England Women's Under 20 Squad 2008-09

The 2008/2009 squad for the England Women’s Under 20s campaign has been announced.

England Under 20s Head Coach Giselle Mather has selected a squad of 34 players who will compete in an international fixture against Wales in April and then the Under 20s Nations Cup in July.

Congratulations to the following Players that play for Clubs in Herts (* New to Squad):

• Sarah Mckenna Old Albanian Saints - Inside Centre
• Natalie McClarnon* Saracens - Hooker
• Megan Williams* Welwyn Warriors U18 - Full Back
• Sasha Acheson* Sudbury/Letchworth/Suffolk Sabres U18 - Prop

Herts Girls 7's 17th May 2009

Old Albanians will host this seasons Herts Girls 7's on Sun 17th May 2009. The contact details of the organiser are Emma Nichol e-mail enichol@buckssport.org Mob: 07535 694480.

The Herts Girls 7's is an Open Tournament, and has Under 15 and Under 18 Sections, but the organisers are looking at introducing an Under 12 Section in 2009.

Invitations will be sent out to all previous participants in the New Year, but if you have not taken part before and would like to do so please contact Emma direct.

Sunday 9th November Herts Girls County Training Welwyn RFC

This is confimation that on Sun 9th Nov the final full Herts Girls County Training Afternoon of this Season will take place at Welwyn RFC. Registration and access to the changing rooms is from 1.00 and Training will start from 2.00 onwards.

As well as the U15 and U18 Training, Team Herts U12 Girls will be playing a game against U12’s from another County. Any new Players of any age group that didn't attend on 19th Oct will need to bring a Herts Registration Form, signed by their Parent / Guardian, copies of which have already been e-mailed to all Girls Club Managers and Coaches in the County.

If you are unable to attend on 9th Nov, but still wish to be considered for the Girls County Teams Fixtures this season (28th Nov and 14th Dec) you must confirm this with Peter Mccullough (U15 County Manager) peter.mccullough@ntlworld.com or Dave Marques (U18 County Manager) Dave@belpar.co.uk

Herts man named RFUW Volunteer of the Year

Hertfordshire and Welwyn Girls RFC’s Peter McCullough has been named the Rugby Football Union for Women’s Volunteer of the Year.

McCullough is the first winner of the new ‘Sue Garnett Volunteer of the Year Award’ which recognises the contribution made to improving standards and levels of participation in women and girls rugby.

McCullough has several and many varied role within girls and women’s rugby, including Welwyn Under 15s Coach and Manager, Hertfordshire Under 15s Manager and Chair of the Hertfordshire Women and Girls’ Development Group. Although he is linked with Welwyn he also works with other clubs to ensure everything in Hertfordshire is well coordinated, including publicity, fixtures, training sessions and administration.

McCullough was presented with his award by RFU President Brian Williams at the RFU’s Constituency Bodies’ Leaders Conference dinner this month. The contribution and hard work of two further volunteers, Paula Brotherhood of Leicestershire and Steve Lumb of Barnsley, was also recognised when they were named as runners-up.

The Sue Garnett Volunteer of the Year Award has been created to remember and acknowledge the work of Sue Garnett, who passed away in October 2007. She committed 20 years of her life as a rugby volunteer in Lancashire, particularly at her club Vale of Lune.

Sue carried out many different roles during her involvement in rugby, including chairing and attending various committees, team management and working on regional and national development. One thing that remained consistent throughout her rugby career was the real difference she made to sport in her club and county through her hard work and commitment.

Sue’s family have kindly agreed to allow the RFUW to name this award after her to honour those who show the same winning qualities.

In the first year of the ‘Sue Garnett Volunteer of the Year Award’ 11 individuals were nominated. They also included: Mike Lord (Cheshire), Vicky Muir (Cheshire), Jedda Taylor (Kent), Sharon Evans (Hampshire), Annie Parker (Thornbury RFC), Steph Wilson (Lancashire), Mick Kemp (Notts, Lincs and Derby), Ken James (Notts, Lincs and Derby).

Rosie Williams, RFUW Managing Director, said: “We are delighted that we have been able to acknowledge the contribution of our volunteers and show how much we appreciate their hard work and dedication with this award. I hope that this is the first award of many and we can continue to celebrate the success of our volunteers for many years to come”.

The RFUW would like to thank all those who were nominated for their continuing input to the women and girls game in England.

U12 fixtures

Fixtures for U12s are being arranged for the next three county dates. Please let John Birch, the U12 manager, know whether or not you are available.

November 9th: v Kent (and possibly others) at Welwyn, kick-off 2pm

November 30th: Either county fixture with U15s and U18s or v Kent (Dulwich College or Old Alleynians)

December 14th: Away fixture - possibly v Kent & Middlesex (Ealing)

Georgie Robinson Memorial Game Sat 18th Oct at OA's

OA Saints host the second annual Georgie Robinson Memorial Game when they face the British Army at Woolhams on Sat 18th Oct. The match is held in memory of OA Saint Georgie who was killed in a car accident in South Africa in 2006. OA Rugby will also be hosting a number of events on the day to raise money for The Rainbow Trust Children's Charity who provide practical and emotional support to families of terminally ill children. For more information contact Jemma Knighton on 07957 387363 or go to www.justgiving.com/georgierobinson to make a donation.

Before the main game OA Girls U15 are playing Welwyn Warriors U15.

Sunday 19th October Herts Girls County Training Welwyn RFC

Confimation that on Sun 19th October Herts Girls County Training will take place at Welwyn RFC.

Registration and access to the changing rooms is from 1.00 and Training will start from 2.00 onwards. As well as the U15 and U18 Training, U12 Girls from around the County are also invited to attend for a Training Session. Any new Players of any age group that didn't attend on 14th Sept will need to bring a Herts Registration Form, signed by their Parent / Guardian, copies of which have already been e-mailed to all Girls Club Managers and Coaches in the County.

If you are unable to attend on 19th Oct, but still wish to be considered for the Girls County Teams this season, you must confirm this with Peter Mccullough (U15 County Manager) peter.mccullough@ntlworld.com or Dave Marques (U18 County Manager) Dave@belpar.co.uk

Awards for Herts Girls Rugby

The annual Herts Sports Partnership's Service to Sport awards were presented at the University of Hertfordshire on Wednesday Night and included the following Award Winners for Herts Girls Rugby Clubs:

• Young Community Volunteer : 2nd place - Katie Alcock (Letchworth Girls)
• ClubTeam of the Year : Commendation - Welwyn Warriors
• Volunteer of the Year (under 21) : Commendation - Natalie Threlfall (Letchworth Girls)
• ClubVolunteer of the Year (over 21) : 2nd Place - Peter McCullough (Old Albanians Minis and Welwyn Warriors)
• Club Service to Sport : Commendation - Dave Sharp (Letchworth Girls)

Peter Mccullough was announced as the Winner of the inaugural Sue Garnett RFUW Volunteer of the Year for 2008 at the RFU CB Leaders Conference Dinner on Friday Evening. Sue Garnett passed away in October 2007 after 20 years as a Rugby Volunteer in Lancashire, particularly at her club Vale of Lune. Sue carried out many different roles during her involvement in Rugby, from Chairing various Committees, Team Management and working on Regional and National Development.

Rochford Festival 2nd November - cancelled

This seasons Rochford Festival (U15 7's and U18 10's) has been cancelled due to a fixture clash.

Herts County Womens Rugby Team

Sunday 28th September saw the first ever Women’s County Team for Hertfordshire competing in the First Round of the Southern Women's County Championship.
First up against the team made up of OA Saints, Saracens and Tabard players was Sussex. Herts emerged the stronger side early on and Caroline Hallet scored a Try in the first 5 minutes which was quickly followed by a second. The second half started with a more determined Sussex piling on the pressure to Herts with a strong run only ruined by a scramble defence from Ali O’Donovan and Helena on the wing. The Sussex defence came in to their own as the Herts attack continued and after winning a strong scrum at the Sussex 5m line, Herts were denied a third Try as Nadia Dickenson’s score was ruled to have been held up. After a final attack Herts were rewarded with the Try they deserved. Final Score Herts 15 – Sussex 0

Second up was Herts verses Middlesex.
Middlesex continued their winning ways early on as a scrappy start from Herts resulted in a quick Try under the posts for Middlesex. Herts continued to struggle to get their hands on the ball as Middlesex continued to prove the stronger side. Herts fought a hard battle and sheer determination prevented two further Tries by Middlesex. The second half saw more of the same, with Middlesex taking advantage of a 3 man overlap to score again. The scrums were well fought with Herts holding their own. The match finished 32 – 0 to Middlesex and left Herts with lots of work to do before the next fixture at Tabard against Essex on Sun 19th October Kick off 3pm.

Sammy Field sammyfield@aol.com