Old Reds in the pink
Old Redcliffians in Bristol, where Gareth Chilcott and Ellis Genge developed their rugby skills, is hoping that 2024 will be their most successful year in the club’s 105-year history.
With five pitches and floodlights allowing maximum use, they can now field four senior men’s teams and their three regular teams are sitting comfortably above mid table in their respective leagues. Coaching, under Director of Rugby Craig Owen, and playing levels have benefitted from an objective set three years ago to become a National 2 side within five years. This aim was met in two years, and the club is buzzing, with outstanding players and many who just love running out for Old Reds.
The juniors are going from strength to strength, with 214 registered players throughout the age groups and a clear pathway through to senior rugby. The club also has links to their local education system through head coach Dan Cox who is also the DOR at South Gloucestershire College. With too few girls in the club but a need to facilitate U14 girls’ rugby former Somerset prop Luke Summerfield contacted other local clubs, St Bernadette’s and Broad Plain, to start a South Bristol Girls team, now with over 25 girls available and in their second season.
More than 90 children attended a Bristol Bears camp and the Under 8s played at Ashton Gate. There are good relationships with The Aspire Academy a local special school supporting children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs, the Student Action for Refugees project and the Connexions careers advisory service.
All the positivity at the club is achieved thanks to a team of dedicated volunteers, from the Committee to the events team, maintenance team, kitchen and bar workers and team coaches and managers.
At the end of 2023, club members slept rough in Bristol in support of CEO Sleeping Out to raise money and awareness and help Bristol’s homeless, overtaking their £2,000 target by raising over £3,068.
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