Hereford Rugby Club ready for life in Midlands 1 West (From Hereford Times)

Hereford Rugby Club ready for life in Midlands 1 West

4:30pm Wednesday 20th June 2012 in Rugby

NEW president Mike Rowlatt believes strength in depth will be key to Hereford Rugby Club’s future.

Rowlatt has replaced outgoing president Spencer Goodall and says local talent will remain at the heart of the club’s ethos.

“Rugby at Hereford has always been about attracting and developing local talent and it is our intention that this will continue,” he told the club’s annual general meeting.

“The playing pinnacle is, of course, the senior squad and to achieve a consistently competitive first XV throughout the season is our goal.”

Hereford will be playing their first-team senior rugby alongside Ludlow and Whitchurch in Midlands One West following their relegation from National Three Midlands.

Rowlatt said there would be a new coaching structure under the guidance of chairman Ivan Powell with funding made available for it.

“Hereford remains an amateur club, but a players’ budget will support and develop talented young players in and on the fringe of the first-team squad,” said Rowlatt.

In another change, Malcolm Harris has replaced secretary Frank Dullehan, who will be Harris’ assistant.

Treasurer Phil Green said the club’s financial position remained healthy.

The club are budgeting for an increased spend on coaching of 50 per cent more than last year.

Club captain Jamie Bullock told the meeting that more than 50 players had represented the first-team last term. He praised the performance and effort of players who had received unexpected call-ups, often at short notice.

Press officer Robin Davies said an upbeat atmosphere remained at Wyeside despite the relegation.

“The foundation for this optimism is the club’s strength in depth reflected in the performance of the second and third-team squads, and the continued high performance of the colts and junior sections. These are now traditional areas of strength for the Hereford club that prides itself in providing rugby and development for all ages.

“We do not pay our players but we must make it more attractive to play at Hereford Rugby Club.”

New secretary Harris, the club’s junior section chairman, said the under 16s had reached the North Midlands Cup semi-finals and the under-14 were beaten finalists.

Di Higginbotham reported that the Colts had finished fourth in the Sunday section of the North Midlands Colts League.

Special thanks were given to outgoing president Spencer Goodall, medical officer Dr Richard Laird, Higginbotham and Avril Goodall who continue to run the bar.

Other positions confirmed include: Fixtures secretary Martin Lewis, Colts chairman Higginbotham.