Rams Newsletter - March 2023
To our Rams community,
With the 2023 season start only weeks away, preparation has shifted into overdrive. New player registrations continue to grow, team lists are firming up and training intensity has kicked up a gear. With pleasing preseason 10s results for many of our Senior and Junior sides, the mighty Rams are well placed for success in 2023. Below is an update on recent results and key dates for your diary.
A STRONG START - SUCCESS AT THE PRESEASON 10s
Senior 10s
On 18 March our senior men's and women's teams took part in the Tackling Leukaemia 10s at Box Hill. It was a good preseason hit out with a few youngsters getting a taste of senior rugby and doing a great job. The boys ultimately went down to Footscray 15-5 in the grand final, and our women's team also finished runners up - to Endeavour Hills. All in all, it was fantastic day out and a very promising start to competitive rugby in 2023. Thanks to everyone concerned for making the day such a success!
Junior 10s
Last Saturday we fielded u12, 14 and 18 teams at the Rugby Vic 10s, hosted by Northern Panthers. It was a massive day - more than 50 matches across all age categories. As the first hit out of the season, most teams started off a touch rusty but progressed significantly over the course of the day. The festival-like atmosphere was bolstered by 3rd place play-off wins for our 14s and 12s. Great fun, terrific camaraderie and a big effort by all concerned - players, parents, coaches, managers, referees, our mates at Northern Panthers and Rugby Vic staff. Well done!
ANOTHER HUGE MONTH AHEAD AT KEYS RD
In late February we hosted a fantastic afternoon of top-tier footy when the Rebels Academy XV took on Shute Shield side, Eastwood, in a preseason trial (Eastwood came away with the win). We have plenty more where that came from, so sharpen your pencil and get the diary ready! See below:
Supporting School Rugby
This afternoon (Friday 31 March), under lights, we will welcome local schoolboy 1st XV side, Haileybury College, in a preseason trial match against a touring side from St Edmund's College, Queensland.
The following Wednesday (5 April) we will host another local school, Brighton Grammar, playing a NZ schoolboy side from Francis Douglas Memorial College (yes, the school from which the Barrett brothers hail), also under lights.
We have a number of kids from local rugby playing schools involved in our junior sides already, and want to continue building these important relationships, so if you enjoy top-tier schoolboy rugby, please come along and lend your support. Both matches will kick off around 6pm.
Dewar Shield preseason fixtures
Tomorrow (1 April), our senior men's teams will be playing 3-way trials against the Rebels Academy side, and Footscray, at Keys Rd. Kick off 11:30am. Matches will be shortened, XV per side. Again, some great footy as the men's teams get ready for the season proper.
On Saturday 15 April, our final preseason hit out will be a Rams White v Rams Black trial match. Kick off tbc.
AND THEN THE SEASON COMMENCES...
JUNIORS
Junior fixtures (including dates/teams/locations) will be released shortly. Round 0 has now been confirmed for April 22 and 29, so please save those dates. Round 1 is confirmed as May 6.
SENIORS
Women - our Lindroth Cup side (women's 1st grade) will commence their season on 6 May.
Men - our Dewar Shield (men's 1st grade) will play their Round 1 clash v Quin's, at home, on April 29. Other men's/colts teams will also commence the season on April 29.
To coincide with the senior season launch, on April 29 will also be hosting our first President's Lunch. Good food, plenty of liquid refreshments and guest speaker. Tickets only $40. Contact Arv or Dylan for tickets or further info.
SUMMARY OF KEY DATES
APRIL
1 - Rams vs Rebels A & Footscray trial, Keys Rd, 11:30am
14 - Junior parents season launch
15 - Men's (Dewar) trial, Keys Rd, time TBC
22 - Senior players camp
22 - Juniors Rd 0
29 - Mens/Colts Rd 1, President's Lunch and Juniors Rd 0
MAY
6th - Lindroth Cup Rd 1 and Juniors Rd 1
Updates nearer each event will be released via our social media and team-specific WhatsApp channels.
**GET REGISTERED**
Nobody loves admin (do they?!), but sometimes it's essential. So far, we have done a pretty good job in registering early (particularly our juniors), but we need everyone registered asap. Registrations remain open for players, coaches, managers, volunteers and social members via Rugby Xplorer (RX).
For parents and players - if players are not registered, they are not insured.
Please, if you are training or playing, get registered now via the RX app, use the QR codes posted around the club, or click on these links for Seniors or Juniors.
Questions can be directed to Chris at chris.roberts@ramsrugby.club
SPONSORS OF THE MONTH
Thanks to our fabulous financial sponsors, Form700 and ColdJet, for their generous support to MRUFC. Sponsors are essential to the ongoing development of the club, our programs and our community. Thank you!
