12 Aug 11: Further additions to the Senior Squad
Joining Maidstone Rugby for the coming season is Romanian centre Andrei Toma and Tongan front row forward ‘Loni’ Vikilani.
Loni is a versatile front row forward who plays prop and hooker as well as covering the back row, he has played club rugby in his native Tonga as well as at Parramatta in Australia and the Suburbs club in Auckland, New Zealand. Andrei, is a strong running centre who can also plays on the flank and joins the club from the Olympia Bucharest club in Romania.
A further addition to the squad is Paul Hannah, after travelling from Coventry to spend a week with the club during preseason training, back row forward Paul has committed to the club for the forthcoming campaign. Paul is a mobile back row forward with good ball handling skills that will complement the type of rugby that Head Coach Andy Foley is looking to play.
Andrei, Loni & Paul are expected to be the last preseason additions to the senior squad that has seen in excess of 20 senior squad players join the club during the closed season.
09 Aug 11: Portuguese National Youth Coach joins Maidstone Rugby
Maidstone Rugby is pleased to announce that Jaoa Branquinho, formerly one of the Portuguese national youth coaching team has joined the club. A talented centre who played for the Academica Coimbra club in Portugal, he has represented Portugal at U16, U18 & U20 level, before moving into coaching at U18 level with both club and country. Involved with the national coaching team since 2004 where he coached at U18 level, he then went on to coach with the U20 team. His coaching involvement has taken him to two U18 European Championships in France in 2005 and Italy in 2006 and also the U20 Championships in Spain and Poland during the same seasons.
09 Aug 11: Orient Freight Group commits to the County Town Club
Maidstone Rugby is pleased to announce that international freight transport company Orient Freight Group has committed its support to the club as an Official Sponsor for the coming season. The Kemsing based multinational company is a leader in the field of freight handling and shipping by land, sea and air to Middle East countries from the UK and other worldwide locations.
09 Aug 11: Shirt Number & Matchball Sponsorship
There are still some of these opportunities available as follows:
Six Shirts Number opportunities @ £150 each
9, 13, 14, 16, 17 & 18
Eight Matchball opportunities @ £50 each (in order of fixtures)
Park House
Eastbourne
Horsham
Ashford
Sheppey
Crawley
Bromley
Also Sevenoaks or Medway – Kent Cup Rd 2
Anyone interested in taking up any of these opportunities please contact Bob Hayton via the website contacts page.
03 Aug 11: Kent RFU Invicta Leagues restructured for 2010/11 season
This season sees a restructuring of the Kent Junior leagues that will affect the lower XVs within the club. In the past Kent RFU have operated the Inviicta League which was competed for by club 2nd & 3rd XVs from across the county. The tier below that has in seasons past consisted of a set of leagues that were designed to be much more local and structured much more geographically, with a Metropolitan, Mid-Kent and East-Kent league system, each comprising of a number of divisions. The theory behind this model was that with the divisions within those leagues comprising of locally based sides, there would be fewer matches forfeited, especially at short notice. Overall the system was very successful, and provided the model which the RFU used as an example to other constituent bodies.
Whilst the system has seen some changes in past seasons, this season will see a major restructuring of the junior leagues into a single Invicta League system, the main driver for this was the lack of clubs and teams in East Kent to support their respective leagues, and this meant they played each other several times a season.
The Invicta League system will continue to be sponsored by local brewers Shepherd Neame and whilst Invicta Divisions 1 & 2 remains pretty much unchanged, the divisions from 3 to 6 are regionally structured with an East & West subset of divisions. In essence this will mean that some familiar names will again be appearing on the fixture list, after an absence of several years, unless of course friendly fixtures have been arranged in the past to fill vacant Saturdays.
The club’s sides will be competing within the Invicta League as follows:
Mustangs XV – Invicta Division 2
3rd(A) XV – Invicta Division 3
4th(Ex A) XV – Invicta Division 5 (E) – (Dragonfire)
5th(B) XV – Invicta Division 6 East (W) (Early Bird)
Veterans XV – the Veterans will continue to ‘grow old disgracefully’ outside of the league structure
29 Jul 11: Maidstone Rugby Players BBQ
With over 20 new players this season, plus a number of returning to the club in the senior squad, the club held a BBQ following Thursday evening’s pre season training session to act as a bit of an ice breaker and also provide an opportunity for players and members across the other teams to meet some of the new faces at the club.
Amongst those attending was new player/coach Hayden Mitchell and his Kiwi compatriot, former Auckland U19 scrum-half Nick Cullen. Also in attendance was a significant contingent that has joined the club from Lordswood.
Another notable addition will ensure that there is a well known name back on the player roster as Chris Catt joins the club from Wealden side Cranbrook. Chris is another product from the rugby playing Catt family well known in Maidstone and The Weald, which has produced a string of high quality forward players; although Chris breaks the mould in that respect, having made his mark in the backs line as a talented fly half.
With another couple of players joining the senior squad having moved into the Maidstone area, Head Coach Andy Foley is pleased with the way preseason training is progressing and the depth of squad that is building from both ‘home grown talent’ and new players joining the club.
Season 2011-2012 Pre Season Matches
Sat 27th Aug: Maidstone v Sevenoaks (Home) KO tbc
Sat 3rd Sept: Maidstone Mustangs XV v Tunbridge Wells 2nd XV (Home)
followed by Maidstone 1st XV v Tunbridge Wells 1st XV (Home)
(KO times tbc)
(See weekly round-up for all this week's fixtures)
Notices
Situations Vacant - Volunteers Required
posted: August 09 2011
There are a number of roles that require assistance from club members for the coming season. Perhaps most critically is the role of Hon Treasurer, where Dave Coleman is standing down due to pressure of work after a number of years in the role. Whilst the club recognises Dave’s commitment over recent years, it is imperative that a volunteer step forward to take on what is a critical function in the running of the club. There is the possibility that the role can be fulfilled by more than one person with a division of responsibilities.
Anyone interested in taking on the important role within the club please contact Dave Coleman or a member of the committee (via contact page).
In addition there are a number of other smaller tasks primarily on match days that require the assistance of members and in many cases can be carried out by a group of people on a rota basis. The following posts require assistance:
Matchday Programme production (1stXV home fixtures only) – contact Bob Hayton.
Matchday programme sales – contact Bob Hayton.
Fundraising (primarily raffles on 1stXV home fixtures) – contact Bob Beney.
Scoreboard Marshall (1stXV matches) – contact Bob Hayton.
Matchday Front of House (meet opposition & match officials) this role can be combined with Scoreboard Marshall – contact Bob Hayton.
Club Working day - Sat 20th Aug
posted: July 23 2011
The Ground Chairman - Martin Maytum is organising another working day at the club on the 20th August from 8:30am to 12:30
There are a number of small (and large) jobs to be done in prepartion for the new season. Please bring brushes, gardening tools and gloves, a couple of wheelbarrows would also be useful.
It's your club so come along and be proactive in contribting to get things achieved. and not leaving all the work to a committed few. Many hands make light work.
"Be a worker - Not a Shirker"!
Beer Festival - 1st October
posted: August 06 2011
Arrangements being organised by Kevin Bailey are now well in hand for a 'Mini Beer Festival' to be held on Saturday 1st October commencing after the games. It is hoped that a selection of at least 12 beers, all from Kent Breweries will be available to purchase. Advanced 'beer token' tickets will go on sale shortly at £10 for four pints or £5 for two available from Kevin & Sam Bailey. Beers on the day will all cost £3/pint. (There will be no entrance fee for the event).
Whilst further information will follow shortly along with details of how to sponsor a beer, if you need any further information please contact Kevin.
Women's Rugby at Maidstone
posted: August 06 2011
After an interval of many years, enthusiasm seems to be emerging for the return of women's and girl's rugby to Maidstone. In response, the club committee has agreed that the addition of a women's section would be a very desirable development for the club and is keen to assess the feasibility of this project.
In the first instance, the Chairman would be very pleased to hear from persons with the knowledge and enthusiasm to assist with taking this project forward, as well of course, as from women and girls who would be interested in getting their hands on a rugby ball in one format or another. Meanwhile, potential players are asked to register their interest with Charlotte "Charley" Goodbody, who many will know from her enthusiastic coaching of the under 5s. Charley can be contacted at charley@maidstonerugby.org.uk or on M: 07760558235.
Club No1 Shirts
posted: August 06 2011
Club No1 Shirts are now available in a range of colours, please see Kevin or Sam Bailey for details.
Please note that the official colour as part of team dress remains blue.
RWC Scam - IRB Alert
posted: August 02 2011
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Members of the global Rugby family should be alert to a new scam that attempts to obtain personal details and bank account information by informing victims that they have won an official Rugby World Cup 2011 themed sweepstake.
Those targeted by the scam are informed via email by people purporting to be from the IRB that they are the lucky winners of a sweepstake to commemorate Rugby World Cup 2011 with winnings of up to GBP 1.5 million. To make a claim, victims are asked to submit their personal details to an unofficial email address.
As Rugby’s governing body we wish to assure you that the IRB is not in the business of running any form of sweepstake or money-themed competition. The IRB views this matter seriously and is bringing this matter to the attention of all member Unions so that the global Rugby family can be vigilant and avoid being duped.
The International Rugby Board would like to make it clear that it does not operate and has never operated any form of sweepstake.
MISSING !! All to Read (Update)
posted: August 01 2011
Would all playing members please check their kit bags, cars, behind the sofa, in the dog basket etc to try and locate the following playing shirts which are currently 'missing' from the following team kits :
The season 2010/11 1st XV No 1 shirt has found its way home so the complete set is now accounted for.
THE FOLLOWING REMAIN OUTSTANDING
1st XV Black change strip - No's 1 & 2 - this change strip is used by many teams within the club when we have a colour clash, so can everybody please check. This strip will be required early in the season due to a colour clash for the home league fixture v Crowborough on 17 Sept.
2nd XV season 2009/10 - No's 2, 8, 11 & 13 - to clarify these shirts have 'Brachers Law' on the front and 'Simon Wright Homes' on the nape of the neck.
It is possible that one or more of the missing shirts may have been cut off an injured player (as the Ist XV No 2 shirt from last season) - any details would be appreciated.
If anybody does have any of the above shirts please contact either Kevin Bailey or Bob Hayton to arrange their return (no questions asked and preferably washed !!)
Many Thanks ..
Membership Subscriptions
posted: July 29 2011
The club would like to thank those members who have paid their subscriptions or pay by standing orders. However, there are still a number ‘members’ who have yet to do so; the club policy of a £10 match fee for players who have not paid (or commenced) their subscription will be rigidly enforced this season..
Over the coming weeks there will be a presence at training to administrate the completion of membership forms, standing order mandates and also RFU Registration forms. All new or lapsed members should ensure they have their bank details (bank sort code, a/c No & address) with them in order to complete the standing order mandate.
Note: The club operates a £10 match fee per game policy for all players who have not paid their subscriptions or commenced a standing order.
Pay your subs – don’t cheat on your team mates.
