Rugby Football Union - Students come home to Herts and Play On

Students come home to Herts and Play On

by Hugh Godwin


	Matt Paget receives trophy from John Drew photo by Herts RFU / David Williams

January 6, 2009

Twas the Monday before Christmas… and the cream of Hertfordshire’s young players flocked to Old Albanian RFC for the inaugural Herts Christmas Under 23 Festival. Over 150 young players - a combination of students back for the holiday period, colts and younger players from the senior sides - representing eight clubs turned out for some festive fun.

They played 10-minute matches with no penalties, the action was fast and furious, and it all tied in with the Rugby Football Union’s Play On campaign, designed for clubs to develop and maintain contact with players in the 16 to 24 age group who move away from home for work or further education.

The festival was organised by Peter Engledow, the Hertfordshire Rugby Development Officer, who was pleased with the response and has plans to make the festival an annual event. “It’s all about keeping players involved with their clubs, particularly those that move away to attend college or university,” said Engledow. “It gave the guys a chance to meet old and new friends, play a bit of rugby and have a couple of beers – what better way to start the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“It reminded a lot of players who may not want to play particularly competitive rugby that there is a social side to the game, a fun element which is always there for them at their local club when they are back from their studies. The clubs organised teams and I also had emails and phone calls from individuals who hadn’t played for a while and just wanted to come along and get involved.”

Old Albanians and Bishops Stortford won their pools and in a tight final Bishop’s Stortford - captained by Matt Paget who is studying at Nottingham University - edged out the host club to become the first club to lift the Herts Returning Students trophy. Other awards went to Joe Brouder (Old Albanians) for Best Try, Alex Brookes (Welwyn) for Best Hit, and Francis Denny (Old Albanians) for Best Player.

Participating clubs were Barnet Elizabethans, Bishop’s Stortford, Cheshunt, Fullerians, Harpenden, Hertford, Old Albanians and Welwyn. Each club received a Gillette Community Rugby bag containing training balls, bibs and water bottles, courtesy of Apex Multisports and the Herts Sports Partnership.

John Drew, President of Hertfordshire RFU, presented the trophies and he was in no doubt the festival should be a permanent fixture in the calendar. There were county selectors present and plenty to play for with the Under 20 County Championship, U23 fixtures and the senior County Championship Shield coming up.

ends