U8 2016-17 Season Review

It’s been a fantastic season for the U8s squad.
The players have developed at a great rate this year and play some seriously decent rugby. They’re running straight, offloading the ball well to their teammates and doing everything at pace. They deserve a huge well done and play the game in the right spirit every time. They are a pleasure to coach.
We’ve had some great fixtures this year and it’s been good to play some of the same clubs we played last year – we’re competitive against them but afterwards both clubs shake hands and enjoy their hot dogs!
A highlight of the season was going down to play in the Saracens Rugby Values Festival in February – we took over 120 players, parents, relatives and carers down to North London and the players greatly enjoyed playing in the Allianz Park stadium. No player was phased in the slightest at playing in a Premiership stadium, which bodes well for their future rugby careers! Afterwards, we got to watch the Sarries vs Leicester game which gave the squad a taste of big time rugby (and sub-zero temperatures)
In early April, we descended on Great Yarmouth for tour – a really fun weekend and some great fancy dress efforts – well done to all the players and parents for making the tour a success and joining in with all the silliness. Yarmouth is now the place to go if you want to see a group of middle-aged coaches play some random Samba percussion thing!
Thank you to all the coaching team – without you there is no U8s. You’re growing into a great coaching unit and we have a lot of fun along the way. Thank you also to all the support people around the squad that help with fundraising, registering players, and helping out when we need to help the club.
One more thank you goes to outgoing Mini & Youth Chairman Keith Garwood, for all your hard work helping us the last few years – enjoy your retirement!
Next year we introduce tackling into the rugby so some great challenges ahead but as long as the players, parents and coaches keep working together, this squad will continue to prosper and grow.
Thank you
Steve Marsden
U8 Head Coach