier if mutually agreed or to take up the option of playing league/cup “double headers” where possible.

Following on from the meeting a couple of weeks ago please see attached a copy of the minutes outlining everything that was discussed on the evening.

NLD Colts Cluster Meeting 15052018

In addition please also see attached a copy of the proposed fixtures list for 2018-19 as agreed at the meeting.

Colts Cluster Fixtures 2018-19

Please note a couple of points on these:

• As we have listed all teams playing home & away fixtures this requires a large number of dates through the season and therefore it has not been possible to avoid all of the dates from the National Competition & the Lincolnshire County Competition (latter stages).  You will need to look at these fixture dates carefully and manage according to your own team.
• At the meeting it was discussed that three / four way fixtures would be beneficial through the season.  We have not prescribed these for clubs but please look at other teams playing on those weekends and work together to find something that suits you all.
• Likewise with fixtures between two clubs who are a little further apart, meeting in the middle can be a great compromise to save on the travel and make the game more feasible.
• The two festival dates included are 6^th January & 31^st March – we will no doubt require host clubs so please do keep this in mind too!!
• Please remember the ethos of the cluster and communicate clearly with each other either through the group, on email or via telephone.
• Contact database – latest version I have is attached although there are some gaps.  Please do let me know any changes / updates that need making to your team and I will send a revised copy to everyone in a couple of weeks when the majority of changes have come through.
• Transition dates – these have been included post Christmas to fit in with the Derbyshire dates where possible so that you can work with other local teams, please take note of them on the fixture list.
• Fixture lists – while we have tried to work within a couple of club fixture lists we were given this has not been entirely possible, please check dates carefully and take a flexible, proactive approach with your opposition.
• Lincolnshire Colts Competition – the details from Melvyn are below, Lincolnshire clubs will need to respond directly to Melvyn regarding entry.

Lincs RFU Competition 2018-19

An additional point to note is that following on from the meeting Mansfield confirmed they would not be entering, hence they have not been included in these fixtures.

Huge thanks to all teams for all of their positive input into the Cluster so far – let’s make it even more enjoyable & successful in 2018-19!

The 2018 NLD Women’s programme was headed up by Dan Edson with coaches Carl Whitley, Gareth Pilkington and Sam Bignall with the NLD Women playing in the Gill Burns RFU Shield competition travelling to Leicestershire & Cheshire and hosting Staffordshire at Derby RFC on the new AGP pitch.

2018 was a bit of a mixed bag. Along with the rest of the country we had to contend with the “Beast from the East”, (messing up this season’s trial), but the good news was a high proportion of returning players to the county programme and some very talented new players who came through  the NLD Girls U18’s. Although losing both away matches the Women developed as a team producing ever stronger performances as the programme progressed. Leicestershire were a tough opening match which could have gone either way at half time. The second match saw a travelling NLD squad battle it out against a full Cheshire squad in summer temperatures. The Women finished their programme with a win against Staffordshire, which was always going to be hotly contested, no pun intended; it was 23 degrees though!

NLD Head of Women & Girls Rugby Neil Clack commented; ‘Dan, Carl, Gareth and Sam have again committed their own time into making the CB programme as challenging and rewarding for players as possible; so a big thank you them. I would also like to acknowledge and thank the physios, Steph and Jenny, who have tended to players throughout the programme and to Caitt, who as squad manager, has put in a lot of work behind the scenes to make the programme go as smoothly as possible. It goes without saying that we would not have a programme at all without players who are proud to put on the Blue and White shirt and represent their 3 counties.  To all of you who have committed to the this seasons programme, a very big thank you.

With the new season soon upon us we are looking at ways to make the County programme more challenging and rewarding for players and coaches alike. There are several meetings that take place throughout the season which are intended to be your forum to offer your suggestions so please get involved. If you want to challenge yourself and take an active part in the County programme please come along to trial sessions or look out for coaching vacancies on the NLD website. You will always be made welcome and the more support we get the better we play.’

A copy of the minutes from the latest NLD Women & Girls meeting held on 11th April 2018 are available to download here.

NLD RFU & Nottingham Academy had four players representing England Counties Under 20 on the recent Tour to Georgia.

Jacob Wright, Dec Neary, Henry Clement and Connor Field all featured in the Two Test series, Connor scoring a try in the first test which were both won in exciting last minutes dramas.

The First Test at Avchavcha Arena Stadium was a physical test against a huge Georgian pack, billed as a final warm up for the Georgian Professional team before they go to the World U20 Championships in France. In an exciting and outstanding performance from the England boys who had been together for just three days, a last-minute score from Tom Carleton earned them a 24 – 17 Victory.  In the Second at Rustavi Stadium Test, six days later, if the first test was exciting, then this was surpassed. The Georgians fully loaded their team with revenge on their minds. An intensely physical encounter, a last play penalty kick from Mitch Pinkus with a 40-meter touchline conversion to secure the victory 24 – 22.

Chris Brookes, England Counties U20 Manager was over the moon with the Tour. “The Tours for the aspirational pathway are not just about the Test Matches, it’s also an ambassadorial tour for the players coaches and management to promote the RFU values and standards. Without doubt this Tour as both successful on an off the pitch. All the players including the local boys did the red rose proud. Obviously, I am in neutral position with England, but naturally I am always pleased to see my own CB and Division do well. My first opportunity of managing the aspirational route was with NLD U18 and following two promotions, its real honour to be Manager of the England Under 20’s.” he added, “the support of the Clubs, Coaches and CB for the aspirational pathway is paramount to its success. We are lucky that with the growth of the profile of the Counties program that we are seeing more and more clubs across the country support their players in the pathway. Long may this continue, and, fingers crossed, I look forward to seeing more local lads on Tour next season, I’m not biased though!”

Pictures

(Players) – Left to right Dec Neary – NLD U20’s Long Eaton and Nottingham Academy. Henry Clement – Nottingham Academy and Nottingham Trent University. Connor Field – Nottingham Academy and University of Nottingham. Jacob Wright – NLD U20’s, Long Eaton, Nottingham Academy and Leeds Beckett University. (Management) Chris Brookes – Team Manager, Paul Arnold – Coach, formerly of Nottingham Rugby, after the second test victory in Georgia.