Monthly Archives: December 2009
Happy New Year!!!
Just a quick note to wish you all a very Happy New Year! I trust you will all whistle well through 2010 and if you’re still playing our fine game, you remember those guys and girls who help you play the game we all love.
Enjoy the festivities and I hope to meet some of you throughout the year.
Cheers
Ref
English Ref appointed to World Cup Finals
Some great news from the IRB for one of our up and coming referees:
http://www.scrumqueens.com/news/180-womens-referees-to-make-history.html
Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2010 will not only showcase the world’s leading players, but it will see ten of the top global female referees in action.
The IRB has announced today that 10 of the world’s leading female referees will be included in the panel of 14 match officials for the tournament, which kicks off on August 20, 2010.
Experienced officials Sarah Corrigan (Australia), Clare Daniels – pictured left - (England), Joyce Henry (Canada), Lee Wing Yi Gabriel (Hong Kong), Dana Teagarden (USA), Sherry Trumbull (Canada) and Nicky Inwood (New Zealand), will be joined by David Keane (Ireland), Andrew McMenemy (Scotland), Sébastien Minery (France) and Javier Mancuso (Argentina) within the selection of 11 referees.
In addition, the Match Official Panel will also feature three specialist Assistant Referees with previous Women’s Rugby World Cup match officials Debbie Innes (England) and Kerstin Ljungdahl (Germany) joined by Barbara Guastini (Italy).
“The selection of 10 female match officials represents the increasing depth of refereeing talent within international Women’s Rugby,” said IRB Referee Manager Paddy O’Brien.
“This selection represents a great opportunity for referees who have proven themselves on the Women’s international scene to showcase their ability in the world’s premier Women’s Rugby tournament. It will be a very exciting moment for the Women’s Game.”
With less than a year to go until the tournament kicks off in London, planning and preparation is on track to ensure that Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010 is a huge success, providing a global festival of international Women’s Rugby at its best.
“Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010 promises to be a special occasion. Fans attending the three-week event can look forward to competitive matches, superb venues and an attractive and innovative ticketing policy,” said IRB Women’s Development Manager Susan Carty.
“Women’s Rugby continues to go from strength to strength around the world and today’s announcement clearly highlights that it is not just on the playing side where significant advances are being made. The selection of 10 female match officials from eight Member Unions further underlines the development of the Women’s Game at all levels.”
Congratulations Clare – excellent news!!!
Poorly
I hate being poorly. Had to give up two games in the last few days – not good, especially at this time of year. We’re building to a really interesting time with the new Championship structure, so being out of action for a few weeks doesn’t help.
Just wish it was something proper – loads of swine flu going on, but all I got is a damned stinking cold (with some side effects I wont go into for reasons of decency – and image creation for you, dear readers!)
Anyway, hope to be back on my feet in a few days and back training.
On the positive side, Im sure Ive lost a few kgs in the last few days! Silver linings……
Another Championship Club in serious trouble
Well, after the woes of Nottingham last season, London Welsh and Birmingham earlier this season, Coventry appear to be in all kinds of trouble.
A statement from the club owner issued earlier today said this:
COVENTRY RFC LIMITED 
Written by Andrew Green Tuesday, 01 December 2009 It is with great regret that Coventry RFC Limited has announced today that it has taken the decision to close the club. Over the past three years the club has tried to overcome many problems and set itself a secure future, unfortunately due to many issues, some inside and some outside of its control, this has not been possible. The club, like many other sporting organisations, has struggled as a result of the changing economy; however the club has been involved in complex legal problems and as a result doesn’t even have a lease to be at the Butts Park Arena. This situation has arisen despite promises and assurances from various financial organisations to provide the club with a lease after action was taken over a year ago to resolve the problems.
The club simply cannot carry on with such an uncertain future. The club has debts and creditors that it has a responsibility to pay and has carried on because of promises and solutions they would bring. Unfortunately and unlike most companies the club doesn’t have any options to re-finance despite several interested parties/investors offering funding. This is because it doesn’t have a lease for The Butts Park Arena, 8 acres of public land that was given to the club for its financial future some 6 years ago by Coventry City Council.
This is a very sad day for rugby in Coventry; however the club just can’t ignore the present situation regarding its debts and creditors.
I know a lot of the guys at Coventry and personally, I really do wish them well. There’s clearly a major problem with the game if clubs like Coventry cannot carry on. I guess we wait and see what happens next.
