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Welcome to Season 2024-25 - Director of Rugby John O'Connor
Welcome to season 2024-25 and a reflective note from your DoR.
After last weekends 1st XV match I was asked by a number of people, “What happened?” More on that below.
I’ve the great privilege to be in the Director of Rugby chair this season. Last season was a steep learning curve. Equipped with enthusiasm, ideas for change and my wits - I was perhaps poorly prepared! An unknown to most of the Senior section, this was as tough a gig for them too!
At my end of season farewell from Colts coaching I’d made a promise to the lads that I’d see them on the other side to help bridge across to Senior rugby, so I was committed! That’s working out pretty well. Those lads continue to inspire and be positive role models for others. I’m exceptionally proud of all of them.
Entering this new season it really feels like we have achieved Go Forward. Yes, our 1st XV have been demoted - but that's only part of the picture. Elsewhere we’ve reset and refocused and within the whole Senior squad, it feels buoyant and progressive. This may not be obvious to all, but get amongst it and you’ll see.
Foundational work is the hardest. It’s the bit you can’t see above ground, but everyone involved from players and Club have been working hard across multiple fronts. Culturally we’ve reset too. Our culture is the roof above which keeps the storms out, it's stronger. The result is a positive team environment and that’s a win. Demotion is a comma in the story. Not a full stop.
I’m thankful to my departing Co-DoR Andy Butterfield for the invaluable help and experience he brought last season. I’m also grateful for all the support from the Club, Senior players and other amazing volunteers who make the Club tick. It’s a good place to be. Returning Yatton faces, newly recruited Seniors and U19 Colts entering are happy and this is testament to our progress. I’m proud to see how the lads warmly welcomed them into the fabric of the team. So here we are again. A fresh season full of promise. Sport provides us the opportunity to start fresh again this season.
Seniors welcome extra firepower in the coaching team with Josh Caulfield, Bears 2nd row. He joins Danny Thomas between his professional duties. This allows us to multiply what we can achieve in midweek training. Josh has an insightful coaching mind. He’s enjoying being here and is very positive about what he’s seeing. Danny and Josh are coordinating well and the sessions are dynamic. Most of all, the players are developing and enjoying it with healthy numbers across both week nights.
Colts arriving into Seniors continue to bring excitement, high skillset and fresh energy. Better still, they join mates they already know who are entering Season 2. Those existing Colt bonds are strong, immediate and effective.
New Captains Nick Wakefield and Zak Willis are settling in well, I value their wisdom in steering a good path. Their leadership group is functioning well, it allows open and productive discussions. This drives the critical thinking required to support team, the shared mindset and overall Club cohesion.
Pre-season was better than last year with a skill and game based focus. Three fixtures gave opportunity to experiment with new player combinations.
The 1st XV have a valuable chance to reset and grow in Counties 3. We are here. No apologies are needed. The lads are together driving towards the future and we encourage you all to get behind that vision.
Talking of Colts - as always a new cohort of U17 arrive and form something brand new with existing U18. We are exceptionally fortunate to have a large group of well over 35 players. The U17s are further bolstered by a group of Nailsea & Backwell lads who chose to remain with Yatton after their spell as ‘Yattwell’. We are thrilled that have chosen to make Yatton their rugby home. N&B Colts continue too and we welcome them here tomorrow to play as Clubs in their own right.
The Colts coaching team is healthy. Retaining the expertise of Jason Clarke who joins with Andy Fogg, Paul Fox Britton and John McKay. Also joining them is Martyn Vickery and Simon Maclellan. The lads are in safe hands. Exciting times…especially with a French Tour already booked!
Mini & Junior rugby continues with a thriving landscape of age groups including the exciting Somerset Barbarians Girls teams. A large number of dedicated coaches provide encouragement, development and life long experiences through sport. As a Club we thank you wholeheartedly for your passion, commitment and energy as you guide and teach these young people in your care.
Thank you also to the parent volunteers and families that support the coaches. It really does take a village to raise each age group! Your help is so vital to your son and daughter’s success. Coaching isn’t easy, but you make it easier by lending a hand with both on and off-pitch.
New Mini & Junior leadership - We’re fortunate to have Paul Short as new Junior Chair and Rob Daniel as Vice Chair and energy source behind the Raiders. Both these guys are sure to enhance the Club right down at the bottom of the grass roots - this is our most important place for thriving rugby at Yatton.
So to answer the opening question - we don't have 99 problems. We have 99 reasons to celebrate progress across the board at Yatton.
I look forward to seeing what we can continue to achieve this season as we go forward into a bright future.
See you on the grass and Up the Yatt !
John
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