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FinalistsNational Rugby Awards, Twickenham

Mark SmyChairman

Message from the Chairman Message from the Chairman

Dear All, welcome back to a new season of rugby at the Chicken ShackDear All, welcome back to a new season of rugby at the Chicken Shackand if you’re new to the club, a very warm welcome to Somershamand if you’re new to the club, a very warm welcome to SomershamRoad.Road.In our newsletter at the end of last season I made mention of the BigIn our newsletter at the end of last season I made mention of the BigBuild project, which doubled the size of our clubhouse with newBuild project, which doubled the size of our clubhouse with newchanging rooms, showers and lounge extension. Since then, we werechanging rooms, showers and lounge extension. Since then, we werenominated in thenominated in the category of the National Rugby category of the National RugbyAwards and soon learned that we had made it through to the last six.Awards and soon learned that we had made it through to the last six.Up against clubs from across the country, from the Isle of Wight toUp against clubs from across the country, from the Isle of Wight toWhitley Bay, we eagerly awaited the outcome at the awards ceremonyWhitley Bay, we eagerly awaited the outcome at the awards ceremonyat Twickenham, hosted by Alex Payne of Sky Sports. Our members who attended were greetedat Twickenham, hosted by Alex Payne of Sky Sports. Our members who attended were greetedby Chris Robshaw, former England Captain and Event Ambassador and got to meet other bigby Chris Robshaw, former England Captain and Event Ambassador and got to meet other bignames such as Danny Care, James Haskell, Alex Goode and Kenny Logan. Sadly, we finishednames such as Danny Care, James Haskell, Alex Goode and Kenny Logan. Sadly, we finishedas runners up, but shed the disappointment after carousing the night away, rounded off withas runners up, but shed the disappointment after carousing the night away, rounded off withthe dulcet tones of tenor Giglio reverberating around the 82,000 seat stadium and a visit fromthe dulcet tones of tenor Giglio reverberating around the 82,000 seat stadium and a visit fromSecurity.Security.The other major undertaking for the club was an improvement to the drainage, which shouldThe other major undertaking for the club was an improvement to the drainage, which shouldhelp with availability of pitches, once the weather takes a turn for the worse. In the short term,help with availability of pitches, once the weather takes a turn for the worse. In the short term,we will still need to keep off the second pitch while it beds in. In other news, our club blazerswe will still need to keep off the second pitch while it beds in. In other news, our club blazersarrived in time for the start of the season; described as ‘delightfully garish’, they’ve proved aarrived in time for the start of the season; described as ‘delightfully garish’, they’ve proved abig hit among our senior members.big hit among our senior members.

Finalists in the Loudest Blazer category.Twickenham, September.

Looking ahead, there’s a packed season of rugby forLooking ahead, there’s a packed season of rugby forus all as our 1st XV continue their campaign in Mid-us all as our 1st XV continue their campaign in Mid-lands East 3 and our new and improved 2nd XV roamlands East 3 and our new and improved 2nd XV roamthe region looking for league and cup success. Checkthe region looking for league and cup success. Checkthe website for fixtures and come down to Somershamthe website for fixtures and come down to SomershamRoad to cheer the boys on when there’s a home game.Road to cheer the boys on when there’s a home game.Sundays see our intrepid youngsters plying their trade,Sundays see our intrepid youngsters plying their trade,whether as the novice taggers or more experiencedwhether as the novice taggers or more experiencedmaulers, while some of our older juniors have under-maulers, while some of our older juniors have under-gone selection with the RFU’s Development Playergone selection with the RFU’s Development PlayerPathway.Pathway.There’s also action off the field : coming up in the next few weeks will be the Christmas FairThere’s also action off the field : coming up in the next few weeks will be the Christmas Fairon Sunday 6th Nov - take note, it’s a Sunday morning 10:00 ‘til 12:00 - and Liz Giglio’s Girls’on Sunday 6th Nov - take note, it’s a Sunday morning 10:00 ‘til 12:00 - and Liz Giglio’s Girls’Night in on 11th Nov from 7:30pm. Look out for notices on other potential events such as QuizNight in on 11th Nov from 7:30pm. Look out for notices on other potential events such as QuizNight, Race Night, Port Night and Wine Tasting. Events that we do have dates for, so you canNight, Race Night, Port Night and Wine Tasting. Events that we do have dates for, so you canput these in your diary nice and early, are Mini/Junior Medals Day 1st May, Summer Ball 6thput these in your diary nice and early, are Mini/Junior Medals Day 1st May, Summer Ball 6thMay and the Bulls Beer Fest 23rd-24th June.May and the Bulls Beer Fest 23rd-24th June.

Forthcoming home games at Somersham Road . Senior Matches, Saturday Kick off 2:15pm

5th November : St Ives 1st XV vs Northampton Mens Own PLUS 2nd XV vs Cambourne12th November : St Ives 2nd XV : Shelford 5 (Cup)

19th November : St Ives 1st XV vs Stewarts & Lloyds26th November : St Ives 2nd XV vs Wisbech 23rd December : St Ives Old Bulls vs BBOB Vets

10th December : St Ives 1st XV vs Aylestone St James

Thanks to Craig Cheetham and Claire West for the entries that saw us shortlisted :

Two years ago on a miserable wet day, 'Jabba' our pre-fab changing room was dismantled by a bandof volunteers spanning the junior and senior age range of our club - launching a project that wouldtake the next two years to come to fruition. We were delighted to see that our volunteer team shotthat day was considered good enough to be used in the Rugby World Cup - Support Your Local Clubcampaign.Two years of sacrificed weekends, eve-nings and holidays later and we nowhave: two new changing rooms, show-ers, referee's room, first team pitchviewing balcony, an additional loungearea, a physiotherapy suite and in-housephysiotherapist.

Club members frequently asked why itwas taking so long; our answer wasalways, "because we are doing the workourselves." Our match-funding from theRFU was calculated on the value of ourvolunteer hours, a fact that still fills mewith pride. The Club Volunteer Coordina-tor created The Big Build Facebookgroup which became the link for volun-teers and allowed us to reach high num-bers of members with every help request.

We asked and they always came: electricians, carpenters, ground-workers, roofers, plumbers, paint-ers, tilers and general labourers turned up weekend after weekend to help build a better future fortheir club.

An immediate impact of the new facilities was the creation of a dedicated room that we rent to aphysiotherapist. As part of our Chairman's creative approach to facilities management he struck a dealwhich means that we now have an in-house physiotherapist who is currently creating personalisedprogrammes for our first team to improve fitness and performance in readiness for the 2016/17season; something that would not have been possible prior to the extension. This is something that noclub of our size is currently providing for their members - something which we are confident will havea positive impact on both retention and recruitment over the coming seasons.

Word of our new facilities has spread and is encouraging new members: our second team has fulfilledevery fixture this season - something that we could not do previously and we are seeing increasingnumbers of our U17s transitioning to senior rugby where previously they would have left to playelsewhere. So good are our numbers now that we are hopeful that we will have the capacity to field3 sides next season: 1st, 2nd and Vets.

Better, bigger and more attractive facilities mean our clubhouse is booked out for functions for mostweekends over the off-season; something that has not happened previously. As well as the usual runof birthday celebrations, we have been used by a local company, the Young Farmers and the SwimmingClub for functions and a local dance school used the facility when their usual location was out of action- they even put on a dance show for the parents. We are opening our doors for our first beer festivalin a couple of weeks ((June 2016) and hope to showcase our new facilities further to the general public.

We feel our project has not only secured the future of St Ives Rugby Club for years to come but forthose who have helped it embodied many of the core values that rugby represents. Yes it was hardwork, but the enjoyment and teamwork we experienced during the project will stay with us for years.We are extremely proud of our the achievement of our little club and hope that you too feel it deserveswider recognition.

Farewell, Jabba

For many, the closed season means forgetting about rugby until September but, for theChairman’s happy band of volunteers, there’s always something to be done. Club memberswere on hand to man the bar, for various functions which included a 40th birthdaycelebration, the local Young Farmers annual event and the St Ives Swimming Club end ofseason party - all of which help bring in much needed income when there are no matchesover the summer.Previous down times have seen projects such as reconfiguring the Gents or plumbing in aglass washer for the bar. This year, a select team turned out in the rain to put in theconcrete paths around the clubhouse, to put the finishing touches on the Big Build. Thanksto Josh, Digger, Scary Colin and Smu...not forgetting the timely arrival of bacon baps,courtesy of Mrs Fleming.

VOLUNTEERING

The same crew were called on,once the season had started,to correct the Pisa-like lean ofour floodlights. A morning wasspent loosening the base platenuts to insert wedges and thenconcreting in to cover the pro-truding bolts.

Phil’s Big Stones

Before training one Sunday morning, junior coaches Tony Wadd and Neil Cocksedge, senttheir charges off with buckets and a barrow on a stone pick across Pitch 2. Some of the findsvaried from small shards to larger rocks.

Club Sec, Nigel West, thought he had revealed alarge one, until Head Coach, Phil Brown showedhim his, which was bigger. Phil also said he hada yet larger one further down in the bucket,which wasn’t visible.

Our correspondent can neither confirm nor denythe claim.

SOCIALThe golf day may not have happened this year, but Joshy D and James Robinson CCOTS hiton a family bike ride as a summer social. Over 20 participants, ages ranging from 3 to 63,meandered from St Ives to surrounding villages and back, taking in a few hostelries on theway. The intrepid velonauts all agreed it was a great day and want to repeat the ‘Tour dePub’ in 2017.

Ladies, there’s still time to get involved inthe Girls Night In, coming up on Friday 11thNovember. For more details, get in touchwith Liz Giglio on 07540 221471.

Another date for your diary : it may seemquite a while away, but the Summer Ball willbe on 6th May next year. Join the wackypeople and see if you can make Pottsysmile.

Also in June was our first Beer Festi-val at Somersham Road, featuringreal ales and ciders from aroundCambridgeshire.

Thanks to everyone who came andsupported the event.

Particular thanks go to those who helped make ithappen : The Fish House, Ely who kindly provideduse of their hog roast machine and Doug Taylor whowas here at 4:30 in the morning to start cooking. Ablyassisted by Nikki and Colin, Doug kept the pork rollscoming, until it was all gone. Thanks also to GaryFleming for transport, Action Mailing Services fordesigning and printing posters, Dufaylite Group forsignage and to Robinson Manufacturing, Beni Giglioand Claire and Nigel West for sponsoring barrels.

A word from our Senior Coach, Phil Brown :

It’s fair to say that following an excellent pre-season, for which many thanks must go to theenergy and enthusiasm of coaches Paul Ashbridge and Max Dominy, the start to thecampaign for all senior teams has been beyond expectations. The injection of fresh bloodthrough both new players and last season’s under-17s into the ranks has reinvigorated andmotivated old hands. Having fought off relegation in recent years, the 1sts sit mid-table afterLeague wins over Daventry, Dunstable and BBOB and are playing with gusto. The secondsare in the promotion spots, tremendous! At the time of writing, the 2nd XV have had sixgames in a row unbeaten and are currently second in their league.

Both 1st and 2nd teams are at home on 5th November versus NMO and Cambournerespectively. The seconds have a chance to supplant Cambourne at the top of the table -please come along and cheer on the boys in blue.

The Vets are praying for rain : this is to soften the ground, apparently, not to get an earlyopinion on the new drainage.

Committed players in all teams are being recognised with “stash” and Phil Cutts is providinghealth and fitness support. The effects are there to be seen. As long as people staycommitted, the support and results will continue. As I type, it is a dark misty night outside.Yes, sofas are inviting. But, getting those moves practised and perfected with your matesshould be incentive enough to get all senior players to the Chicken Shack Tuesdays andThursdays. To be clear, Club training is for all, and your coaches prepare accordingly.

Thanks for the endeavour so far. Long may it continue.

PLAYING MATTERS

In our junior division, the U16s have played 6 matches (Won 4, Lost 2) and as we write this,are sitting top of their league. Eight of the squad are in the Saints DPP programme and atthe end of October, were selected to play in a Saints sub-county festival against Bedfordshire,East Northants and Northampton Alliance. The lads head to the Netherlands in the Spring :Coach Neil Cocksedge is looking for 3 companies to help sponsor tour kit. (£300 secures logoon shirts 07732 085185). Joining them will be the U14s, who have 3 fixtures under their beltsthis season. By all accounts, the most recent match, away to Milton Keynes was a thriller.Arriving with only 13 and losing another to injury, meant playing people out of position - a59:31 defeat but the lads put in a spirited team performance.

HEALTH MATTERS

Over my three plus decades in Health, Fitnessand Medicine, I have never had anyone saythey wanted to do badly or live an unhealthylifestyle. In fact, the total opposite appliesand is why people seek Philip Cutts PainManagement and Rehabilitation services fromall over the UK, from Scotland down to Devon.

I have performed as a senior Health ScreenAdvisor and Practitioner for corporate bodiesincluding the BBC and McDonald’s; medicalbodies, such as the Department of Health,Government Drug Action Teams, PrimaryCare Trusts as well as individual athletes.Through my vast experience in gyms, healthfacilities and hospitals throughout the coun-try, I have been able to devise and developan array of tailored services for both men andwomen for the promotion of sustainedhealth, weight management and MSK(Musculoskeletal) rehabilitation.

Bringing my knowledge and expertise to StIves Rugby Club has enabled me to improveplayers’ health and fitness alongside workingwith Phil Brown to keep players playing.Offering and making available Anatomy andPhysiology Workshops to the Club has provena real winner for players. I have recentlyintroduced a FaceBook page for the wivesand girlfriends of the players. This allows theLadies to engage in more than just spectatingin the Sport of Rugby and make a valuabledifference to their own health.

Speaking with Mark, I have decided that theclub’s under 16s should also have accces tomy programmes. They can discover BestPractice with regard to muscle and joint careand potentially improve their fitness.

Phil Cutts joined us earlier this year to advise players on improving health and fitness, as wellas managing injuries. He has been working one on one with several of our senior players, someof whose progress has been visible on You Tube and more recently, has brought WAGs underhis wing. Phil, whose motto is ‘Injury is Inevitable; Suffering is Optional’ introduces hisservices below :

PainManagment&RehabilitationGroup

Plans are still in the early stages, but we aimto make this available from from January2017. If any parents wish to ask any ques-tions in regarding this, please contact me orvisit me at the clinic on training nights.

Keeping players motivated is not a “One waystreet” and the player’s commitment, supportand feedback have been incredible from boththe first and second team players. There aremore activities and services being arrangedfor you all from January 2017 to facilitate afantastic end to the season.

To conclude, I would like to say a huge thankyou to Mark, Phil, Josh, Craig and Max fortheir huge trust and support in me deliveringeverything I can to the players and ultimatelythe club.

Given the choice, would choose to be Great

KNEES WORKSHOPSunday 27 November (15:00 to 16:30)

For junior players, parents or adult players injuredthrough contact, movement or wear and tear.

Contact www.facebook.com/philip.cuttsmsk

SAFEGUARDINGAs the RFU takes it responsibility to young players in our care seriously, it expects coaches andother volunteers working with minors to complete a Safeguarding module alongside coachingqualifications. Our CSO, Rebecca Bierton, has arranged a Play It Safe course at the clubhouseon Wednesday 9th November from 7pm. This will be delivered by Steve Minney, the Safe-guarding Manager for East Midlands. There’s been a good take up within the club but, at timeof writing, there are still places available. If you wish to attend, please contact Rebecca(rebecca.bierton@googlemail.com). If you are unable to make it on the 9th, there are othersin the region over the next couple of months, all commencing at 7pm : Daventry 14 Nov /Rushden 6 Dec / Dunstable 8 Dec / Old Scouts 10 Jan. All are available for online bookinghttp://www.englandrugby.com/my-rugby/courses/search/#/results or you can contact steve.minney@emru.co.ukfor more details.

While we refer to rugby as a contact sport, there are some nay sayers who like to refer to itas a collision sport. The RFU, however, runs one of the world’s largest and longest runningcommunity level injury surveillance studies and has a clear process for translating injuryresearch into coach, match official and player education. There’s been a great deal of attentionover recent years on concussion in sport and rugby has led the way in promoting programmessuch as ‘Don’t Be A Headcase’, aimed at educating coaches and players. Now, before attendinga coaching course, there is a compulsory on line course to complete which explains the risksof a concussion injury, identifies symptoms and concludes with managing return to play. Thebiggest area where concussion occurs is in the tackle, so teaching safe tackling is a key aspectof coaching our young players.Despite the expected risk level of participation in many sports, there are obvious healthbenefits to regular physical activity. According to , these are quantified as30% reduction in depression, dementia and early death, 35% reduction in heart disease andstroke and up to 50% reduction in diabetes.

St. IvesRFC

SomershamRoad

St. IvesCambs

PE27 3LY

www.stivesrufc.co.uk