Get Involved in Royal Navy Rugby Union Grass Roots Sessions
Ever wanted to try rugby for the first time? Or haven't played for a while and want to find out how to get involved again? Or just fancy a bit of physical exercise and the opportunity to make some new friends? Whatever your level of fitness or previous rugby experience all Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel are welcome to attend grass roots rugby sessions run by your friendly RNRU Community Rugby Coaches.
Dave Wakefield, former RN Chief PTI, is the Community Rugby Coach in the Eastern Region and he is based in the RNRU Office at HMS TEMERAIRE. Spider Kelly, also a Naval veteran, is his opposite number in the Western Region and is based at the Wyvern Centre, HMNB Devonport. Together they run a full programme of taster events to encourage new and lapsed players to pick up the ball, improve their skills and enjoy the training. One of the RFU key drivers is to recruit new players to the wonderful sport of Rugby and the RNRU has set itself the goal of 'Igniting and sustaining curiosity, desire and passion for rugby…to ensure the development of players at all levels of participation…' and it is this which Dave and Spider are keen to do.
Sessions vary in content and location and usually take place on Wednesday afternoons in the major training establishments, naval bases and air stations. They start with a full brief on the aim of the session and an explanation of how the event will run. Then players will have the chance to learn new skills, being coached in various aspects of the game by the fully qualified community rugby coaches and other RNRU coaches who are available to assist. Often there is the opportunity to put the new skills learnt into practice with an introduction to playing a game of touch rugby, tailored to the capabilities of those attending the session. Whatever the programme, you can be assured of a fun filled afternoon, the opportunity to get some fresh air and healthy exercise, in a supportive and professional environment.
The remaining Grass Roots Rugby sessions in the Autumn Term will take place as follows:
Eastern Region
Wed 19 October For all female players HMS TEMERAIRE 3G pitch
Wed 9 November Mixed session HMS TEMERAIRE 3G pitch
Wed 16 November Mixed Session HMS COLLINGWOOD
Wed 23 November Mixed Session HMS SULTAN
Wed 7 December Mixed Session RNAS YEOVILTON
Wed 14 December Mixed Session HMS COLLINGWOOD
Western Region
Thu 20 October Mixed Session RNAS CULDROSE
Wed 2 November Mixed session HMS RALEIGH
Wed 9 November Mixed Session HMS DRAKE
Thu 10 November Mixed Session RNAS CULDROSE
Wed 23 November Mixed Session HMS DRAKE
Thu 1 December Mixed Session RNAS CULDROSE
Wed 7 December Mixed Session HMS DRAKE
Wed 14 December Mixed Session HMS RALEIGH
If you would like more information, or would like to arrange a Grass Roots session for your Ship or Unit please contact Dave Wakefield, NavyPers-TemeraireRNRUCRC@mod.uk or RNRU-CRC@hotmail.com or call 9380 28049 or 02392 573049 (Eastern region) or Spider Kelly, NavyPers-TemeraireRNRUCRCW@mod.uk or RNRU-CRC-W@hotmail.com or call 07738 803503 (Western region).
The accompanying images are from a Grass Roots Rugby Session organised by CRC(E) at HMS HERON on Wed 28 Sep. 53 new players joined in the fun and found out what playing rugby is all about. See yourself learning to play rugby? Want to find out what all the fuss is about? Come along and experience it for yourself.
Images Royal Navy Rugby Union/© Dave Wakefield
Army v Navy - Babcock trophy - Twickenham Stadium - Saturday 29th April 2017
Tickets for the 2017 Army v Navy match will go on sale on Tuesday 1st November 2016. The 2017 match will be the 100th Army v Navy match since the formation of the Royal Navy Rugby Union and the Army Rugby Union in 1906. Tickets can be purchased from the 1st November 2016 through the Royal Navy Rugby Union #GoNavy