Match Preview

KC's enter a new season with renewed optimism with new and returning faces to the club. Ian Bletcher once again returns as Head Coach to help the club rebuild its senior section that has seem a number of players leave or retire over the last few seasons.

Bletcher has set about building a coaching and support team that he feels is one of the best in the midlands and will hopefully help attract players to the club. The coaching team is headed by Bletcher with support from Captain Mikey Prothero, Player Coach Rhys Pritchard, U17's coach Jake Evitts along with Andy McLellan to provide match analysis this year. Supporting Bletcher's coaches are a team of dedicated volunteers consisting of Chairman of Rugby Nathan Small, Team Administrator Laura Skirving, 1st Team Assistant Mark Oliver, 2nd Team Captain John Phillips, 2nd Team Manager Rocky Wright and Veterans Captain Giovanni Iacono.

During preseason the coaches, volunteers and players met up to address some of the challenges and issues of previous seasons and from discussion it was agreed to set out a new culture within the senior section to ensure all players prioritise respect for the club and each other with particular emphasis on returning the 2nd team to a social team for players wishing to play rugby in a fun, pressure free environment. This change has already taken root in training where the senior and U17's teams have been combining on a regular basis with a number of players commenting on how enjoyable the sessions have been and how they are allowed to input in to sessions and feedback to coaches on their thoughts. Bletcher was quick to point out that whilst the atmosphere around the players is positive it will take time attract new and returning players as part of a rebuilding process and it is important we do not focus on the immediate results whilst this new team finds its feet in a new league.

Bletchers brand of open running rugby should hopefully entice members to come and support this new, young team as it embarks on its first game against Edwardians FC this Saturday. Kick-off is 3:00pm so if you can make the short journey to Solihull the lads would really appreciate your support. If you cannot travel, then fear not as the club is open and John Phillips and Rocky Wright are working hard to ensure the 2nd team social have a run out at the club against Bridgnorth 3rd's.

Yours in rugby

Eddie Ross
KCRFC Chairman