The U9s put on a fantastic display during this week’s training session, giving it their all in the tackling drills set up by coaches Katherine and Dan, with excellent support from assistants Mason and Eddie. The intensity and enthusiasm from every player was outstanding, making it the perfect preparation for their upcoming match against Basildon this Sunday.

A highlight of the session was the announcement of Trainer of the Week, which went to our newest team member, Daniel. Having recently joined the squad after attending a few warm-ups, Daniel has slotted in seamlessly, helped by the fact he already knew some of his teammates from school. His enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and fearless approach to the tackling drills impressed everyone. In fact, before the award was even announced, the whole team was already calling for Daniel to receive it—a testament to the impact he has made in such a short space of time.

Coach Katherine was full of praise for Daniel’s performance, particularly his tackling ability and his demonstration of TREDS (Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline, and Sportsmanship). Not only did he show excellent discipline in owning up to being tagged, but he also demonstrated true sportsmanship, ensuring that injured teammates were okay and alerting the coaches when needed.

It takes a huge amount of courage to join a team midway through the season, especially in a contact sport you’ve never played before, but Daniel has shown that courage in spades. More importantly, he has embodied the core values of rugby from the moment he stepped onto the pitch, always playing with a smile on his face. This brilliant team has unearthed another diamond, and we’re all excited to see Daniel continue to develop as a player.

Well done to Daniel and to all the U9s for a superb training session. Best of luck for Sunday’s match against Basildon!