End of Season Staffs Rugby
Message from John McDermott (County President)
I wanted to update you all on the upcoming fixtures involving the county sides and club sides in the county as we reach the climax of this long season on June 15th. Yes June!
I believe we are having a very successful season and that was endorsed last evening when Tim Westwood, the RFU’s club developer in Staffordshire shared an encouraging document at the AGM of the Mini and Youth Committee showing a 7% increase in registrations, year on year, of youngsters becoming members of clubs.
The initiative undertaken this year to support the work of the School Games Organisers (SGOs) to organise rugby in schools across the county where traditionally rugby isn’t played or only sporadically has also helped, and we are expecting an uptick in registrations next season from young players.
This Saturday, 11th May, Staffordshire senior men embark on their county championship season with a trip to Kendal to face Cumbria. Then on May 18th, we host Cheshire at Stoke on Trent RUFC before completing the pool games with another home fixture at Lichfield on May 25th against Northumberland.
Should we progress, the semi final is on June 8th and final at Twickenham on June 15th or 16th.
This weekend also sees two historic clashes at National Cup level.
On Saturday, Leek plays Stoke in the Papa Johns Mens Regional 1 Plate Final at Worcester, Sixways. Kick off is at 3pm. It is free to attend, should you wish to come and watch.
On Sunday, in the Papa Johns Women’s Intermediate Cup Final, Lichfield Ladies play at Twickenham against Old Albanians Ladies 2s. KO 3pm. Lichfield has had a tremendous season and they’re taking 3 coach loads of supporters to cheer them on.
On Sunday May 19th, it’s all happening.
Staffordshire U20s v East Midlands U20s in the Midlands U20 final at Walsall. 3pm KO.
Staffordshire U17 boys v Cheshire A and B at Leek.
Cumbria v Staffordshire senior women at Carlisle.
On Sunday, May 26th, Staffordshire Women take on Essex ladies at Walsall. KO 1pm and you are all welcome ahead of the Staffs U17s fixture at 3pm.
If our U20s win on May 19th, they will play in the national semi final on Sunday June 2nd at home against the North champions.
Our senior women travel to Oxfordshire on the same day.
On Saturday, June 8th, we have a very special occasion.
The County will celebrate its centenary with 2 games against Lichfield at Cooke Fields. Both senior women and men will play Lichfield as they celebrate their 150th anniversary. Please come along to this event if you can, as it will be a memorable way to end the Centenary season for Staffordshire……….unless we can make it to the County Championship final the following week.
Best wishes to all.
John