Cov Rugby Community Foundation launches Preece-Judd projects


By Brian Dick, Coventry Telegraph.
February 10 2012

RUGBY in Coventry has received a major boost following the launch of two projects aimed at increasing both the quantity and quality of young players in the city.

The programmes, spearheaded by the Coventry Rugby Community Foundation, were unveiled at the Butts Park Arena on Tuesday night and came about after £40,000 was raised through sponsorship and Sportsmatch funding.

Once again regular benefactors Jaguar Land Rover and Unipart Logistics were key players in helping finance the schemes, the Judd Project, named after legendary prop Phil Judd who captained Coventry, Warwickshire and England in the 1960s and the Preece Project in honour of fellow club, county and England skipper as well as British Lion Ivor Preece.

The former aims to revive and enhance rugby in six secondary schools, one of which will be a girls school, through a 16-week programme and culminates in a tag festival at a local club.

And the Preece Project targets the development of skills at colts level for 50 talented players, which the Henley College rugby academy will help deliver. It also includes matches and conditioning sessions.

The Coventry Rugby Community Foundation will also identify eight young volunteers to become officials as part of the Warwickshire Referees Society’s Junior Whistlers programme who will officiate matches in the two schemes.

“Coventry has traditionally been a hotbed of rugby across the country but over the last few years that has been in decline,” said development leader for the Foundation Mark Pearson.

“That is of enormous national concern for the government, Sport England and the RFU especially after the age of 16 when children seem to drift away not just from rugby but from sport in general.

“We need to retain these players and develop more coaches, referees and volunteers for the health of young people and sports like rugby. These two projects will help enormously in doing that.”


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Cov Rugby Community Foundation launches Preece-Judd projects
Posted by: Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged)
Date: 10/02/2012 16:44

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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Re: Cov Rugby Community Foundation launches Preece-Judd projects
Posted by: Roger Fox (IP Logged)
Date: 10/02/2012 16:53

It's great news that Phil and Ivor have been recognised in this context. Two of the many Coventry greats. How about the club starting a Hall of Fame type thing, to commemorate our greats? I could suggest a few.

Re: Cov Rugby Community Foundation launches Preece-Judd projects
Posted by: covkid53 (IP Logged)
Date: 10/02/2012 17:38

I strongly disagree that Coventry local rugby is in decline, they obviously dont go around the clubs often enough.

I do agree that after 16 y.o. there is a tail off, but that is because teenagers get bored and go on to do other things. There is a lack of real competition and too much repetition in terms of repeated matches against the same teams.

There needs to be a league system that is constantly changing to keep things interesting and freshen up the competitions, throughout the Midlands.

But of course this costs money.

Re: Cov Rugby Community Foundation launches Preece-Judd projects
Posted by: Kimbo (IP Logged)
Date: 10/02/2012 19:11

Another step along the right road...

Re: Cov Rugby Community Foundation launches Preece-Judd projects
Posted by: Green death (IP Logged)
Date: 13/02/2012 13:21

As a girls rugby coach at under 15s and living in Cov and having a daughter who goes to the stated all girls school but who has to travel to Hinckley to play full contact rugby it is great to see that the club has decided to go into the untapped resource of girls rugby in the county

Hopefully this will lead on to more girls taking up the game and progressing to full contact and then hopefully getting Coventry clubs to start up girls rugby teams which will then lead on to representative girls rugby in the county which at this minute is no existent

Re: Cov Rugby Community Foundation launches Preece-Judd projects
Posted by: covmick/Michael Carter (IP Logged)
Date: 13/02/2012 13:48

Quote:
Green death
As a girls rugby coach at under 15s and living in Cov and having a daughter who goes to the stated all girls school but who has to travel to Hinckley to play full contact rugby it is great to see that the club has decided to go into the untapped resource of girls rugby in the county
Hopefully this will lead on to more girls taking up the game and progressing to full contact and then hopefully getting Coventry clubs to start up girls rugby teams which will then lead on to representative girls rugby in the county which at this minute is no existent

Having read this post. I recommend you to contact the club and ask for a meeting with someone who you could talk too about this project. Your experience could be very useful to the club on this matter.

covmick/Michael Carter

Re: Cov Rugby Community Foundation launches Preece-Judd projects
Posted by: covkid53 (IP Logged)
Date: 13/02/2012 17:19

Quote:
Green death
As a girls rugby coach at under 15s and living in Cov and having a daughter who goes to the stated all girls school but who has to travel to Hinckley to play full contact rugby it is great to see that the club has decided to go into the untapped resource of girls rugby in the county
Hopefully this will lead on to more girls taking up the game and progressing to full contact and then hopefully getting Coventry clubs to start up girls rugby teams which will then lead on to representative girls rugby in the county which at this minute is no existent

I agree talk to Cov, or maybe try one of the bigger junior clubs, OC's or Broadstreet for example.

A few years ago, I remember seeing the England Women's University rugby team training at OC's and boy they looked tough. The pack was pushing the scrummaging roller up and down as good as any one else, as a one time fly half they looked a bit too physical for me !! So I am sure the talent is there.

(Sm133)

Re: Cov Rugby Community Foundation launches Preece-Judd projects
Posted by: Green death (IP Logged)
Date: 14/02/2012 10:29

Thanks Gents for the replys

i am aware that there is discussions of Barkers starting a Girls contact team next season and as Coventry RFC are going in to the schools i would hope this will get somemore girls intrested and involved.
I have contacted the club and hopefully together we can help each other

Green death

(Sm118)

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