Leigh Puttock continues 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.

 

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 another successful and enjoyable season in Devon 1 after finishing 3rd in 2010/11. Warren Dunkley and new coach Steve Luffman will support Leigh as assistant coaches for the new season.

 

Training will be held on Tuesday and Thursdays and will starts on Tuesday 5 July at Central Park rugby pitch until we move to Delganey in September.

 

So far we have had fantastic attendance with a wide variety of new players joining for the new season. Everyone is welcome to join, old or new players alike.

 

You may or may not know that in the summer of 2011 I took over as Chairman of the OPM rugby club from Simon Adams who steered and served the club selflessly for many many years. Simon sadly died on the 6th October 2011 from his long-term illness. I know I speak for everyone in the OPMs rugby club in saying that Simon was a truly inspirational person and a good friend to many who will be sorely missed. He made a significant mark on the club and the times we shared with him will be long remembered when the port and beer flows - our thoughts go with him, Maxine and his family. Impossible shoes to fill and lets all keep the fund-raising going for Simon's charity.

 

Back on the field, as we start this 2011/12 season, there is a buzz of anticipation in the club. The 2010/11 season started shakily but ended strongly with the 1st team securing excellent wins against tough league opponents and the 2nd team fielding strong teams with a surplus of players wanting games.  I believe the club is now poised to move on to even better things in 2011/12 with an improved and enthusiastic coaching, management and captaincy structure in place to raise our game further. We will start the season with 2 senior teams and are planning for the occasional veteran team run-out to keep the older club players from totally hanging up their boots. If things go well we may even resurrect the 3rds as pre-season playing numbers are looking very promising. If you are reading this as a non-OPM and looking for a new club you won't regret contacting us. 

 

The Junior club section continues to grow and is becoming a force to be reckoned with locally. We look forward to adding new age groups each year with the continued support of parents and players from the main club.  I'm sure some of them will be running out for the senior club in 5 or 6 years time.

 

Thanks to all involved in keeping the club going on and off the field and also for the support offered from the main OPM club and the school. Don't forget to enjoy your rugby - game on!