Our rugby pitches have been verti-drained, scarified and reseeded in  readiness for next season.
In addition 250 tons of sand/top dressing will be put on them, in particular the training pitch which has been badly in need of attention.  To give the pitches the best chance for recovery and benefit from the remedial work they must not be used until further notice.

The remedial work has been very expensive but was necessary and unavoidable. In future years it will not be much less although the club is very optimistic that you will all see the benefit come the new season.

The pitches, or at least some will not be in bounds again until at least late August so please plan your training programmes accordingly.

With the season barely complete the end of April saw Head Coach Andy Foley hold his first planning meeting for the senior squad next season. On the playing side, whilst the overwhelming majority of the senior squad remain for next season’s campaign, a couple of players will be unavailable as they return home or resume their university studies; there are a number of confirmed additions to the squad and these will be announced in due course.

Coach Foley has also confirmed his coaching and support team for next season. Lee Evans will once again take responsibility for the forwards as player/coach, whilst Adrian Hogben will continue his Defence and Video review responsibilities and is joined by Robbie Grieve who will analyse 1st XV statistics. Despite moving away from the immediate Maidstone area, Fin Davis will be staying on as 1^st XV Manager for another season as are Richard Weston and Jacques Van Vuuren who will be continuing as the Mustangs XV coaching team. Joining the team is James Leverington who will be particularly involved in the preseason build up to the league campaign, as the senior squad’s Fitness & Conditioning coach; whilst 2012-13 Bernard Hinks award winner Willie Brown has delayed his return to New Zealand and will remain with the club in a player/coach role with responsibility as the senior backs coach.

Anna Rooke continues to head up the physio support, although a change of job for John Fairhurst means that he will be unavailable next season and the club is actively seeking a replacement to support the Mustangs XV as well as heading up the mid-week injury management process.

The club rounded off the 2012-13 season with the club dinner on Friday 10^th May and as is the tradition the efforts of everyone across the club from both the playing and non-playing side were recognised.  A number of Vice Presidencies were awarded, amongst them, Mike Laurenson, Jonathan Davies and Andy Foley.  In addition RFU VIP Ties were awarded to Allan Crosbie from the Youth Section, Trevor Langley and Bob Hayton along with a club blazer for long term volunteer and supporter Francis Talbot.

Recognition for their efforts in supporting the on-pitch efforts of the players saw 1^st XV manager Fin Davis and touch-judge Dave Hughes receive the Head Coach’s Award.  The respective team Player awards went to the following recipients:

1^st XV – Sam Bailey

2^nd (Mustangs) XV – Sam Weston

A (3^rd) XV – David Ruaux

Ex A (4^th) XV – Andy Smith

B (5^th) XV (The Captain’s Shield) – Simon Seal

Veterans XV (The Mike Sharples Plate) – Brian Costelloe

Following such a good season and the outstanding efforts of the players, settling on the winners for the club awards was a difficult decision; The David Arnold Young Player Trophy was won by winger James Davies who scored 16 tries along the way, despite missing out on the tail end of the campaign with a broken ankle.  The Bernard Hinks Player awards went to Matt Cooper in the senior sides for his performances in both the 3^rd XV and primarily with the Mustangs XV, whilst the 1^st XV award winner was Willie Brown who played every match during the season, scoring 21 tries and amassing 162 points in all.

Charlotte Goodbody, a stalwart in the Tag Rugby section of the club took the Bernard Hinks Award for the Non-Player, not just for her overall contribution to the club but also for stepping into the breach at short notice to organise the festival as part of visiting Farnham RFC’s tour.

The Centenary Cup for the Team of the Season went to the Mustangs XV, who despite not picking up any honours, had a solid season in Invicta 2, and showed great form from the mid-season interval.

Finally, although not awarded every year, The Harry Green Award has been presented three times in recent seasons and it was awarded again this year with Bob Hayton’s contribution to the club over several seasons being recognised with the award.

There are a selection of photos now on the gallery, plus you can also click here to go to The Photo Team gallery where some excellent additional photos can be purchased (use password 5115).

Current champions of London 3(SE) and National Semi-Finalists in the RFU Senior Vase competition for the last two seasons, Maidstone Rugby are already planning for the 2013-14 season  and are looking to further strengthen their senior squad for the respective league and cup campaigns.

The club has a well-established coaching structure, as well as full physiotherapy and sports science support. Additionally the club has access to broad range of 'state of the art' fitness training facilities through one of the sponsors (David Lloyd Health & Fitness Clubs).

If you are interested in joining a club that has a professional attitude on the pitch but is very sociable off it, then contact Head Coach Andy Foley via the New Players or Contacts pages of the club website.

As  the club continues to develop, a number of roles have been identified that require volunteer support as listed below.  Whilst there has been some interest in some of the roles outlined below there is still a need to fill other roles and also to identify understudies and assistants for the more challenging or diverse positions.

1^st XV Manager:  Due to a house move away from the immediate Maidstone area, Fin Davis will be standing down as 1^st XV Manager at the end of the current season and a volunteer is required to take on this key role with the club’s senior squad.  As 1^st XV Manager, you will represent the team to the club management, including the Director of Rugby, the Fixture Secretary and Coaching Team. It’s up to you to keep the 1st XV up to date on club requirements as the team's key administrative figure, ensuring the smooth running of team affairs.

Anyone interested in this role should contact Andy Foley either by email of phone via the website contacts page.

Grant Manager:  As the Grants Manager for the club you will be responsible for identifying, applying for, and following up, grant applications. There is a vast array of opportunities to increase investment in the club, and it is the role of the Grants Manager to identify and make the most of these opportunities.  A successful Grant Manager has the opportunity to make a massive difference to the club’s resources.

Anyone interested in this role should contact Bob Beney either by email of phone via the website contacts page.

Credit Control: In liaison with the club Treasurer, the Credit Controller is responsible for chasing outstanding invoices to the club and plays a vital role in the cash-flow of the organisation, ensuring that any credit applied is monitored and controlled.

Anyone interested in this role should contact either  Andy Golding, Bob Beney or Ben Court either by email of phone via the website contacts page.

Fundraing Manager:  The Fundraising Manager is member of the Rugby Committee and is directly responsible to the Chair of House. The post-holder’s primary responsibility is to plan and organise fund raising activities, so that monies can be raised to maintain and grow the Club.

Anyone interested in this role should contact either Andy Golding either by email of phone via the website contacts page.

Detailed role descriptions for all three positions are available to download from the Role Descriptions section of the Policy page of the club website (click here)

A point to consider:

When calling for volunteers to step forward, have you considered that your club may just be run by those who stood still, when you all took one pace back!!!

It would appear that their is some interest around the club in obtaining  one of the new design shirts by individuals for leisure wear.  The shirts will be the same design (colour scheme as the new 1st XV shirts) but without the sponsors logos and with a more conventional 'grandad collar'.

Shirts are likely to cost c£40 per shirt (subject to confirmation), a £20 deposit required & if there is sufficient demand an order could be placed by mid August with the shirts available towards the latter half of September.  A name and / or number can be incorporated onto the shirt at no additional cost

A minimum of 12 shirts being ordered from Samurai will apply.

Anybody wishing to place an order please contact either Kevin or Sam Bailey with your details (shirt size) and a £20 deposit please. 

Sizing:  32"= SB, 34"= MB, 36"= LB, 38"= XS, 40"=S, 42" = M, 44" = L, 46" = XL etc.  Smaller sizes may be available so please contact Kevin Bailey for further information.
 

The Senior Squad preseason training programme has now been planned and commences on 4th June.  The training programme can be viewed in the players area on the club Facebook page.  Access to the page is controlled via club captain Ben Williams.