Ipswich Rugby Club - In Touch


		13 October 2011

Welcome


	New Club Coach Johnny Breedt

Welcome to the first In Touch of 2011/2012. As you can see we have changed the format of the newsletter but hopefully you will agree not the spirit. This is the first time we have included links to the club website so please be patient if all the links aren't working! We will get there in time.


Latest Results First XV: 8th October 2011 Ipswich 25 Enfield Ignatians 30 View Fixtures Second XV: 8th October 2011 Ipswich Magpies 64 Bury St Edmund's 3rds 0

Up and Coming Events

The Big Bang Fireworks and Halloween Night

On 28th October 2011 we are holding a joint Halloween and Fireworks party at Humber Doucy Lane.

The event will kick off at 6.30pm with fireworks from 8pm. Fancy dress is obligatory and food will be available.

All proceeds will go towards funding the Y&Js.

For tickets please contact Sophia Rowland sophiarowland@yahoo.com


	28th October 2011

President's Cocktail Party Friday 14th October

On Friday 14th October Gordon Ball our new President is hosting a cocktail party at Ipswich Rugby Club from 7.30pm.

Drinks on arrival, buffet and disco until late.

Senior Rugby Update

Round Up from Head Coach Johnny Breedt

The season started of really slowly. I believe with the players losing their coach Aaron Brown and director of rugby Dave Broughton, they felt unsure about what the future held. That meant a really poor pre season regarding numbers. It took phone calls from myself and players to get people back on board. The recruitment of key players in key positions also helped. This gave the players the confidence that we will be a competitive side this season.

The league kicked of 10 September with our first team hosting Safron Waldon, we won this game playing individual rugby, with glimpses of what we are capable of. As it was a new Ipswich side the players have not had much time getting to know each other.

Our first away game was against a settled Chelmsford side, who played the elements really well and used their knowledge of their sloping pitch to their advantage, as a result we lost this game. It was also clear that the Ipswich side will need to start playing as a team sooner rather than later.

The following week we had Basildon at home. They are a newly promoted side into this league. So it was clear they knew each other well and that they have been playing together as a team for a while. Ipswich took the lead and dominated the match for sixty minutes, but a lack of fitness meant that they switched off and the visitors took the lead and eventually the game.

The game away to Beccles was played in blistering heat. The Ipswich side won this game with some excellent attack and never say die defence. The signs of a team playing as a team is starting to show. The players have spent enough time together on and off the field to start to get to know each other. Pride for playing for the club is developing. The players are also starting to demand quality during training and games from each other.

We are also capable of fielding a strong second team side, if we don't have too many injuries in the first team and all players are available. Unfortunately this league is one where some clubs cancel fixtures due to lack of numbers. Our seconds have the numbers, but I would also like to see more commitment from players who do not come to training.

To sum up Ipswich seniors are looking like they could compete for top four in this league. We have a very good core of players with a mixture of young (keen) players and mature (experienced) players. Off the field we are starting to build a good atmosphere, with players being proud to represent the club and willing to be part of the development of the club.

New Club Captain

Ryan Potkins has been made club captain for the first time this season. Ryan has played for the club for a new number of years starting out in the juniors. Congratulations Ryan!


	Club Captain Ryan Potkins

Youth and Juniors

Royal Hospital School Touchline Suffolk Youth 7s

On Sunday 25th September the Youth and Juniors entered 5 teams into to Suffolk Youth 7s tournament held at the Royal Hospital School. All our teams played fantastically.

U17s Cup Champions (vs Colchester)
U16s Plate Champions (vs Clacton)
U15s Plate Champions (vs Woodbridge)
U14s Cup Champions (vs Colchester)
U13s A team Semi finalists

Interview with Johnny Breedt

Introducing The New Club Coach

This season the role of Club Coach has been taken on by Johnny Breedt. Johnny is no stranger to Ipswich Rugby Club having joined the club ten years ago as a player when he first arrived in the UK from South Africa.

Johnny first started playing rugby at school and he went to play for the South African Army and Natal University. On joinig Ipswich Johnny played at No. 8 for the Second XV. Unfortunately Johnny had to retire from playing due to a knee injury. As a level 3 coach Johnny has coached a number of youth sides at Ipswich, in fact a number of the current first team players were coached by Johnny as youngsters.

Last season Johnny was asked by Stowmarket RFC to become their first team forwards coach where Johnny helped lead them to promotion. However when Ipswich Rugby Club earlier in the year approached Johnny, he didn't hestiate in accepting the role of Club Coach. To Johnny Ipswich RFC is home.

Johnny's vision is that Ipswich Rugby Club become "family club" where there are no divisions between the junior and senior sides of the club. He is pleased that the first team is well balanced with a number of youngsters playing key roles along side experienced players such as Mark Broughton and Nicholas Woodley. He is very confident with the new team and is impressed with their positive attitude and team spirit.This season every player is from the Ipswich area including the South Africans in the team who have lived in the area for the past five years or more. We are very fortunate as these players have all played National league and provincial rugby in South Africa. This ensures that we have quality players that are keen to give advice to their teammates and the junior section.

Club News


	Paramedic and Forward Nick Williams

Ipswich Forward Nick Saves Player's Life

Ipswich forward Nick Williams has been credited with saving the life of a rugby player who stopped breathing after a freak accident during a Saturday's match with Enfield. Nick, a student paramedic and was providing medical cover at the game against Enfield Ignatians when the accident happened.

Five minutes into the second half Enfield’s captain, Richard Laurence, was involved in a freak collision after a line-out - resulting in his head impacting against another player’s knee. Richard was knocked unconscious and was on the floor for several minutes and began fitting – he also stopped breathing following the collision.

Nick who has been training to be a paramedic since 2008, realised what was happening and rushed to the pitch where he was able to turn Richard onto his side and insert a flexible tube into his nose.The tube created an airway for Richard which saved his life.

New Fitness Trainer for Senior Squad

Ben from ipswich Fitness has been brought in to train the senior squad.

Ipswich Fitness

New Members Needed

The club are looking for new members. Help support your community rugby club by becoming a member.

The different categories are:

VP member £75
Senior Playing member £75
Social Member £30

Membership Form


	Club membership card