Category: Sports News

CHINNOR RFC Thame and Powerhouse Performance Club, who work together on the teams’ fitness at Kingsey Road, will be going head-to-head over the next month in a race around the world!

Starting tomorrow, Chinnor and Powerhouse will use the GPS cycling and running app Strava to see who can cover the circumference of the Earth – 40,075km – first. 

Chinnor RFC Thame Head of Community, Matt Goode said: “This is a new chapter for the Club and we would like everyone to work together. This is a great way to start a little bit of fitness before the season begins, but to also have fun and enjoy some healthy competition with our friends at Powerhouse. It is a fantastic opportunity to come together as a whole Club without physically being able to at the moment.” 

Powerhouse Performance Club are based at the rugby club’s Kingsey Road ground, running small group personal training and outdoor bootcamps. 

Co-founder Daz Oliver, who is also Chinnor’s Head of Strength & Conditioning, said: “I’m very excited about this challenge! Although the rugby club will have more numbers, we have a group of crazy dedicated members who are already excited to get started. It’s a perfect opportunity to get the kids off the computer and to get active as a family. Whether it’s a one-mile walk or 50-mile cycle, it all counts towards the total and everyone is improving their health and fitness along the way.” 

While Chinnor and Powerhouse will be battling it out for supremacy during July 1-31, prizes will also be awarded for the top performers across the following categories: 

• Powerhouse Performance Club Members & Staff 
• Chinnor Minis 
• Chinnor Juniors & Colts 
• Chinnor Senior Players 
• Chinnor Staff, Members & Supporters 

To sign up, download the Strava app and register. Once you have done that, select ‘Explore’, then ‘Clubs’ and search for either ‘Chinnor RFC Around The World’ or ‘Team Powerhouse Around The World’.

CHINNOR RFC winger, Josh Hodson, is setting himself a new sporting challenge by attempting a hole-in-one on Saturday, July 4, In aid of Michael Sobell Hospice, a cause close to his heart.

The odds of an amateur golfer hitting a hole-in-one are estimated to be 12,500 to 1, hence Josh setting a massive fundraising target of £12,500 (of which £705 has so far been raised) for his challenge which will take place at Rickmansworth Golf Club, which has kindly prepared and allocated a special par 3 hole for the day’s event. 

For every shot Josh takes he requires a donation of a £1 and each pound raised will go directly to Michael Sobell Hospice where his mum (Sian Hodson), who is terminally ill with cancer, is being treated and cared for. This money will make a huge difference to the Mount Vernon-based Hospice which is in need of financial help as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

“During these tough times with COVID-19, Michael Sobell Hospice Charity has lost up to 80% of its funding and is in desperate need of public donations,” explained Josh. “For everything the Hospice team has done to help my mum and others get through their own personal battles, I feel it is the least I can do to try to help keep their doors open.”

Commenting on his challenge, mum Sian said: “My terminal cancer diagnosis just over four years ago had a massive impact on the family and both my sons immediately started individual fundraising attempts, with each of them managing to raise several thousand pounds for cancer charities. Michael Sobell plays a very important part in our lives. I have been an inpatient several times and as a result, it was suggested that I should attend their Day Centre which has helped me beyond belief.”

Sian added: “When Josh realised that the Hospice was suffering a deficit in their fundraising income this year, due to COVID-19, he knew he had to do something to raise as much money as quickly as possible, whilst hopefully attracting as much attention as possible from local businesses and residents who might be in a position to donate some money to enable him to try and hit a hole in one.”

To donate to Josh’s challenge and help raise funds for Michael Sobell Hospice, please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/hole-in-one-for-michael-sobel

AS Thame slowly emerges from lockdown caused by the Covid 19 pandemic, the town’s sports clubs are beginning to tentatively open and begin to return to some sort of ‘normal’.

Chinnor RFC, based in Thame, have begun training in small groups, the senior squad being put through their paces for the first time at Kingsey Road on June 9, in groups of no more than six people. Following the government and Rugby Football Union guidelines, two metre social distancing and hand cleansing observed at all times.

Head of Strength & Conditioning, Daz Oliver and Team Manager Matty Mountford led the first session, with a delighted Daz, reporting:  “We basically got the guys moving. We had a bit of SAQ (speed, agility and quickness) with Matty followed by a bit of barbell complex stuff to get them chucking a bit of weight around again and got them doing some run aways.

“It was literally about getting some volume in their legs because a lot of the lads haven’t done anything for a long time, so we’re trying to get them ready for when pre-season starts properly.

Return to Rugby Road Map

The RFU released their Return to Rugby Road Map for the community game the week before with small group training being the second phase of the six-stage plan. Chinnor are hoping to begin pre-season on July 2 and Director of Rugby ,Richard Thorpe ,was pleased to see players back at the Club. He said: “It’s fantastic. We’re still living in unprecedented times right now. We’ve got absolutely no idea when we’re going to be able to return to playing, but there are things we can focus on and control.

“We’ve put so much work in to the clubhouse over the past six weeks to make sure that by the time we’re actually fully back here as a squad preparing for our first game, we’ve got an outstanding environment for the players to step in to.

“Following the announcement from the government and the RFU, we can now start bringing our players back. We’re now able to get some conditioning through their bodies and start to manage their training loads in order to ensure that when we’re able to get back to playing, we’re going to be ready.”

 

CHINNOR RFC Thame have announced the appointment of Daz Oliver as their Strength and Conditioning Coach. The former RAF lock enjoyed two spells with the Club as a player and is well known to members and supporters. 

The appointment marks the continuation of Chinnor’s link with Powerhouse Performance Club, which is based at Kingsey Road and co-founded by Daz. Having previously held the position of S&C Coach, Daz has said that he is delighted to be a part of the set-up once more. 

“I am really pleased to be brought into the management team alongside Richard Thorpe as Director of Rugby, Matty Mountford as Team Manager and Bertie Hopkin as Club Captain,” he said. “Thorpey has outlined his vision for the Club and the culture we want to build, and it’s very exciting. 

“I have been in and around the Club since 2014 as a player and S&C; I even run my company Powerhouse Performance Club from it. Powerhouse has been involved with the strength and conditioning for the last two seasons, so we have a good understanding of what works and what doesn’t. Thorpey has given me licence to put whatever systems I see necessary in place to get us up to the standard we want to operate at. I am looking forward to this continued Chinnor and Powerhouse partnership.” 

CHINNOR RFC Thame has announced the appointment of Richard Thorpe as its new Director of Rugby.

Richard is well known to the Club from his time at Kingsey Road in 2016 as Player/Head Coach when he successfully integrated Premiership-grade game plans, structure and culture. 

Richard’s playing career included 150 Premiership games with London Irish, Leicester Tigers and London Welsh. He has won both the Premiership and the Championship, and in what he considers the pinnacle of his rugby career, represented Rugby Canada at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England. 

After retiring from professional rugby, Richard has forged successful careers in both property investment and performance coaching – the latter being his primary focus since 2018. His coaching clients include international athletes, partners, c-suite executives and successful young entrepreneurs. His work with these individuals is focussed on performance, resilience and wellbeing at the 1-2-1 and/or group level. 

Chairman of Chinnor RFC Thame, Simon Vickers commented: “When Richard made contact, we immediately took his approach seriously. Richard was extremely well thought of in his time at the Club and shares our reset vision as to how we will move forward in these challenging times and beyond. Richard is a professional through and through and a great communicator and we know that he will get buy in from not just the players but the whole of Chinnor Club. Regardless of how much or how little rugby we play next season Richard will be working hard to ensure we are well prepared.” 

Richard said of his appointment: “The moment I became aware of this opportunity I knew that I could make a substantial difference to what is already a successful and well run club to enable it to move to higher levels in all respects. Having spoken with Simon and the Board I am enthusiastic and impressed by their new vision, which allows me the freedom to inject a new energy, philosophy and culture to deliver it. I am passionate about rugby and rugby clubs. They are a great force in the community, and I have many fond memories of my time at Chinnor and the friendships I made there. I am excited to return and take control during these challenging and uncertain times we are all experiencing. Chinnor will be a Club that tackles these challenges head-on, and together we will come out the other side better rugby players and better people.” 

Chinnor RFC has also appointed Matty Mounford as its new team manager. A previous Chinnor player, Matty replaces Steve Trenchard, and the new-look club has also been joined by Bertie Hopkin as team captain.

NB Chinnor RFC Thame are a community club with the highest ranked first XV in Oxfordshire who play in the third tier of English rugby. The club aims to provide enjoyable rugby for all levels and ages, with three senior sides, a vets team, age group rugby from U6 to Colts, a girls team and touch rugby.

CHINNOR RFC Thame has confirmed that Director of Rugby, Matt Williams, is to leave the Club to take up a new role with London Scottish. 

Joining the Club in 2014, Matt oversaw the club’s rise from amateur to the semi-professional ranks, achieving promotion to National League One for the first time in 2018. 

After just two seasons in the third tier of English rugby and as one of the youngest sides in National League One, Chinnor is now firmly tablished  at this level. 

Simon Vickers, Club Chairman, said: “When Matt told me he had received an approach from London Scottish and a firm offer, I told him that if he was happy with it he should seriously consider taking it. 

“We have never stood in the way of any of our team moving forwards and this is clearly a career progression. Matt has shown that with his determination and strong vision he can move a side forwards as he has quite clearly done at Chinnor and we thank him for that.

“I have no doubt he will be slightly sad that he did not fulfil the joint ambition of finishing top of National League One. It is however a testament to what we have achieved at Chinnor that both our players and coaches are able to move up the leagues.  Matt leaves with our blessing – best wishes and thanks. 

“These are uncertain times for all clubs, but we are already quite well advanced with the search for a replacement director of rugby and we are very enthusiastic about the exciting structure that we have in mind and are confident that when we get the all clear to start up again we will be good to go. 

“Do make contact if you would like to be part of the next stage of our journey.”

THAME Ladies kicked off their winter training session recently, although at the time, little did they know that their season was probably not going to happen because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A Complete Cricket Master class was lead by Marie Kelly (five years experience as Warwickshire Women’s 1st XI Captain, represented England Women’s U19’s for four years and has represented Loughborough Lightning and Southern Vipers in the KIA Super League), and Lauren Rowles [6 years experience as Worcestershire Women’s 1st XI Captain, is now representing Derbyshire Women’s 1st XI. Most recently was Loughborough University Women’s MCCU Assistant Coach as well as Loughborough Lightning Senior Community Coordinator].

There was a fantastic turnout, existing and new members, with many keen to get back in the swing of things with the outdoor season starting on May 3rd.

The session kicked off with a fun and very effective warm up which set the mood for the rest of the training session. We moved on to batting techniques and practice whilst receiving specific individual feedback to all players from both a technical and outcome based perspective. This helped us to achieve immediate results and ultimately will improve our performance in the field.

The bowling segment consisted of initial analysis of each bowler that then led to target practice and techniques to ensure the arm position is correct yet power is maintained. Wicket keeping techniques were on show in the adjacent nets and how best to react in a very short space of time all the while knowing where your stumps are!

The final area was group feedback on collective areas to improve on as a team as well as us demonstrating drills/exercises for covering most fielding techniques whilst working as a team and to keep communicating at all times.

Thanks to Complete Cricket, Marie & Lauren, for working with us. We look forward to an outdoor session with them in the near future.

If anyone is interested in starting to play or are looking for a women’s club team to transfer to then please contact Mel White on women@thamecricket.org.uk
Twitter: @ThameLadies
www.thamecricket.org
Facebook.com/thamecricketclub
Twitter: @thamecricket
Twitter: @COMPLETECRICKET
www.completecricket.co.uk

RICKY Khan, Chinnor RFC’s Back coach, believes that his side are ready for another tough test as they prepare to face Sale this Saturday (March 8). 

The Thame-based side make the 330-mile round trip to Greater Manchester for Round 25 of National League 1. 

Travelling up on Friday, Chinnor are looking to control all elements of their preparation as they bid to make it seven successive wins in the third tier of English rugby. 

Last week’s victory over second-place Rosslyn Park saw the Oxfordshire club, who have not lost on their travels since October, close the gap to their fellow high-fliers to two points. 

Sale have won six of their last seven home games, which included an 8-7 victory over leaders Richmond, but backs coach Khan is confident Chinnor can continue their fine away run and make it eight games unbeaten on the road. 

He said: “It’s another tough fixture for us. But I think we’re well equipped at the minute for these different battles and long journeys. 

“We’ve gone to places like Plymouth Albion and Hull Ionians and come away with good results, so we’re hoping to go up to Sale, take them on, and try to keep our winning run going.” 

Chinnor’s unbeaten away record includes victories over Birmingham Moseley, Hull, Bishop’s Stortford, Rotherham Titans and Canterbury as well as draws at Park and Plymouth. 

Director of rugby, Matt Williams, has previously spoken about his side’s expansive play on the road, something which has been on show at home over the last month. 

Khan believes there is also another reason to the results. He added: “We’ve said before about our brilliant away support, but I think it’s the fact we’ve become a really close squad now. 

“Away from home we know it’s going to be a lot tougher, but the lads just battle through. Like every side up and down the country, Chinnor have had to play through several storms this year, namely Dennis and Jorge.” 

The weather has obviously had an impact on the pitches, but Khan insists the players are willing to put their bodies on the line, no matter the conditions. 

“I think we’ve been faced with everything this season,” he said. “Torrential rain, hurricane winds and now it’s potentially going to be like a mud bath at Sale. 

“But I think those kind of adverse conditions galvanise us as a team and we relish the challenge, so for us it’s another feather in the cap and another opportunity.” 

SATURDAY’S SQUAD 

Chinnor (v Sale, away): from Barnes, Dancer, Ehizode, Elder, Goss, Kirwan, Laverick, Hoadley, Hodson, May, McNulty, Parilli-Ocampo, Pieterse, Ramshaw, Rees, W Ryan, Selway, Treviranus, Tyas, Watson, Worrall, Yawayawa.