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Tue, 2007-11-06 14:35 — janner

Read the article below about our local ties with Long Ashton:

"Dad, I want to play rugby" cried my daughter. At Northleaze School she had been introduced to Tag Rugby by a student teacher who invited pupils to join Cotham Park RFC. We went along on Sunday and she loved it, played for 5 years and even met the young Mark (Ronnie) Regan of Bristol, England and World Cup fame. I became one of the coaches. That was 16 years ago and I am still there; the student teacher was Nick Shopland who is now the Headteacher at Birdwell School!

A recent article in the Long Ashton & Leigh Woods Newsletter revealed the results from a survey of young people in the area; it stated that "There is a clear call for more activities in the village, particularly sports related". How many of them know about their local Rugby Club?

Cotham Park is a small, friendly club with players and members from 6 years to over 60. The club was formed in 1901 and has played at many different venues. We moved to Beggar Bush Lane, Failand in 1983 onto what was originally the playing fields of La Retraite Girls School.

In 2004 the club was accredited with the RFU Seal of Approval and awarded Sport Mark England certification which means that we are recognized as providing a safe, effective and child-friendly sports environment. All of our coaches are suitably RFU qualified and all adults who have contact with young people have Enhanced CRB certification.

We have Mini and Midi teams for girls and boys aged 6 to 12 years, and a Junior team for boys aged 13 and 14 years. We train and play on Sundays (10.30 – 12.00) and the Midis and Juniors also train on Tuesdays 6.30 – 7.30 p.m. We hold an Annual Tag Festival for over 100 pupils from South Bristol schools, in partnership with Ashton Park Sports College.

Our Ist XV play in Glos 3 league and are unbeaten so far this season, so are pushing for promotion. Our 2nd XV play regular fixtures against other 2nd and 3rd teams from a wide local area, and a re very competitive. We have recruited over 30 new senior players this season so may have to form a 3rd XV. The seniors will have a tour to Newquay in March 2008. Seniors play on Saturdays and train on Tuesdays 7 at 7 p.m. at our ground.