The committee have invited Leigh Puttock to act as Head Coach for the forthcoming season.  Leigh is a well qualified (RFU Level 3) coach who has worked with rugby players of all levels, from entrant to elite.  Leigh will lead a team of coaches on Tuesday and Thursdays and will direct 1st team matters on Saturdays.  He will be responsible for the development of coaches throughout the club.

 

Simon Adams (chairman) welcomed Leigh to the club.
Matt Glastonbury (Club Captain), Sam Matts (Vice -chair) and myself met Leigh and were impressed by his enthusiasm, knowledge and experience. I am sure he will be an asset to the club and continue the good work started by Howard Turner over the last two seasons.  Leigh is an ambitious coach and a key part of his remit will be to develop a good team of coaches within the club. We are all looking forward to a successful and enjoyable season in Devon 1.

 

Training will be held on Tuesday and Thursdays and will starts on Tuesday 13 July at Central Park rugby pitch until we move to Delganey in September.

 

As Chairman of the rugby section I do hope you enjoy the accounts of our fortunes over the following few pages.  Last year was a memorable one for the club for many reasons. On the pitch the 1st XV enjoyed great success and the hard work of the players and coaches was rewarded with promotion.  The club is not just about one team though and right behind the 1sts the 2nd XV competed in a strong Merit Table and players regularly moved up to fill vacant positions in the team above.  The 3rd team continues to provide opportunities for players who are not what they were or are never going to be what they want to be.

The mixed tag continues to be popular and it was great to see an awards section for the women players at the club dinner. As I write this news reaches me that one of the mixed-tag girls has been selected to play her first ever game of 15 a side rugby, on the wing for Plymouth Albion Ladies! Good luck Odi.

The most heartening development of this year is the commencement of mini-rugby on a Sunday morning.  How great it is to watch young people taking their very first steps in our great game. Thanks go to the Headmaster for allowing us to use the school facilities for this purpose, and Delganey as we struggle to find a home whilst the boilers are fitted at our usual base at KG5 pitches at Elburton.

As you will read there is much going on at the club.  I would like to thank all those who give their time to keep the club running. Without you we are nothing!
 

Simon Adams
Chairman-OPMRFC