Thames Valley Club Rugby Road Show a massive success.

Over the past month, the Thames Valley Rugby Union (TVRU) staff have travelled around the province completing a Club Roadshow. The Roadshow visited Coromandel, Waihi Athletic, Whangamata, Tairua, Ngatea, Mercury Bay, College Old Boys, and Waihou. Aimed at best preparing and assisting Clubs for the 2024 season, the Club Roadshow has been a massive success.

With most Clubs already holding their 2023 Annual General Meetings. This has been a great way to meet new/veteran Club Officials, supporting them with clarity on their responsibilities – but also to look at how roles can be thinned out and enjoyed ahead of another busy year. This includes the unsung heroes, Presidents, Club Captains, Secretary’s, Treasurers, Delegates, and committee members, all who have hugely important roles amongst their Clubs and local communities.

Getting in front of coaching staff has been extremely beneficial, with all eight Premier teams/clubs now successfully appointing their head-coaches, and several Senior B teams making progress, if not already securing them. The TVRU staff have enjoyed getting in front of this key personnel, offering guidance on coach education, player rosters, gear and equipment, and other areas. The TVRU is also creating a Coaches Forum designed to unite all of our best coaches in the province and work together to lift the standard of Rugby. This includes the video analysis app, HUDL, which will be given to Clubs with the purpose of raising the quality of players, coaches and referees.

It has also been a quality opportunity to liase with Clubs about the upcoming Women’s Club of Origin Competition within the Thames Valley, starting next June. With the success of the Hauraki North Diamonds, the goal is to follow this campaign with a meaningful 6-team internal competition that provides all Women an opportunity to play Rugby Union. It is evident that more people are required to join their local Club and drive this space!

Junior Rugby volunteers have also been an important part of the initiative. With a number of great initiatives set to roll out in 2024 – this has provided them a chance to ask questions and gain clarity. It has been a good occasion to give more information about the Inta Sport App, which is hoped to make coaches, managers and parents lives a lot easier and stress free throughout the busy Junior Rugby season.

It has been magnificent to front foot this now, rather than early in the 2024 season when things are hectically busy. By completing the Club Roadshow now, Clubs have clear direction on what lies ahead, such as key dates, operations, staff roles and the progress this province is making as a whole at this point and time.

We wish all Clubs a very Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and a fantastic holiday break.