WESTBURY Ladies Rugby Club welcomed premiership player Sam Graham of Bristol Bears to Knott Field for a coaching session ahead of the upcoming season.
Westbury Ladies Rugby Club have been promoted to NC 1 South West league following their league win last season, also retaining their two-year undefeated run at home.
They have also welcomed in a new coach, Russ Mellor, and appointed Holly Noble as the captain for the 19/20 season.
To help the team adapt to the higher level, premiership rugby player Sam Graham, back row for Bristol Bears, took over their training season on Wednesday 17th July to talk the ladies through ways of breaking the gain line, communication and handling.
Sam said, “I had a fantastic evening coaching at Westbury Ladies Rugby. I really enjoyed getting out there and learning a few things myself!
“They were a very excitable bunch, very enthusiastic and very quick learners and obviously passionate about playing rugby together. It is great to see that at grassroots level and they are only going to develop as they are in a new league, but you can see it coming through in the training that they want to be there.
“Their key strengths are their ability to learn, learning quicker than anyone else is the greatest asset you can have, from taking a drill that we started at the beginning of the session, to incorporating it into the game and actually seeing it work is very impressive.”
Following the session, Sam was then presented with a Westbury Ladies training top by the team and a Westbury Ladies tie by chairwoman, Claire Bates.
Newly-appointed coach at Westbury Ladies, Russ Mellor said, “Sam brought his experience of playing in New Zealand, as well as for Bristol Bears, and gave us some tips on areas we have been working on in pre-season.
“The ladies really stepped up and showed Sam their skills. I was very proud to see the team listen, learn and then deliver on what he had taught them in the game scenario at the end of our session. His feedback to me after the game was positive, he was impressed, and was excited to come back and see how we get on as the league progresses.
“Pre-season is going really well, our sessions are energetic, fast-paced and fun. It’s great to see players coming back week after week making the team stronger and improving their knowledge of the game.
“We are currently developing our skills, techniques and sharpening our game play for the new season as we enter the NC 1 South West league. The standard is higher than last year and we are competing with some great clubs across the South West.
“I am really looking forward to playing teams which pose a challenge for us at every game, testing our game plans and skills as individuals.
“I personally enjoy developing people who are new to rugby, we have seen a steady increase in new recruits over pre season – both experienced and players new to the game. It’s great Westbury Ladies can help in raising awareness of women’s rugby in Wiltshire.
“I am still settling in and understanding the players and team. It has been made easier as everyone has put in 100% each session, been helpful in teaching me their playbook and most importantly, each session has been fun to coach.”
Newly chosen captain for this season, Holly Noble, taking over from Anna Hemingway said, “With the exciting transition of moving up the league and bringing in a new coach, this pre-season has gotten off to a flying start! A large injection of new players means that we have really been able to strip everything back to basics, and essentially learn everything together again.
“This has helped us with the cohesion of the team, especially given we have lost a few key players from last season. It has also helped realise the potential in various positions on the team.
“In regards to the season, i’m looking forward to competing at that higher level, and really showing that we are worthy competitors. Obviously it’s going to be tough with the teams we will be facing, and a lot of new players, but we are a tight-knit family who really pull together when it matters most.
“I still haven’t quite settled into my role as captain yet, Anna left some big shoes to fill, but I think once the start of the season comes around and we become more game-orientated, then I’ll hopefully start coming into my own.”
Westbury Ladies kick-off their season with a pre-season friendly at home to Yeovil on Saturday 24th August, kick off 2pm, before they start their league games away at Chew Valley on Sunday 8th September.
If you would like to join the team, they train every Monday and Wednesday from 7pm during pre-season, or every Wednesday from 7pm during the season at Knott Field, behind White Horse Country Park. All abilities welcome.
