Writes Scott de Weymarn, Director of Rugby
It is remarkable how much has happened in the opening weeks of the rugby season. From pre-season preparation and alumni events to competitive fixtures, player development opportunities and the return of Rugby Week, September has provided an excellent start to the year for rugby at Merchant Taylors’.
Before term had even begun, our senior players travelled to Bath for a pre-season training camp. The overnight trip provided an outstanding opportunity for the boys to build relationships, establish standards and prepare for the season ahead. Training at both Bath University and Royal Wootton Bassett RFC gave the players access to first-class facilities and allowed them to begin the year in a highly professional environment.
Also before the start of term, we welcomed former students back to Flagstaff for our OMT Rugby Fixture. It was fantastic to see so many recent leavers pulling on a Taylors’ shirt once again, and even more pleasing to see them come away with a victory. For those involved, it was a special occasion and a reminder of the lasting connection so many players retain with Merchant Taylors’ rugby. We hope this is an event that can continue in future years and become a regular feature of the rugby calendar.
That same weekend also saw the inaugural OMT/Scrummers Touch Rugby Festival, which formed part of Rugby Club Day. Bringing together well over 100 OMTs, current students, parents and families, the day was a wonderful celebration of the rugby community at Merchant Taylors’. The atmosphere throughout the festival was fantastic and highlighted the unique ability of rugby to connect different generations of the school community. Following its success this year, we are already hopeful that the festival will become an annual event and continue to grow in the years ahead.
Once term began, unusually hot weather and ongoing pitch management requirements created a few challenges for the fixture programme. Despite this, we have still enjoyed competitive block fixtures against Bishop’s Stortford College and St George’s School, Harpenden, giving boys across the club valuable opportunities to represent the School and continue their development.
Alongside our Saturday fixture programme, a wide range of extracurricular opportunities have been launched. Specialist sessions have included our Forward Factory programme, focusing on scrum and lineout development, as well as Kicking Kings, designed to improve all areas of the kicking game and explore how teams can use it to create and convert scoring opportunities.
Perhaps the most pleasing development of the month has been the growth of our Junior Rugby Club for Years 7 and 8. The sessions have attracted an excellent turnout and have quickly become an important part of our programme. While the additional coaching and game-based activities are valuable, the real highlight has been the involvement of our senior players.
One of the key ambitions for rugby at Merchant Taylors’ is to strengthen the sense of belonging across all year groups. Seeing Sixth Form students helping to coach, mentor and encourage younger players has been a wonderful reflection of this. The Junior Rugby Club allows boys to see a pathway through the School while giving our older players an opportunity to develop leadership skills and give back to the club. The relationships being built between Year 7 and Year 13 students are exactly the type of community spirit that makes school sport so special and are something we are keen to continue developing throughout the year.
Looking ahead, plans are also progressing well for the Year 9 Rugby Tour during the Easter holidays. The initial response from families has been extremely positive, and we are currently gathering final expressions of interest before finalising arrangements. The tour promises to be a fantastic opportunity for boys to develop their rugby, strengthen friendships and create memories away from School. Any Year 9 pupil who would still like to find out more is encouraged to speak to me over the coming days.
The month concluded with one of the highlights of the school sporting calendar: Rugby Week. With the floodlights once again illuminating Flagstaff, boys from Years 9 to 13 experienced what makes this event so special. Throughout the week, students represented the school with pride, determination and enthusiasm, creating a brilliant atmosphere both on and off the pitch.
The week culminated in a superb contest between the 1st XV and a powerful Reading Blue Coat School side. In front of a fantastic crowd, the boys produced an outstanding performance, scoring several excellent tries and matching their opponents throughout. Although the result was heartbreakingly decided with the final play of the game, the performance reflected the character and progress of the group.
Reflecting on the month as a whole, I could not be prouder of the enthusiasm, commitment and enjoyment shown by our players. There has been a tremendous amount crammed into the first few weeks of term, and it has been wonderful to see so many boys embracing the opportunities available to them. More importantly, it has been fantastic to see the strength of the rugby community, from our youngest players and current pupils to parents, staff and OMTs.
As my first month as Director of Rugby comes to a close, I could not have asked for a better start. There is still plenty of rugby to come before half term, and we will continue working hard to develop our players, strengthen our community and move the club forward together.
Thank you to Joe H. (U6ths) for some of the photos.
