Official West Hartlepool RFC

Quinny

Is it now the 4Ams then?

Will there be enough players to go around? I dont know who is coming up from the juniors, But if not many then I dont think a fourth team is viable. we (3Ams) had squads last season of 31 named players but never saw this amount of players on a Saturday.

We shall see, but I think think it'll be R.I.P to the Ams.

Unless someone cares to enlighten us all.

Ben - Why so negative??

This was discussed at some length at the last Rugby Management meeting and was agreed to be the way forward, with 4 teams operating out of Brinkburn.

There was representation from all existing West teams, plus the Amateurs (3 - Elmo, Tony and Graham) and the M/J Section (myself).

Dave's report above highlights that we are likely to see new players at the club and more 17/18 year olds stepping up for their first taste of Senior rugby.

Player retention is a major National problem (as recognised by the RFU) on stepping up from Junior to Senior level and we must have a structure in place to retain and develop these players, hence the need for a 3rd (Development) team.
In addition, some older players have expressed an interest in playing for the club again and helping out at 3rd and Amateur levels.

This is an excellent opportunity for both West and West Ams, so let's be positive.



Post Edited (14-05-08 17:08)

Ben i was not at the meeting as away at work but 100% beleive this will work. It may be a struggle at first but come on...we are used to that and it def is the way forward for West as a whole to grow and flourish :)

Tragic, yes we will be the 4Ams!!!

More additions to the 1st team will mean players possibly dropping down, thus more players than previously, to be fair i didnt think many of my year were going to carry on into senior rugby but if you look in the stags and 3ams there are lots of those that ive played with since a very young age ...
Also not knowing particulary alot about the Amateurs i just wanted to ask the question - is it necessary for the name to stick ? Is it not time that the club becomes one rather than West & the Amateurs, just lyk to hear peoples opinion on the matter .... those that have bin with the amateurs through thick & thin ?

Ben, as Andy has mentioned, it wont be easy but its up to people like us to make it work (if we dont plan for it then it wont happen).
So lets plan for it, perhaps struggle initially, persevere and make it happen

Stag 1989 - whats in a name? We are going to have the Stags, Bucks & Ams next season so no numbers anywhere. The Ams major role, as has been stated in the thread, is to provide a base for the social rugby players within the club but this does not mean they cannot play for the Bucks. Similarly those players unable to play with the Bucks will be able to get a game with the Ams

Just a point here, a lot of the young uns have played for You (chris) and you brought them through, would they be prepared to play For the Ams with a different manager? Dont get me wrong they all seem like down to earth lads and dont doubt they want to play, but will they play for the Ams and will some of the juniors coming up?

What you have got to remember Ben is that we are in the process of breaking down barriers and this may take a little time.
This season we asked West Hartlepool youngsters to play for the Ams, a different club, in effect. Obviously some of them were initially not too keen.
But the stage has now been set, the Ams are part of the West Hartlepool umbrella. The junior players see this and will come to accept that the Ams are, in fact, part of the club just like the other teams.
I dont think that they played for me Ben, I always encouraged them to play and chased them up to do it, but realistically they do it because they enjoy playing.
We are going to be offering 60 players (plus subs) a chance to play on Saturday afternoons - where they play is up to them - they have to demonstrate to their team manager that they are worth pushing to the next level if that is what they want to do.

Of course they will and by the way Chris was not the manager he was the coach!! I am the manager thank you :oP
Chris has done a cracking job this season with bringing the youngsters through, especially as i could not be there each week this season. We possibly would have fell apart if it were not for his and Elmo's hard work.
As said this season will be hard but i would love to see 5 or 6 teams turning out each week for West and if we keep going this same direction, that will happen.
Incidentally, hopefully next season all West teams will be wearing the same colours also, and i feel that will help cement things as well. Also Stag, i appreciateyour comments about the name and that but if you look at it we are all one club in all but name and that actually benefits all parties. If you give me a shout when you see me in the club i will happily explain in depth why this is so :)

Cheers

I wasnt particularlly saying they played for you Chris but know you put in a lot of hard work getting them there each Saturday, would they have done the same, say Elmo Quinny or I had done it? maybe not with the exception of Quinny.

I said to start with I dont see a lot of the things that go on behind the scenes so was more querying would it work and my opinion that it wouldnt was that, You Chris and Quinny obviously know more than I, and so you are going to put a good arguement across, and I believe you.

Just dont want the same thing as the season before last when we had games people turning up but not enough to get a team and then having to let 20/25 other blokes down at half one on a Saturday. As we all know it aint nice.

Bring on next season and hope it works.:-)

Ben, i understand what you are saying and honestly know you have the Ams at heart. Why don't you come on the committee and get a lot more actively involved with the Ams.
Also if we have 20/25 blokes there on a Saturday, no one will be let down as we will be playing a good game of Rugby!!



Post Edited (14-05-08 20:00)

My 20/25 blokes was meaning the teams we may let down.

I'll consider over the summer that offer.

Hears hooping for a bright future.:-P

"The thirds will also take on the Stags fixtures in the Tees Valley League and form the basis of an Under 21s side."

There were rumours that this U21 side may be playing through the week ... possibly looking @ university sides to play, myt this still be possible ?

Why not? Anything is possible and certainly wont do any harm

Stag1989,

Yes that was discussed at the meeting too as a possibility and as Andy has said anything is possible.
We can only react to the interest of the players, ie. if they want that, we will endeavour to accommodate it.
Personally speaking, all is looking good for next season!

Apart from you'll all want feeding %-)%-) :oP

should start asking around schools in the area if they want to have a game of rugby could be good to get the kids off there backsides. Could even be some quality talent out there? any thought went into this?