Chobham back with rugby for all
Chobham Rugby, one of Surrey’s leading community rugby clubs, prides itself on offering the sport to as many people as possible.
Having weathered lockdown, they are now bringing rugby back to their Fowlers Wells pitches, while following all government guidelines. The return is toasted at a socially distanced drink each Thursday evening.
The seniors have had over 60 training at each session and 115 different players from 17-years-old through to over 50s, 25 players being Under 21s means a fantastic future for the club. The sessions provide both pre-season fitness and also the mental wellbeing of the squad as a whole. Supported by their skilled medical team, they have taken all precautions to protect player’s health and wellbeing.
Their women's team is training and due to enter the RFU league structure during the coming season, providing opportunities for those progressing from the girls' section, which serves players up to U18 level.
They have the second mixed ability team formed in the South East, the Surrey Chargers, where players with autism, a learning difficulty or a physical disability play full contact rugby alongside more experienced players. Training is on its way back for the Chargers too.
Regularly featuring in the Surrey Heath and Woking sports awards for their work in the community, the club’s community work includes local school rugby programmes and holiday rugby camps.
The club has around 600 minis and juniors who will be enjoying Ready4Rugby, ranging from age five onwards, with lots of family support. Their five senior sides are raring to go as they wait to play their league rugby from London 2 South West (Level 7) through to the Surrey Foundation League.
With fun sessions for pre-school children, weekly mixed touch rugby and regular touch rugby for those aged 35 and over, Chobham caters for every age group and skill level.
Says Mike O'Regan, community co-ordinator: “When we reached Stage B our senior men and women began training under the specified guidelines. Now with Stage C everyone is eager to get back and active.
“We are always looking for opportunities to expand the game and introduce it to groups who may have previously been under represented. Rugby should be a game for all and that’s what we aim to provide.”
This week, 16 regular O2 Touch players were invited to a test event, to help road test the protocols and allow touch to be played in line with the RFU guidelines for stage C. A great hour-long session was enjoyed.
Everybody pre-registered using the O2 Touch app and then signed in and sanitised when they arrived, the app providing a track and trace facility, with contact details and the sign in a self-declaration of being Covid free.
Breaks every 15 mins to re-sanitise and to rehydrate didn’t deter from a competitive session despite nobody caring much about the score, as one player commented it was “good to be back running and passing the rugby ball around.”
All players brought along two shirts, light and dark, to avoid using bibs and only one regularly sanitised ball was used to minimise equipment.
