SHIRLEY RFC
CHRISTCHURCH
NEW ZEALAND
Some of you may remember Rob Mcintosh who played for us in the late 80’s, he
had Met Paddy Wheeler and Andy Ellis in
New Zealand
during the first Rugby World Cup. Paddy and Andy played for Lyttleton a club
just out of
Christchurch
. Rob played for Shirley RFC,
Canterbury
and was an junior All Black trialist. After the RWC he came over to the
UK
to travel and caught up with Paddy and played rugby for Spalding. Word got
about and he was followed by another pair of Shirley players in the late
80’s early 90’s a back row forward by the name of ‘Clopper’ aka Graeme
Moran and Richard Riwaka aka ‘Wakka’ a winger. This lead to a link
between the clubs and so it continued. Kevin Wand / Steve Ellis and Jamie
Slack all went over and played at Shirley in the early 90’s. Another wave of
players Matt Gordon aka Flash ,Smithy ,Lawsey ,and Woody came over and so it
continued. We want to continue this trend and strengthen the link anyone
thinking of playing rugby overseas would be more than welcome at Shirley ‘
The friendly club eastside’ likewise we hope to host another generation of
Shirley players in the not too distant future. Check out the Shirley website
under our link page or www.shirleyrfc.co.nz.
If anyone is interested please contact Kevin Wand for more info.
ANT SHARP JOINS SPALDING RFC
Spalding coaching team strengthened by the addition of pre-season fitness expert Ant Sharp.
Ant has over 10 years experience in fitness and athletic training.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Science and is
currently studying for a Masters degree at the
University
of
Essex. He has undergone previous training
with the
American
College
of Sports Medicine, is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with
the National Strength and Conditioning Association of America, is accredited
as a Strength and Conditioning coach with the United Kingdom Strength and
Conditioning Association and has worked extensively in the field of
rehabitation of sporting injuries. Ant
has worked previously with athletes in rugby, hockey, volleyball and
bobsleigh, but is excited at the prospects of working with a new group of
players with limited to vast levels of rugby experience over the pre-season
period.
Ant hopes to bring not only increased level of fitness to
1st team players at the
club, but also have a positive effect on the development of the younger
Academy players coming through the system at Spalding RFC.
ANDREW BRANTON RECEIVES NLD SHIELD
Spalding RFC Captain Andrew Branton receives the NLD
Shield after beating Ashbourne 22 - 3 in the final at Derby RFC on Sunday 6th
April 2008.
