The U15 competition includes a "Barbarians" team which Laura will be playing for. They are in Group A of the competition along with Tamworth (11.00) and Basford (11.40).
Curiously, and to get off the point for a minute, the latter I think originally entered just as Rochford, which was an encouraging sign - I thought - of a cluster unclustering [see previous article and in particular the discussion for what I am getting at - this is not an anti-Basford dig before it is interpreted that way!]. Apparently not. Only when we see some successful declusterings will I believe that the policy is in the long-term interests of the game - until then... well, without wishing to reopen the debate let's just say it worries me a bit. Anyway...After that they will have at least two more games in the bowl, cup or plate (congratulations to the organisers for sticking to the Herts 7s policy of making all games "count" - no "dead rubbers" at Tabard!).
For the U18s we are in Pool D alongside Bucks Jesters (12.00) and Pavworth Maoris (12.40). The former are basically Aylesbury/Milton Keynes, while the latter are mainly the Paviors team that were our nemesis at East Midland 10s and Herts 7s last season... time to put something right? The U18s will also then proceed into cup, plate or bowl semi finals like the U15s. The fun ends at around 4pm... well, that is when its DUE to finish anyway!
Full draw in the Herts blog. The tournament rules are unchanged from, well, our hosting of the event in 2006.
Regarding your note on anti-clustering. Saracens for 2007-08 clustered in the Thames Valley league as Middx. Lions at U15's together with Harlequins and Northolt and will do so again in 2008-09 as numbers prevent them fielding a full 13. However, Ealing for 2008-09 will play as Ealing Emeralds stand alone at U15's as they have the required numbers after their succesful cluster with Grasshoppers. Their place in the Middx. Leopards cluster is expected to be taken up by a Wasps girls team. At U18's Middlesex fielded an U18's team for the first time in the league last year, due to Saracens joining in. This year Saracens will stand alone in the league with the other Middlsex clubs putting out another U18 squad between them. Proof that it can work. The idea is to get the girls regular games. This improves their game and keeps them interested and involved, thereby allowing clubs to grow at whatever pace they can, without the worry of losing players through not having matches.
ReplyDeleteThere are a limited number of girls in the game so a large number of girls teams cannot be supported. Either clustering or moving clubs to one with a girls section is necessary. I would not necessarily see Basford de-clustering, but I am sure they would welcome more teams in Essex. Colchester have a big junior section and Thurrock a succesful Women's team, so one would expect it to happen.
Simon
John
ReplyDeleteFor the foreseable future Basford will remain as 1 "club".
Although the girls are members of two different affiliated clubs, we do not see or refer to ourselves as anything other than Basford.
In fact we have specific Kit and no1's that carry the Basford name and logo and next year have an additional sponser coming on board having followed the success of the girls this season.
The organisers obviously mixed up the entry form which had the team name as Basford, and the entry fee paid by Rochford.(Basildon pay for the U18's entry)
As simon mentioned in his comments, we would welcome the emergence of other clubs in the county as this would only serve to help grow the girls game, and also aid the growth of our County team.
Until such time as we get this long overdue of girls into the game clustering whether right or wrong is here to stay
Phil