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‘From the first time that you laced a boot and tightened every stud that virus known as rugby has been living in your blood….’

‘From the first time that you laced a boot and tightened every stud that virus known as rugby has been living in your blood….’

Anthony Proctor20 Jul 2017 - 12:56
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But running a rugby club can be both a joy and a curse.

The rewards of seeing a group of players play with and for each other, sure in the knowledge that lasting memories and friendships are being forged, contrast with the unrelenting financial knife-edge on which junior (and some senior) clubs precariously balance and the heavy burden of administration falling on a valiant few, whose development hopes and ambitions fall short on the sword of penury.
For rugby players, the sands of time mean, when retirement comes, transferring Herculean efforts on the pitch to Sisyphean endeavour off it, in other words, joining the committee. In such ways, we can stay connected to the game we love. No coincidence then that ‘Old Fart’ and ‘Alickadoo’ have become the unenviable shorthand for committee members, running things the best they can but also as they have always been run. However, much as volunteering, from whoever, is the lifeblood of every amateur club and the experience of former players is a valuable component of every rugby community, sports organisations today need an injection of youthful creativity, vibrancy and even disruption to formulate and deliver strategies fit for the 21st century. The modern skill sets of a younger generation, that maybe has never played the game, can and will play a vital part in the survival of clubs competing for a larger slice of the rugby cake.
Which is why the RFU ‘Young Rugby Ambassador’ scheme to encourage anyone aged between 14 and 25 years old to support their local rugby club is such a welcome initiative and one which ODRFC wants to fully embrace.
It can be compared to a voluntary internship, where individuals can commit to a fixed number of hours to devote to helping the OD’s develop and prosper. The number of hours and type of contribution is entirely flexible and will be tailored to the skills of each individual and the needs of the club. It could be a new activity or simply an improvement on something already being done, but the inclusive programme rewards all participants for the effort they make, regardless of what it is. Over 50 hours will earn not only personalised RFU accreditation (everyone gets a certificate) but also some exclusive RFU branded clothing such as hoodies and jackets. The mutual benefits are clear and participants can learn and develop new skills, build experience for CV’s, university and job applications as well as get access to special RFU events and conferences throughout the year. Not least, it is a chance to really get involved in club life and have a lot of fun along the way.
From event organisation, fundraising and committee work to club communications, PR and membership liaison, there is a wide range of activities to get involved in that will help make the club a more successful and enjoyable place to be.
As ODRFC strives to take the next steps towards stability and consolidation, the need to encourage young blood in club administration becomes ever more pressing. It’s certainly out there on the pitch where young players are committing to more training, better availability and a greater desire to succeed. In fact, the club has declared its intention to increase senior playing membership to be able to run three regular, competitive XV’s. This now needs to be reflected by a similar ambition from managers and administrators to create the right club environment in which this playing resurgence can continue to thrive, starting with more ideas on sustainable development and the energy to carry them out.
The YRA programme is just one way to get young volunteers involved in the club and unlock a new raft of skills, ideas and positivity that will truly take this club into the modern rugby era.
Check out http://www.englandrugby.com/my-rugby/volunteers/young-rugby-ambassador/ for more details of the YRA programme or contact either Linval Antonio or Colin Sinclair to register your interest in taking part
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