Clubhouse openings, training & games (w/c 2/2)

Training:
We are trialling mixed fitness/skills (non-contact) training on Mondays in the New Year with Wednesdays continuing to be full contact male and female training. There were good numbers for both days last week, lets keep that momentum up and make the numbers great!!

Games:   
Here are the games scheduled for this coming weekend (as at time of writing). 

• Millwall 1st XV - Away @ Ilford
• Millwall Llamas - Chelmsford @ Home on Millwall Park
• Millwall 3rd XV - Away @ Kings Cross Steelers

Please ensure you let us know your availability ASAP so it makes our selection meeting on Wednesday easier. Please email selection@millwallrugby.com with your availability.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Club Openings/Meetings: 
Monday - Open from 7pm    Fisher will be opening the club on Monday before training starts at 7pm so you can use the club to change etc. and Ed will be there to serve you after the training session as well.

Hargreaves 'HumpDay' (aka Wednesday) - Open from 7pm    Gareth will be looking after you this week. So make sure you come down to the clubhouse and celebrate reaching the mid-point of the week and refreshing yourselves after the contact training session.
 
Friday - Open from 7.30pm  To celebrate the start of the 6 nations, Robin will be opening the club to show the Wales v England Game (k.o. 20.05). With England having a depleted squad and key members of the Welsh side out, it looks certain to be a great curtain raiser (and potentially championship decider). 
 
For this (and all 6 nations matches) we will be selling Guinness at £3 a pint from the first whistle to the final whistle of any 6 nations games on that day.

Saturday - Open from 2.30pm
With 2 homes game this week Lucie will opening up the clubhouse from 2.30pm to show the remaining 2 six nations fixtures - Italy v Ireland (k.o. 14.30) and France v Scotland (k.o. 17.00). As on Friday, Guinness will be at £3 per pint from 14.30 to final whistle of the France v Scotland game.

Clubhouse open this Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Just a quick reminder that the clubouse is opening for the following hours this weekend.

• Fri 30th Jan - from 7.30pm till 11pm (or earlier if limited demand).
• Sat 31st Jan - from 3.30pm till 11pm (or earlier if limited demand).
• Sun 1st Feb - from 4pm till 7pm (for after the Venus game).

Please note there is a private event in the club from 9am to 4pm on Sunday so the club will not be available until after 4pm.

Saturday Training - What happens in the Positions, what does the Fly-Half\Full-Back\Flanker actually do?

On Saturday morning 10am-12, we'll look at what happens in the various playing positions, where should you stand, what are you expected to do, what physique, skills are needed etc. We'll explore what happens using games and game scenarios and cover as many of the positions as possible. Everyone should have a go even if you don't play or plan to play there.

Open to All

As with all Saturday mornings, this coaching session is open to everyone, male and female. We'll avoid contact for this part of the session given people have games afterwards. Players experienced in the positions are especially welcome, come down at 11am and help out those who want to learn more.

We'll also do some tackling and passing etc from 10 to 11am.

Flankers

What they do: Their key objective is to win possession through turn-overs, using physicality in the tackle and speed to the breakdown.

Centres

What they do: The centres are key in both defence and attack. In defence they will attempt to tackle attacking players whilst in attack they will use their speed, power and creative flair to breach defences

Number 8

What they do: The Number 8 must secure possession at the base of the scrum, carry the ball in open play, provide the link between the forwards and backs in attacking phases and defend aggressively.

Scrum half

What they do: Provides the link between forwards and backs at the scrum and lineouts. A true decision-maker, the 9 will judge whether to distribute quick ball to the backs or keep it close to the forwards

Wings

What they do: The wings are on the pitch to provide the injection of out-and-out pace needed to outrun an opponent and score a try. Also important to be solid in defence.

Full back

What they do: Generally perceived as the last line of defence, the full back must be confident under a high ball, have a good boot to clear the lines and a enjoy the physicality required to make try-saving tackles

Beginners Guide to Rugby
https://passport.worldrugby.org/beginners_guide/downloads/IRB_Beginners_Guide_2014_EN.pdf

Clubhouse openings, training & games (w/c 26/1)

Training:
We are trialling mixed fitness/skills (non-contact) training on Mondays in the New Year with Wednesdays continuing to be full contact male and female training. There were good numbers for both days last week, lets keep that momentum up and make the numbers great!!

Games:   
Here are the games scheduled for this coming weekend (as at time of writing). 

• Millwall 1st XV - Canvey @ Home on Millwall Park
• Millwall Llamas - Away @ Chingford
• Millwall 3rd XV - Runwell @ Home on Hackney Marshes
• Millwall Venus (Sunday) - East London @ Home on Millwall Park

Please ensure you let us know your availability ASAP so it makes our selection meeting on Wednesday easier. Please email selection@millwallrugby.com with your availability.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Club Openings/Meetings: 
Monday - Open from 7pm    Fisher will be opening the club on Monday before training starts at 7pm so you can use the club to change etc. and Ed will be there to serve you after the training session as well.

Hargreaves 'HumpDay' (aka Wednesday) - Open from 7pm    Gareth will be looking after you this week. So make sure you come down to the clubhouse and celebrate reaching the mid-point of the week and refreshing yourselves after the contact training session.

Friday - Open from 7.30pm  Robin will be opening the club on Friday as part of our monthly Friday opening so come down and celebrate the end of dry January (early).

Saturday - Open from 3.30pm
With 2 homes game this week Karen will opening up the clubhouse from 3.30pm to show off her Brazilian (tan) and will be welcoming all the teams back this Saturday, so come down as well and show your support.

Coaching Courses in 2015

If you are interested in becoming a Coach, or developing as a Rugby coach, or are generally interested in the coaching side of rugby, you may be interested in the following courses which are local to us. Almost all of them can be booked via the RFU Find A Course or contact Millwall Coaching Course Co-ordinators ccc@milllwallrugby.com

The Key courses are highlighted, Level 1 is for Youth Coaching, Level 2 is Adults and Level 2 can be done independently of Level 1. Rugby Ready is needed for both, Scrum Factory for Level 2 but check course prerequisites for confirmation as details can change.

Essex CPD & Non-Award Course Calendar (January – November 2015)

February 

• Contact Management - Evasion. Dagenham RFC, Sunday 1 st  February 2015.  To Book your place email Scott Murphy – ScottMurphy@RFU.com   
• CPD – Back Attack – Monday 2nd February, Stanford Le Hope RFC, 7pm (Scott Murphy)
• Managing the Contact CPD (informal coach education) – Sunday 7th February, Old Brentwood’s RFC, 10am (Scott Murphy)
• LEVEL 1 – Old Streetonians RFC, Hackney Marshes, London – Saturday 21st, Sunday 22nd February & Sunday 8th March
• CPD – Continuity in Attack – Monday 23rd February, Epping Upper Clapton RFC, 7pm (Marcus Cattell)
• TAG – Wednesday February 11th 7pm start @ Eton Manor RFC (Dean Cutting)

March

• Scrum Factory – Monday 2nd March, Chelmsford RFC, 7pm (Matt Bray)
• TAG – Date TBC, Billericay RFC 

April 

• LEVEL 2 – Colchester 6th Form College, Colchester – Sunday 12th, Sunday 26th April & Sunday 10th May
• CPD - Continuity in Attack – Monday 13th April (6:30 for 7pm start), Chelmsford RFC, (Matt Bray)
• CPD – Lineout – Monday 13th April, Southend RFC, 7pm
• Rugby Ready – Date TBC, Maldon RFC, 7pm 
• 7s (informal coach education) – Date TBC, Old Brentwood’s RFC, 10am (Dean Cutting) (awaiting confirmation from Essex DPP, closed course)

May

• Rugby Ready – Wednesday 6th May/Sunday 10th May, Upminster RFC, 7pm (Scott Murphy)
• CPD – Back Attack – Monday 11th May, Old Brentwood’s RFC, 7pm (Matt Bray)
• Scrum Factory – Monday 11th May, Wanstead RFC, 7pm (Marcus Cattell)
• LEVEL 1 – Brentwood School, Ingrave Road, Brentwood – Sunday 17th May, Sunday 7th & Sunday 21st June
• Rugby Ready – Monday 18th May, Chingford RFC, 7pm (Marcus Cattell)
• Handling Skills (informal coach education) – Date TBC, Old Brentwood’s RFC, 10am (Marcus Cattell) (awaiting confirmation from Essex DPP, closed course)

June

• LEVEL 1 – Old Streetonians RFC, Hackney Marshes, London – Sunday 14th June, Sunday 5th & Sunday 19th July

August

• CPD – Kicking – Sunday 2nd August, Venue TBC, Time TBC (Marcus Cattell) (awaiting confirmation from Essex DPP, closed course)

September

• CPD – Continuity in Attack – Wednesday September 16th 7pm Eton Manor RFC (Dean Cutting)
• CPD – Ruck & Maul – Monday 14th September, Thurrock RFC, 7pm (Scott Murphy)
• TAG Course - Monday 21st September - Harlow RFC -7.00pm-10.00pm (Marcus Cattell)
• Scrum Factory - Wednesday 9th September - Woodford RFC - 7.00pm-10.00pm (Marcus Cattell)
• Rugby Ready - Sunday 13th September - Bancroft RFC - 1.00pm-4.00pm (Marcus Cattell)

October

• CPD – Back Attack – Monday 12th October, Woodford RFC, 7pm (Marcus Cattell)
• CPD – Half Back Play – October 12th   7pm start @ Dagenham RFC (dean Cutting)

November

• CPD – Continuity in Attack – Monday 2nd November, Brentwood RFC, 7pm (Scott Murphy)
• CPD – Ruck & Maul, Monday 30th November, Epping Upper Clapton RFC, 7pm (Marcus Cattell)
• CPD – Line Out – 9th November 7pm start@ Romford GP RFC (Dean Cutting) 

Return to Rugby / Rugby Basics Skills continues this Saturday

Our introductory rugby skills sessions for adults continues this weekend 24th 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.

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!

5th February - Thirst Thursday - The Ledger Building, West India Quay

January has been hard.

I know some of you are fighting against nature and common sense with this "Dry January" fad, (which I assume will go the same way as pocket watches and crinolines and die out eventually if we all ignore it enough). So as a special treat, and to help those of you who get lost easily, February will be a nice easy one to find, especially for those of you who were there last month.

The Ledger will be hosting us again on the 5th of February, (best they don't know about this until we are already there and its too late).

Advance scouting party reports from last month indicate there was:

- Beer
- A table
- One or two seats
- No cockney bombs
- No Unicum
- Bizarrely enough, Pimms on tap.
- Massive amounts of Nachos, etc.

Order a double round at 10:55pm then get hassled to leave from 11:00pm until you get out at.............. The Ledger in West India Quay

http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/home/pubs/the-ledger-building


4 Hertsmere Road
West India Quay
Docklands
Greater London
E14 4AL

Clubhouse openings, training & games (w/c 19/1)

Training:
We are trialling mixed fitness/skills (non-contact) training on Mondays in the New Year with Wednesdays continuing to be full contact male and female training. There were good numbers for both days last week, lets keep that momentum up and make the numbers great!!

Games:   
Here are the games scheduled for this coming weekend (as at time of writing). 

• Millwall 1st XV - Dagenham @ Home on Millwall Park
• Millwall Llamas - Away @ Thames
• Millwall 3rd XV - No game planned as yet - Reserve week
• Millwall Venus - No game planned as yet - Reserve week

Please ensure you let us know your availability ASAP so it makes our selection meeting on Wednesday easier. Please email selection@millwallrugby.com with your availability.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Club Openings/Meetings: 
Monday - Open from 7pm    Fisher will be opening the club on Monday before training starts at 7pm so you can use the club to change etc. and Ed will be there to serve you after the training session as well.

Hargreaves 'HumpDay' (aka Wednesday) - Open from 7pm    Gareth will be looking after you this week. So make sure you come down to the clubhouse and celebrate reaching the mid-point of the week and refreshing yourselves after the contact training session.

Saturday - Open from 3.30pm
With 1 home game this week Lucie will be opening the club from 3.30pm to welcome all the teams back this Saturday, so come down as well and show your support.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

HELP YOUR CLUB - RFU Grand Draw - Raffle tickets now on sale behind the bar
As you may be aware, the RFU has a grand draw with some great prizes - see list here. You can buy tickets behind the bar for £1 each or a books of 5 tickets for £5 each to be in with a chance of winning. We had someone in the club win 4th prize 2yrs ago so it does happen.

What is even better, is that it is a great way to support and raise funds for your club - with 90% of the ticket price going to the club.

If you are able to take a few books and sell them at your workplace or to friends and family that would be even better. Please speak to Karen or email her on karen@millwallrugby.com for more information. We can also give you the books from behind the bar.

We are also looking at ways of selling these on our website to make it even easier for those of us who live away from the club to participate - keep an eye out for a note letting you know about this.

Welcome, and thank you to our new volunteers

Following on from our request before Christmas to fill some key volunteer vacancies within the club, I am pleased to announce that the following people have very kindly agreed to volunteer their time and have duly been co-opted into these roles at tonight's club committee meeting.

Please join me and the rest of the committee in thanking these people for volunteering.

o   First Team Manager – Paul Fisher

o   Second Team Manager – James Newman/Myles Walker (joint)

o   Venus Manager – Kirstie Hargreaves

o   Development Officer – Andy Ly  

As promised, the obligatory 'Hooch showering ceremony' will take place outside the clubhouse tomorrow night after training (maybe).....

Gareth

 

Clubhouse openings, training & games (w/c 12/1)

Training:
We are trialling mixed fitness/skills (non-contact) training on Mondays in the New Year with Wednesdays continuing to be full contact male and female training. There were good numbers for both days last week, lets keep that momentum up and make the numbers great!!

Games:   
Here are the games scheduled for this coming weekend (as at time of writing). 

• Millwall 1st XV - Upper Clapton @ Home (Hackney/Millwall Park TBC)
• Millwall Llamas - Upminster @ Home (Hackney/Millwall Park TBC)
• Millwall 3rd XV - Away @ East London
• Millwall Venus - Away @ Beccenhamians (on Sunday) 

Please ensure you let us know your availability ASAP so it makes our selection meeting on Wednesday easier. Please email selection@millwallrugby.com with your availability.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Club Openings/Meetings: 
Monday - Open from 7pm    Fisher will be opening the club on Monday before training starts at 7pm so you can use the club to change etc. and Ed will be there to serve you after the training session as well.

Hargreaves 'HumpDay' (aka Wednesday) - Open from 7pm    Gareth will be looking after you this week. So make sure you come down to the clubhouse and celebrate reaching the mid-point of the week and refreshing yourselves after the contact training session.
Friday - CLUBHOUSE CLOSED  
We currently have a shortage of Duty Managers and therefore we are no longer able to support opening the clubhouse every Friday night. We are going to trial opening on the last Friday of every month to see how that goes, so the next time the club will be open on a Friday is 30/1.

If you are interested in becoming a duty manager please speak to Gareth or Paul for more details about what is involved (2 sessions every 8 weeks or so) or email Gareth on gareth@millwallrugby.com expressing your interest.

Saturday - Open from 3.30pm
With 2 home games this week Gareth will be opening the club from 3.30pm to welcome all the teams back this Saturday, so come down as well and show your support.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

HELP YOUR CLUB - RFU Grand Draw - Raffle tickets now on sale behind the bar
As you may be aware, the RFU has a grand draw with some great prizes - see list here. You can buy tickets behind the bar for £1 each or a books of 5 tickets for £5 each to be in with a chance of winning. We had someone in the club win 4th prize 2yrs ago so it does happen.

What is even better, is that it is a great way to support and raise funds for your club - with 90% of the ticket price going to the club.

If you are able to take a few books and sell them at your workplace or to friends and family that would be even better. Please speak to Karen or email her on karen@millwallrugby.com for more information. We can also give you the books from behind the bar.

We are also looking at ways of selling these on our website to make it even easier for those of us who live away from the club to participate - keep an eye out for a note letting you know about this.

1st and 2nd XV teamsheets now published

Teamsheets have been posted in the usual place, anyone else who fancies playing email selection@millwallrugby.com asap

Cookie

Thirst Thursday - The Ledger Building, West India Quay

Its that time of the month again, and since its January and the mad christmas spending rush has had time to bite everyone's bank accounts we will be enjoying the delights and fine hospitality of our friendly local 'spoons!! 

That's right!

We are off to the Ledger, the ancestral home of our forefathers 20 years ago!!

There will be beer, tables and even possibly seats, and of course you! as you make your way through the buzzing throng towards the bar to order an infamous "cockney bomb" or enquire as to whether your host has an adequate stock of UNICUM.

Bombs, beers, baguettes, burgers and other things beginning with B at January Thirst Thursday! This Thursday the 8th of January at the Ledger Building in Windy Quay, oh aye will it!

http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/home/pubs/the-ledger-building


4 Hertsmere Road
West India Quay
Docklands
Greater London
E14 4AL

Clubhouse openings, training & games (w/c 5/1)

We trust everyone is suitably refreshed after the Xmas and New Year break and raring to go for 2015 (our 20th anniversary year as well as the small matter of the Rugby World Cup as well).

Training:
We are trialling mixed fitness/skills (non-contact) training on Mondays in the New Year with Wednesdays continuing to be full contact male and female training. Lets all make an effort to come down to both and storm the leagues in the 2nd half of the year!!

Games:   
Here are the games scheduled for this coming weekend (as at time of writing). 

• Millwall 1st XV - May & Baker @ Home
• Millwall Llamas - Potential Cup Game or Reserve Week
• Millwall 3rd XV - Reserve Week
• Millwall Venus - Away @ Hackney (on Sunday) 

Please ensure you let us know your availability ASAP so it makes our selection meeting on Wednesday easier. Please email selection@millwallrugby.com with your availability.


Club Openings/Meetings: 
Monday - Open from 7pm    Fisher will be opening the club on Monday before training starts at 7pm so you can use the club to change etc. and Ed will be there to serve you after the training session as well.

Hargreaves 'HumpDay' (aka Wednesday) - Open from 7pm    Gareth will be looking after you this week. So make sure you come down to the clubhouse and celebrate reaching the mid-point of the week and refreshing yourselves after the contact training session.

Friday - Open from 7.30pm 
Edna will be your host for this Friday. So come down and celebrate the end of the working week with her.
 
Saturday - Open from 3.30pm
With 1 home game this week Ryan will be opening the club from 3.30pm to welcome all the teams back this Saturday, so come down as well and show your support.


Bar Promotions:
For those of you already struggling with 'dry January' we have a promotion which should be 'bang on'

As well as continuing to have guest bottled ales at £3.30, Bombardier is now just £2.50 per pint (we have around 150 pints at this price to go through by 1st Feb).