New O2 Touch Lead Organiser Sought

We're looking for a new Lead Organiser for O2 Touch rugby at Millwall.

The main purpose of the role is

1. to organise a rota of organisers who will turn up with a ball and cones for each session and welcome new members (note, you don't actually need to actually be the session organiser, but it probably does help if you run a few sessions yourself)
2. to liase with the RFU O2 Touch office from time to time.

If you're interested, please contact the club committee by email (via chairman@millwalrugby.com).

We're also looking for new O2 Touch Rugby Ambassadors.

Regards
Andrew

Interim Touch Rugby Coordinator and new positions of Touch Rugby Chair and Touch Team Manager

It was great to see so many people down at Touch last Sunday; we managed to get two full-games going alongside each other.


Here are a few updates:

1. Nigel Webb Stepping Down

After 2+ years Nigel Webb (Flex) has decided he wants to step down from the O2Touch coordinator role to take a break.  We're very grateful for all Nigel has done to develop and grow O2Touch, including entering (and organising) our first few inter-club tournaments during the year.  I'm sure Nigel will still continue to help out with running the occasional session alongside Darryl, Mike and Scott.

2. URGENT - New Interim Touch Rugby Coordinator Needed ASAP

So this means that we need to find a new Touch Rugby Coordinator to step in right away and get things going for the summer season.  The most important things you need to do in this role are:

• Organise a rota to make sure someone runs every session
• Announce when sessions are and are not taking place
• Be a point of liaison for the club with the RFU O2 Touch team, which provides some sponsorship to the club

Even if you are very new to the club, please still get in touch if you can help with this. It's a great way to get involved and get to know people.

3. Possible new elected touch rugby positions

We are exploring the idea of adding the role of "Touch Chair" as an elected management committee role to sit equally alongside Men's, Ladies' & Youth Chair.  This would recognise the way that touch has grown at Millwall over the past 10 years to the point that it now happens all year round and we are now starting to enter club competitions. Additionally, it is now a key recruitment channel and attracts funding for the club.

Recognising that it can be a lot of work for one person to do alone, and noting the successes Venus has had in having two elected officers who support each other, we are also looking at creating an elected "Touch Team Manager" role whose responsibility it would be to manage competitive teams and fill in the touch rugby team sheet etc and work with the Touch Chair to manage the rota.

• The Touch Chair would be expected to represent touch on the Club Management Committee (CMC) and take an active role in managing the club.  
• The Touch Team Manager would be elected by touch players just like our other team managers, but would not be obliged to attend management committee meetings.

Just like now, we would still depend on a number of additional (unelected) touch session organisers to be on a rota.

We would probably need to find a way of making sure that the position handover happens in March/April each year so that the new people are fully up to speed for the summer season.  This would allow the Club Captain to focus on pre-season training instead of worrying about getting summer touch going.

This change carries the support of myself, Nigel and the current club management committee but we would like to know what you think.  It will require a small change to our constitution and articles of association and will be formally proposed at the AGM for you to vote on.

So...

• if you are interested in standing as Touch Chair,
• or if you are interested in being Touch Team Manager
• or if you would like to volunteer to be an interim coordinator from today onwards
• or if you would like to volunteer to run a few sessions 
• or if you have any views/comments/observations on proposal in 3 above, 

...then please speak to Nigel, Matt Bovaird or me. You can contact us at: andrew@millwallrugby.com, flex@millwallrugby.com or mattbovaird@millwallrugby.com


Regards
Andrew Hesselden
Club Communications Officer & "O2 Touch Rugby Ambassador"

Larry's Last Game - 7th May

Dear all

Founding member and long term club stalwart Larry McCabe has finally decide to hang up his boots. Playing in excess of ??? games and having held multiple roles within the club such as Club Captain, Chairman and "old drunken xxxxxxxx" in the corner, Larry has certainly put his time in. 

To celebrate all his efforts and contributions, we will be organising a game on the 7th May to coincide with the Rest of the World match which is also scheduled for that date (more details of that will follow soon from Boris).

The plan for Larry's last game will evolve over the next few weeks but in the main it will be drink, play, drink, eat, drink, dance and then drink.

At this point I would like to know a few details to help the planning:

• Will you be there?
• Can you play?
• Which position?
• Would you like a commemorative jersey?

Please email me now by clicking here: rocky@millwallrugby.com

I look forward to hearing from you (please feel free to pass on to anyone you feel would be interested).

Rocky (Jamie Rockman)
rocky@millwallrugby.com

Millwall vs School of Hard Knocks - KO 5pm 22nd March

Today's the day when we play the School of Hard Knocks lads. Come down to the HAC in the City of London from 4pm in time for kick off at 5pm.

Make sure you register for a free ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sohk-series-9-final-match-tickets-21108685647

Come along and support the club in our big match today against the School of Hard Knocks. Kick Off is at 5pm. Register for your free ticket here:https://www.facebook.com/events/203057533387945/ #rugby
Posted by Millwall Rugby Club on Monday, 21 March 2016

Training Session Tonight (Mon 14th March) CANCELLED

I've had a call from Matt Watts, coach today to let me know that he's unable to take the mixed fitness & touch training session tonight and that he's been unable to find any others to run a session. He's asked me to let you all know.

So if you're travelling far to attend tonight, please be advised it's not likely to happen and you may prefer not to come down.

However, if you're local and want to organise an informal touch rugby session among yourselves, come along for the usual time.  You might like to post a comment below if you want the session to happen.

At the moment, I understand the clubhouse will be open as normal.

The club could do with more coaching help, so if you're interested in going on a rota or helping out with one of our playing sub-committees who are responsible for training, please get in touch with Boris (clubcaptain@millwallrugby.com, copying volunteer@millwallrugby.com) in the first instance.

Sorry for any inconvenience and late notice.

Andrew, Communications Officer

Scrum training this Wednesday

We're running a special training session this Wednesday on the scrum.

It will start promptly at 7.30pm but please come along at 7pm, if you can, to help us get enough lights out. 

For those not involved or not interested there will be adaptive training games alongside as usual. 

This is a great opportunity to practice so please make every effort to come along. This session is also suitable for our Return to Rugby people too so do come along. 

If you have any questions you can email Matt at coach@millwallrugby.com. 

Training Cancelled 8th Feb & Clubhouse Closed

Due to the blustery weather and the difficulty putting our training lights up safely in the wind, we've decided to CANCEL tonight's mixed training session.

The clubhouse will also be closed for the lines to be cleaned, so enjoy a night off.... or hit the gym instead!

Changes to Monday & Wednesday Night Training

Wednesday nights are proving hugely popular, with numbers averaging at around 35-40. However this has meant it has been quite challenging designing coaching to suit the wide range of players attending, to keep it interesting and beneficial for everyone.

So with effect from tonight we are making some small changes to Monday & Wednesday nights. The changes mainly concern our Rugby Basics and Return to Rugby programmes.

Mondays: Adult Non-Contact Touch Rugby & Fitness
7.30pm until 9pm

(But please do your best to arrive from 7pm to help us get the lights out - don't leave it to your team mates)

• This will be Non-Contact Touch Rugby Games for Fitness (for Men & Women of all abilities). 
• On Monday nights we will now run our Rugby Basics programme and complete beginners (men and women) are welcome to start on a Monday night.
• All new players welcome.

Wednesdays: Adult Contact Rugby Training
7.30pm until 9pm

(But please do your best to arrive from 7pm to help us get the lights out - don't leave it to your team mates)

• Contact Rugby Training
• This will be run as separate sessions for Men & Women.
• On Wednesday nights the men's section will continue to run our Return to Rugby Programme aimed at people who've played a little before and want to get back into the game. But if you're a complete beginner (and male) we recommend you start by coming just on Monday nights.
• Women's Wednesday sessions are unchanged and will continue to welcome complete beginners.

Physio Clinic Tomorrow - Monday Feb 8th

February Physio Clinic

Monday Feb 8th - 7.30pm-9.00pm

Patrick will be in the clubhouse tomorrow night for the monthly Physio clinic

Email timmcdonagh@millwallrugby.com to book a slot or drop in on the night

Club/shelves clear out THIS WEDNESDAY - Weds 3rd Feb

Clubhouse shelving clear out:
Please be aware we will having our monthly clear out of shelves/coathooks etc, on Weds 3rd Feb - so please ensure any personal kit you have in the clubhouse is removed otherwise it will be disposed of. 

We have a regular clear out on the first Wednesday of each month (as notified on the posters around the clubhouse). 

This is a long-standing policy we have had in place and is especially important in the run up to 6 nations. We have limited storage space and priority must be given to club equipment.

Next Physio clinic - Monday Feb 8th

The next Physio clinic will be on Monday February 8th from 7.30pm-9pm

Email physio@millwallrugby.com to book a slot or come down on the night if  there are slots available.

Tim

Volunteers with benefits

Volunteering at Millwall has benefits!

Did you know that regular volunteers at Millwall qualify for 50% off their annual membership fee? 

And did you also know that players who volunteer qualify for 50% off their match day subs?

So if you play at least 15 games a year, this discount could be worth £100 or more as a thank you for your time and effort.  

If you want to save some money on your membership, why not give a little of your time instead? If you want to know what might be involved in some of the various roles, take a look here.

Please email volunteer@millwallrugby.com to find out how you could help.

This discount for volunteers was introduced in 2011. Here is a reminder of the rules as they currently stand:

• The discount applies to all club management committee roles and all other elected positions automatically.
• The discount is also also be available to all other club subcommittee members and volunteers, including unpaid coaches and unpaid referees providing it's supported by the relevant subcommittee chair (eg Men's Chair/Ladies' Chair/Youth Chair) and subsequent approval by CMC. It's up to the subcommittee chairs to identify the volunteers who should get this discount. While that happens a volunteer may need to pay the full amount and receive a rebate later following CMC approval.  
• The discount now also applies to regular bar staff if approved per the above - (this change happened when we withdrew the clubhouse credit/free drink vouchers.)
• The discount on subs applies as long as the committee member/volunteer continues to serve as such. A discounted membership shall remain valid as long as the committee member/volunteer continues to serve. 
• The discount applies to all categories and methods of paying membership except life membership.

Want to start playing rugby?

We didn't want you to miss out!

Don't forget our Rugby Basics & Return to Rugby Programmes start this Wednesday and run for 6-12 weeks.

Return to Rugby is ideal for people who've played before and miss the fun & camaraderie of the playing Rugby regularly.  It's a 4-6 week programme aimed at bringing you into regular club training sessions and will have you playing a game or two before the season is out (only if you want to!)

Rugby Basics will run alongside and is our programme for complete beginners to rugby. We'll show you how to warm up, avoid injury, tackle safely and to enjoy the game of Rugby union.  It starts with a series of non-contact exercises, gradually including contact practice; and works at a pace to suit you.  There's no obligation to do every training drill if you're not completely comfortable.

Here's some more information about when, where and what to bring or get in touch at returntorugby@millwallrugby.com

We hope to see you on Wednesday.

Andrew, Robin, Matt, Andy
& the Return to Rugby/Rugby Basics coaches & organisers
returntorugby@millwallrugby.com

NEW "Rugby Basics & Return to Rugby" Programme

'Following the success and popularity of our Return to Rugby programme , we're going to be starting a new Return to Rugby (R2R) & Rugby Basics programme on 20th January.

Who's it for?

Designed for complete beginners and people who've played before at school or university, but perhaps not so recently, the programme will run over 4-6 weeks to introduce you to the basics of the game.  There is no pressure to start playing games on Saturdays until you feel you are ready and want to.

When and Where?

If you'd like to take part, come along on Wednesday 20th January between 7pm and 7.30pm ready to start at 7.30pm.  Just ask for Matt, our coach and say you're here for the Return to Rugby or Rugby Basics programme.  You'll find us on Millwall Park and our clubhouse is right next to Island Gardens DLR station in the railway arches.

What to bring

Gym kit, warm layers, shorts or gear you can get muddy in.  You'll need football or rugby boots after your first session or two but trainers are OK to start with if you don't have any.  Bring a gumshield if you have one, but again, not necessary for your first few sessions.  Some water to drink and a change of clothes for afterwards is a good idea.  (You are welcome to change in our bar area, but we only have one small shower available on training nights).

Continuing?

Those of you who've already been on our first R2R programme are welcome to continue on the programme to help us welcome a fresh wave of beginners & returners, or to join our regular training sessions as you prefer.

Get in touch

There's no need to email in advance, but if you want to, you might like to join our Return to Rugby Facebook group here, and you're welcome to email us at returntorugby@millwallrugby.com if you've got any questions.

We also recommend you sign up for club emails here so you don't miss out on updates. You might also want to like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter or Instagram.  Tweet/Follow the conversation using #millwallrugby and #returntorugby.

Looking forward to welcoming you on 20th Jan.

Matt, Andrew, Robin, Tim, Andy

& all our new Return to Rugby/Rugby Basics Members

Physio Clinic Monday Jan 11

The next Physio clinic is in the Clubhouse on Monday January 11th

Book a slot by emailing timmcdonagh@millwallrugby.com

Reminder - Rugby Ready on Tuesday Dec 1

Rugby Ready Coaching Course

Clubhouse

Tuesday December 1st

19.00-21.00

Rugby Ready is the foundation level coaching course, which you must have in order to progress to

Level 1 or 2.

Millwall are hosting it on Tuesday December 1st, approx 2 hours.

To book onto either or both of the course please contact Matt on mattwatts@rfu.com ASAP.Those that have already committed 10 hours of delivery to the club this season, will have the full cost of the course paid for. If you are working towards or just starting at the club, you will be required to pay £15 per course. This will be refunded on completion of 10 hours of delivery.

Return to Rugby / Rugby Basics Skills re-starts this Saturday

We hope you had a great Christmas & New Year break!

As we mentioned back in December, our introductory rugby skills sessions for adults will restart this week, 3rd January at 10am on Millwall Park.

Aimed at complete beginners, or people who've not played since school or university and people who are curious to learn more, this is a unique opportunity to learn how to play the game of Rugby Union.

When? 

This Saturday 10am for about an hour and a half.  Please arrive in time to start the session at 10am.  If you're new, you will want to arrive about 9.50am to meet us and introduce yourself.

Where? 

Millwall Park, alongside Island Gardens DLR.

Who's it for?

• Over 18s.
• Men & Women who played at school, but haven't played for years, 
• Men & Women who have never ever played rugby before, 
• Men & Women who want to come back to rugby and pick it up again,
• Social members, volunteers or physios curious to learn more, 
• Touch Rugby players who'd like to learn a bit about the full Rugby Union game.
• Current third team players who would like to improve their technique
• Current players who'd like to learn about playing in a different position.

What to bring:

• Yourself ready to have fun.
• Some football or rugby boots if you have them (trainers are OK if you don't)
• Shorts & old t-shirt or rugby jersey that can get muddy
• Something warm and dry to put on afterwards
• a black bin bag to protect your bag if it rains (we run the sessions in all weathers)
• Maybe a bottle of water

Are you up for it?

Please contact rugbybasics@millwallrugby.com to get involved, let us know you're coming or let us know if you can't make it in time for 10am.

We plan to run these MOST Saturdays until further notice.

Robin will be running the first three sessions on 3rd, 10th and 17th January.

EVEN if you can't make the next session please do email rugbybasics@millwallrugby.com to let us know you're interested or signup for our club emails here.  If we know there is interest, we will keep them running so that more people can get involved.

Hope to see you on Saturday!

Return to Rugby & Rugby Basics - Saturday 13th December

We've now been running our Return to Rugby & Rugby Basics sessions for nine weeks and they have proven to be popular!

So we are running another session this Saturday again at 10am until 12 noon on Millwall Park, alongside Island Gardens DLR. Tim will be running this week's session for us.

It's ideal for:

• Men & Women who played at school, but haven't played for years, 
• Men & Women who have never ever played rugby before, 
• Men & Women who want to come back to rugby and pick it up again,
• Social members, volunteers or physios curious to learn more, 
• Touch Rugby players who'd like to learn a bit about the full Rugby Union game.
• Current third team players who would like to improve their technique
• Current players who'd like to learn about playing in a different position.

What to bring:

• Yourself ready to have fun.
• Some football or rugby boots if you have them (trainers are OK if you don't)
• Shorts & old t-shirt or rugby jersey that can get muddy
• Something warm and dry to put on afterwards
• a black bin bag to protect your bag if it rains
• Maybe a bottle of water

Please contact rugbybasics@millwallrugby.com for more info.

We plan to run these MOST Saturdays until further notice.

EVEN if you can't make this session but are interested, please do email rugbybasics@millwallrugby.com to let us know you're interested or signup for our club emails here.  

Hope to see you on Saturday!

Regards 

Andrew

Time to come back to training?

The RFU coach visited again tonight to run a men's training session on the park and we had reasonably good numbers again, which was great.  But we'd still like to have more of you out there training each Monday and Wednesday, as Cookie has said in his weekly updates.

For me tonight, it was a return to training after a bit of a break (=understatement of the year). 

The RFU coaches are running our men's training on Wednesdays at the moment we are really lucky that they are able to do this for us (at no cost to the club).  On Mondays we are still training but running it ourselves.

As they say a club that trains together plays well together and we are keen to see more Llamas and third team players turning up to training too.  It's good for the club and good for you too, and we should start to see the benefits on the pitch on Saturdays.

The RFU coach has asked me to reiterate to players, that training is not just for first team squad and they are able to adjust the content of the sessions to suit the people who turn up, so that means if we have a good split of first and second/third team players, they will split the activity to make it appropriate to all.  Everyone will be welcomed.

So there really is no reason not come back to training...  The club needs you!

If not now, when?... will you be there next Wednesday?

Andrew

Communications Officer 

(who has EVEN been to training this week)

Register now for Sunday's Touch Rugby Tournament (16th Nov)

This Sunday (16th November) Nigel Webb (Flex) will be organising a touch rugby tournament on behalf of the club on Millwall Park.

To help him plan we'd like you to register your details here:

Click to register to play here

Here are the brief details:

• It's free of charge to play
• Players must wear plastic blades/studs/moulded boots, astro-shoes or trainers. Metal studs/blades won't be allowed. T
• Arrive between 12.15 and 12.30 (no later than 12.30 please) to allow us to warm up at 12.30pm and finalise the teams and give you instructions
• Tournament play starts 1pm
• Tournament ends 3pm
• Cash prizes
• Clubhouse open for pub quiz (please arrive 3.15pm for a 4pm quiz start) - Please click here for the Facebook invitation . Quiz costs £10 per team to enter (5 people)

Even if you're a "maybe" to play at the moment, please still register so we have an idea of numbers: register to play here