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Message
from the Coaches:
U9 VALLEY FORT ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2006/07 SEASON
- Awards Recipients
Best & Fairest – Winner: Piers Garway-Templeman
Best & Fairest – Runner Up: Hadrien Baot
Most Improved – Winner: Thomas Baradat
Most Improved – Runner Up: Nicholas Hou
- Squad Officials
Coaches: Eric Baradat, Nigel Beattie, Nick Cranston, Nick Deal, Anthony Fasso, Jenkin Leung, Nick Pasha, David Seex, Anne Shearer, Dougie Shearer, Andrew Sheppard
Photographer: Stephan Truchot
Administrator: Alexis Tse
- Representative Players
William Alexander, Hadrien Baot, Thomas Baradat, William Beattie, Thomas Begg, Alexander Boyle, Neil Bradley, Jean Guillaume Brasier, Edward Brown, Ethan Chiu, James Christopoulos, William Clemence, Ross Cobban, Charlie Cranston, Chrlie Davidson, Jack Deal, David Drost, Alban Douady, Alexander Fasso, Ben Fletcher, Colin Fung, Margaux Garway-Templeman, Piers Garway-Templeman, Archie Hall, Angus Hanna, Nicholas Hou, Charlie Jacobson, Victor Lafaurie, Theodore Leung, James McKarell, Hugo Page, Sebastian Pasha, Charlie Riley, William Robinson, Oliver Seex, Andrew Shearer, James Sheppard, Henry Speeks, Nicolas Tison, Victor Truchot, Wai chung Tse, Rory Wallace, Tsz Cheung Wat, Tsz Kwan Wat
- Festival Results
- DEA Tigers Festival on 12th November 2006: P12, W11, L1, D0, TF52, TA2
- Sandy Bay Festival on 26th November 2006: P12, W10, L2, D0, TF44, TA14
- Singapore Tour on 2nd December 2006: P6, W3, L3, D0, TF6, TA8
- Flying Kukris Festival on 10th December 2006: P10, W7, L1, D2, TF25, TA9
- Tai Po Dragons Festival on 21st January 2007: P12, W9, L0, D3, TF37, TA4
- HKFC Festival on 11th March 2007: P9, W6, L2, D1, TF23, TA4
- HK Sevens Showcase Games on 31st March 2007: P3, W1, L1, D1, TF6, TA4
- Aberdeen Festival on 22nd April 2007: P3, W2, L1, D0, TF9, TA3
SUMMARY TOTAL: Played 67, Won 49, Lost 11, Drew 7, Tries Scored 202, Tries Conceded 48
Including Singapore when we were playing out of our age group and punched above our weight although it impacted our win and try ratios, we still have in excess of a 73% win ratio and scored in excess of 4 tries for every try conceded.
- Season Report
As ever, it was very pleasing to see so many familiar faces return for another season complemented by a number of new arrivals; such a large squad (up to 44 players) merited an increased coaching team and fortunately a number fronted up and displayed tremendous commitment by attending the coaching and refereeing courses. The enthusiasm at the start of the season was more palpable than previously as so many players were relishing the prospect of contact rugby with the opportunity to actively engage in tackling and lineouts amongst other things.
Having blown off the cobwebs, absorbed the new skills and starting to display team characteristics rather than operating as a collection of individuals, the squad (with sufficient manpower for 3 teams) approached the first 2 Festivals with anticipation and confidence – these sentiments were well founded and borne out by some fantastic results, namely 21 wins out of 24 matches and a try count of 96 for and 16 against.
Those who were able then had the never-to-be-forgotten experience of their and, for Valley Fort as a Club, our first overseas rugby tour – a trip to an international Festival in Singapore conceived and executed by Carl Redman although Alexis Tse must take much credit for organizing and coordinating the U9 squad’s participation. Due to the Singapore host club’s policy, our squad in actual fact had to “Play Up” as an U10 side which resulted in the players competing against teams almost entirely consisting of players a year or more older and with some Laws with which we were not familiar. Ably captained by Theo Leung with William Beattie as his Deputy, the team considerably exceeded all expectations by reaching the Plate Final having, in the pool stages, posted a comfortable win against one of Valley Fort’s U10 teams which obviously thrilled the players! Outstanding performances all round, they lost the Plate Final after extra time and in sudden death but, whilst the players were clearly disappointed and exhausted, they punched well above their weight, left it all out on the pitch and the magnanamous praise from all internal and external parties was richly deserved. However, over and above the rugby, the other real bonus was the bonding, camaraderie and social aspects experienced by players and parents alike which will serve all well on and off the pitch going forward.
The squad did not maintain their usual high standards during the Festivals following the Singapore Tour although this drop off in performance did not significantly impact the win ratio. The coaches however did learn much including the main areas needing improvement and the players received a reality check on where they are at and how rugby is not always an easy game but continually requires work – a good example of this was the speed drills we introduced after receiving kind instruction from Dr David Owens.
As always, our season culminated with the ever popular Sevens Showcase Games and March Past (bar participating at the Aberdeen Dolphins Festival in late April) which is annually such a thrill and honour for the squad as well as contributing to their large collection of medals!
We have a fantastic squad of players and their personalities, coupled with those of their parents, have created a wonderful atmosphere full of fun and pride. I would however reserve special mention to express the heartfelt gratitude of all for those who selflessly give up their time on a voluntary basis to enable our children (and their parents) to benefit from this experience, namely the coaches, administrators and photographers as well as the Committee and Management of the Club without whom none of this would be possible.
I trust all have enjoyed the season and sincerely hope many will return in September for what will be another exciting season with additional Laws to which we must adapt and the game becoming increasingly physical; for those who do not return you leave with our best wishes, our genuine hope that you will keep us updated on your progress and leave with happy memories of your time at Valley Fort.
Nick Pasha
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