He ain't heavy...

From tackling practice in the back garden to playing together for Cheltenham RFC and Gloucestershire Schools to recently coaching minis rugby at Ellingham and Ringwood RFC, it's been a long rugby-filled ride with my only sibling.

LINKS

Chris has kindly managed to offer a membership discount for any new mini or junior players that want to try rugby at Ellingham and Ringwood RFC. Just email [email protected] to find out more details.

The Coaching Matrix Chris mentioned can be found on the Hampshire RFU website. (https://www.hampshirerugby.com/media/PDFLibrary/Forms-Minutes/ERRFC Coach Skills Matrix 2018-19.pdf)

Lastly, Chris can be contacted via @c_tunni on Twitter

GET STASH

England Rugby Store - https://ers.pxf.io/KjV30v

British & Irish Lions Store - https://bil.sjv.io/9gNaL4

BUY ME A COFFEE

Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast

PATREON

Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)

PODCAST KIT

Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.

SUPPORT

If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is current Minchinhampton RFC player Andy Burfoot.

Andy is still playing at 48 years of age and has had the privilege of playing alongside both of his sons. We chatted about all the great things going on at Minch, including the rapid growth of the Women’s section, their remarkable and truly unique clubhouse and the influence of their famous royal member.

This is an awesome episode - I hope you enjoy.

LINKS Minchinhampton RFC - https://www.minchrugby.com/ Minchinhampton RFC referee’s changing room - https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cz6653kAs7Q/

BUY ME A COFFEE Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast

PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)

PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.

SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is a rugby coach of many teams and England Police RUFC front-rower - Dave Pattimore.

We talked about being a front-row forward, the joy and challenges of playing for England Police, and the differences between coaching kids in the afternoon and experienced adults in the evening.

And we finished by chatting through the England Police tour of South Africa and the rich experiences that Dave had coaching in the townships.

This is a fun, interesting and sometimes deep conversation - I hope you enjoy.

LINKS Mosborough RUFC - https://www.mosboroughrufc.com/ England Police RUFC - https://www.eprufc.co.uk/

BUY ME A COFFEE  Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast

PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)

PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.

SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is Strathmore RFC part-time business consultant - Nicol Welsh

We talked about Nick’s playing career, the challenges around running the Scottish National Prison Service team with no training time, some brilliant stories from Vets tours, generating a player pathway from minis and juniors to the First XV and loads of incredible insight about how to become a true Community Club, not just a club in the community.

We talked about several mutually beneficial partnerships that resulted in the players eating steak and lobster post-training!

This is a great episode with a ton of usable information - I hope you enjoy.

LINKS Nick Welsh on X - https://x.com/NickWelsh5 Strathmore RFC - https://strathmorerugby.co.uk/

BUY ME A COFFEE Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast

PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)

PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.

SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is Laws Co-ordinator at World Rugby and Founder of RugbyReferee.net, Keith Lewis.

We talked about the days when we shared a pitch back in the early 2000’s when I played at Old Colfeians, how Keith got into refereeing and his early influences at Preston Grasshoppers. We then discussed how referees are assessed and coached, how positioning is vital and the differences when moving up the leagues as a referee.

Keith shared his challenges when progressing through the ranks including a shocking moment in a huge Championship game between London Welsh and Exeter.

We discussed Keith’s role at World Rugby and how laws are developed, tested and implemented. There are so many things to consider including the potential unforeseen circumstances.

Keith also shared why he started RugbyReferee.net and how it’s developed into a wonderful resource and community for referees.

This is a brilliant chat with so much quality information and great stories - I hope you enjoy.

LINKS

Keith Lewis on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithlewisrugby/ Rugby Referee website - https://rugbyreferee.net/ The video Keith mentioned - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hgJpfn3zXw

BUY ME A COFFEE Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast

PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)

PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.

SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is Leicestershire Society referee, Matt Groves.

We talked about Matt’s journey to becoming a rugby referee, the opportunities and challenges that it provides and some of the common myths and misconceptions around volunteer referees in the community game.

There are plenty of tips for aspiring referees and useful information for players and coaches too.

I’m hugely passionate about supporting referees, building a greater understanding of rugby law throughout the game and enjoying the nuances of the rugby law book - I hope you enjoy.

LINKS Matt Groves - https://about.me/mattgroves Whistleblowers documentary - https://rugbypass.tv/video/575308?playlistId=20560

BUY ME A COFFEE Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast

PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)

PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.

SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code TARP20 at MANSCAPED.com! #ad #manscapedpod

The Premiership Final was a game full of drama, jeopardy and fierce competition. And it went all the way to the final whistle. Join me as I talk through all the major incidents and pay tribute to some Premiership legends. This is my review of Northampton Saints vs Bath Rugby.

#rugby #premiership #premiershiprugby

BUY ME A COFFEE Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast

PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)

PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.

SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options for you on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is a rugby-nut and world traveller - Nick Dance

Dancer is now settled in Cambridge and trying to bring the game of rugby to new audiences whilst supporting the local community and rugby clubs at the same time.

Could you do this with your club?

This is an incredible episode - I hope you enjoy.

LINKS

Rugby & Travel - Nick Dance - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1Ul_jkt44Y

Cambridge Sports Development Foundation - https://cambridgerugby.co.uk/csdf/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ndance

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ndance2

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickdance

BUY ME A COFFEE Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast

PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)

PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.

SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is former Oxford University and Wasps player Ellaine Gelman.

This interview was recorded in May of 2024 and we talked about Ellaine discovering rugby whilst at college in the US, pursuing further honours and achievements at Oxford Uni and Wasps before diving headlong into the World of 7’s.

Ellaine runs Find Rugby Now - a service to help people find rugby clubs - and Lit 7’s an invitational 7’s team. Lastly we discussed the inaugural Lit 7’s event which is happening at AFC Wimbledon on May 25th.

This is a fun and inspiring episode - I hope you enjoy.

LINKS

www.LIT7s.com

www.FINDRUGBYNOW.com

BUY ME A COFFEE Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast

PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)

PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.

SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.

My guest this week is former Cheltenham Colts captain - Leroy Hughes.

This interview was recorded in April of 2024 and we talked about playing for and captaining the legendary Cheltenham Colts, being able to switch between hooker and openside, and the realities of pushing for higher honours with Moseley. There are some cracking tour stories, lessons about leadership, and Leroy shares some excellent thoughts around coaching in the amateur game.

This is a cracking episode - I hope you enjoy.

LINKS Leroy Hughes can be contacted on email - [email protected] Cheltenham Tigers - https://cheltenhamtigers.co.uk/ Cheltenham Saracens - https://cheltenhamsaracensrugby.com/

BUY ME A COFFEE Coffee helps me make more and better episodes. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/amateurrugbypodcast

PATREON Join The Amateur Rugby Podcast Patreon community for some extra amateur rugby goodness! (https://patreon.com/amateurrugbypodcast)

PODCAST KIT Everything I use to create, edit and produce this podcast can be found on my Creating a Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/creating-a-podcast/) page.

SUPPORT If you would like to support the podcast in some way then there are plenty of options on my Support the Podcast (https://www.amateurrugbypodcast.com/support/) page.