UPDATE 21/04/24 From Steve Park:
“The sun shone on the final day of the season, and we had our highest ever attendance. After the warm up two matches were played with some great rugby skills on display. Watched by a large crowd on the touchline some great passing and movement led to some excellent tries being scored. The matches resulted in the first awards of the prestigious green laces.
After the match a packed club house saw season medals and certificates awarded by Club Captain, Bertie Bowerman, and club President, Peter Curle. Huge thanks to all who attended and have helped make the season a great success. The new season starts on the 8th September with two summer camps planned for the 9th and 30th August as well”.
UPDATE 14/04/24 From Steve Park:
“Sunshine at last, and the good weather brought out one of our best attendances of the season. Several new players arrived and had a great time with the regulars. Training concentrated on passing for the younger groups and tackling for the older groups. Thanks to Bernard, Dave, Jan and Gabriel who managed things on and off the pitch and to Jo for ensuring the hungry locusts were fed. Next Sunday 21st April is our last training date and both groups will be playing in a match atmosphere followed by prize giving”.
UPDATE 17/03/24 From Steve Park:
“Once again the weather gods were kind to us and the rain abated before training started, 25 kids turned up for training, and as usual were divided into two groups. The minis “assault course” proved popular and despite use of the “TMO” the two teams could not be separated at the end. Thanks to Bernard and Gabriel, for coaching, to Jo for ensuring we were fed and watered after the session. Thanks also for the positive feedback from the parents on the coaching efforts. Next session, Sunday 24th March starting at 10:00am”.
UPDATE 10/03/24 From Steve Park:
“Despite it being Mother’s day a number of Mums (and Dads) went without their lie-in to bring their kids to training. Our biggest turnout to date saw some specialist training including kicking, team passing and some good fun all round. Huge thanks to coaches Bernard, Dave and Gary, ably supported by Gabriel. Thanks to Jo for the after-match food (and special cakes for the Mums) and to Jan for ensuring all our players are properly registered. Next session Sunday 17th March 10:00am”.
UPDATE 03/03/24 From Steve Park:
“At last the sun shone giving us a perfect day to play some rugby. Over 20 children attended training this week as we had a fun, lively, session with a number of great team events. We said hello for the first time to Olivia and Luke and welcomed back some returning faces from previous sessions. Thanks to Bernard, Dave and Gary, who coached the 2 groups, and to Jo and Alice for making sure hungry mouths were fed after the session. Training will remain on Sundays at 10:00am each week”.
UPDATE 21/01/24 From Steve Park:
“The pitches thawed out and training was able to go ahead before the storms arrived. Numbers again were increased from previous weeks and groups were split into 4 squads in order to carry out training. The Under 8’s concentrated on tagging and how to pass out of the tag. Under 10’s concentrated on skill sets involving passing and tackling. Coaches Bernard, Dave and Steve were again supported by Gabriel and Nathaniel. Club support was provided by Jan, Molly, Bertie and Tom. Huge thanks to those parents who were prepared to run the support or train as coaches. The club is delighted with the success so far of the new Youth section. If you would like to get involved with the growing Youth section please contact me using the details on our website. A big thank you also to Darren who was marking out the First XV pitch whilst the Youth training was going on”.
UPDATE 14/01/24 From Steve Park:
“Sunday 14th dawned as a cold but dry day and numbers attending were again up on previous weeks. 22 children trained this weekend with a variety of training activities built around the core skills of passing and teamwork. Coaching was led by Bernard, Dave and Steve with Gabriel and Nathaniel supporting. Skills across the group are improving and commitment and teamwork can be seen throughout the group. Thanks to Jan and Helen who ensured the players were fed and watered after a full-on session. Next training session will be Sunday 21st January 10:00am. The Club coaches will also be at Rushall Primary School this Wednesday running an after school session, these will be happening for the next 4 weeks”.
UPDATE 07/01/24 From Steve Park:
“Our first session of the new year saw a cold but thankfully dry day with the pitches standing up well to the recent rains. As usual we ran 2 groups focusing on warming up and running exercises as part of our Activate program. This week’s coaching emphasis was placed on passing with some great work especially from the Under 7s. The coaches were really impressed by the hard work and commitment of all those who took part. After match refreshments were provided by Hannah Graystone. Coaching was conducted by Gabriel, Dave, Bernard and Steve. With the new year, the coaches are now looking for players who display the crucial behaviours which are core to training, namely Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship (TREDS). Outstanding players will receive a medal and the coveted green boot laces over the coming weeks. Our next session is Sunday 14th January at 10:00am”.
UPDATE 17/12/23 From Steve Park:
“Saturday 16th was the last day of the year for minis training and for once it was neither wet nor freezing. Good training sessions were held for all age groups run by Bernard, Dave, Gary and myself. Two new faces were made welcome. Dodge ball this time had the added bonus of the coaches running gauntlet, showing some body swerves to avoid contact, or were we just too slow for anyone to notice us? The sessions were rounded off by a visit from Santa and his Elf for presents and party food. Training reverts to Sundays for 3 weeks beginning 7th January 2024. Huge thanks to Jan and Dave Jones, Richard, Louisa and Hannah for supporting us this week”.
UPDATE 26/11/23 From Steve Park:
“Sunday 26th broke as a cold and wet morning which must have put a few aspiring rugby players off. Those that did attend kept warm with a number of new routines and active participation in games designed to keep players warm and involved. The wholehearted commitment shown by those attending impressed Coaches Dave and Steve. The older players working with Bernard kept ground work to a minimum. Thanks to Jan and Lou for running the clubhouse and ensuring kids and parents were fed and watered. Training switches to Saturdays for the next 3 weeks, starting at 10am. Meanwhile after school coaching at Pewsey Primary continues for the third week with over 20 kids regularly attending”.
UPDATE 19/11/23 From Steve Park:
“The groups were divided into 3 groups this week. Bernard taking the over 9s, Dave the 7-8s and Steve and Gabriel the u7s. Emphasis was placed on technique this week. Players across year groups are steadily improving as is their knowledge of the game. We now have over 30 children signed on with the club on GMS. Dodgeball was followed by the Pewsey chant, which gets louder every week. Thanks to Jan and Dave Jones who ran the clubhouse ensuring hungry mouths were fed. The first mini newsletter was produced with a call for volunteers which we hope will be answered in the coming weeks”.
UPDATE FOLLOWING SEVENTH SESSION, 12/11/23 from Steve Park (Head of Youth Section):
“Numbers were up again this week with the club also welcoming two new players who were quick to join in the fun. Dave and Steve coached Years 2 and 3 whilst Bernard took the older age groups. Despite wet conditions some great skills were shown. Without a doubt players are improving throughout the age groups. After our weekly dodgeball the whole group held a minutes silence which was respected by the kids, parents and coaches alike. After match hot dogs and drinks were served by Club Captain Bertie Bowerman. The coaches are running training sessions at Pewsey Primary for 4 weeks starting Wednesday 15th November. We hope to increase skills in our current players and recruit a few more faces from these sessions. Next PVRFC Youth session is on Sunday 19th November at 10:00am”.
UPDATE FOLLOWING SIXTH SESSION, 04/11/23 from Steve Park (Head of Youth Section):
“Saturday morning 8:30am and the rain was falling. Were we going to coach rugby or how to build an ark? 9:15am and the rain stopped, out came the sun but probably a bit too late for some of the kids. However we did still have a small group that turned up, despite the weather, for an enjoyable session. Years 2 and 3 were coached by Dave and Steve, years 4, 5 and 6 by Vicky and Gary. Once again thanks to Ben, Gabriel and Nat who helped out enthusiastically. We were delighted to welcome 2 new players and real progress is being seen with those attending regularly. Thanks to Pete and Lin Curle for providing food, to Jan for helping to register players and to Mick for his support too. Our next session moves to Sunday 12th November 10:00am. We are pleased to announce the coaching team are going back to Pewsey Primary for 4 weeks to reprise their after school training and hopefully find us some more recruits. Training starts at Pewsey School on Wednesday 15th November at 3:15pm”.
UPDATE FOLLOWING FIFTH SESSION, 28/10/23 from Steve Park (Head of Youth Section):
“Whilst numbers were down this week, due to half term, enthusiasm remained high. Gary and Steve ran years 2 and 3 whilst Vicky and Bernard looked after the older age groups. Ben, Gabriel and Nathaniel ably supported all the coaches. A good session, in nice weather conditions, rounded off with a good dodgeball session. Huge thanks to Lou Bux and Jan Jones who looked after registration and refreshments. The next session is Saturday 4th November at 10:00am”.
UPDATE FOLLOWING FOURTH SESSION, 15/10/23 from Steve Park (Head of Youth Section):
“Week 4 saw a change back to a Sunday training session for the Youth Section. Numbers were good again with several new players now joining the Under 8s age group. Numbers in general are slowly building and all the coaches are reporting great enthusiasm from the kids. Special thanks to Jamie Mc, Ed and Gabriel for their help and support coaching. Thanks to Lin Curle for running the clubhouse and providing hot dogs to the hungry players and coaches. No training next weekend 21/22nd October due to the half term break. Coaching will re-commence on World Cup Final weekend, Saturday 28th October at 10:00am”.
UPDATE FOLLOWING THIRD SESSION, 07/10/23 from Steve Park (Head of Youth Section):
“Over 20 children trained this Saturday. Bernard and Vicky were very impressed by the hard work and commitment of the over 9s who are really beginning to demonstrate great skills. Dave and Gary reported similar enthusiasm from the under 9s! More of the children have signed up as Youth Members of the Club and genuine progress is being made after only 3 weeks. Huge thanks to all in the club who supported the coaches on and off the pitch. Next weekend training shifts to Sunday 15th October at 10am.”
UPDATE FOLLOWING SECOND SESSION, 30/09/23 from Steve Park (Head of Youth Section):
“Training was switched to a Saturday for the second session, 30th September, to gauge interest in future Saturday sessions. 20 Children attended the session with the older age group being coached by Vicky Fawdry and Gary Elmes. The younger age group was coached by myself and Dave Williamson, these groups were also supported by senior Youth players Gabriel and Nathan. Many thanks to Mick Haynes, Lou Bux, Jan Jones, Pete Curle and Dave Jones for managing refreshments and the meet and greet. The participants responded well to new drills and the improvements from last week were obvious for all to see. New attendees settled in and integrated well with the rest of the group which was great to see. Post training Hot Dogs and Drinks were a hit as always! A number of Youth players have now signed on formally with the club and the trade of club kit was successful. We look forward to seeing you all at the next session on the 7th October.”
UPDATE FOLLOWING ON FROM FIRST SESSION, 24/09/23 from Steve Park (Head of Youth Section):
“After a 2 year break PVRFC is pleased to announce that Youth Rugby Training is back at the Angela Yeates Memorial Ground. We have a small team of RFU qualified coaches, who have also all received the necessary DBS checks, and are very keen to get coaching. At 9:50am, as the heavens opened, the coaches looked at each other wondering if the weather would scare everyone off? To our delight cars started to arrive and over 25 children attended the inaugural session in our Youth Training Programme for this season.
Bernard Courtney coached years 4, 5, and 6 whilst I coached years 2 and 3, both overseen by the watchful eye of Vicky Fawdry. Despite the rain a good time was had by all and the children were kept actively involved throughout the entire session by our coaches. As always the dodgeball finale proved popular with both the parents and children who were then able to enjoy some post training drinks and refreshments.
Many thanks to Mick Haynes and Jan Jones for being there to meet and greet people as they arrived at the session. Feedback from the both the parents and the children was overwhelmingly positive! The team look forward to our next session on Saturday 30th September starting at 10:00am.”