Last Friday Wath RUFC hosted the annual South Yorkshire Volunteers evening & 3 members from the club were nominated with Becca and Phil winning their respective categories. Nomination details can be found below. Highlight of the evening was most definitely the vast amount of curry by Dr Death.

Rebecca Bird- Young Volunteer

Rebecca has been nominated previously but since then has continued to work tirelessly for Wath and deserves further recognition.

During the2008-09 season Rebecca undertook the role of Manager of Colts squad, supporting the Team Coach (her father), Lee. Rebecca organised weekly fixtures, contacted players, and arranged transport and all other necessary tasks for the successful completion of both League and friendly games.

Rebecca originally was also responsible for Junior Player Registration but since the beginning of 2009-10 season has undertaken Senior Registration duties as well.

Rebecca writes the match reports and takes photographs, for all club teams, which are reproduced on the Website and local and regional press. Her accurate and entertaining reports have attracted national interest and she has now been given a role writing for the Rugby League.

Referring to the Website, the club site on Pitchero was created, administered and is regularly updated by Rebecca, dragging the club into the modern technological age. The Wath website is ranked in the top 50 sites and receives regular praise from opposition clubs.

Rebecca is one of the main driving forces behind the relatively recently formed Sponsorship Committee. This has involved raising thousands of pounds, ordering playing kit and the Club shop. This role has been pivotal in the recent progress at the club.

Rebecca is always willing to help, has an excellent work ethic and takes all her responsibilities seriously. She also contributes in many other areas of Club activities: working behind the bar, raising money and helping to organise social events.
Rebecca’s commitment and contribution to rugby in general and Wath in particular are much appreciated and I consider she deserves further recognition for her magnificent efforts on a volunteer basis.

Tony Price- Contribution to Coaching
Tony was the golden boy of the 1965 Wath Grammar School intake. Representative honours at rugby, soccer, athletics and cross country etc. etc. Studied P.E. at Loughborough College.

Playing career very short as result of twice ruptured Achilles hence started coaching seriously from a very young age – 23. Tony progressed through RFU awards and became youngest RFU Senior coach in 1984 aged 30 and is still an active Level 4 coach

Tony became Master ic rugby at Wath School 1976-2002, numerous age group Yorkshire champions including 3 times Yorkshire U18 champions

He was part of group of teachers which established the annual South Yorkshire schools rugby course at High Melton. Coached Rotherham Schools between 1978-86 and various age groups, U15, 16, 18 South Yorkshire Schools between 1976-96.Yorkshire coach for U17 Clubs, U18 Clubs, U18 schools 1981- 2006 (25 yrs continuous!!) North of England U18 2001-3

Yorkshire Men’s coach 2004 winners of County Championship at Twickenham
Various times Wath RUFC coach between 1984-1999.
Backs coach at Halifax RUFC 4 successive promotions to National two, National Intermediate Cup winners 2003.
Tony returned to coach at Wath RUFC in 2008 and his vision and ability are an integral part of our recent dramatic improvement on the field. Since Tony’s return Wath have achieved successive promotions from Yorkshire 3 and 2, won the Yorkshire Silver Trophy, Gerry Roberts Trophy finalists and winners and a Twickenham final of National Trophy.

This is just a very brief summary of what Tony has achieved. His time, effort, commitment and energy know no limits (ask Carol his long suffering wife) and all his coaching apart from Halifax was as a volunteer!!

Phil Ardron- Service to Rugby
Phil’s interest in rugby began when he started Wath Grammar School in 1937. Rugby was the only sport for boys in winter but Phil was told he was too small. Determined to prove them wrong he played 1st XV rugby for two years before leaving to join the navy. Phil continued to play, and gained great experience playing in South Africa.
On demob in 1948 he joined the Old Wathonians and decided to become a teacher. Started at a soccer playing school but moved to Wath in 1960.
Despite not teaching P.E. Phil was soon involved in rugby and became South Yorkshire U16 rep. on Yorkshire Schools Committee in 1961. Over many years supported boys at county trials and games, helping with transport and selection. Phil continues in the post of Yorkshire Schools Registrar. In 1973 Phil was elected to the full Yorkshire Committee as the South Yorkshire Schools Rep. and was Yorkshire President for the 1991- 1992 season. Phil also held the post of Yorkshire Secretary between 1995 and 1998. On his retirement he was made an Honorary Live Patron.
Phil and his mate Harry Mattock were responsible for the formation of the first Colt’s team at Wath.An ambitious step for a junior club and introduced the likes of Kev Burrows and Paul Anderson to the game.
Phil became President in 1983 and still plays an active roll in the club having overseen many, many changes in the game and the ups and downs of Wath rugby club.

When Phil is sitting with his pint and a Turner’s pork pie many players and supporters stop and say hello to Mr.Ardron.