Welcome to East Grinstead Rugby Round Up. If you are reading this on the website, or via Facebook, please sign up to receive this Newsletter via email, which contains loads of pictures and other content, please email m.marriott@btconnect.com and we will add you to the list.

COACHES CORNER
We are so blessed at East Grinstead RFC with our amazing coaches and managers right across the club. Over the summer, in Rugby Round Up, we will be highlighting some of these heros in the words of the players they look after.

This week is a genuinely amazing bloke who is so dedicated to the club and East Grinstead as a whole - even having been mayor for a stint!! Here is 1st team vice captain, John Peaty explaining more:

‘As we all know, a rugby club is so much more than the 15 players on the pitch. We wouldn’t be able to play the game we loved if it wasn’t for the support staff that make up the heart and soul of the club. These unsung heroes work tirelessly to keep the well-oiled machine of EGRFC ticking along nicely.

One of our most loyal servants to the club is the one and only Rex Whittaker.

Rex is like our very own house elf who is devoted to the club. Furiously working away in the background to get everything the teams need, and it doesn’t matter how many dirty shirts are gifted to him after a game, he would never want to be freed from his servitude to the club.

Come rain or shine, Rex will be ever present on match days. He will be the first friendly face you see welcoming players and supporters before being seen flying up and down the touchlines with his flag in his hand. Rex is loved by our opponents, not just for his generous line calls, but for sweeping the sheds and leaving most away changing rooms in a better condition than we found them in.

Rex is the best hype man a player or team could ever want and his years of commitment and love for the club have been a key part of our success.”

If you want to put your EGRFC coach in the spotlight, please let me know and you could make the next issue...

REMEMBERING MATT'S LEGACY
It is hard to believe how long it has been since Matt Ratana was strolling along our touchlines. With the trial now complete, we are determined to remember all the incredible things that Matt did for our rugby family and think on all the positive ways his legacy has shaped our club, providing a firm foundation and framework for the success that we see right across East Grinstead RFC.

ITV and the BBC produced lovely sensitive pieces for their news slots following the conclusion of the trial. Both broadcasters commenting that the success across the club since the tragedy, was like a fairy story. We are sure that Matt would be so proud of where our club finds itself, with both our Men’s and Womens sides promoted again, to be playing in the leagues where he wanted us to be.

Please enjoy these pictures, behind the scenes of the filming at the club. Many thanks to all who helped.

To watch the ITV piece, follow this link: ITV

The BBC report can be watched here: BBC

HUGE THANKS TO TOM
Massive thanks and good wishes go with Tom Hicks who has been amazing for East Grinstead RFC over the last few seasons, both as a player and coach. Mike Champain, U16 Coach writes;
“I first met Tom in the 2020, whilst he was assisting Worth school, I was immediately impressed with not only his passion for the game, but the way in which he coached the boys.

Following a conversation with Matt (Ratana) at the time, I met Tom again, this time watching him deliver a 1-1 session. The question I had for him was, "is he interested in being part of something at EGRFC," and if so I'll put him in contact with Matt. He was and the phone call with Matt was nothing but positive. Matt called me the following day and said, "I love the lad, he's got it and understands it....." and so the journey began and over the last three seasons Tom has turned our group of boys into some fine young thinking rugby players, concluding with the winning of both U16 League and Trophy last season.

So, what is Tom's style? I would say it is simply "thinking rugby". He is always asking the boys questions, checking understanding, challenging them, not to chastise them, but to give them permission. Permission to play what's in front of them, make mistakes, learn and move forward. On the pitch they are on their own, they must be able to think their way through the challenges in front of them. At training the following week he would ask questions again, why did they make certain decisions, what would they do differently, checking their thinking and all the time the boys were learning. Yes, he spends time in technique, hands, feet, tackle, body shape, all the key parts of he game, but he has driven them to think about where they are on the pitch, where do they want to play and how do they want to play....

In the end we altered a well-known acronym "MVP" to - Mental, Verbal, Physical - stressing to the boys that the thinking and communicating elements were two thirds of the battle, the physical part was implementing their plan, the execution and Tom got them doing it all very well.

He's a young and growing coach who I believe has a lot of the credentials to move on further, he's not the finished article, who is, but when a squad, parents and supporters give someone a spontaneous standing ovation, you simply know he's got it and done something special.....he has to go down as one of the best coaching decisions I have ever made.

Sadly, Tom will not be with us next season, he has decided to focus on his professional work life and life outside of rugby, both equally if not more important. We, coaches, parents and particularly the players, will miss him a lot and wish him all the best going forward, he is always welcome back at EGRFC.”

Neil Oakley, Colts Coach writes;
“Tom joined us as young fresh faced wannabe coach who with half a shave would pass as a Colt himself! His fellow senior coaches wondering where Mr Ratana’s head was at bringing him through… What did Matt see…. an energy and enthusiasm along with copious amounts of scrum half attitude to his sessions that had an immediate impact. It wasn’t the easiest of beginnings though. Losing his mentor and north star so early to horrific circumstances and the season that was ‘Ready4Rugby’ only! Never going to be easy. But following rough beginnings he started to find his footing, we’d like to imagine aided by the guiding and advise from his ‘seniors’

Coaching a style that was creative and expansive, free thinking, heads-up rugby with positive attitudes. Never preventing a player from trying something new, expressing their own style. Even mistakes being applauded if the intention was right. It has all been about encouraging the belief and growth of the players and a team both on and off the pitch – focus on the holistic and less the specific. This open, caring and attentive approach with his players creating Bonds with them all as only they can express:

‘Not only is Tom a fantastic Coach but he’s a great person too, getting the best out of everyone and wanting everyone to succeed in their own way is something special. Tom has helped me grow as a player so much in the last 2 years it’s unbelievable. He’s given me so many opportunities to grow my game and improve as a person on and off the pitch which I can’t thank him enough for. He had so much passion for the club and our team (especially on game days on the sidelines!) Tom is the best coach I’ve been taught by and I believe he is a huge loss to the club and we will all miss him very much! best of luck for everything in the future.’

‘Tom has been an absolutely fantastic coach for myself and the team for the last 2 years, I’ve seen many of my teammates flourish under Toms coaching, and felt myself improve week in and out. Not only was he such a great coach he is brilliant off the pitch, sometimes more like a than a coach, this helped create a very strong bond between both players and himself.
I’d like to thank Tom on behalf of all of us.
A very good coach and a genuine good bloke.
Thank you Tom!’

And no truer words than from fellow ‘Senior’ Colts Coach:
‘Tom has been a top coach, mentor and friend during his time at EGRFC. His focus on the whole person not just the rugby skills has enhanced the experience of all the young men and ladies he has coached. The focus he has on the well being of every individual is so genuine and it has been a privilege to support him in his vision for young rugby players. Young coaches like Tom are the future of rugby and there is no doubt he will continue to bring success and growth mindset to all the teams he leads as he continues his coaching journey.’

We’ve learnt from you Tom as much as we hope you’ve learnt from us.
A break from coaching… ?? it won’t be long !
For every Rugby Coach the game is in the blood, and the EGRFC Rugby blood runs thick through your veins.”

GIRLS SUMMER TRAINING
Girls rugby at East Grinstead is going from strength to strength.
Are you school years 7-13, or know someone who is? Do you fancy a new challenge, Do you want to make new friends and be part of an amazing team and wider community? Do you want to join this rapidly growing sporting sector? Are you free on Wednesday evenings? Well, why not give rugby a try!!

No experience is necessary, let our awesome coaches give you a taste of a sport that will change your life!! For more info please email Kelly at: girls@egrfc.com

SUMMER BALL 2023
With just over two weeks to go until the much anticipated East Grinstead Summer Ball, time is running out to grab a ticket! Secure your place at our annual extravaganza here: Summer Ball tickets

SUSSEX RUGBY PRESENTS PERIODIZATION-SEASON PLANNING
If you fancy joining this free Sussex online CPD on Friday 30th June at 7pm, email: sussexrugbyhub@aol.com for more details and log-in info.

WINE AND DINE WITH THE ENGLAND SQUAD
You could join the England squad for the official England Rugby dinner at Twickenham Stadium on 22 August 2023 in aid of Rugby United.

This is a unique opportunity to mingle and dine with the whole of the England Men's coaching and squad members, before they head off to France for this year’s Rugby World Cup.

The evening will include a number of Q&As with the players, offering an insight into what it's like to be a part of the squad, together with a charity auction for some amazing items.

Follow this link for more info: Dine with England

OTHER NEWS
If you have any news about any aspect of our rugby family here at East Grinstead, get involved and email m.marriott@btconnect.com. See you next week!!