News

It is with great sadness that the club announces the untimely death of Richard Haigh on Sunday 9^th January. Richard was struck by a vehicle whilst cycling as part of his training routine in preparation for a triathlon later in the year.

Richard has been associated with Saracens since he was a new born baby as his father, Peter, played for the club in the seventies and eighties. He played mini and junior rugby before progressing to the under 21s where he established himself in the back row like his father before him. Richard left the area to pursue a degree at Manchester but continued to play for the club when he returned home on holiday.

Richard took up a post graduate post in London as he continued his studies and this enabled him to play full time, once again, for his beloved Sarries. He joined the mighty Scimitars under John Whitty and Graham North and was one of the youngest members of what was becoming a vets XV. Richard was always in the thick of the action both on and off the pitch and his contribution as a tourist reached legendary status. It was on a tour that Richard met the love of his life, Jo, and they married in 2005. By this time Richard had established himself in his teaching career working in both the state and private sector.

Richard was one of life’s big characters who was always planning the next adventure. He found it impossible to sit still and was the first to offer his help to anyone who needed it. He will be remembered as a full throttle, can do, glass half full person who gave so much to those fortunate to know him. He is sorely missed.

'Say not in grief 'he is no more' but live in thankfulness that he was'

Many of you will know I haven`t had the best of times recently but I have had a shot of good news at last which I wanted to share with my friends at Sarries.

My son Andy who played for Saracens Amateurs for many years has recently been appointed England Saxons Strength and Conditioning Coach and commences his first 2 week stint with them on the 23rd January.The position is a part time one and he will continue in his coaching role with Saracens Pros.

Naturally I couldn`t be happier for him and I`m certain his many friends at the amateur club would also wish him much success.

Best regards and a Happy New Year to all.

Terry Edwards.

It was with great sadness that the Club learned of the death of former Saracens Club President Bryan Smith, who passed away on 12th December after a long illness.

Bryan was a Saracen through and through and was certainly one of the Club's longest serving supporters, a season ticket holder at Vicarage Road until the end of the 2009 season.

We understand that he attended his first match at  Saracens in 1933 when we were playing at Firs Lane although he went on to attend a soccer school - Lancing College!!  Following war service in the Fleet Air Arm, he was introduced to the Club as a player by a childhood friend David Grammar, now a long standing Vice President and Life Member. It was at Saracens that he learned his rugby, performing regularly for the 'A's in the second row.  

He became Joint Secretary from 1949 - 1956 but this was only the beginning of his remarkable contribution to the club.  Apart from a brief period when business took up his time, he remained active in Club affairs right up to 2009.  In 1985 he became President two years earlier than expected when his predecessor Rob Bruce unfortunately died in office.  

It was during his time as President that the groundwork for the professional game was being laid and Bryan played a major part in ensuring that Saracens was able to continue competing at the top level with the introduction of the Courage Leagues. This was no easy task given the limited facilities we had at Bramley Road but he led the way with his chairmanship of the Forward Planning Committee seeking, albeit unsuccessfully,  another ground and generating just sufficient income from Sponsorship and Marketing to provide the necessary facilities and financial back-up for the 1st XV.

Bryan was a great organiser not only of the Centenary Dinner at the Dorchester in 1975 but also the 125th Anniversary Dinner at the Savoy. He was responsible for maintaining the core of the Amateur Club for many years, organising the Annual Reunions of Players, Vice Presidents and Life Members until 2009.

A memorial service is being held at St Mary's Church, Welwyn on Thursday 23 December at 11.30 am.  Donations can be made to the Isabel Hospice, Howlands, Welwyn Garden City, Herts.

Further details are available from Barney Richards at bdwrichards@blueyonder.co.uk 

Sarries 1st team players: Amy Garnett and Sonia Green have just returned from Dubai International 7s. Both players were selected to play for the Samurai side, coached by Mike Friday.  The team had a handful of superstars from England's World Cup team including Kat Merchant and Emily Scarrett, but it was Sonia Green who shone  and was voted 'Player of the Touranament'

The final was played against France in front of a capacity crowd of 20,000. The Samurai team ran out winners against France.

Sarries coaches Amanda Bennett and Katie Ball have won the coveted 'Coaching Chain Award' at the UK Sports Coaching Awards. The RFU nominated the group of coaches that have been involved in coaching Maggie through her career. Katie Ball as her Junior coach and Amanda Bennett as her club coach, joined Geoff Richards, Gary Street and Graham Smith her England coaches and Lisa Burgess (aka Bird) who was her PE teacher at her school in Edmonton North London.  Against several strong nominations the rugby coaching chain took the award.

Last night Maggie Alphonsi  scooped the prestigious Sunday Times Sports Woman of the Year Award against some  world class women's athletes. This award puts womens rugby firmly on the map and is a credit to Maggie's performance in the World Cup.Congratulations to Maggie and also  a huge thank you to everyone who voted for her. Full story:www.scrumqueens.com

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Cyprus international Christo Kasabi has been selected to face Greece in Athens on the 20th November.

Newly promoted Cyprus look to get a good start to the two season long league campaign in this hotly contested derby match.

Kasabi will be looking to add to his 10 caps for his country.

Cyprus International Christo Kasabi and his team of "Mo Bro's" including 1st XV Captain Daniel Jagessar are taking part in this years Movember event.

Movember challenges men to change their appearance and the face of men’s health by growing a moustache. The moustache becomes the ribbon for men’s health, the means by which awareness and funds are raised for cancers that affect men.  Much like the commitment to run or walk for charity, the men of Movember commit to growing a moustache for 30 days.

Please sponsor the guys in their efforts to "grow a mo" for the month. Please visit their team page: http://uk.movember.com/mospace/538700/