A Christmas message from our DOR

“I wanted to take time whilst I wrote this note to think about everything that has happened this year in the world of Lydney Rugby Club.

The emergence of our table topping United side this season, has been rather refreshing and much needed after the struggles of last season.

They’ve built a solid core of young talented lads over the past 12 months or so. That mix with what we have coming through our colts side in the next 12-24 months is rather exciting for the club.

The Colts have had an exceptional start to their season, being 8 from 8 thus far. Considering the majority of that squad is U17’s it’s a remarkable start. It’s really important for us to bridge the gap between junior and senior rugby, to help with their development. So to know we have a quality young side like this coming through is a major positive, and bodes well for the long term.

Our Under 12’s & 15’s are developing nicely. But as a club we understand we need to start filling up our age groups again, as sides never returned after covid. A successful senior section is normally a thriving junior section.

In the 1st team this summer we again saw another high turnover in players in and out through the door. With various lads either retiring or moving away from the area. One of my challenges is to create a squad we can work for the coming seasons and not just one season at a time, so we can create understanding from one another, and set the culture and environment for players and staff, for what is to be expected when representing this great club. Rather than starting from scratch every season. Thankfully I feel with this current group, that is possible.

It’s quite poignant in the last couple of seasons we’ve had some of more senior lads all call it a day. Which have been big boots to fill. It also had naturally brought the average age of our squad dramatically down.

But what we do have is a talented young hungry exciting group who want to improve and develop into their full potential.

They’re enthused about trying to play a more expansive game than we might of seen at Regentsholme in recent years gone by.

So my advice to you is to embrace in it, and them! If these lads can produce what they are showing in glimpse’s on a more consistent basis, and stick together then the club will be in safe hands for the next generation.

I must also say a huge thank you to all our loyal supporters! Your support home and away is quite unique and we’re very privileged (as players and staff) to be apart of it!

I’m looking forward to what should be an electric Regentsholme this Saturday, to welcome you all there for our final Christmas fixture against a very well organised Launceston side. It should be a Christmas cracker…

I hope you all have a brilliant Christmas and a happy new year!”

Best Wishes