Just updated the thermometer, we're up to £24,000 now. Eight months to go, two thirds of the money raised and two good bag packing spots just before Christmas. Things are looking hopeful.
And then there's the Special Project...
Saturday, 29 November 2008
Torn loyalties
As a young man in the 70s I well remember the men in red shirts with ridiculous facial hair that dominated British rugby, and didn't the Welsh let us know all about it.
So today I had seriously torn loyalties, Australia or Wales?
Fortunately the decision was taken out of my hands. After a morning wreathed in freezing fog at Southglade (remember Southglade?) I went home, had my soup and fell asleep in front of the gas fire. Sometimes middle-aged sloth has it's good side.
So today I had seriously torn loyalties, Australia or Wales?
Fortunately the decision was taken out of my hands. After a morning wreathed in freezing fog at Southglade (remember Southglade?) I went home, had my soup and fell asleep in front of the gas fire. Sometimes middle-aged sloth has it's good side.
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
Something about Outlaws
Here's a Press Release about Nottingham Outlaws and next summer's rugby league season. They will be playing nationally, which means more travelling and a more testing season. Crucially, it means that the current Under 16s, who become eligible to play as adults this year, will be exposed to a culture of excellence. That might be putting it a bit strong but I've just finished reading the Bedford Tigers Wikipedia article and seem to have contracted Bovine Excrement Syndrome from too much exposure to ... Bedford Tigers Wikipedia article.
Let's just say that you have to translate it from paper to grass. Results here.
However, getting back to U16s, and even to the question of what winning is, one of the things kids need is an example, and a successful and accessible senior team is important in a club. Well done to Outlaws and good luck for next year.
Let's just say that you have to translate it from paper to grass. Results here.
However, getting back to U16s, and even to the question of what winning is, one of the things kids need is an example, and a successful and accessible senior team is important in a club. Well done to Outlaws and good luck for next year.
Tuesday, 25 November 2008
What is winning?
I've been talking to someone about this recently because I'm sure that the way coaches define winning gets in the way of developing junior rugby in England. It might also get in the way of developing junior rugby in Scotland, Ireland and Wales, but that's not my problem.
It could be that I'm wrong, and I've been told I am wrong on more than one occassion, but I believe at junior level it's not about winning but about how you play the game. I don't want my kids to be taught to cheat or how to rough the opposition up (which is clearly done in some of the "successful" teams we play). I don't want to see them straitjacketed in a system by the time they are twelve years old and I don't want to see them in teams where the game plan is to get the ball out to the team "superstar".
We've all seen that sort of player. He's bigger or faster that the others in his age group and the coaches' gameplan revolves round him. Each year he gets smaller and slower in comparison to the others. The opposition learn to close him down. Eventually, the physical advantage having decreased considerably, you realise he can't play rugby. It's not his fault; it's the fault of the coaches who thought he didn't need to learn more skills. Meanwhile there are fourteen other kids in the team who have been made to feel second class.
My idea of winning is ending up with fifteen kids who feel good about themselves. They may have lost on points but if they have played hard and fair, played to their potential and produced some good rugby, then they should feel good about themselves. If they have won on points by shunting the ball out to their flying winger all the time you have to ask what they have achieved apart from a "W" on the score sheet. It's nice but in a year, or five or ten, it will be character that counts, not a "W".
It's fashionable today to say "show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser." It used to be fashionable to say something else.
Sorry if I'm being old fashioned, but there are worse things. Just look at the cesspit that is professional football if you want to see what happens when a sport substitutes cash for character.
It could be that I'm wrong, and I've been told I am wrong on more than one occassion, but I believe at junior level it's not about winning but about how you play the game. I don't want my kids to be taught to cheat or how to rough the opposition up (which is clearly done in some of the "successful" teams we play). I don't want to see them straitjacketed in a system by the time they are twelve years old and I don't want to see them in teams where the game plan is to get the ball out to the team "superstar".
We've all seen that sort of player. He's bigger or faster that the others in his age group and the coaches' gameplan revolves round him. Each year he gets smaller and slower in comparison to the others. The opposition learn to close him down. Eventually, the physical advantage having decreased considerably, you realise he can't play rugby. It's not his fault; it's the fault of the coaches who thought he didn't need to learn more skills. Meanwhile there are fourteen other kids in the team who have been made to feel second class.
My idea of winning is ending up with fifteen kids who feel good about themselves. They may have lost on points but if they have played hard and fair, played to their potential and produced some good rugby, then they should feel good about themselves. If they have won on points by shunting the ball out to their flying winger all the time you have to ask what they have achieved apart from a "W" on the score sheet. It's nice but in a year, or five or ten, it will be character that counts, not a "W".
It's fashionable today to say "show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser." It used to be fashionable to say something else.
Sorry if I'm being old fashioned, but there are worse things. Just look at the cesspit that is professional football if you want to see what happens when a sport substitutes cash for character.
Sunday, 23 November 2008
A day of mixed fortunes
This morning I checked the emails at 8am. There was no cancellation so the next step was to chip the car free of frozen snow, wondering all the time whether the email had been delayed as I couldn't see anyone in their right mind wanting to play rugby this morning.
If I'd been more patient I could have saved myself a job as the day warmed up and by the time we set off rain had cleared most of the cars down the street.
It was a bit dour on the way down but generally not too bad and the satnav (provided by one of the passengers) directed us a strange way which saw us arrive at Newbold on Avon slightly before someone who had overtaken us on the M1.I'm beginning to warm to satnav, though the idea of following directions given in a woman's voice is slightly peculiar. Experience tells me this is a number one way to get lost. As it was, I am happy to report that we ended up in a group of garages next to the club rather than in the club itself. Perfection is OK, but a slight flaw, even in a computer, is more endearing.
The score, after a game that I shall report on later, 0-5 to us, with a try scored in the final minute of the game.
The U13s lost 10-19 to a team that beat us 0-35 last time they visited. It's progress and although it ends the "unbeaten run", as they were starting to call it, it's also a reality check. Same for the U16s. It's been a bit too easy; this week showed where we need to start work ahead of the cup matches after Christmas.
If I'd been more patient I could have saved myself a job as the day warmed up and by the time we set off rain had cleared most of the cars down the street.
It was a bit dour on the way down but generally not too bad and the satnav (provided by one of the passengers) directed us a strange way which saw us arrive at Newbold on Avon slightly before someone who had overtaken us on the M1.I'm beginning to warm to satnav, though the idea of following directions given in a woman's voice is slightly peculiar. Experience tells me this is a number one way to get lost. As it was, I am happy to report that we ended up in a group of garages next to the club rather than in the club itself. Perfection is OK, but a slight flaw, even in a computer, is more endearing.
The score, after a game that I shall report on later, 0-5 to us, with a try scored in the final minute of the game.
The U13s lost 10-19 to a team that beat us 0-35 last time they visited. It's progress and although it ends the "unbeaten run", as they were starting to call it, it's also a reality check. Same for the U16s. It's been a bit too easy; this week showed where we need to start work ahead of the cup matches after Christmas.
Saturday, 22 November 2008
Rugby League World Cup
It started badly when we gathered down at the clubhouse in time to hear the words "The electricians were fixing the lights yesterday." This, it seems, was the explanation of why there was no power to the sockets and whey the new club TV, kindly provided by a sponsor, was not working.
Plan B involved splitting up to visit people with Sky TV, and this proved to be a good plan. New Zealand were losing by the time we got to a TV, which was the pattern for the rest of the first half. Australia played some lovely flowing rugby, New Zealand pottered about going through the motions and sticking in the game only by determination. However, as the second half got into its swing they showed that you don't need to play flashy rugby and that putting the opposition under pressure can be just as effective as they pressurised Australia into making mistakes and pounced on the chances.
Steve Ganson, acting as TMO, awarded a penalty try, variously called brave and controversial (though most commentators seemed to accept is as fair) and cemented his place as the least popular match official in two hemispheres.
Match report.
Did I mention it was 34-20. An entertaining game, a beating for Australia and a great way to spend a morning.
Plan B involved splitting up to visit people with Sky TV, and this proved to be a good plan. New Zealand were losing by the time we got to a TV, which was the pattern for the rest of the first half. Australia played some lovely flowing rugby, New Zealand pottered about going through the motions and sticking in the game only by determination. However, as the second half got into its swing they showed that you don't need to play flashy rugby and that putting the opposition under pressure can be just as effective as they pressurised Australia into making mistakes and pounced on the chances.
Steve Ganson, acting as TMO, awarded a penalty try, variously called brave and controversial (though most commentators seemed to accept is as fair) and cemented his place as the least popular match official in two hemispheres.
Match report.
Did I mention it was 34-20. An entertaining game, a beating for Australia and a great way to spend a morning.
Playing Rugby in Rugby
OK, not quite Rugby, but a club just outside. It's still amusing to someone like me with the sense of humour of a five year old. Depending on if the match goes ahead (poor weather is forecast) I might make a small detour on the way back and take a picture of the William Webb Ellis statue outside the school.
There's a statue of Rupert Brooke somewhere, though I didn't see it when we went. In any event, I don't suppose Brooke played much rugby. More of a cricket player, I always think.
Not sure if I mentioned this before in the blog or just thought of mentioning it, but if you are ever out that way it's worth having a look at the Gilbert Museum too, just across the road from the statue. It's a small museum but it's interesting and (last time I went) it's free.
I have a short-sleeved Nottingham shirt in the back of the car. I wonder if you could get it on a statue before the police arrived...
There's a statue of Rupert Brooke somewhere, though I didn't see it when we went. In any event, I don't suppose Brooke played much rugby. More of a cricket player, I always think.
Not sure if I mentioned this before in the blog or just thought of mentioning it, but if you are ever out that way it's worth having a look at the Gilbert Museum too, just across the road from the statue. It's a small museum but it's interesting and (last time I went) it's free.
I have a short-sleeved Nottingham shirt in the back of the car. I wonder if you could get it on a statue before the police arrived...
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
Most haunted
Though I've never gone as far as inviting Derk Acorah round I am convinced I live in one of the most haunted houses in Britain.
Food packets mysteriously rip themselves open, the fridge empties regularly without, apparently, any human intervention, rugby balls move from outside to inside the house and the lampshade in the living room is forever on a slant.
They say that poltergeists love houses where teenagers live and I'm wondering if this has anything to do with it. Though why a poltergeist would be so hungry and would need to practice line outs in the living room I really don't know.
Food packets mysteriously rip themselves open, the fridge empties regularly without, apparently, any human intervention, rugby balls move from outside to inside the house and the lampshade in the living room is forever on a slant.
They say that poltergeists love houses where teenagers live and I'm wondering if this has anything to do with it. Though why a poltergeist would be so hungry and would need to practice line outs in the living room I really don't know.
South Leicester 0 Nottingham 53
It almost seems bad form to report this match. Over the years we have been on the wrong end of a couple of scorelines like this and it isn't pleasant. It isn't good rugby either, and it certainly isn't good for the team. They need a better test than this if they are to shape up for the NLD Cup matches after Christmas. It wasn't good for South Leicester either - they played decent rugby and they conducted themselves well - and they deserved better than this.
This is part of the problem with not having a league system. In Midlands Rugby League the U16s have a Merit League. You can play as many or as few fixtures as you like and it is mainly based on average points. As long as you play a minimum amount of matches (three or four I think) you are given a position in the table. Generally, because summer Rugby League coaches are pretty laid back (apart from the ones from Telford*) you put out a team of suitable strength. Yes, we still believe in winning. We just believe that rugby and fun come before winning. A couple of years ago the Outlaws U11s put 19 tries past Derby Dragons at a festival. In the second match we mixed the teams up to give everyone a chance and the 12-8 result felt much better.
I know there would be problems with running a league too, and that the fixture secretary works hard to provide us with a good mix of games, but it just seems that Sunday was a bit of a waste for all concerned.
(The opinions expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the opinions of all coaches and parents,and certainly don't reflect the views of the 15 blood thirsty savages on the pitch)
*Oh, and Northampton.
This is part of the problem with not having a league system. In Midlands Rugby League the U16s have a Merit League. You can play as many or as few fixtures as you like and it is mainly based on average points. As long as you play a minimum amount of matches (three or four I think) you are given a position in the table. Generally, because summer Rugby League coaches are pretty laid back (apart from the ones from Telford*) you put out a team of suitable strength. Yes, we still believe in winning. We just believe that rugby and fun come before winning. A couple of years ago the Outlaws U11s put 19 tries past Derby Dragons at a festival. In the second match we mixed the teams up to give everyone a chance and the 12-8 result felt much better.
I know there would be problems with running a league too, and that the fixture secretary works hard to provide us with a good mix of games, but it just seems that Sunday was a bit of a waste for all concerned.
(The opinions expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the opinions of all coaches and parents,and certainly don't reflect the views of the 15 blood thirsty savages on the pitch)
*Oh, and Northampton.
Monday, 17 November 2008
Memory playing tricks
Have you ever done that? Been so convinced of something that you have ignored all facts to the contrary and carried on on your own little world?
I did last week. We were due to play South Leicestershire U16s and I kept telling myself it was easy to find, only an hour away and that we'd been there last summer to watch Outlaws play Leicester Phoenix.
Getting lost within 200 yards of the motorway didn't help, but it didn't dent my confidence. For one thing, I didn't know I was lost until we were halfway into the city centre. In fact I didn't know for sure even then, just considered it an increasingly likely possibility.
I hate being late, and to make it worse I had the balls in the back of the car so I kept seeing visions of a group of rugby players standing round with nothing to do.Not that would have happened. Put a group of 15 and 16 year olds together and the trick is actually to stop them doing things...
So, there we were, finally outside the club, despite not having recognised much of the road on the way down. As I turned in I thought "I don't remember that cemetery being there." followed swiftly by "That's a different clubhouse.".
Funny how long it takes to sink in that it isn't actually the same club at all and you have been totally wrong all week.
It's a bit like being an English sports fan. Pulverised in the Rugby League World Cup. Embarrassed at Twickenham. And still talking about winning the next one...
I did last week. We were due to play South Leicestershire U16s and I kept telling myself it was easy to find, only an hour away and that we'd been there last summer to watch Outlaws play Leicester Phoenix.
Getting lost within 200 yards of the motorway didn't help, but it didn't dent my confidence. For one thing, I didn't know I was lost until we were halfway into the city centre. In fact I didn't know for sure even then, just considered it an increasingly likely possibility.
I hate being late, and to make it worse I had the balls in the back of the car so I kept seeing visions of a group of rugby players standing round with nothing to do.Not that would have happened. Put a group of 15 and 16 year olds together and the trick is actually to stop them doing things...
So, there we were, finally outside the club, despite not having recognised much of the road on the way down. As I turned in I thought "I don't remember that cemetery being there." followed swiftly by "That's a different clubhouse.".
Funny how long it takes to sink in that it isn't actually the same club at all and you have been totally wrong all week.
It's a bit like being an English sports fan. Pulverised in the Rugby League World Cup. Embarrassed at Twickenham. And still talking about winning the next one...
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Two games. Two wins.
Sorry, time has just seemed to get away from me this week. It's probably the shock of finding both my kids on the winning side on the same weekend.
Nottingham 12 Spalding 5 in the Notts, Lincs and Derbyshire qualifiers. A tight match on an extremely slippy pitch (the aptly named Trent Pool pitch at Lady Bay). We had a surprise home advantage after they called to say they had waterlogged pitches. This was good for the parents, who were all smiling when we arrived; they are still getting used to the idea of travelling more than twenty miles to a match.
Nottinghamshire U16 3 Lincolnshire U16 0 in a game played in the pouring rain at Newark. The winning penalty was a good kick bearing the conditions in mind, as was the sixty minutes of defending that followed. The Newark groundsman (motto - "Grass grows by the inch but is killed by the foot") is unlikely to be impressed by the state of his pitch.
Both kids gave me a heart-stopping moment. I have come to expect it from Number Two son and as he secured the ball by throwing himself under the feet of the approaching Spalding pack. It isn't comfortable watching but he's a forward so it's what he does. But Number One son...
Whatever induced an elegant and somewhat willowy back to throw himself under the feet of the Lincolnshire pack to pull off the same feat? It's not natural. And neither is the Lincolnshire pack, a throwback to when dinosaurs roamed the earth if ever there was one.
Ah well, no training this Wednesday so I can catch up with my writing.
Nottingham 12 Spalding 5 in the Notts, Lincs and Derbyshire qualifiers. A tight match on an extremely slippy pitch (the aptly named Trent Pool pitch at Lady Bay). We had a surprise home advantage after they called to say they had waterlogged pitches. This was good for the parents, who were all smiling when we arrived; they are still getting used to the idea of travelling more than twenty miles to a match.
Nottinghamshire U16 3 Lincolnshire U16 0 in a game played in the pouring rain at Newark. The winning penalty was a good kick bearing the conditions in mind, as was the sixty minutes of defending that followed. The Newark groundsman (motto - "Grass grows by the inch but is killed by the foot") is unlikely to be impressed by the state of his pitch.
Both kids gave me a heart-stopping moment. I have come to expect it from Number Two son and as he secured the ball by throwing himself under the feet of the approaching Spalding pack. It isn't comfortable watching but he's a forward so it's what he does. But Number One son...
Whatever induced an elegant and somewhat willowy back to throw himself under the feet of the Lincolnshire pack to pull off the same feat? It's not natural. And neither is the Lincolnshire pack, a throwback to when dinosaurs roamed the earth if ever there was one.
Ah well, no training this Wednesday so I can catch up with my writing.
Friday, 7 November 2008
Bonfire Night Festivities
Bonfire night, and all around me fireworks were bursting in the air. Number Two son and his mother (who is also my wife - just thought I'd clear that up in this era of complicated families) went training and then stopped of at a firework display. One of the other mothers bought him a flashing LED gumshield - looks garish by daylight so can't wait to see it in the dark. Meanwhile Newark RFC held a bonfire party at the clubhouse so we had to go for County U16 training at Mansfield.
Mansfield...
I get a sinking feeling when I hear that name, for so many reasons. Partly because I can never remember then way to the club and the directions on the website don't actually help much. It's the only time I wish I had satnav but for once or twice a year I'd rather get lost than spend the money.
Also because they always put us on the back pitch which is three quarters size and tussocky, particulalrly when they don't mow it for a week or two. They do it on purpose as our players are faster than theirs if you give them space and a flat surface.
And finally because of the werewolves.
Admittedly I've never seen one but in the dark, with the mist rolling across the road, you get the feeling that they are out there. And some of their U13s are definitely more hairy than you would expect at that age...
Mansfield...
I get a sinking feeling when I hear that name, for so many reasons. Partly because I can never remember then way to the club and the directions on the website don't actually help much. It's the only time I wish I had satnav but for once or twice a year I'd rather get lost than spend the money.
Also because they always put us on the back pitch which is three quarters size and tussocky, particulalrly when they don't mow it for a week or two. They do it on purpose as our players are faster than theirs if you give them space and a flat surface.
And finally because of the werewolves.
Admittedly I've never seen one but in the dark, with the mist rolling across the road, you get the feeling that they are out there. And some of their U13s are definitely more hairy than you would expect at that age...
Thursday, 6 November 2008
Fund raising thoughts
This is one of the current rescue attempts for Nottingham Rugby. I don't actually understand Facebook. It's bit like texting. Or rap stars. I can see some people like it but can't really see the point.
They have also posted a share application form and a simple begging form on the website.
In truth, it's a bit like the strategy I use here, though this is at least backed up with bag packing and raffles. Though wishing them, and the fans, well in their find-raising I do hope they aren't going to start competing with us for fund-raising. The thought of 22 professional rugby players packing bags at ASDA is going to haunt my dreams for weks to come.
They have also posted a share application form and a simple begging form on the website.
In truth, it's a bit like the strategy I use here, though this is at least backed up with bag packing and raffles. Though wishing them, and the fans, well in their find-raising I do hope they aren't going to start competing with us for fund-raising. The thought of 22 professional rugby players packing bags at ASDA is going to haunt my dreams for weks to come.
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
Oh dear...
The Forum at the professional club was "temporarily" down last night. Could it be anything to do with this news story?
It's probably a story to generate financial support for the club rather than a real panic, but it's an example of how hard it is for professional rugby to survive outside the top twelve clubs in England. We're number 15 in the country - if we were the 15th ranked football team we'd have million pound superstars all over the place and sponsors ramming money down our throats.
We aren't actually the same team now, having split before this season started, so I'm a member of Nottingham Boots Corsairs RFC and merely a supporter of Nottingham Rugby but it still hurts to see them in trouble. My kids have been trained by a lot of the players from Nottingham Rugby over the years; they arec a great bunch of blokes and they deserve better than this.
I don't think the management of the club has been great since the game turned professional but you can't fault the efforts of the members in working to drag it back up. It's just a shame these efforts seem to have come to nothing. Some teams did better than us, some did worse.
However, it isn't helpful to criticise just now, or even to dispute some of the things I just heard the Chairman say about the money they spend on supporting the amateur club. Let's just say that from the point of view of the parents of NBCRFC it looks like we gave them plenty too.
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Things you see when you don't have a gun
When I first played rugby I had black boots. If you had white trim you were thought to be rather bohemian. Of course, in those days I also used to score three-point tries with a leather ball. Though not often.
How times have changed.
No conspiracy after all
Sadly, it seems I am unable to pin the cancellation of the Under 16 match on the minis. Seems Nuneaton had players away at a county match and, with four last minute cancellations, had to pull out. It seems that the person they thought was going to ring us forgot. I have a poor memory too, so I can sympathise with that.
I would much rather it had been a conspiracy though...
This leaves me in a position, like the comedians Ross and Brand, of having to offer sincere apologies. In my case it's only to the non-contact ankle-biters so it doesn't really matter. I'm certainly not in danger of losing a lucrative contract over this.
Today's question -
Should children be allowed to play rugby before their voices stop sounding like badly-oiled door hinges or not?
I would much rather it had been a conspiracy though...
This leaves me in a position, like the comedians Ross and Brand, of having to offer sincere apologies. In my case it's only to the non-contact ankle-biters so it doesn't really matter. I'm certainly not in danger of losing a lucrative contract over this.
Today's question -
Should children be allowed to play rugby before their voices stop sounding like badly-oiled door hinges or not?
Sunday, 2 November 2008
Stranger and stranger...
We arrived at Nuneaton for the Under 13 match without being cancelled. I've only been once before and could remember standing water but on arrival was pleasantly surprised by the state of the pitches. On spiking the umbrellas into the ground I discovered why - lots of gravel. I wish I could say the same about Nottingham.
On one of those days when everything went right (well, nearly everything, but I'm not here to discuss the weak points of our game) our pack roamed the field like a pride of lions and the backs produced an exhibition of free-flowing rugby. The result doesn't actually matter, it was just so good to see the kids enjoying themselves and producing great rugby. As we left the changing rooms the opposition scrum half told our kids that they were going to slaughter us. Where do scrum halves get their genes from?
Meanwhile the Under 16s waited patiently for their opposition (Nuneaton U16s) to turn up. On ringing to see if they were lost they found out that someone from our end seems to have cancelled the fixture. Suspicion is focused firmly on the Mini Section who were hosting a tournament at The Bay this morning and were worried about space. If this was CSI I'd be after getting a subpoena and a phone dump but as it's not, I'll have to be content with posting my suspicions in cyberspace.
On one of those days when everything went right (well, nearly everything, but I'm not here to discuss the weak points of our game) our pack roamed the field like a pride of lions and the backs produced an exhibition of free-flowing rugby. The result doesn't actually matter, it was just so good to see the kids enjoying themselves and producing great rugby. As we left the changing rooms the opposition scrum half told our kids that they were going to slaughter us. Where do scrum halves get their genes from?
Sorry about the poor quality of the picture - the way things are these days I daren't put up a picture that actually shows anything.
Meanwhile the Under 16s waited patiently for their opposition (Nuneaton U16s) to turn up. On ringing to see if they were lost they found out that someone from our end seems to have cancelled the fixture. Suspicion is focused firmly on the Mini Section who were hosting a tournament at The Bay this morning and were worried about space. If this was CSI I'd be after getting a subpoena and a phone dump but as it's not, I'll have to be content with posting my suspicions in cyberspace.
Is it that time already?
It doesn't feel like seven days since Saturday was last here,and looking at the blog, I seem to have missed a day entirely. As this will appear on Sunday, despite being about Saturday, you might even say two.
Southglade Leisure Centre, as mentioned by Stew in the last post, proved to be a little warmer than usual, though still as cold as a taxman's heart. However, after an hour of standing there feeling cold and lonely (no other parents were stupid enough to turn up and watch) things suddenly took a turn for the worse. The clouds, which had been shooting overhead at a rapid pace, decided to turn grey and stop.
Now, I can put up with cold, rain and wind; they are all part of being a parent of sporting children. What aggravates me is how the rubber crumbs of an "all weather pitch" stick to my shoes and lower extremities in wet weather. And the cones, balls,water bottles, children...
You name it - it ends up with a rubber crumb stuck to it. I have often wondered how long it would take to steal an entire pitch, assuming you wanted one, but fortunately have never been bored enough to try and calculate it.
After that we went to IKEA. In some ways it was better than last weekend (I managed to get to the canteen before it stopped serving, for instance) in other ways it was worse.I will come to that later. Strangely, in one way it was exactly the same. We had a family come through the checkout - one with a British Lions shirt,one with a Leicester Tigers shirt. Regular readers will know what I am about to say...
...we didn't get a penny from them. I don't know what it is about a Tiger's shirt but they are not, based on our recent sample of three, a sign of open-handed generosity. In fact the whole day was characterised by a lack of generosity as a procession of miserable-looking shoppers made their way through the tills. Some were still very pleasant - members of Scunthorpe, Lincoln and Keyworth rugby clubs to name but a few.
The worst one was the chap who decided to have a go at my wife for daring to help pack his bag (though his wife had agreed to it). I won't go into detail but if his wife ever cracks under the pressure of living with him I hope (a) the right poison is readily available and (b) she gets away with it.
(This a personal opinion and should not be mistaken for the official position of Nottingham Boots Corsairs).
Anyway, better go now, have to be up early for a trip to Nuneaton.
Ah, the romance of junior rugby!
Southglade Leisure Centre, as mentioned by Stew in the last post, proved to be a little warmer than usual, though still as cold as a taxman's heart. However, after an hour of standing there feeling cold and lonely (no other parents were stupid enough to turn up and watch) things suddenly took a turn for the worse. The clouds, which had been shooting overhead at a rapid pace, decided to turn grey and stop.
Now, I can put up with cold, rain and wind; they are all part of being a parent of sporting children. What aggravates me is how the rubber crumbs of an "all weather pitch" stick to my shoes and lower extremities in wet weather. And the cones, balls,water bottles, children...
You name it - it ends up with a rubber crumb stuck to it. I have often wondered how long it would take to steal an entire pitch, assuming you wanted one, but fortunately have never been bored enough to try and calculate it.
After that we went to IKEA. In some ways it was better than last weekend (I managed to get to the canteen before it stopped serving, for instance) in other ways it was worse.I will come to that later. Strangely, in one way it was exactly the same. We had a family come through the checkout - one with a British Lions shirt,one with a Leicester Tigers shirt. Regular readers will know what I am about to say...
...we didn't get a penny from them. I don't know what it is about a Tiger's shirt but they are not, based on our recent sample of three, a sign of open-handed generosity. In fact the whole day was characterised by a lack of generosity as a procession of miserable-looking shoppers made their way through the tills. Some were still very pleasant - members of Scunthorpe, Lincoln and Keyworth rugby clubs to name but a few.
The worst one was the chap who decided to have a go at my wife for daring to help pack his bag (though his wife had agreed to it). I won't go into detail but if his wife ever cracks under the pressure of living with him I hope (a) the right poison is readily available and (b) she gets away with it.
(This a personal opinion and should not be mistaken for the official position of Nottingham Boots Corsairs).
Anyway, better go now, have to be up early for a trip to Nuneaton.
Ah, the romance of junior rugby!
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