Medway Dragons RLFC Season Report 2009...Top Sports Psychologist, Steve Head came back for a second season and gave all of our people, players & volunteers, some simple tools to help

Medway Dragons Rugby League Football Club

Season Report # 2

2009

Autographs

Season # 2 – The Tough One Having made a blistering start to our journey as a Rugby League club, the second season was always going to be the difficult one. We had done a lot of work over the winter, listening to people and trying to learn. What did we do well, what can we do better, how can we improve ? The efforts of Medway Dragons RLFC had been recognised by Medway Council with recognition resulting in two awards and the Medway Sports Awards 2008 in November: Junior Team of the Year Silver Medway Dragons RLFC Under 9 Junior Club of the Year Bronze Medway Dragons RLFC

The Formation of Medway Dragons RLFC was celebrated with the inaugural Foundation Dinner held at the Hollywood Bowl, Gillingham on 30 November 2008, one year on. The Founders and current Management Team Members met, celebrated and reflected on what had been a tumultuous and fantastic 365 days.

Down to Business. We got back together on the last Saturday in January 2009 and held the season launch with our first ever President, Paul Clark MP.

Once the introductions and re-acquaintances were over, Medway Dragons Strength & Conditioning Coach Corporal Martin Griffin led the first training sessions @ The Royal School of Military Engineering Gymnasium. The Mini’s went first with a Speed, Agility and Quickness session:

Followed by the Junior’s, who went through a more rigorous session of testing and endurance.

Top Sports Psychologist, Steve Head came back for a second season and gave all of our people, players & volunteers, some simple tools to help us succeed. Representative players, and those with ambitions to get to the top, were helped with preparation and techniques to outperform. Boy did they work !

Thanks to some great support and assistance from Keith Rudland and Griff, we had access to the best possible training facilities in the cold, wet muddy pre-season training months and were able to prepare on the magnificent, floodlit Astroturf at The Royal School Military Engineering

These facilities enable us to concentrate on the vital core skills, Speed, Agility and Quickness, and Strength & Conditioning training. Thank you, Keith.

E

Education, training, development, opportunity, volunteering are all core values at The Dragons. We are constantly looking for ways to improve our club, provide a better environment for our players, coaches, volunteers and supporters. We have lead the way in London & The South with our training courses throughout the season

Andy Taylor & Ryan Dowsett (above left) attended the SIS RL Volunteers Camp at Bradford in March 2009 and gained valuable qualifications towards working in sport. Ryan also worked as a volunteer at the Carnegie Champion Schools Finals and at Wembley at The Rugby league Challenge Cup Final in 2009

Left – Mick Troth came back and delivered a Basic Life Saving Skills Course for 21 volunteers

Right - The Dragons hosted a RFL Match Officials course, delivered by Tom Mather, for a record 27 candidates, including Lewis Smith (2nd left, front row) who went on to be given the honour of officiating at the London RL Junior League Under 12 Grand Final

Left – The Dragons also hosted RFL Junior Leaders courses, run by Robbie Marr, in the 14 -16 and 16 - 25 age groups at The Garrison. The aim is to give young people an introduction to volunteering, coaching and running sports. This has paid dividends with many of the graduates of the course actively volunteering and making a difference in our community

New for 2009 Under 7 From early beginnings ……..

To Winners & Champions

Representative Football

London RL Origin U12 George Carlin, Charlie Faux, Tom Josling, Ben Masalovich, Connor Nayler, Connor O’Grady, Ewan Rushworth, Andrew Woodrow, Mike Nayler (Asst Coach) U13 Callum Daulby, Richard Harris, Alaisdair Stewart (Team Manager) U14 Jack Baulch, Lawrence Chittil, Tom Coyd, Luke Edwards, Munro Third U15 Nick Hardinges, Adam Shears, Fergus Stewart, Martin Coyd (Asst Coach) U18 Scott Collier (Asst Coach), Richard Taylor (Team Manager) U18 Player selections yet to be announced London & The South Regional Squad U13 Callum Daulby, Richard Harris U14 Ashley Banfield, Jack Baulch, Lawrence Chittil, Tom Coyd, Luke Edwards U15 Nick Hardinges, Adam Shears, Fergus Stewart, Martin Coyd (Asst Coach) Harlequins Rugby League Foundation U16 Joe Cooke, Ryan Dowsett, Adam Page, Marcus Parnell, Toby Pumphrey, Ben Shears, Ashley Smith Harlequins Rugby League Academy U18 Gavin Hyder, Marcus Parnell, Ryan Dowsett, Ashley Smith Harlequins Scholarship 2009 – 10 U14 Callum Daulby, Richard Harris U15 Jack Baulch, Lawrence Chittil, Tom Coyd, Luke Edwards, Joe Fish U16 Nick Hardinges, Adam Shears, Fergus Stewart, Martin Coyd (Coach)

Medway Dragons RLFC Representatives 2009

Origin Under 12

Back Row Andrew Woodrow, Tom Josling, Mike Nayler, Ben Masalovich, Ewan Rushworth,

Front Row Connor Nayler, Connor O’Grady, George Carlin, Charlie Faux

England Lionhearts Under 18’s

Tom Willoughby achieved selection for England Lionhearts Under 18’s and played against Wales and Scotland in a national representative jersey. Playing at prop forward and doing it tough with the big lads.

Harlequins Rugby League Under 16 Foundation 2009

Back Row L – R Joe Cooke, Adam Page, Ryan Dowsett, Ashley Smith

Front Row L – R Marcus Parnell, Toby Pumphrey, Ben Shears

Harlequins Rugby League Under 13 & Under 14 Representatives

L – R Richard Harris, Luke Edwards, Lawrence Chittil, Callum Daulby, Tom Coyd

London & The South

Under 15

Adam Shears, Nick Hardinges

London & The South

Under 14

Luke Edwards, Tom Coyd, Lawrence Chittil, Jack Baulch, Ashley Banfield

London & The South

Under 13

Callum Daulby, Richard Harris

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Medway Dragons Coach, Tim Holland, established a link with MEND, an NHS initiative aimed at promoting sporting opportunities in Medway. Tim organised and led four MEND events and enlisted the services of England internationals Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook (left) and Tony Clubb at The Garrison. MEND members have enjoyed some great coaching, loads of fun and trips to The Stoop to see Harlequins Rugby League in action.

“You’re a rubbish coach!”

“Can I go to the toilet now?”

Thanks mate! Would’ve taken it personally if hadn’t repeated it to a

Quins Coach. Cheeky so-and-so, but he’s got it all…pace, handling,

sidestepping… always with a smile.

Takes his rugby seriously, but plays with a smile on his face. His boundless enthusiasm and skill make him a born winner.

“We’re winning, aren’t we?!”

“My dad says I don’t have to play today”

on’t think so! Has own agenda (and dog), which occasionally involves ying rugby and scoring glorious e-handed diving tries.

“I’m going on a bus next week”

ger to discuss day’s burning

ues with her friend. More n holds her own inst kids twice size and age,

h her blistering e and winning le.

“Defenders on me!”

here’s such a thing as Tasmanian gon, he’s it! Feisty and ermined, and now he’s running in right direction, has great potential.

“GRRRR!” “Can I have another orange?”

Easygoing but determined and our best tagger. A great team player who

joined mid-season but played as if born to play the game.

Short sharp bursts of try-scoring energy from a short sharp guy, but you know what they say – nice things come in small packages.

Medway Dragons

Under 7s 2009

Yay!

Half asleep when he arrives, but give him a ball and he’ll spring into life.

Another great team player, who’s always up for a run around the pitch.

“Watch me kick this!”

The game is pure awesomeness. The game is fun. The game is easy…as easy as… A B C. It’s easy as 1 2 3. As simple as do re mi, A B C, 1 2 3…

The newest kid on the block with boundless enthusiasm and energy.

Part of the Dragons festival winning team, Taylor Brassington.

The bestest team in the world ever:

Can’t lose, won’t lose. Winning hearts, minds, egg and spoon races and everything, including the Dragons’ first silverware of the season: U7s Storm Festival Champions.

Played at the gigantic Twickenham Stoop twice, where they allowed the home team of bigger

uglier players (ringers? you should’ve seen Rob Purdham in that tag belt) to win by a Golden Try.

Are the youngest team in the world, not so much playing up a year group as playing up a whole lifetime: 4 year old pre-schoolers playing the big boys from junior school.

Had the first Dragons’ female coach (no gender test required) 14+ year old Michelle Nayler.

Had the bestest and prettiest Dragons’ coaches in Ryan Dowsett, Charlie Dalrymple and Daniel

O’Brien, young players who passed on their knowledge (eg. warm up drills and games they enjoyed) and enthusiasm for the game. Thanks young ‘uns.

Are (sometimes) the annoyingest but definitely always the most rewardingest and privilege to

coach, team in the land.

Had the smallest coaches in Andy Dalrymple and myself, but undoubtedly the handsomest, and by far the proudest, of a team that give their all and show the other teams what Tag Rugby, Rugby or any sport is meant to be all about, FUN!

Are the happiest, tiniest, mightiest, greatest Dragons team. Ever.

Pal Bains August 2009

Under 9

RReessuullttss:: Games Played * 22 Games Won: 16 Games Lost: 2 Games Drawn: 4 Total Tries For: 74 Total Tries Against: 39 Total Scored For † 308 Total Scored Against: 168 * Total games played includes Festival games † Total scores include the conversions that were taken in a couple of matches HHoonnoouurrss::

Winners: The London RL Mini Festival. Semi finalist: The South London Storm Festival

Losing on a golden try without being defeated in the tournament ! Runner up: Mighty Quins Festival

Losing on a golden try without being defeated in the tournament ….Again !!

I am extremely proud of all the players and happy to be taking the majority of them with me to the U11’s next year. There is masses of potential in both next years U11’s and the players staying at U9 and I can only see all of you getting better and better. Thank you all for your efforts this year. I would also like to thank the Bloomfield’s and many other parents who washed / looked after the kit and Rob Faux for helping out with the write ups. Last but by no means least I would like to thank Pal Bains for the huge amount of behind the scenes work he does as U9 Manager (too much to list). Justin Hollidge August 2009

Under 11

INTRODUCTION It was always going to be difficult to follow such a fantastic first season for the Medway Dragons’ Under Elevens – but the whole squad put in a massive effort to do so. The season started well with sound performances at home and away, but as the weather warmed up and experienced rugby players returned to clubs like Elmbridge Eagles and Whitton Warriors at the end of the union season the competition got much tougher. There was some silverware along the way, but the young Dragons were thwarted in their quest to win the big competitions – the South London Storm and Mighty Quins’ Festivals. FOOTBALL Overall there has been an improvement in the players’ football during the season. We’ve started to see players taking responsibility on the field and many have led by example both in attack and defence. This improvement has been most notable in many of the younger players who have benefited from playing “a year up” with more experienced players. CORE SKILLS Core skills have been developed but the Carry, especially amongst players who rate their own ability, has been a concern all season. Too many times the ball was lost forward in contact because of poor technique, despite the emphasis placed on this core skill by coaches. Good “Play the balls” continue to be a strength of the squad. DEFENCE Defence has, on the whole, been outstanding throughout the season – no lack of commitment or indeed aggression, particularly amongst the senior players. It will be a challenge for those players remaining in the U11 squad for 2010 to match their peers from 2009. PASSING Passing was the Squad’s Achilles Heel. When faced with determined defence from the Eagles and the Warriors the team just seemed incapable of passing the ball or offloading to try to beat the markers. It was the ability of Whitton Warriors to move the ball that did for the Dragons in the Mighty Quins Final. SUMMARY A good season, with coaches, managers and players learning a huge amount. Thank you to the parents and friends who have been very patient and supportive as we travelled all over London and the South East – and washed the kit afterwards. Thank you to every single one of the players who turned out for the Under Elevens – RESPECT! See you next season. Tim Holland September 2009

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On Thursday 14 may 2009, Harlequins Rugby League 1st team players came to The Garrison to help out with the coaching session. Mo was able to demonstrate to David Howell the finer points of a line ball,

Under 12

Starting with a skeleton crew Last season’s big boys and borrowed few The squad took shape with growing pride They all stood up, not one did hide

Getting started, early doors Parents committed to the cause Where e’er they went, without a hitch Thirteen warriors took the pitch

In attack, those lads they were immense Supported by superb defence

With flair, precision, smooth élan They set the challenge

Come beat us - if you can!

Distance, weather, scrapes and cuts Their friends all said “you must be nuts

to play RL, I’d rather hide” But not these men, these men have pride

Win lose or draw, we should reflect They shook their hand, they showed respect No Bulldogs jaws or Eagles talons Could tame this team…. …..Coz they’re the Dragons! With all that training, games and grins A few were sent to Origins Whether just for fun or England dreams Next year they’ll all be Under Thirteen’s!

Under 14

Another season loomed big and bold and the enthusiasm from all was infectious. With approx 40 registered players the decision was made to play 2 teams Blood and Gold, a decision that was accepted throughout. After a hard closed season in the S&C the games were now upon us 1st match Elmbridge at Elmbridge what a way to start. Gold ran out convincing victors against a strong U13 Elmbridge side and there was quality in the Dragons play. Blood were not so fortunate holding Elmbridge to 2 points our best score against the strongest team in the league yet. The season progressed at a exciting pace, culminating in Medway finishing 3rd in the League which put us up against Hemel in the play offs. Missing most of the integral players a team was identified and off to Hemel we went confident of a victory. After a disappointing 1st 15mins something struck home to the Dragons and they grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and took total command running out victors 32 – 18. Defeat against Elmbridge in the Semi final ended the Dragons season on a low BUT the positives from the season far outweigh the negatives with some massive personal improvements and an overall step forward with the team. Steve, Rich, Tony, Grahame and I would just like to thank all those players who pulled on a Dragons shirt and all those supporters who were by our sides through thick and thin Andy Dalrymple September 2009

Under 16

Clearly everyone will still be gutted after the weekends narrow loss on the ‘golden point’ extra time rule and our exit from the play-offs, but you should all be proud of the effort and advancement you made this season, and for turning in a great performance against undeniably a very strong opposition in Greenwich. I feel privileged to have been associated with the squad for a couple of years in my small capacity as team manager, and experienced many more highs than lows during this period. The measure of success for Medway Dragons to me personally is not necessarily in the winning of a trophy, nor the satisfaction in seeing the recognition of top quality players like Gavin and Marcus breaking through into the Quins. It is observing a group of players coming together and forging a strong team spirit, an honourable ethos, and a brotherhood where each and every player has pulled on the Under 16 Dragons shirt with pride and courage, and given 100% for their teammates and club. We can ask no more. You have created a legacy for this age group that future players must emulate. Congratulations to all 43 players who represented the squad this season, and speedy recoveries to those players injured representing the Dragons – you were missed.

Richard Taylor August 2009

2008 2009 Played 13 14 Won 8 8 Points For 388 404 Points Against 268 301 Team tries 86 84 Individual tries

Jack 20 Doug 18 Ben S. 10

Doug 23 Adam S. 8Nick 7

Conversion success rate 33% 40% Players used 24 43 Yellow cards 0 0 Red cards 0 0

XIII Heroes – On baking hot summer day, 13 Dragons Under 16 players travelled to West London Sharks, the champions in 2008 and 2009 gave everything they had in a remarkable display of courage, teamwork, discipline, effort and great Rugby League. They came within one score of pulling off a famous victory in the toughest conditions. Played hard, done great.

Under 18

Debut v Kent Ravens 25 April 2009

In the first season of Under 18 football, Ryan Ellis scored the first ever try (v Kent Ravens 25 Apr 09) and Callum Bowie kicked the winning goal (above right) against South London Storm for the first victory

The Dragons foray into the under 18's London Rugby League season with the 2009 class, was for me exactly that, class. This group of young men have shown to me that potentially, every last one of whom ran onto the paddock for this team could achieve all they wanted. Though there was some experience in Rugby League, it was not their footy skills that impressed me most. When you’re involved in a sport that is as hard as Rugby League, strength of character is an asset you should have in your kit. The Dragons 18's have truck loads. It was a pleasure to be associated with them for the way in which they represented The Dragons, was a credit to the club, their families and themselves. Personalities aside on the paddock with very limited experience they produced some excellent footy, were humble in victory and gracious in defeat. With 2009 being a learning curve, I don't envisage anything but a dominant season ahead

Scott Collier August 2009

Awards

ClubMark Gold

Dan Steel (RFL Regional Development Manager), Charlotte Butler, Pal Bains, Steve Lewis, Rob Purdham (Harlequins Rugby League Captain & England)

Martin Coyd & Pal Bains

London RL Volunteer Award Winners 2009

ClubMark accreditation is awarded to clubs that comply with minimum operating standards in four areas:

The Playing Programme

Duty of Care and Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Young People

Sports Equity and Ethics

Club Management

Ryan Dowsett – Runner Up

London RL Junior League Player of The Season - Under 16

Luke Edwards – Runner Up

London RL Junior League Player of The Season - Under 14

The Harlequins Rugby League Summer Camp was a great success and set to go again in 2010

Carl Harrison from The RFL came to The Garrison and ran a Level 0 Intro to Coaching Course

Thirteen brave cyclists and two support vehicles completed a 52 mile bike ride on the hottest day of the year and raised an incredible £ 1400 for Medway Dragons RLFC. An amazing effort in tough conditions.

Out and About with The Dragons

Harlequins Rugby League First team came to The Garrison for a days training with Griff in the RSME Gym and on the Dragons pitch. Griff is the one in the photo above with his arms folded. They also had the opportunity to sample Alison’s Legendary Shepherds pie in the Dragons Clubhouse

In the Media

Steve Lewis and Charlotte Butler presented a cheque to Kate Smith (left) in aid of Cystic Fibrosis following a half marathon run by Steve and Chris Butler

Over 50 Dragons completed The Medway Mile on Monday 27 July 2009 around the streets of Rochester. The annual event is part of the build up to the 2012 Olympics.

News Flash 03 Sep 09

Ryan Dowsett and Ashley Smith became the third and fourth Medway Dragons RLFC players to sign professional forms with Harlequins Rugby League. Following a successful Foundation competition with Harlequins Rugby League in May and June, both players were called into the Academy and made their professional debut versus Hull FC Academy.

L-R Phil Jones - Harlequins Rugby League Head of Youth Performance, Ryan Dowsett, Ashley Smith, Colin Baker - Harlequins Rugby League Player Performance Manager.

www.medwaydragons.com

SBS Stabilis Building Services Ltd

Medway Dragons RLFC Sponsors 2009

Nightingale Business Management Limited

Without our sponsors we couldn’t provide any of the opportunities which make The Dragons different. Thank you.