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Coaches and Managers required for Mini - Midi and Youth Rugby - Season 2012-13
Coaches and Managers required for Mini - Midi and Youth Rugby - Season 2013-14
Volunteers are required to assist with the running of the youth section, Coach education opportunities are available to assist your understanding of the game plus non coaching roles available.
"Many hands make light work"
For details contact Bruce Ruthven on (M) 07584167834 or e-mail; bruceruthven.orfc@yahoo.co.uk
Tag Festival 17-5-13
Primary Isles Tag Festival
17th May 2013
Last Friday saw the first ever Primary Isles Tag Festival take place which Involved schools from Sanday, Westray, Stronsay, Papay, North Ronaldsay, Northwalls, Rousay & Shapinsay.
Pics: www.orkneyphotographic.co.uk
All schools showed great commitment once again with travel from the isles via boat and plane with Sanday J.H.S pupils 
coming into Kirkwall the day before and staying overnight in the youth hostel, the Isles schools were joined by Glaitness for the festival.
The festival consisted of fifteen teams and over one hundred and forty children who all participated in four games of tag rugby each. Players have received a minimum of five sessions prior to the festival to get them ready for the day.
The players from all of the teams showed great awareness of the rules, quality evasive running and showcased their skills throughout the games. All players grasped the important concepts of team work and team organisation which provided maximum participation so every played their part in the day.
Some quotes from the players were;
“We have had a brill day and always look forward to the tag festivals.”
“It’s great to be out of school and meet all of the other players.”
“Rugby is the best, I get the ball and score lots of tries, can’t wait until the next festival.”
“We all mix boys and girls and play together as part of a team which is different from other sports.”
Orkney Rugby Club youth development officer Bruce Ruthven stated;
“It has been great to have all the isle schools and Glaitness here today, despite the larger festival being cancelled a couple of weeks ago because of the weather, it has given me the opportunity to see the development of the isles and Glaitness players. They have had a great day and you don’t get tired of seeing the smiley faces and amount of pleasure they get out of the festival.
The schools deserve a lot of praise for their commitments to travel and general organisation, the intent of the schools towards the rugby festivals is always very positive and they set a high benchmark for other schools across Scotland. I would also like to thank Cashback for Communities who provide funding for the Schools travel which assists hugely towards event management.”
Modern Apprentice Recruitment
Scottish Rugby Union & Orkney RFC are now recruiting!
Modern Apprentice Community Coach for Season 2013-14
· Are you interested in working in rugby development?
· Do you want to work in an exciting, professional sports environment?
If so, the MA community coach programme could be for you.
About the role:
We offer a vocational qualification pathway, which involves working towards a Modern Apprenticeship Level 2 in Sports Coaching Rugby Union or Level 3 in Leisure Management (of rugby programmes in the community). You will receive a range of experiences and relevant coaching and professional qualifications in rugby coaching, child protection, refereeing and first aid.
Successful candidates should be able to demonstrate an interest in rugby, with experience of coaching rugby and/or working with children/young people being advantageous. Computer literate with working knowledge of MS Office packages (Word and email) is essential. In addition, candidates should be able to demonstrate good written and oral communication skills and show good organisational, enthusiasm and timekeeping skills.
Please contact in writing:
Kevin Sutherland, Chairman, Orkney RFC, 3 Papdale Road, Kirkwall,
If you are interested in this position at Orkney Rugby Club. Please intimate why you consider yourself to be a suitable candidate for this position and what qualities you would bring to this role.
Closing date for applications – Thursday 6th June.
What's On?
What’s On: Over the summer
Friday 17th May:
- Community Rugby Project Tag Festival - Part 1
- Helpers still required as pitch managers and referees.
- If you can help out on the day please contact Bruce Ruthven on: 07584 167 834 or bruceruthven.orfc@yahoo.co.uk
Friday 7th June:
- Community Rugby Project Tag Festival - Part 2
- Helpers still required as pitch managers and referees.
- If you can help out on the day please contact Bruce.
• The Orkney RFC 7s was the last rugby of the season. Pre-season training begins on June 3rd - check guestbook for details
1st XV Fixtures:
- 2nd Feb - Away v Mackie - (Final score: 24-15 - Report)
- 16th Feb - Home v St Andrews Uni - (Final score: 29-0 - Report)
- 2nd March - Away v Caithness - (Final score: 19-17)
- 16th March - Home v Gordonians - (Final score: 28-13 - Report)
- 13th April - Home v Hillfoots - (Final score: 55-24 - Report)
Check guestbook for K.O. times
Last Updated: Mon 14th May 14:30
U14 Quiz night
U14s Quiz Night
The Orkney U14s are holding a quiz night this Friday 17th May at Orkney RFC.
All proceeds will go towards their trip to Shetland in June.
Teams of 4-6, entry £2, light supper included. 7.30pm Start.
Please spread the word and come along and support this event.
Girls Rugby Match Report - Stromness Academy v Wick HS
Girls Rugby - Stromness Academy v Wick High School
Stromness, 13th May 2013
Stromness Academy competed in their first ever girls rugby match when they hosted Wick High School on Monday afternoon. The slightly older and more experienced Wick team ran out eventual winners - 10 tries to 4 in a close, entertaining match. Stromness had a squad of 21 girls from S1 & S2 in this 13 a side match against a Wick team made up of S2 & S3 girls.
Having only been training since Christmas and playing in their first ever match, Stromness Academy started slowly but steadily improved in confidence as the match progressed. Beth Thompson and Tamara Rhodes-Schofield showed great handling of the ball to try and get the ball wide into space and this created a great try for Captain Erina Brown to power through the Wick defence to score under the posts. As the third progressed, there was some excellent tackling from Kelsey Harvey, Keira Johnston and Hannah Stead who showed no fear in tackling their bigger opponents. Despite some solid defence from Stromness with a number of great tackles, this couldn't stop Wick from scoring 3 tries by the end of the first half.
After making a couple of substitutions, Stromness started the second half brightly and had the majority of the possession. Jenna Young and Tamara made some excellent jinking runs to create space for Erin Montgomery to sprint to the corner to score a well worked try. By now, all of the girls were getting stuck in and making committed tackles showing excellent technique and good desire. However, Wick had some really strong, powerful runners who managed to break through the Stromness tackles to score 7 more tries in the final part of the game. Stromness Academy dug deep and showed good fitness levels to finish strongly and scored 2 more great tries from Keira Johnston and Kelsey Harvey. The final score was 10 - 4
The Stromness girls really enjoyed their first ever competitive match and can take a number of positives from the experience. You could tell that they have been training hard with Mr Watt & Fraser McNaughton to learn the basic skills and tactics needed to play to such a high standard in this game.
Bruce Ruthven, Orkney Rugby Development Officer, said
“It was great to see a competitive girls match taking place today, a fitting reward for the Stromness girls after their hard work over the past few months. The game was a real buzz of excitement for the girls who played very well showing great passing and offloading skills whilst not shying away from the contact area. This game will give the girls the confidence and experience to develop further and with continued commitment it would be great to have fixtures on a regular basis. Credit to Mr Berry & Colin Sangster for pulling the organisation together and we all look forward to the next fixture.”
Modern Apprentice Programme
The SRU are now recruiting for the Modern Apprentice Community Coach Programme 2013/14.
If you're interested, click on the links below to download the relevant documents:
U16s Tour to Edinburgh - March 2013
Orkney RFC U16s Tour to Edinburgh a great experience.
Orkney RFC under 16s traveled down to Edinburgh for their eagerly anticipated tour to play against two of the top teams in the central belt and one of the best teams in Scotland. The players had fund-raised incredibly well prior to the tour raising over five thousand pounds which enabled flights and quality accommodation for the twenty six strong tour party.
Heriots RFC v Orkney RFC. Match report by Ross Sinclair.
It was a clear, crisp day at Heriots playing field, “Golden Acre” It was Orkney's first game of their 3 day tour down in Edinburgh.
The game kicked off at one o clock on Saturday 30th of March
In the first 15 minutes there were two consecutive scrums resulting in Heriots being awarded a penalty – which after some nice, quick hands – resulted in a try by the wing. Kick was converted. After the kick off Heriots knew that passing it threw the line was the best option. The ball was passed all along the line resulting in another try. No conversion. After the second kick off Orkney were awarded a penalty. Mark Sinclair tapped a quick one for a short, sharp break scoring a try. Kick Converted and on the 25th minute Chris Munson picked the ball from the scrum and scored Orkney's second try. Kick converted.
Heriots fought back with a break by their half back on the 30th minute mark, he shifted it to the center and a try was scored. Orkney were awarded a line out just before the half time whistle, the forwards caught the ball and drove it which was released by Cameron Gray who popped it to the center and Orkney 3rd try was scored. Kick converted. A minute before the half time whistle Orkney lost the ball which resulted in the last try of the half by Heriots center.
After half time the team started to believe that they could go on and win the game.
With 4 minutes into the 2nd half a sweeping pass from their 10 created space resulting in a try for Heriots. No conversion. Orkney won a scrum 10 minutes later, 5m from the goal line and drove it over for at try. Heriots knocked the ball on which created a chance for Orkney to recycle it. The ball was passed to James Brown who hit the gas down the blind side and took it home. Conversion Successful.
Final Score Heriots 37 – Orkney 28.
Orkney traveled to Maleny Park for their Sunday fixtures versus Currie & tour outfit Southport which was going to be another tough day for the Orkney boys.
Match report by Taylor Pilkington-Tait.
As the match kicked off it was obvious that some of the boys were feeling sore and tired, this was proved, when after four minutes of strong running from Southport led to a try. Conversion missed (5-0).
Conceding this try woke the boys up and from a scrum on the 10 metre line, a set move between TPT and Cameron Gray, Gray broke through and score in the corner, conversion missed (5-5). The Orkney team were starting to get into the game a lot more and the forwards were taking on good slow balls, especially James Nicolson, Taylor Pirie and Robbie Hay gaining metres every run, unfortunately they couldn't capitalize and at the half time it remained 5-5.
In the second half Southport started just like the first half, quick of the mark leading to a converted try, (12-5).
Orkney made a few substitutions, bringing on some rested players, one of these being Mark Sinclair, who on his first run of the game, managing to break through 3 tackles with powerful running and score. Conversion missed (12-10)
Southport replied not long after this to score another converted try making it 19-10 which was the final score and left the Orkney boys feeling disappointed with their performance.
The final game of the tour was versus Currie RFC. Currie are considered one of the best teams in Scotland with currently four players in the Scotland u16 squad and have talent and sizable players right through their large squad.
Match report by Taylor Pirie.
It was a crispy frosty day, It was an Orkney kick off which taken by the Currie number 8 who made a break down the line then eventually turned over by Orkney but knocked on which led to a Currie scrum, then it was passed out to the Currie center who scored try under the posts. Conversion made 0-7 to Currie.
Orkney restarted the game then it was taken by Currie then recycled and eventually try was scored by the Currie center due to missed tackles. Conversion made 0-14 to Currie.
Kick off by Orkney was then taken by Currie who passed it down the wing then scored due to missed tackles. Conversion made 0-21 to Currie. Kick off by Orkney then it was taken by Currie which led to a lot of center play and a lot of breaks by both side but eventually taken on the blind side of a ruck by the tight head prop who was driven over the try line. Conversion missed 0-26.
Half time could not come quick enough for the Orkney players and gave them a chance to settle down and re-group after a good talking to from Coach Bruce. The re-start kick off was taken by Currie by which led to a lot of center play but eventually Currie turned it over and made a break and scored a try, conversion made, 0-33 to Currie.
Finally the Orkney boys started to step up their game and then due to hands in the ruck by Currie it was a penalty to Orkney which was taken by Robbie Drever who made a good few yards then picked by Chris Munson who driven over the line. Conversion made by TPT. 7-33 to Currie. Currie then took the kick off then taken by Orkney which was cut back and a break by TPT resulted in a try. Conversion made 14-33 to Currie. End of the game.
Coach and tour organiser Bruce Ruthven reflected;
The boys have had a couple of hard days of rugby and combined with the travelling have experienced what a proper tour is like. We knew the games would be challenging for the squad but they will be better players for it with a greater understanding of the game, exposure to quality opposition and now a belief that they can compete against these big clubs. We probably should have beaten Heriots RFC but were constantly thwarted by poor refereeing decisions in the final stages of the game. The Southport game was disappointing and the players fell short of their own standards but finished the tour strongly with a solid second half performance versus a very strong Currie team who will be favourites in the National U16s Cup Final at Murrayfield this week. Well done to all the boys for their efforts over the past months with fundraising and their positive attitude and commitment throughout the tour. Thanks also to Gary Coltherd (Forwards coach) and Managers Les Howard & Bruce Pilkington.
Tour Squad: Robbie Hay, Taylor Pirie, Robbie Drever, Liam Moar, Craig Stout, Euan Humphreys, James Nicolson, Chris Munson, Sam Kennedy, Ross Sinclair, Mark Sinclair, TPT, James Brown, Cammy Gray, Craig Russell, Sam Croy, Andrew Shaw, Adam Fallows, Ciaran Drever, Scott Smith, Orrin Fraser, Craig Stevenson.
More photos from the match can be found here.
Pentland Firth Challenge match report
Pentland Firth Challenge Cup
Stromness Academy participated in the Pentland Challenge Under 14’s Festival involving KGS, Wick High School and Thurso High School at Picky on March 15th. Over 70 pupils from the schools’ were involved in this on a cold, sunny day where pitch conditions were wet and slippery. Despite the underfoot conditions, the standard of rugby from all 4 schools was great, especially as some players were playing in their first ever competitive game!!
Stromness Academy had a strong squad of 19 players involved in two games against Wick and Thurso. Both games were extremely close but Stromness just edged out winners, beating Wick 21-17 and Thurso 32 – 7.
After a slow start in which Wick took the lead with an excellent individual try, Stromness came back into the game. A great run by Nathan Hay created space for Archie Porteous to use his speed to score under the posts in a well worked try. Arran Drever produced a powerful run through the Wick defence to put Stromness into the lead by half time. In the second half, Wick pinned the Stromness defence deep in their own half and used this territorial advantage to score two quick tries. After falling behind, Stromness upped their game and Liam Thompson got on the end of a nice passing move to score. The conversion kicking from John Esslemont and Drew Clark was the difference in the game in which Wick had the majority of the territory and possession. Excellent tackling from many of the forwards including Bruce Tait, Ryan Arcus and George Campbell kept Wick away from the try line.
In the second game against Thurso, the performance was a lot better, with the players getting more stuck in and improved their rucking to retain possession more than against Wick. The first half performance was strong with a well deserved try from Douglas Murray who beat a number of tackles to put points on the scoreboard. Nearer the end of the first half Douglas had another run, this time with Liam Thompson to take the pass and burst through a Thurso tackle to get over the line. Another great run from Liam ensured Stromness had a comfortable lead at half time.
The second half was tight and congested and consisted of mostly scrums with little open space, this made it hard for the backs to make breaks up the pitch. Adam Fallows eventually made a few breaks, scoring twice, once after good work from John Esslemont. The strong, speedy Thurso team were hard to defend but strong tackles from Aidan Mitchell, Archie Porteous and Bruce Ritch meant they only got one try, right at the end of the match. Stromness showed great organisation in defence and fast passing in the game to get the ball quickly to the strong, powerful backs. This was helped by the good thinking and fast hands of Mathew Rendall and Alistair Morgan, the strong scrum and the reliable kicking of John and Drew.
The Stromness Academy players voted for Liam Thompson as man of the match after a great defensive display prevented the Caithness teams from scoring more points and he popped up at the other end to score 3 crucial tries. Thanks to Bruce Ruthven and Liam Sharpe for their refereeing and ORFC for the use of their clubhouse. A great day of Rugby was had by all!!
Bruce Ruthven commented: “It was great to see so many youngsters play competitive rugby this afternoon in the cross Pentland Firth challenge. All the S1 and S2 players performed really well and received the opportunity to show off their skills in the highly competitive games.
Well done to Mark Berry and Stromness Academy pupils who deserved both their victories proving that the development of rugby in the school is in promising hands. KGS were light in players and struggled in their games but none the less competed in every aspect of the game. We look forward to the return visit to Caithness for the next leg of the Pentland Firth challenge. Well done to Thurso and Wich High Schools who have clearly improved and continue to enjoy the rugby”.
