News

Now the curtain has fallen on London 2012, the four-year countdown has begun to Rio de Janeiro, where the sport makes its first appearance in the 2016 Olympic Games (writes www.nowrugby.com)

England’s men are in the middle of a pre-season build up to the 10-tournament HSBC Sevens World Series that kicks off in Australia in October while England’s Women are preparing for a busy season which includes contesting a newly created IRB World Sevens Series. Both teams will also compete in the World Cup Sevens in Moscow next summer.

But the prospect of competing in Brazil as part of Team GB is in all their minds following the London 2012 Games and was underlined today by players Rob Vickerman and Alice Richardson.

Men’s captain Vickerman said: "The whole thing was just incredible and to think that rugby’s going to be a part of this in four years’ time is a great prospect. 

"The game of sevens is perfectly suited to the Olympic environment and for the whole globe to see that – and we’re talking about billions of people – is going to be amazing. It’s going to be a big focus for us, four years to work hard on it and hopefully there’ll be some lucky lads from the England team who can push for those honours.

"Being an Olympian is something you’d never have considered as a rugby player. You grow up and think ‘I’d love to win a World Cup or play for the British Lions’. But then suddenly there’s this whole new target available for the younger generation.

"To say you’re an Olympian, let alone a medallist, is hard to understand but we’re going to see an exponential growth in the game over the next few years and the next generation will be inspired by that."

Richardson added: “It is incredibly exciting to think that Sevens is now an Olympic sport and I can’t wait to hopefully experience that in four year’s time.  Team GB has performed so well at London 2012, especially the female athletes, and I hope that we will be able to continue and build on that success.

“The buzz around London 2012 has been amazing and very inspiring. I can’t wait to be a part of it, to rub shoulders with Olympians from around the world in the village and competition venues and to compete at the highest level. Being an Olympian is every athlete’s dream and I know that every member of the England Women’s Sevens set-up will be working extremely hard to do everything they can to be a part of the Rio games in four years’ time.”

The RFU have asked that all Club Coaches carefully review the following:

I would like to draw your attention to the IRB Law amendments approved for global trial at the start of the  Northern Hemisphere season at, or around, 1^st September 2012.  (The amendments can be implemented during pre-season and cup matches taking place in August)

I would be most grateful if you could share the email and attached presentation with coaches and referees involved in Rugby at all levels of the game. 

If you go to the following link you will find all the information you need including detailed descriptions of all law amendments and supporting videos  http://www.irblaws.com/2012/

1. Law 3.4 Players Nominated as Substitute
2. Law 4 Players Clothing - Provisions Permitting the Use of GPS
3. Law 4.2 Special Additional Items of clothing for women
4. Law 4.3 Studs
5. Law 6.A.6 (b) Referee Consulting with Others [TMO Trial]
6. Law 9.B.1 Taking a Conversion Kick
7. Law 12 1 Outcome of a Knock-On or Throw Forward
8. Law 16.7 Unsuccessful End to a Ruck
9. Law 19.2 Quick Throw-In
10. Law 20.1 (g) Forming a Scrum
11. Law 21.4 Penalty and Free Kick Options and Requirements

A PDF file has been added to the 'Downloads' section of this website.

Sadly we have to report that John Heggadon, Club President from 1991 – 1993 passed away on Tuesday 10 July.

John was 73 and had been a tireless worker for the club both as player and official. Before he joined Saracens he played for Old Askeans, Oxford University and Richmond.

He joined Saracens in the second row where he used his height to great advantage. He soon found himself playing County Rugby for Kent then in 1970/71 he became one of four County Captains in the Club 1st XV. In 1973 he was appointed Captain of Saracens but was forced to retire after sustaining a broken cheek bone, a damaged rib cartilage and finally breaking his jaw!

Despite a busy business career with Thomas Potterton and John Mowlem he remained a staunch clubman and was a regular supporter both home and away when his stentorian cry “Come on Sarrieees” became familiar. A great committee man he was a strong supporter of the formation of the Women’s section at the club; of course they are now amongst the top sides in the country.

In 1991 he became President. These were difficult times with professionalism looming and a desperate need to improve and maintain a strong club and supporting facilities. This need for a more streamlined administration to deal with the new challenges led to John resigning from the Presidency and becoming Club Executive Manager.

He continued as a vital member and supporter of the Club right through into the professional era and was a regular at Vicarage Road until he entered hospital for an operation in January 2011. Amazingly he was still there in the same hospital in July this year – he would never give up. He was a great Saracen.

His funeral will take place at Reading Crematorium on Wednesday 25 July at 2.30 pm.

Charles Portsmouth

Honorary Secretary

Applications are invited for the following roles at Saracens Amateur RFC for the 2012-13 Season.

Full job specifications and details are contained in the Saracens Coaching Policy document, which is available for download by all Club Members by clicking here or by emailing the Saracens Coaching Sub-Committee.

Coaching Sub-Committee vacancies are:

- Coaching Development Manager [RFU Level 2 or higher]

- Club Coaching Coordinator [RFU Level 1 or higher]

- Club Refereeing Coordinator [Qualified RFU Referee]

Applications for these roles close Sunday 15th July - please apply in writing with a copy of your CV to the Saracens Coaching Sub-Committee

Coaching Role vacancies for 2012-13 Season are:

- Senior Women's Forwards Coach [request Job Specification here - RFU Level 2 or higher]

- Lead Coach - U.12 Age Group [RFU Level 2 or higher]

- Lead Coach - U.17 Age Group [RFU Level 2 or higher]

Applications for these roles close Sunday 29th July - please apply in writing with a copy of your CV to, or request further information from the Saracens Coaching Sub-Committee

An excellent turn out, as 25 Saracens Coaches from across the Club attended and qualified at the RFU 'Scrum Factory' clinic held at Bramley Road on 4th July.

Players across the club should prepare themselves for a variety of excellent new training exercises and techniques, all designed to keep the scrummage square, secure and safe at all times in matches and practices

How well do you REALLY know the laws of the game??

Saracens coaches & players at all levels are encouraged to take the IRB Laws self-test. The flexible online question & answer modules take about 40 minutes to complete, and do not have to all be completed in one session. Once you have passed each section, you are awarded an IRB certificate to download.

Its challenging, informative and a bit of fun to test yourself....good luck!

The rescheduled RFU Scrum Factory course will take place this Wednesday 4th July, with registration at 1845. The course starts at 1900. 

Please come dressed ready for active participation. The course will be delivered by Simon Horner from RFU London North Coaching Development team.

Saracens and England Rugby Player, Maggie Alphonsi has been awarded an MBE in todays Queens Birthday Honours list.

Maggie , known as 'Maggie the Machine', reached 25 international tries for England against world champions New Zealand at Twickenham last November. As well as playing at Saracens and being involved in all aspects of the ladies section of the club she works as a talent development officer for the Rugby Football Union in London and the South-East.

http://www.rfu.com/News/2012/June/NewsArticles/160512_Alphonsi_MBE.aspx