New week, new challenges and this time the boys are getting tested on more than just their ability to cover the distance. This week there were 3 challenges to be completed with the first being a bodyweight circuit, 2nd being a 5k run or 20k cycle and finally the boys got to practice the most important of field skill of a boat race.
The bodyweight circuit was to be completed for time with points awarded to the fastest individual times, fastest front row times and fastest overall team times. The circuit was made up of 5 sets of; 10x squats, 10x leg raises and 10x press ups. To keep the squad moving challenge two offered a bonus point for each player that completed a 5k run or a 20k cycle. Final challenge had the boys finishing a 330ml can as quickly as possible with each team submitting the video of their fastest player to the competition comittee.
This week finished with 14 Boys and a Buftie continuing to streak away in front however the battle for 2nd looks like a tight one that could continue for the whole competiton as Ardrossan Secret Service and Benson and the Chunky Bunch battle away.
Team Bodyweight Points
Individual Bodyweight Points
Front Row Bodyweight Points
Team Bonus Points
Team Boat Race Points
As week 2 dawned the boys were greeted with their new set of challenges and the pace had changed slightly from week 1. This week we were looking for the team that could travel the furthest by walking, running, cycling, swimming or by any other means so long as it wasn’t motorised. We also asked the teams to sign up to #doddieAID and to start banging in the miles for Team Glasgow and the boys responded with the majority of the kms walked this week going into the #doddieAID pot.
Once again 14 boys and a buftie absolutely smashed this week taking the most miles covered, the top 3 individual prizes & the 2nd and 3rd placed front row prizes. Benson & the Chunky Bunch came 2nd with Ardrossan Secret Service and the GGs bringing up 3rd and 4th this week.
After an accounting error last week Benson and the Chunky Bunch & Ardrossan Secret Service swaped places before any points were dished out resulting in the points totals so far being:
Distances Covered
Individual Leaderboard
Front Row Leaderboard
Ardrossan Secret Service
GG’s
Benson and the Chunky Bunch
Dear fellow Accies,
Well, that’s me nearly 18 months into my Presidency, not that I’m counting! It’s been quite challenging but I am enjoying the role and, along with the help of the other committee members and volunteers, strive to take the club forward and ensure it is sustainable.
The coronavirus pandemic has really put a spanner in the works but I hope that everyone remains well and healthy during this difficult time. Just when it seemed that things were improving, it would appear that this is the 2nd wave that we were dreading, has arrived. I really hope that this situation will resolve in the near future and an efficient vaccine can be produced, that will enable us to return to some sort of normality again.
With everything that’s going on, there have been some positives over the last few months.
We recently had the AGM. Although the attendance was not great, we were able to discuss a few points for the year ahead, which was worthwhile.
The youth section has been back training for the last 6 weeks and the ladies and senior sections have been back for the last 4 weeks, which is great. It’s brilliant to see rugby back on at the club, although there are still restrictions in place.
The ladies section has been running their RugbyFit programme since mid-September and there have been great numbers turning up, and hopefully the section will gain some new players from this. The enthusiasm of the coaching team has been fantastic, so well done to them.
I also have some good news on the senior men’s section. We welcome Mark Senter, our new coach. Mark has great experience, having coached at a number of clubs, including Whitecraigs and Falkirk, as well as being a part of the Scottish Rugby Glasgow and West FOSROC Academy coaching team. Mark has settled in very well and we are very hopeful that we will have the opportunity of putting the good work on the training field into games. Welcome Mark.
I was hoping that the season for all sections would start at the end of October, but unfortunately circumstances have meant that senior rugby at least has been delayed until January.
There have been a number of changes to the season ahead, with all sections playing in smaller regional leagues. As much as it is disappointing that the full season and league cannot go ahead, it is obviously understandable. To be honest, I’ll just be happy to see club rugby this season. We will keep you all updated via the website and social media, so look out for information on fixtures.
Unfortunately, the bar is now closed until October 25th at the earliest. All going well, we will open on Thursday 29th October, and we await to see what hours of opening will be permitted. I welcome all members down to the club. We are ensuring that we adhere to the guidance in place, so I would urge members to follow them too. I hope that we will be in a position to see you down soon.
One negative is that our income this year will be greatly reduced due to the lack of functions etc. I would ask that all members pay their membership, as these are now due. If you pay via standing order, then no action is required. For those who normally pay as a one off payment, I would greatly appreciate if this could be paid as soon as possible please. We are relying heavily on subscriptions this year.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors for their continued support. Despite the likely impact that coronavirus has had to businesses and the lack of rugby ahead for this season, our sponsors continue to back us and I am so grateful for their generosity.
Our floodlights are also now barely fit for purpose and we have a team working on upgrading them. This may be of significant cost to the club. We will endeavour to search for grants to aid in financing these, but we will also require the assistance of all members to help in fundraising efforts. All ideas are welcome and I’m sure the will and generosity of our members will enable us to raise the required amount. Having the option of floodlights is extremely beneficial to the club, ensuring training for all of our players can continue and allowing evening games to take place, which is my hope. If anyone has any ideas, please contact me on gossy09@yahoo.com .
As I have already said, please keep a look out on the website and social media for continued updates.
Please take care and I hope to see you all soon,
Peter Gossman
President AARFC
We aim to deliver fun, engaging sessions to our youth section (Micros-U18s) and we need people to help. All you require is enthusiasm and a willingness to learn new skills and we will help you achieve the rest. All training will be provided via online courses and face to face coaching badges, a PVG is required and the club will arrange this.
Between 3hrs and 6hrs a week depending on whether there is a game or training at the weekend and if that game is home or away.
Caroline Monaghan – carolineconway2000@yahoo.com
This is our behind the scenes team that help with the youth section. This is a varied role and can involve admin support for our teams or helping on a matchday to provide food after the game.
2hrs per game week
Caroline Monaghan – carolineconway2000@yahoo.com
We need a pool of referees for youth rugby with the potential for Senior games through the West of Scotland Referees Society. All training will be provided, and prior rugby knowledge is not essential.
2 hours per game week, flexible what games you take on
Scott Campbell – scttcampbell96@gmail.com
Ideally, we will always have 1 fully trained first aider at every game on top of our coaches. The role is mostly dealing with cuts, bruises and concussions however there may be the rare occasion that a more serious incident presents itself. No previous medical experience is required, and full training will be provided.
For people with prior medical experience there is the opportunity to support our senior match days by taking on the team doctor role. More information can be provided by our current team doctor, contact details below.
2 hours per game week, flexible what games you take on
Jamie Monaghan – jpmonaghan2001@hotmail.com
We are looking for volunteers to run our social media channels, plan and execute campaigns to help raise the profile of the club and work closely with all club sections to achieve club targets. Good team working skills will be essential to work with our existing communications, media and marketing team.
minimum of 1 hour a week but flexible to suit how much time you want to put into the role
Scott Campbell – scttcampbell96@gmail.com
Our senior game days wouldn’t work without a team of volunteers getting the club ready, setting up for the game and providing food after the game. The role can be as big or as small as you want and can take in any number of the following jobs:
Each role has its own aspects and can be discussed with Peter in further detail
flexible, minimum of 1 hour per game week
Peter Gossman – gossy09@yahoo.com
We are looking for people to plan and run fundraising events for the club. These can be as wide and varied as you can imagine and all that we need is for you to be enthusiastic about the event. Support will be provided throughout planning and running by our existing events team.
Flexible
Davie Mackie – davidmackie52@gmail.com
This is a specialised role, looking to help improve the club’s business performance. Initially focusing on accessing funding pots, securing sponsorship and coordinating fundraising events to ensure the club’s sustainability. Will work closely with the treasurer to monitor income and expenditure and feed this back to the committee along with recommendations. Will work towards club targets and will be managed by the club President
TBC
Peter Gossman – gossy09@yahoo.com
If you have your own idea about how you can bring your expertiese and experience to bear then we want to hear from you. Contact Peter Gossman or Scott Campbell and they can discuss your suggestion with you further.
Peter Gossman – gossy09@yahoo.com
Scott Campbell – scttcampbell96@gmail.com
Dear members,
I hope that everyone remains well and healthy during this difficult time. Thankfully some restrictions have been lifted now, which will allow for a bit more flexibility in your lives. Unfortunately, still no mention of when rugby can restart, so we await to hear that. However, I do not expect this to be the case for a number of months, but we can always hope that it won’t be too long.
Anyway, the main reason for my message is that I have to report, with regret and disappointment that our head coach, Rory Couper, has decided that he wishes to take a break from rugby and will no longer continue in the aforementioned role.
Rory has been head coach of our senior teams for the last 7 years, and has brought some real drive and enjoyment to his training sessions and has allowed the team to really express themselves on the pitch, resulting in a really exciting brand of rugby. I know the players really enjoy his coaching methods and will miss him greatly. This season, we were in a great position for promotion, until the season was brought to an abrupt halt, something I know frustrated Rory, the players, the committee, and I’m sure you, the members, very much.
I would like to thank Rory so much for all of his dedication and hard work over the period and wish him well. Hopefully, we’ll still see him about the club as a supporter.
Obviously with Rory and Andrew Duncan leaving, we now need to fill 2 positions. I and the committee are determined to work hard to identify replacements for these roles, as rest assured, we do not want to regress from the fantastic work that both Rory and Andy have done over the last 7-8 years.
In other news, Scott Campbell is moving on from his role as Youth convener, and I would also like to express my thanks to Scott for the great job he did. He is still going to continue in his playing and coaching capacity and we are very grateful for that. We have identified new Youth Conveners to continue running this fantastic section and we hope to name them soon, however we must wait until after the AGM.
I would like to reassure members that, as highlighted above, we do not want to regress in this area either and we hope that you understand the predicament that we are in. We hope that the commitment of coaches and volunteers continues and I can’t thank them enough for their time and efforts they make week in week out. Nobody could have envisaged this pandemic and, unfortunately, it has had an impact on the rugby club, as it has throughout other areas of society. I will do all I can to ensure we, as a club, continue to strive. If anyone wishes to speak with me then please email me- gossy09@yahoo.com . I will do my best to answer your questions.
Please take care and I hope to see you all soon,
Peter Gossman
President AARFC
Saturday 26th October
National League Cup: Ardrossan Accies 1st XV 12-56 Peebles RFC 1st XV
Pictures Available here, thanks to Scott Lendingham Park for the photos.
Galant Conference B U18s: Stirling County U18s B 71-22 Ardrossan Accies U18s
Sunday 27th October
Galant Conference B U16s: Garnock RFC U16s 15-22 Ardrossan Accies U16s
Galant Conference B U15s: Ardrossan Accies U15s 101-10 Waysiders Drumpelier U15s
Galant Conference B U13s: Ardrossan Accies U13s 34-4 Dalziel U13s
Minis & Micros hosted Greenock Wanderers RFC and Kilmarnock RFC
Saturday 28th September
Tennents National League 3: Howe of Fife 1st XV 26-20 Ardrossan Accies 1st XV
Sunday 29th September
Tennent’s West Region League (Ladies): Hamilton Ladies 10-53 Ardrossan Accies Ladies
Pictures available here
Galant Conference B U15s: Ardrossan Accies U15s 60-21 Kilmarnock U15s
Minis & Micros took part in a tournament at Cumnock RFC