U7s Dazzle on Debut

Today has been a long time in the making! It has been delayed as with most of life by Covid, and the coaches had almost reached the point of forgetting about any chance of the U7s making their first foray into their first rugby fixture this season. But ultimately the team were rewarded for all the hard work and resilience shown through various lockdowns, starts, restarts, online sessions, home schooling, stoppages to training and the myriad obstacles thrown at this group of children in the past year.

The U7s squad has bounced back from all these setbacks to continue their development and desperately deserved their chance to put it all on show on the field of play. The opportunity finally arrived in the form of an away fixture at Bournville’s Avery Fields ground, an amazing facility in the heart of Birmingham.

27 players along with the squad’s coaches and supporters made the journey through the rain showers to arrive as the sun came out and shone down on them till after the final whistle blew. The pre match excitement and anticipation was at fever pitch, and that was just the parents and coaches! Some of this squad have been in Lichfield Rugby development through the much vaunted Rugger Rats academy system, others had only joined the club the week before having never played rugby.

Even the most grumpy and cynical would have found it impossible not to leave the grounds with a smile. Watching this group of players take the field for their first fixture was a complete pleasure. To witness the camaraderie, enjoyment, creativity and skills was a privilege. Bournville were excellent hosts and the teams were all evenly matched making for a superb festival of U7s rugby. Scores galore, players grinning from ear to ear as they and their team mates scored for the first time, passes flung, sidesteps, last ditch tags, laughter, bonding and superb sportsmanship from both clubs made for a day that will live long in everyone’s memories.

Today, Lichfield Rugby Club’s most junior side all individually and collectively shone on debut, parents and coaches beaming with pride and the club should be rightly proud of them all too. In the build up to this fixture the coaches talked with parents about the unique opportunity to make a great first impression for the children, ultimately it was the U7s that made the greatest 1st impression possible on everyone with their smiles, energy and tireless efforts. Even the arrival of the rain after the final whistle couldn’t spoil this day!

As ever, the coaching team wish to extend our thanks to Bournville for hosting our first ever fixture and in such style. We extend our thanks to all the parents and supporters for their ongoing support for what we are hoping to achieve with this group of players. Finally to the players for being simply great fun to coach! Roll on next weekend and our first home fixture!