2011 12 Season:
RUGBY DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
REPORT 2011 - 2012
Delivering the Planning, Funding and Reporting Programme demanded by the RFU in line with RFU targets and objectives has been the primary aim of the year. This and the continued demands of the RFU on planning the programme for 2012-13 takes many a great deal of time and effort and thanks are expressed to all contributors.
We have continued to develop our high status within the RFU’s School of Rugby programme revamping our player assessment evaluations to encompass more live small sided game scenarios. This has assisted in once again identifying a wealth of talent in Oxfordshire leading to continued our success at U16 and 18 Divisional and England levels.
Schools of Rugby
Now in its sixth year, Oxfordshire continued to run the Performance and Development Tiers of the School of Rugby ( SOR ) stretching across 4 age bands from U13 to U16. This has involved 52 players at Elite and 98 at Development Tier.
The established and unique programme within the SOR of our Front Row School of Rugby and Half Back School of Rugby has continued to flourish with three and two dedicated sessions per season respectively. These courses are received enthusiastically by players, coaches and parents alike offering specialist coaching in specialist positions. These sessions are manned by experienced and specialist coaches and our thanks are extended to Jason Bowers and Richie Williams for their pivotal role in these areas.
London Wasps have been our partners and it is pleasing to report Oxfordshire continue to be a beacon SOR for the structure, implementation and delivery of the programme. Our thanks are extended to all the coaches who participate be they from club, school or university.
Representative Rugby
Oxfordshire has had success this past year as the work of player development continues to pay dividends. It is pleasing to report we had a Alec Hepburn, Gus Jones and Dave Hughes making it to England U20’s and U18’s with Tommy Allan selected for Scotland U20’s. Henry Purdy succeeded in being selected foir the England Club and Schools U18 team.
A further four players represented one of the three England teams at U16 – Jackson Burton, Ben Pointon, Kieran Routledge and Jake O’Leary.
The County can justly be pleased with the commitment and programmes it has created A consistent, successful and vibrant Player Development regime in recent years is testimony to our success.
Womens Rugby
The process to integrate this sector into our Development programme moves forward slowly. We have developed links here with girls attending the Development Tier SOR sessions and Elite Girls attending regional SOR sessions. Thanks are expressed to Nick Cole for taking up this challenge and driving an ambitious programme of development forward.
Coaching
The coaching sub committee continues to provide suitable coaching advice within the RFU CPD programme.
The committee under the chairmanship of John Peel continues to review the programme so an appropriate ‘menu’ of coach education can be provided by Oxfordshire. Working with the north and south rugby development groups a number of coach CPD’s have been delivered.
The County continues to support level 2 and 3 coaches with bursaries as appropriate. One coach was supported into their Level 3 coaching programme : he successfully gained his L3 badge during the season and congratulations are offered to Richie Williams.
FE /HE Colleges
Links continue to be developed with a Community Coach based in Brookes University. The County continues to develop opportunities for players from these areas to transfer and join local community clubs via player pools. This continues to be achieved with a solid development programme of contact and player placement Our thanks are extended to Richard Williams who drives this initiative.
16 – 24 Development Group
Nick Cole as Chair of this group is has driven a number of initiatives as per the PFR Development Programme. Development via the Rugby Development Groups continues and they in turn has created and implemented a number of successful programmes. I would like to thank Nick for his support and efforts here.
Schools
The continuing A6 Forum involving Dorset and Wilts, Bucks and Berks continues to have a positive impact. Oxfordshire RFU continue to Chair this important forum which feeds into the newly created South West Divisional Forum with specific responsibilities for U16 and U18 rugby. A6 meetings continue to be held twice a year to review School Union links and to participate fully in the U16 and U18 player programmes.
Regional Academies are involved with London Wasps and London Irish whilst the . England Performance Department have also with a presence in meeting.
The Oxfordshire Schools Union has again found difficulties in recruiting and retaining volunteers and current have no secretary or chairman. The reinvigoration of this group remains a priority and whilst the County continues to provide a competitive structure with the Cup competition so more can and should be achieved with strong leadership in the schools group.
Academies
Oxfordshire continues to participate in the RFU and London Wasps Academy Liaison Groups which monitors and develops links with the Premiership academies. Additional regular meetings are held to coordinate our activities within the SOR
Competitions
Mark Carter as organiser of the Junior KO Cups for U13 and U14, the single County Leagues for U15 and U16 and three County Leagues at Colts and U17 continues to be the lynch pin of County Competitions. I should like to offer a massive thank you to Mark whose time and expertise in this area is so necessary for a successful competition structure.
One of the challenges of the season has been the drop out rate of clubs participating in U17 and Colts leagues. Whilst understandable with players gravitating to senior Saturday rugby many players prefer to play within their age group and this provision will be a priority for the future
Funding
The CBRDP encompasses a wide variety of areas and whilst we track detailed expenditure, accounts are presented under a broad canvass of CBRDP and Schools of Rugby. Expenditure is controlled and monitored and both generate funding to offset expenses.
In concluding I would thank all who have supported the CBRD this past year which once again has met with considerable success and acclaim thanks to the efforts of so many people.
Kevin Robinson
Chairman Oxon CBRDP
July 2012
There are no events to show yet.