And We're Off
By Dragons' Den
September 6 2013
With the new season only a couple of weeks away, the tension was ramped up another notch when the club held its own double header, in the form of two consecutive New Season Launches at both ODP and Oxford's Malmaison Hotel.
The first event was a fairly informal one with more emphasis on the rugby side of the game.
Bleddyn Phillips kicked off the evening with a few words about the logistics of the club and the state of play with regards to the Oxford move.
However, probably of most interest to the support who were present, was the state of the stand at ODP. It was confirmed that the stand has been essentially condemned and cannot be used for a commercial game; he expressed his personal regret that the first British and Irish cup game couldn't be hosted at ODP but hoped that something could be done to allow the Moseley match and hopefully the remaining British and Irish games to be played there. He also pointed out that holding the game at Newbury would help to raise the awareness of the club in the wider area surrounding Oxford.
Bleddyn then handed over to new head coach Justin Burnell, who outlined how he had seen the progression through the pre season games and how he thought the lads were developing as a team; during a subsequent Q & A session he outlined how right from the start they were going all out to win every game and that there would be no targeting games throughout the season, or taking the foot off the gas with a view to making a strong charge at the end. Both he and Bleddyn then affirmed that the sole target on the pitch is to regain Premiership status.
Justin also praised the team on how they had knuckled down to training, and how pleased he was with the way they had gelled; with how the competition for places was going, and how balanced the squad was - particularly the forwards. He says he's got two packs there that he has total faith in and would be equally happy to send out onto the pitch.
Related to that he also explained that the intention was to fully utilise the power we had in our forwards to hopefully dominate and free up our backs.
The session ended with some questions and comments from the floor, including a very pertinent comment which was made by Colin who has been involved with the club for over 60 years. He said that back in 1957 he was one of the dissenters who thought that the move from Hearn Hill would be the end of the club, when in fact it turned out to have the opposite effect, he stated that whilst he wasn't particularly happy about the extra travel to Oxford, he would still do it to follow his team and that everyone should be right behind the club in whatever capacity they could.
There then followed a huge BBQ which was quickly demolished, mainly by the players I may add.
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The following evening's event at Malmaison was held in the stunning surroundings of the Hotel's roof terrace and was a much more formal affair, with the players wearing matching club tops and name tags and with representatives from Oxford's local business community
It was also used as an introduction and an announcement of the clubs new partnership with local legal firm Henmans Freeth, who have not only come on board as sponsors but have invited the club to share their offices, close to the Kassam on The Oxford Business Park.
Henmans are a long standing Oxford legal firm who already have close ties in the local area through sponsorship, within sport and the local community and their senior partner affirmed that it was their intention to help secure the long term presence of London Welsh in Oxford, at the highest possible level, and how the London Welsh ethos fitted in perfectly with their present commitment to sport in the area.
Next came what can only be described as the comedy event of the evening, when Andy Titteral, Tom May and Will Robinson took part in a "Q & A" session compered by Billy Moss.
They explained a bit about their training and fitness regime and where they thought the players were at this stage in the pre-season proceedings, they also went on to explain some of the differences between the Premiership and the Championship, together with their ambitions for the season.
After some brief questions from the audience and some jibes from the other players, mostly directed at Billy himself, he handed back over to Bleddyn.
Billy Moss- 18st 8 of comedy gold
Bleddyn then re-iterated how pleased the club were to have secured a partnership with Henmans, wished the players good luck for the upcoming season and invited everyone to mingle and enjoy drinks and canapes.
The evening went on with players actively mixing with the guests in what was a very relaxed atmosphere and it seemed that there was a good bond within the team. This had been mentioned by Tom May earlier in the evening, when he said he had never in his career experienced such a tight knit unit this early on in the season. Many of the players from last season reckon that the team this year has bonded together better than in previous seasons.
Justin appears to have instilled in them a sense of inclusivity together with the responsibility and commitment that is all part of being a team.
I'm sure I would have the support of all the members of Dragons Den in wishing all the staff and most especially the players the best of luck for the forthcoming season.
COME ON THE WELSH!
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Well done to all involved
Quote:oxfordlocal
Could be a sell out
You very funny boy.
as some clown pointed out 'needed to be in Oxfordshire...' turned white when he was told Newbury is actually in Berkshire.
I know that OURFC priced themselves out of hosting us all season, but wonder if the club went back to them to see if they would be more resonable for a 1 off, or should I say 3 of deal.
Don't think the problem of the last game of the season has been resolved yet either.
PADDYTAF.
"GIVE THEM NO BALL OR BAD BALL WELSH"