Rugby Blindside

In this episode Andy tells us how a serious injury cut short his rugby career to the extent that he wasn't even sure he'd be able to walk again, let alone play rugby again. Once Andy had recovered his love for the game made him start to look for a club to play for. But when searching for somewhere to play he couldn't find what he was after. Instead he got together with a group of friends and set up his own club, YOGITS over 35s Touch rugby, based in Ystradgynlais, in the Upper Swansea Valley. 

What started as a club with an initial 6 members, has grown to a club with 60 members and has inspired 7 more clubs in South Wales to set up – with over 350 players combined. Andy's remarkable work has created a new section of rugby in South Wales that has inspired people to get back involved with the game.  

In this is episode we speak Sean Phelan, a lifelong player and volunteer at Racal Decca RFC and founder of Fill Your Boots. Sean talks about his experiences playing and working for a small club in Southwest London and how his club struggling to put a team of 15 on the pitch each week led to him starting what is now an all new social network platform that helps players connect with clubs in your local area in order to make more grassroots rugby matches happen. 

In this episode we spoke with Ravi Sibal who is currently President of Anselmians RUFC. Ravi talks about his role within the club as well as how he led the financing and development of the new £2.3m clubhouse and grounds, whilst also leading and recruiting a board of directors to take the club to new heights.

Ravi also discusses his work as an ambassador for the club and game for diversity and inclusion in rugby. Ravi draws on his own experiences to provide fantastic insight into this area of the game. He explains how he thinks rugby can learn and grow to be more diverse and inclusive. 

In this episode we spoke with Alex Gray de Walden about her role as Club Secretary at Alresford RFC. Alex tells us about the development of her role during her time at Alresford Rugby Club which started for her as a 21 year old fresh out of University.

She also tells us about her involvement with the newly conceived ladies’ team called The Black Swans, as well as the acquisition of the club’s new pitches in the town.

Alresford RFC calls itself Hampshire’s friendliest club - We also explore what makes the club deserve this title.

In this episode we spoke with David Clent. David is Game Development Chairman at Kent County RFU and is a Kent county RFU Executive Committee member. He has held various roles in rugby including; President at Old Elthamians RFC, President for Kent Womens and Girls and Chairman of Kent RFU Youth. David is also a Kent Society Referee and Kent Referees Society Appointments Officer. He is a keen rugby volunteer and has helped out at many rugby events that have been hosted in the UK.

David provides great insight about his role at Kent County RFU and shares his vast expertise and knowledge that he's gathered from a whole host of roles in rugby. A true servant to the community game, it's great to learn from his experiences. 

This episode is also available at: http://rugbyblindside.com/2021/01/14/rugby-is-for-all/