The start of the season!

As we leave the summer behind, the rugby season is now upon us.  The jerseys have been laundered and pressed, the pitches have been lined and the new match balls await their first kick.  We've had a great summer, starting back in July with the team-building day, then some very productive fitness and conditioning work, before progressing to playing rugby through the course of August.

The first competitive rugby will be played on Saturday 2nd September, when a squad of 25 players from the competitive playing squad will be selected to represent Chiswick at the CLOB.  No half measures this year, we are fit and competition for places is high so we expect a high standard of play, and must target winning the tournament as the perfect kick off to the season.

In line with the new regime of running a competitive squad from which the first and second team will be picked, we will be playing an internal trial game on Saturday 9th September.  This is a fully organised game, where sides will be picked to play 4 sessions of 20 minutes.  This gives all players the opportunity to play in front of the selection panel, and against their competition within the squad.  From this trial the initial selection of first and second team will be made for the following week.

Team selection for the trial will be made to enable the selectors to assess the relative strengths and weaknesses of players in all positions.  The 4 sessions of 20 minutes allow the coaches to run a rule over different player combinations in order to assess the suitability of individuals and playing partnerships.

If you want to represent Chiswick in competitive rugby this coming season, you should attend the trial.  Currently we have a training squad whose size exceeds that of two teams.  The CLOB is the initial selection where selected players have an opportunity to impress, however due to the restricted squad size determined by the tournament rules we will be unable to see everyone in the competitive squad play.  Indeed, given the nature of the tournament, the limited game times and a desire for squad rotation, the CLOB will provide only a partial view of the talents available.  It is the trial which will determine selection for the first and second teams for the first weekend of competitive rugby.

Saturday 16th September is the first week of games for the second XV in the Merit Table.  Graham Cousar has already committed to go with the second team squad on that day to prepare the team for play, provide support and watch the players in action to provide input to the selection committee on performances.  Indeed coach support will be provided for the second team throughout the season, enabling the standard of rugby in the second team to be of a consistently high quality, and to ensure good performances are rewarded by promotion to the the first side.

The following week, 23rd September, sees the first team start it's league campaign.  A first team pressed by a strong second team will raise the quality of play and ensure we enforce these high standards of execution on oppositions.

The month of September offers opportunities and enjoyment for all as we start rugby for real, and begin the path towards success in both league and merit table.  Chiswick has been a great place to be all summer, with varied training techniques and additional off pitch activities to compliment the rugby.  We can now take this feel-good factor in to the season and succeed on the pitch, whilst continuing the fun and fellowship off the pitch.