Walsall RFC Ltd

The Under 17's and 18's had their presentations at the end of August, hoping for good weather.  Alas it was not to be, but the stand was the shelter for the parents and players and the evening went ahead!  It was great to see such a good turnout and well done to all the players, especially those chosen to receive awards.

Look forward to seeing you on the pitch again soon.

The season has been one of unforeseen changes of course. The virus ended all rugby in February and only now are we returning to touch rugby – there is still a long way to go….

However, it wasn’t just the virus that made for a ‘unique’ season – a season with a difference – there were also changes happening in the Under 18’s.

Their season became an increasing challenge to field a full XV every week and so the call went out to some of the Under 17’s to step up and, of course, they did with not one refusal from these lads (as I have come to expect!)

Hence tonight we are celebrating the achievements of both teams together but especially those Under 18’s who have played throughout all this upheaval and remain with us.

We have a number of the U18’s present, I’m pleased to say, so would they please stand to receive a well-deserving round of applause.

Before moving on to the awards I must add that of the Under 18’s who continued to play on Sundays they were also playing Saturdays for the Senior sides – indeed some even made their 1st XV debuts last season – no mean feat to play two games in a weekend and ‘fit a Saturday night’ in between….

It is something Liam and myself have definitely not taken for granted and have greatly appreciated so our thanks to them once more.

The awards, as has been the custom with our age group, are (all but three) awarded by the players themselves – each player has been able to nominate players for each of the awards and to that end, I believe, they are extra-special. It is your teammates who have decided your efforts and achievements last season were worthy of an award. They are to be cherished! We are very glad we have not had to make the decisions on these awards because, as the voting testified, each award could have gone to a number of worthy recipients – such is the quality of this squad. It is indicative of the depth of talent we have and one the Club must not take for granted.

Under 18 Awards:

Most Improved Back – Ben Stackhouse

Most Improved Forward – Jake Mooney

Back of the Season – Max Brown

Forward of the Season – Callum Martin

Player of the Season – Ben Pitt

And to the Under 17’s – would you all stand and receive our thanks and appreciation for this season please?

To kick these proceedings off I call on someone who is never short of a word, can always be heard by all (even when he whispers) – Harry Small

This has been our third season together although we’ve only completed two full ones but we are still the most successful side having brough a Staffordshire trophy back to Walsall (this is probably the last year we can ‘use this’…..)

Never have I not looked forward to the training and the game days with these young men – they guarantee you honesty, effort and commitment, with some fun thrown in for good measure!

It was a unique season as I have said but also for a third reason. We were struggling for fixtures with teams who had agreed a date then withdrawing the week prior, whilst other Under 17’s we played we proved far too strong for.

However the call from the U18’s  for players grew and grew to the point where all the U17’s were involved plus Liam and myself became their coaches – we certainly didn’t see that one coming!!!

That challenge of stepping up an age grade is always a big ask and normally it’s a few players at a time. But this was the whole squad and I have to say you did us proud – you let no one down especially yourselves! What each and everyone of you did last season makes for the start of this season only even more exciting!

What of the forthcoming season (when it starts…)? Well we shall be playing Saturday afternoons so Sundays can now all be about rest and revision….. We shall be playing at the same time as the Senior sides but that does not mean you will not be available for selection for the Senior sides. If you are good enough you are big enough so if the 1st or 2nd XV come calling and you are happy to test yourself, you have our blessing to go and make that next step up in your rugby career. You will not be held back by us!

Thanks must be given to the following for their particular help and support:

Pete Small – the man on the touchline i/c the water bottles and kicking tee although that role evolved somewhat into our ‘liaison officer’ with the opposition bench….

John Mallaband – our honest touch judge, something that proved to be a rarity with some of the sides we played…

Julian Roderick and Theresa Gitner – they provide an incredible reminder and memories of the seasons with their huge number of photos they publish.

Joe Wilkinson – our off-field Captain, having managed to amass more injuries in a shortened season I thought impossible, who has been a fantastic support to the players and coaches.

Sally Scruton – her badgering, cajoling and organising of players is stuff of legends never mind the number of onerous, thankless tasks she also takes on (and I include trying to get her son, Dylan, to smile in that…)

To the parents who took the kit away, voluntarily, to wash you have our thanks.

To Liam who, whilst recuperating from his injuries and operations, has given a lot of time, experience of playing at a high level in a number of countries and expertise to this squad. It certainly helps to have someone coaching who is still playing the game rather than it just be me and my playing experience when all games were in black and white….

Under 17 Awards:

Most Improved Back – Dylan Scruton

Most Improved Forward – Joe Glover

Back of the Season – Will Bough

Forward of the Serason – Matt Roderick

Supporters’ Player – Billy Mills

Coaches Back – Joe Carthy

Coaches Forward – Harry Small

Player of the Season – Corey Blackwood

GT