Thursday night’s training session had an extra buzz about it as Burnham Rugby U9s welcomed back a familiar face—Katie—who returned from Portsmouth to assist Katherine, Dan, Eddie, and Mason in running the session. Having a long-standing connection with the team, Katie’s return was met with excitement from the young players, eager to learn from the skills and drills she had picked up while playing for the University of Portsmouth.

With such a talented coaching group investing their time and energy into the squad, it’s no surprise that the team continues to improve week after week. Inspired by Katie’s presence, the players brought incredible energy and enthusiasm to every drill. Their hard work did not go unnoticed, and at the end of the session, Katherine passed the duty of awarding the Trainer of the Week trophy to Katie. After careful consideration, she chose Josh, whose tireless effort, relentless running, and determined tackling impressed throughout the night.

As Katie heads back to Portsmouth, we hope that her influence and experience will inspire the team as they gear up for Sunday’s Westcliff Festival, where they will face off against some of the best young teams. With their ever-growing skills, dedication, and team spirit, Burnham U9s are more than ready for the challenge ahead!