After what seems to have been a very long pre-season, we have finally reached the start of the 2022/23 Rugby season. This weekend sees the Youth girls begin their fixtures and next Sunday the Boys season gets underway. That of course coincides with the first Minis festival, Tigerfest and the initial rounds of the Richard Hawkes and Kim Lam competitions.
So there is a lot going on!!
In fantastic news for Valley Fort, we are now partnered with other clubs to ensure we are represented in ALL girls age groups this season. This means Valley Fort will have players competing in the U18, U16, U14, U12 and U10 age divisions. This is a wonderful result for the club, and I would especially like to thank Kea Herewini and KK Wong for the effort they put in to negotiate these alliances and coaching these girls to be part of our Rugby family.
I am pleased to see that all the teams have been prepared well for the start of their respective competitions and it is the outstanding coaching our players receive that ensures they are ready. I am fortunate to see all teams working during the week and on Sundays to prepare and the work the coaches have done is just amazing. Where our players have come in this pre-season is a testament to the excellent training sessions undertaken and the commitment of all the Valley Fort Coaches.
As we start the competition phase of the season I would like to take the opportunity to remind all the Valley Fort community of the expectations the club has on side-line behaviours. We always provide positive support for all players and officials. We don’t support negative comments and behaviours in any way. In simple terms let the referees referee and the players play. Whilst we often see the behaviour of other clubs supporters less than acceptable we at Valley Fort strive to be an example to others.
Finally, a huge congratulations and good luck to U18 pro coach Luke Van de Smit as he departs for Dubai with the Hong Kong team attempting to qualify for the 2023 World Cup in France. A tough month of rugby awaits Luke and the team, but we will all be supporting him from here.
Good luck to all teams either stating their seasons or putting final touches on preparations and of course only two weeks to the Hong Kong Sevens!!
Yours in Rugby
Justin Carroll
Director of Rugby
Valley Fort RFC