FOLLOWING a promotion-winning season in the last campaign, Alcester Rugby Club have been back in training since the start of July ahead of a new season which starts in September.
Alcester were beaten just once in the league all season and finished in runners-up spot in Midlands Five West (South) to secure promotion into Midlands Four West (South).
During a record-breaking year, which saw them amass a positive points difference in the region of 400 points, Alcester also recorded victories against local rivals Claverdon and Redditch, against both of whom they will be playing competitive fixtures in their forthcoming campaign.
After a successful first season, centre Jack Green is again club captain for the upcoming season. On many occasions last season Green – a product of the club’s junior rugby section – led out the youngest team in the league.
Director of Rugby David Marriott says the club is proud of its record for developing young players: “There are a lot of people in this club who put in a huge amount of effort to work with youngsters every Sunday morning, to teach them the game and to pass on the rugby bug,” he said.
“We are now seeing the results of their work in the senior teams, with players coming through and strengthening the first and second team squads. The future looks bright as we have 15, 16, and 17-year-olds who are already showing their talent. These are our senior players of the future.”
Pre-season training started at the beginning of the month and sessions are run every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 7pm at the club’s Kings Coughton ground.
Coach Keith Beech says training has started well: “The lads are back, they are working hard and they are enjoying themselves.
“We have some new faces who have joined us already and we are keen to welcome more. Whether you are an experienced player who is looking to join a club that is on the up, or someone who fancies a game, allcomers are welcome.”
Beech says he is optimistic about the new season: “We did very well last season and confidence is sky-high. We won a lot of games both in the league and in friendlies and scored a lot of tries in the process, with our attacking style.
“Both the first team and the second team improved as the season went on and we are looking for that improvement to continue. We are a club that plays attacking, open rugby.
“It is really important to us that the players and the supporters alike enjoy their Saturday afternoons. We won’t be changing our style just because we are promoted. We are going to give it a real go in this league.”
Alcester start the new campaign with a home a game against Atherstone on Saturday, September 19.
It is not too late for players old and new, in and out of shape, to join preparations for the new season and they will be made very welcome. Anyone interested in joining the club should visit the website at www.pitchero.com/clubs/alcesterrfc/ or come along to training on a Tuesday or a Thursday evening from 7pm.
THE MIXED touch rugby sessions that have run each Thursday throughout the summer so far will continue from 7pm each week. Players of all ages from 14 upwards are welcome to come in and join the fun, which has been extremely well supported so far.