Pinner plan to be pitch perfect with RFU investment

The resurgence of north London club Pinner & Grammarians has been recognised by the RFU which is providing the bulk of the £46,500 funding for an extensive drainage scheme on the London Borough of Harrow-owned Shaftesbury Playing Fields in Hatch End.

The lower pitch is notorious for becoming waterlogged and unplayable for long periods in the winter months and has been increasingly frustrating for the Club as it develops its Mini and Youth rugby sections and expands the number of teams at adult level.

• Local borough grant matched by Rugby Football Foundation
• RFU funding utilises Sport England funds for grassroots rugby

Negotiations began over a year ago firstly between the Club and the RFU following an introduction by the Middlesex County RFU Chairman, Michael Barnes, a former Pinner captain and chairman.

A report from consultant agronomist, John Hacker of PSD Preston, indicated that a very comprehensive new drainage scheme was required. The RFU contribution utilised funds from Sport England for improvements to grassroots facilities and the club applied to the Rugby Football Foundation Ground match grant scheme which was matched by the Borough’s contribution of £6000.

Drainage system to be maintained

Certain safeguards required by the RFU included security of tenure for P&G’s and an agreement to ensure that the drainage system is maintained.

Work carried out by Agripower Ltd of Great Missenden was completed in June this year. Thirty 10cm drains have been cut at 3m intervals across the lower pitch. A laser controlled machine cuts a half-metre deep trench and lays the continuous porous pipe at the same time. The trench is then filled with gravel and sand.

The 10cm drains feed into a much larger one that is connected to the existing system, which has been cleared to ensure free flow. The whole area has been treated for weeds and the pitch will be re-seeded. Top up work, if needed, will take place prior to the start of the new season.

Pinner and Grammarians president David Hiles said: “This commitment and financial support by the RFU is a feather in the cap of the club and indicates confidence in our future development.

To have two fully functional pitches will help us to expand. The slight inconvenience to Hatch End CC, caused by the delays, will be outweighed by having a better outfield in future seasons.

“We are extremely grateful for the help and expertise shown by Rick Bruin, RFU Facilities and Funding Manager, and for the support given by Cllr Susan Hall, portfolio holder for Leisure Services, in driving this through.”

New Season kicks off @ Pinner Rugby

Well with August almost gone (and with it the hopes of a sun splashed summer) the new season is almost here.

It’s been a very busy time during July and August down at Pinner & Grammarians, the season ended on a high with the seniors getting promotion for the second year in succession.

Sunday 5^th September sees the start of the new Mini & youth sections season with membership and fun training starting at 10am

 Saturday ^11th September sees the 1^st XV kick off there 3^rd successive promotional bid in the fixture with Old Isleworthians at their ground

Summer time at Pinner rugby club

Club 7’s

With the summer upon us and the end of the formal rugby playing season one would think that it would all go quiet down at Shaftesbury playing fields. How wrong you would be. The newly promoted first team (for the second year in succession) have been hard at it to get ready for the oncoming Herts/Middx Div 2 season. For the first time in a few years Pinner and Grammarians RFC were the only one of Harrow’s three rugby clubs to participate in the Middlesex County RFU Club 7 a -side tournament held at Richmond RFC . Not only that but they were the only club from the Herts/ Middx Divisions 3 or 4 to enter and, along with Ruislip, the only clubs across the county to enter two squads. Both teams were in the Vase competition for clubs in the Herts/ Middlesex Leagues playing all their matches against teams one or two divisions above them. Captain Reza Sibilant received a County Shield for being Jug runners-up. This wetted the appetite for more 7’s games and Pinner entered the Slough 7’s for the first time a great day was had by all and although they were placed in a pool that was above them they played well and left a lasting impression with many of the other teams in attendance

Summer fitness The summer training has been very popular with all ages at Pinner rugby Every Tuesday the mini section has been running fitness and fun sessions 6-730pm followed by the seniors also participating in fitness sessions

Touch rugby Thursday has seen the introduction of weekly touch rugby sessions against other local teams looked very inviting for our newly promoted first team. Sessions on a Thursday evening have been very popular and well attended and the thought of some friendly opposition brought about a more committed approach to training. The first session involving six clubs was held at Northolt RFC on Thursday 1^st July Pinner arrived not only keen to play but in great numbers; eighteen of the first team turned up after travelling through some horrible rush hour traffic on a particularly hot and sticky evening. There was also a band of Pinner followers on the touchline who also made the drive over to UB6 It was a shame however when there was no opposition to play! Only two players from Sodom RFC came along for what should be a great six way training session leading to a mini touch tournament at Sodom RFC The RFU was represented by Martin and the touch rugby sessions organiser Ronnie Barry. In August the RFU lent Pinner a level 4 coach who ran weekly training sessions at Pinner RFC on Tuesday evenings 5-6.30pm for anyone who wanted to try out the game of rugby

We now have a new club sponsors Harold Benjamin Solicitors We are always looking for sponsorship and partners to extend our thriving community rugby club

Other club developments:

Pinner has now launched a 2^nd / vets team (the Pelicans) and will be training on Thursday evenings 7.30-9.00pm from August anyone interested in getting involved please contact the club via the website www.pinnerrugby.com or via email: pinnerrugby@gmail.com It is intended that one game a month should be enough!

Little rugby academy launched at Pinner & Grammarians for children 2-5 yr old

The classes have been specifically designed to encourage children to use core skills like co-ordination, balance and agility. It is also important that the children begin to develop social skills and the habit of regular exercise. We encourage our children to share, take turns and work together to complete activities, this enables them to build friendships and become part of a team. We use Mini sized balls, Foam balls and cones to ensure the children’s safety at all times. The smaller children’s session lasts 30 minutes and includes parent participation. The session includes passing, catching, try scoring, and cone kicking. Please remember though the whole idea is for the children and parents to have fun. The senior class concentrates more on basic motor skills and to start looking at the more specific skills used in Rugby. We have designed games and tasks to teach children to find space, pass the rugby ball backwards, score a try and much more. We use size 3 rugby balls for this class so the children can get used to the weight and feel of a proper ball. The senior class lasts for approx 45 minutes. www.littlerugbyacademy.co.uk

Our involvement in the local community was enhanced when Pinner & Grammarians and the Metropolitan Police hosted a community police event including a range of stands / information about Harrow police and ‘Youth engagement and Kickz in Harrow’

Then of course there was the 2^nd Pinner Olympics – unfortunately I was unable to attend but have seen the photos and I am awaiting a report from Mark ‘Mad dog’ Razzle as to what really happened!

For anyone wanting to learn a little bit more about the game of rugby (parents, past/ex players, current players, those new to the game or just fed up standing on the touch line not knowing wahts going on!) well………..

Important Announcement:

Rugby Ready Course (pre Level 1) and Line Out CPD (continued Professional Development)

Now running Saturday 25th September

Anyone interested/had signed up previously please let the Club Coaching Coordinator know asap (Spud)

See you for the new season, it’s ‘gonna be good’

Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Rugby Union Dates/venues 2010-11

Please note you will need to complete the Goodyear Rugby Ready (“Safety”) practical course before starting your Level One course.  Please send a copy of your IRB Goodyear Rugby Ready Certificate with your completed application form.

Any questions speak to the Club Coaching Coordinator – Paul Talbot (Spud)

Course Application Process

Please submit your application form and payment as early as possible (and no later than 21 days prior to the start of the course) to the Regional Coaching Centre as your place cannot be confirmed without both of these. Joining instructions will be sent to you within two weeks of the course start date.

Due to the need to provide and pay for facilities, resources and delivery staff, full or part refunds may not be available to candidates who withdraw or who do not attend. Please refer to the course application form for further details.

Payment

Cheques: Please submit your application form together with a cheque payable to “RFD Ltd” and send to the regional Coaching Centre.

Credit Cards: Please email / post your application and then telephone 0208 831 7499

(Monday to Friday between 09:00 & 17:00 hours only) to pay by Visa, MasterCard and/or Debit Card.  Unfortunately, we do not accept American Express.

Course Dates	CB	Venue	Application Deadline
2010
Induction Eve 28th September Practical Days 3rd & 10th October	Essex	Felsted	14th September 2010
Induction Eve 6th October Practical Days 10th & 17th October	Eastern Counties	Saffron Walden School	22nd September 2010
Induction Eve 6th October Practical Days 10th & 17th October	Hertfordshire	North Herts College, Hitchin	22nd September 2010
Induction Eve 13th October Practical Days 17th & 24th October	Middlesex	Mill Hill	30th September 2010
Induction Eve 4th November Practical Days 7th & 14th November 2010	Middlesex	Middlesex University	23rd October 2010
Induction Eve 17th November Practical Days 20th 27th November 2010	Essex	Colchester VIth form	3rd November  2010
Induction Eve 17th November Practical Days 21st & 28th November 2010	Eastern Counties	Wymondham	3rd November 2010
Induction Eve November 24th Practical Days November 28th & 5th December 2010	Hertfordshire	North Herts College	10th November 2010
2011	2011	2011	2011
Induction Eve 2nd March   Practical Days 6th & 27th March 2011	Middlesex	Isleworth & Sion School	15th February 2010
Induction Eve 6th April   Practical Days 10th & 17th March 2011	Eastern Counties	Cambridge University	March 23rd 2011
Induction Eve 9th March 2011 Practical Days 13th & 20th March 2011	Essex	Coopers Coburn School Upminister	22nd February 2011
Induction Eve 9th March 2011 Practical Days 12th & 19th March 2011	Hertfordshire	North Herts College, Hitchin	22nd February 2011
Induction Eve 30th March 2011 Practical Days 3rd & 10th April 2011	Essex	Felsted	15th March 2011
Induction Eve 13th April   Practical Days 16th & 23rd April 2010	Middlesex	Mill Hill School	1st April
Induction Eve 11th May 2011 Practical Days 14th & 21st May  2011	Hertfordshire	North Herts College, Hitchin	27th April 2010
Induction Eve 4th May 2011 Practical Days 8th & 15th t May  2011	Essex	Colchester	20th April 2010
Induction Eve 4th May 2011 Practical Days 8th & 15th May  2011	Eastern Counties	Wymondham	21st April 2010
Induction Eve 4th May 2011 Practical Days 8th & 15th May  2011	Middlesex	Middlesex University	21st April 2010
Induction Eve 1st June    Practical Days 5th & 19th June 2011	Middlesex	Isleworth & Sion School	15th May 2011
Induction Eve 8th June  Practical Days 12th & 19th June 2011	Essex	Coopers Coburn School Upminister	23rd May 2011
Induction Eve 15th June  Practical Days 19th & 26th June 2011	Herts	Bishop’s Stortford High School (TBC)	1st June 2011
Induction Eve 15th June  Practical Days 19th & 26th June 2011	Eastern Counties	East Norfolk College	1st June 2011

Rugby Ready Course and Line Out CPD course now available

These are the dates that have been booked with the RFU

Rugby Ready and line out CPD

Sat 25th September 2010 @ pinner rugby club

for those who want to go on and do the level 1 (you must complete this before doing level1)

We will need to confirm people by the end of August

The following courses have also been booked -P&G are the hosts and its gone onto the RFU website and other clubs can send their coaches/players across

CPD ruck and maul Sun 7th November @ pinner rugby club

CPD Continuity in attack Sat 27th November @ pinner rugby club

Scrum 8 Sat 8th Jan 2011 @ pinner rugby club

Times will be anounced shortly along with course fees

For more information please contact the Club Coaching Coordinator (Spud)

pinnerrugby@gmail.com

07961304740