MINIS RUGBY
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Farewell to our Mini’s Chair – Marion Mason
Time to reflect on my time as Chair as the 2009-10 season is drawing to a close. At the end of this season I will be hanging up my Chairman’s hat and moving to Team Manager of the Under 13’s next season.
When Grasshoppers Mini’s started in February 2003 my husband James took my two sons then 5 & 7 along, at that stage all kids played together, and I remember saying to James – if you want to take them that’s fine, but don’t expect me to stand on the side of a pitch in the cold. Little did I know then that I would firstly become Team Manager for the Under 7’s, followed by Secretary, and then take over as Chairman just before we went on tour in 2006.
During this time, the Mini Section has developed from a few kids, to loads of great players, great sportsmanship and a great coaching team, without which a lot of what the Mini Section does wouldn’t be possible.
The Trophy cabinet is bursting at the sides with the silverware our players bring back from Festivals, and this is down to the determination of our coaches and of course our players, and the parent supporters shouting on the touchline – been there and still doing it – I know what the sore throat is like the day after, and have you ever stopped to think – they can’t even understand what we are shouting when they are out on that pitch.
This year sees the 60th birthday of Grasshoppers, and although the Mini Section has only been going for a few of those years I believe that within those years we have made a considerable impact. I would just like to say Happy 60th Birthday Grasshopper’s, and here’s to many more.
One of the pleasures I have had over my time in the mini section is seeing the players develop from those who were Under 7’s through to those who have now just spent their first season in juniors, and seeing the familiar names each season that have achieved and keep achieving. Amongst our players we have dedicated players, who want to play nothing but rugby, but we also have those who want to play to have fun and make new friends, and we have always welcomed both at Grasshoppers and hopefully will continue to do so. I know some parents have doubts about their children playing rugby, I know I did, but I now love the game, and yes I grimace when you see some of the tackles being dealt, but if your child enjoys the game as mine does then you have to go with it.
There are a few thank you’s that must be said, Peter Hobson, Juan Murray, Peter Baveystock, Val Hobson, and Matt Gilmore who have all helped me during my time as Chair. Also to all the coaches, Team Managers, Mamita for all her help with printing, website etc., , to Mark & James on Grounds and the quiet one behind the bar Glyn, who books all my teas etc, and of course my family, particularly hubby James who puts up with all my moaning and my word can I moan when things don’t always go right, and to my two boys who if they never attended back in 2003 I probably wouldn’t have been involved today – it was my family who introduced me to rugby.
Thanks to all you parents and players you have all been fantastic, and I wish you all the very best and see you around!!!!!!!!!
Marion Mason
2009/10 – Welcome from Mini’s Chair – Marion Mason
No sooner has the door closed on one season, then another opens straight away. Work is already under way for the 2009/10 season, with new coaches joining us and other coaches leaving us exciting times are ahead.
2010 sees Grasshoppers celebrating their 60th Birthday, and I am sure the Mini Section will be playing an active part in this, so keep any eye out for more details.
All our Coaches and Managers are volunteers, and give up their time to coach youngsters the game of rugby, and we ask that parents and players alike respect their coaches and managers, roles which can be challenging and demanding.
The mini’s section is pleased to have two Level Coaches on board. James Mason, who has a wealth of experience in coaching from Tag through to contact is taking up the role of Players Coaching Co-ordinator, this is a new role that we have introduced following discussions at the end of last season, James will be doing training sessions with new recruits to Grasshoppers Minis, together with those players who perhaps need that little bit extra one to one training to bring them on. Lewey Hook, who is one of our Under 12 Coaches, has now completed his Level Two, well done Lewey!!!!!
Last Season saw the completion of a whole 6 years for Mini rugby, with some of our Under 12’s completing full service, I would like to wish them and all the 2008/9 Under 12’s beast of luck in the Juniors. In 2009/10 I would like to see all our players back again, and hope that you all have another enjoyable season of rugby, equally I would ask that any parent who would like to support Grasshoppers Mini’s in anyway please contact me, the more support we get the more we can achieve and the more we can continue the future of Mini rugby at Grasshoppers. I myself will be doing my last season as Chair of the Mini Section, and although at the end of the 2009/10 season I will be saddened to go, it allows for new blood to come in and take over, with new ideas, and enables me to support my own son when he moves to juniors.
Marion Mason
Minis Chair