Bath Rugby Youth Teams

Bath Youth Rugby, Junior Section Age Grade Awards 2007-08: 

U13 Coaches’ Player Forwards: Jonathan SHELDRAKE , U13 Coaches’ Player Backs: Josh JACKSON,  U13 Players’ Player:  Ben TOMETZKI. 

U14 Most Improved Player: Kierran SULLIVAN,  U14 Coaches’ Player: James McFARLANE,  U14 Players’ Player: Rhys REDMAN,

U15 Most Improved Player:  Max TARR, U15 Coaches’ Player:  Ben SIMPSON,  U15 Players’ Player: James INDOE.

U16 Most Improved Player:  Nathan CHALMERS, U16 Coaches’ Player: Anthony DANN,  U16 Players’ Player: Mike UREN.

Colts (U17-U19) Coaches' Player: Bill FAIRMAN,  Colts Squad Player of Year: Will BROWN,  Colts Players' Player:  Dave BOWLER (Colts Captain)

Thanks to Andy Polson (Team Manager U14) - and those around him - for organising this event, and to those who kindly donated some amazing prizes for the Evening's Raffle! - Thanks also to those who simply stepped in and performed as neccessary - Thank you! - Harrison.

AWARDS EVENING REPORT:   The Bath Youth Rugby Annual Awards Evening was held on Friday 9th May 2008 in the comfort of the Theatre of Kingswood School. Lansdown. After a buffet reception, the guests and players were welcomed by the Junior Chairman and the evening’s formal proceedings took place with season playing awards made to every player, coach and team manager.  

The award presentations were made by Jimmy DEANE (Bath Ruby Community Foundation) and members of the Bath Ladies Rugby, Maz ELLIS (player/coach),  Kate EDDY (player/coach) and Vicky HESLOP (player & Bath Rugby Community Foundation). 

Bath Rugby Plc was also represented by Mr Tim DAVIES (Bath Rugby Commercial Director) and the continued support for Bath Youth Rugby provided by Bath Rugby Plc was strongly acknowledged, with thanks, from the Chairman. 

Bath Supporters Club were represented by Penny BRUNTON and Emma SPARKS  

Although awards were presented to indviduals, the theme of the evening was the continuing need for a “Squad Mentality”. Short video presentations preceded each of the age grade’s season report. During the evening the audience heard that almost forty players from Bath Youth Rugby had played B&NES District Representative rugby this season, with thirty of those players going on to play County Level representative rugby (U15-U18).  

From within that group there have been three Bath U16 players (Olly WOODBURN, Joe PATRICK,  Jackson SZABO) and one U18 player (Ollie HAYES) who attained representative honours at South West Divisional Rugby, with Gareth EVANS going on to represent Wales U16 and Ollie HAYES (also of Bath Rugby Academy) representing England U18.

In addition, player's personal development path has been strong this season with nine players from Bath Junior Section selected to play for Bath Rugby Academy U17 v England U16. 

Acknowledging the commitment of the players and the immense support provided by the coaches, team managers, administrators, referees, and parents was a common thread from speakers throughout the evening, and the Bath Junior Section reinforced its policy to support the development of student coaches from the University of Bath, and Bath Spa University, who have been coaching with us over the past two seasons. 

Funds raised during the Evening’s Raffle have been donated to Tamara Johnson Trust Fund – Tamara, 26 years old, Bath Ladies Rugby player, sustained a serious neck injury in February 2008 whilst playing for Bath Ladies v Saracens. Tamara is receiving rehabilitation in the Spinal Unit of Odstock Hospital, Salisbury, she faces a long rehabilitation road, and support was pledged from Bath Youth Rugby. We wish her well!