Teams 
Finally, we are able to train and hopefully play rugby. Pre-season friendlies have been arranged with
Launceston Away on 14th August, Crediton Away on 21st August and Bude at Home on 28th August.
Hopefully, there will be a coach for the Launceston match, and I would expect some of our supporters
will be able to travel on the coach too. Your support would be most appreciated.
On 28th August, after the Bude game, there will be a presentation of awards by the President, Geoff
Folland, followed by a barbeque for all.
I am very pleased to announce that our long serving member Richard Back has been awarded
Honorary Life Membership, and well deserved too.
SENIOR MEN – Mark Lee is the new Club Coach, he reports:
Training has been progressing well having started on the 1st of July, we have had very good
numbers and it is looking competitive for positions! There is a very good bunch of lads and
lovely warm welcome from everyone involved at the club. I am really enjoying the coaching
side of the rugby but also can’t wait to get playing now after such a long layoff. I am excited
to see what happens this season.
COLTS – Simon Mathers reports:
It’s been a long time since the Colts had a competitive game, but this has not dampened their
desire to continue playing. We have had a good turnout whenever we have been able to train
despite the lack of fixtures. This current crop has no less than four players playing with the
Exeter Chiefs Academy at Exeter College. This can only be good for the development of them
and raising expectations of the players around them. We have a strong coaching team to keep
the progress going and lay the foundations for these young players to be future Senior Club
members. Training started on 29th July.
Colin Balsdon, Fixture Secretary, advises there will be at least 6 matches before the Merit
Table matches start.
LADIES Kat Crossley reports: The ladies have continued to show a great deal of commitment
and discipline with their training consisting of 2 sessions a week with a continuation of
increasing numbers and are planning to train throughout the summer to ensure they are
match fit and ready to hit the ground running! The current squad is made up of approximately
30 players with between 12-15 training per session.
VIXENS/JUNIOR GIRLS – Sarah-Jane Palmer reports: Having taken a month break the Junior
girls (U13s & U15s) and the Vixens enjoyed meeting at Instow beach in early July for some
summer rugby fitness training. The girls all worked extremely hard and despite dune hill
climbs were still smiling at the end! After a further meet at Instow the girls will break for
summer holidays before starting pre-season training on our new training night of Tuesdays
from August 17th. If you know anyone that is interested to get involved either by way of playing, coaching, or
managing, then we would love to hear from you. Please contact Sarah-Jane on 07972 728000.
JUNIORS – Rob Parish reports: The Junior Section look forward to welcoming back players for
training from Wednesday 8th September. Your respective age group Coaches will be in touch
regarding times and pitch area allocations.
As part of the RFU ‘pitch up for rugby’ initiative to welcome people back to our club after
such a long layoff from competition, the Junior Section will be hosting a family fun afternoon
on Sunday 12th September. Details will follow via social media. There will be games, bouncy
castle, BBQ, bar, kit sales and kit exchange. Entry will be free, and we really hope we can get
as many players, parents, and carers there as possible.
If you have clean serviceable outgrown kit, hoodies, boots etc please let me know as this can
be re-used by others.
The Junior Section are looking to recruit more coaches to help with this year’s Under 8s.
Courses and training support will be there to help if you are interested in being part of the
team! Please contact Rob Parish at brfcjuniorchair@gmail.com.
Thanks everyone and we look forward to seeing you all very soon.
All subscriptions for the Adult Players and Members become due on 1st August, an email or
letter has been sent to as many people as possible in the Senior section. Membership cards
and Club books will be issued when available. The website pages relating to Membership have
been rewritten and provide full details of how to subscribe whether you are a player, Senior
section supporter or a Junior. A reminder that ALL players in ALL age groups must be a
member before starting to train to benefit from the RFUs insurance.
The Committee will next meet at 7pm on Tuesday 10th August. Please let John Cox or David
Leworthy know if you have any agenda items.
The Clubhouse will continue to be open for the Lions matches which we have been able to
provide after all and going forward the Premiership matches, when they return, will also be
televised. We are very pleased with the attendance, and please may it continue. Our thanks
go to Chris Jeffrey and his team for the safe environment they have provided.
We must not let up on our determination to control this disease, please continue to follow
the directions given by the COVID team and observe all COVID notices throughout the Clubhouse.
With the season about to start we remind the Managers and Coaches of all teams that short
match reports should be submitted to our Webmaster, Robin Potter rbnpotter@gmail.com
We will continue to provide this Newsletter bi-monthly, any feedback on content will be welcome to Steve Smith bidefordrfcmembership@gmail.com
