NELSON COLLEGE RUGBY NEWS

23rd March 2021

It has been a busy start to the year at Nelson College with over 80 boys choosing to be a part of the Junior & Senior Rugby Classes and Rugby registrations gathering in preparation for the season. Last week we finally received our NBS sponsored training tops (see photos below) which the boys are now wearing proudly with all our great sponsors on them. A huge thank you all our sponsors and the support they provide us.

NEW RUGBY STORAGE SHED

Last week we received a fantastic gift from Mitre 10 Mega Nelson, a new shed which is temporarily placed on the front field. It is a great shed which is very well made and is going to be a huge asset for what we deliver in the Rugby Programme going forward. A huge thanks to Murray Leaning at Mitre 10 Mega for making this happen along with the Menz Shed Waimea, Nelson Pine, Freeman Roofing, Bowater Isuzu & Lift N Shift who brought it to the College. Much appreciated. Please see some photos below. 

COACHING & MANAGING TEAMS

If you are interested in coaching or managing a team, please contact me at 0274 80 3005 or email at [email protected] to discuss. ALL coaches are required to register and attend a Tasman Rugby Union Rugby Smart Course. The Nelson course is scheduled for Wednesday 24th March starting 5.45pm at the Nayland College Gym. Thank you.

COACH EDUCATION

Monday 29th March - U14 & U15 Coaches are invited to attend a Nelson College Coach Education session delivered by Jono Phillips & James Marshall at 5.15pm in the New Gym Classroom (upstairs). This is an opportunity to ask questions and learn how to coach the Nelson College way so players are better prepared as they progress into U17, U19 & 1st XV Rugby. 

Thursday 1st April - U17 & U19 Coaches are invited to attend a Nelson College Coach Education session delivered by Jono Phillips & Mark Cochrane at 5.30pm in the New Gym classroom. You are also invited to view the Nelson College 1st XV training starting 3.30pm on the Front Field. 

TEAM TRIALS 2021:

Trials be held at Broads Playing Fields starting at 3.30pm. Players are expected to come prepared with mouthguards, boots, socks, shorts and a drink bottle. Jerseys will be provided. If you have not yet registered, please do so prior to your trial so I can sort teams.

• U14 Trial is on Tuesday 30th March
• U15 Trial is on Wednesday 7th April
• U17 Trial is on Thursday 8th April
• U19 - this team has no trial. Please register.

SHORTS & SOCKS

Nelson College Rugby shorts and socks can be purchased from the uniform shop, in store or online. Go to https://shop.nelsoncollege.school.nz/. Shorts are $31 and socks $15.

Looking forward to another great season!

Kind Regards

Mark Cochrane

Master in Charge of Rugby

M. 0274 80 3005

E. [email protected] 

RUGBY PROGRAMME REPORT

Jono Phillips - Director of Coaching & 1st XV Head Coach.

The rugby programme continues to grow at Nelson College with increased numbers registering and attending Junior (Year 10) & Senior (Year 12 & 13) rugby classes in 2021.

This year at Year 11 we have introduced trainings after school on a Wednesday in term one to cater for the players skill development. These sessions are run by James Marshall and attendance is steadily increasing.  The aim is to have 3 under 17 teams this season with these sessions initiating interest before teams are selected prior to term 2. 

The newly formed U19 competition sees Nelson College entering one team at this level and they are training on Wednesdays currently under the coaching of Grant Billcliff and Terry Beggs. The team played its first preseason game against the Senior B side Valley Stags, having a comprehensive win 28 -19.

We have also initiated a new or return to rugby programme for those wanting to play who may either need a refresher course or a greater understanding to feel confident enough to play. These are run on a Friday and will continue into the start of the season next term.

The 1st XV squad has now been selected and a group of 26 players and management are heading to Wellington in April to play Rongotai College and St Pats Silverstream 1st XV's as part of the team’s preseason programme. The squad will also play the Nelson Club and Rangiora High School as part of the season’s preparations before the first competition game against St Andrews College in Christchurch on May 8th.

Assisting myself this year coaching are Mike Fraser (Forwards) and Marty O’Cain (Backs) and trainers Max Fraine & Nick Bingle who are heading up the strength conditioning components.

The squad and senior rugby class members plus some identified year 11 boys are training three mornings per week with Nick at the Tasman Mako gym in a managed and formalized conditioning programme for their age groups. We are incredibly grateful to the Tasman Rugby Union for allowing us the opportunity to use such an outstanding facility. 

Coach education for our Saturday morning teams is a focus for both James Marshall and I. We are looking to support all our teams this season, with James focusing on the Under 14’s and 15’s whilst I will look after the other teams at Under 17 & 19 levels.

We are running Coach Education sessions for the various group’s coaches over the coming weeks and will attend training's and be available as resources to our volunteer coaches to help with their own personal development throughout the season.

We are indebted to all those who volunteer their time and expertise to assisting with the Nelson College Rugby programme and between James, myself and Mark Cochrane we are looking to assist as much as we can in ensuring these volunteers are supported well by the school. 

The season ahead is an exciting time for all involved and both Mark Cochrane (Master in Charge of Rugby) and I are looking to ensure the Saturday morning games in term two are scheduled games for the development and enjoyment of both the players and coaches. 

• Winning is secondary to the long-term development of our players which comes from playing the game and having fun.
• Games will be coached so the contest is the most important aspect.
• We want our players to learn to be good under the pressure of competition via games. 
• Independent team selectors will be used to ensure teams are of as equal ability as possible.
• All players selected for match-day squad will play at least ½ a game.
• Squads and players will be rotated so that players experience different positions and combinations.
• NC Players and supporters will be held to a very high standard of conduct in regards the opposition, side-line behaviour and the referee.

Term three will see the introduction of more inter school fixtures where teams will be selected at U14/15/16 and 2nd XV levels. These dates & venues are currently being worked on. 

The term two fixtures for Saturday morning rugby will be posted as soon as Tasman Rugby can confirm the number of competing teams.

INTRODUCING - Mark Cochrane

Hi, I'm Mark Cochrane and I started this year as a Teacher of Physical Education. My role includes teaching the junior and senior Rugby classes, Master in Charge of Rugby, House Sports and Manager or the 1st XV. I'm excited about taking on this position and I'm looking forward to further developing Nelson College Rugby into the future. 

I'm a born and bred South Cantabrian, coming off a farm near Waimate, but have been living in Nelson for the last 10 years. I have previously worked at Nelson College as a relief teacher, sports coordinator and as a supervisor at Rutherford House. More recently I worked at the Tasman Rugby Union.

I'm passionate about the game of Rugby, particularly the development of coaching and making Rugby a game that more people want to play.