FIRST PAST THE POST FOR WYTHENSHAWE

Posted: 07/01/2016

Rugby is being embraced in Wythenshawe since the launch of Wythenshawe RUFC and the appointment of head rugby union coach, ex Sedgeley Tigers professional, Sam Simpson.   

A partnership initiative between Wythenshawe Forum Trust, Manchester City Council, the RFU and Manchester Enterprise Academy (MEA), the club’s under 12s team made history when it played its first home game, and Wythenshawe’s first ever formal rugby match, against East Manchester at MEA.  

The 19 students from Wythenshawe – 16 of which attend MEA – formed strong opposition to the East Manchester team which formed three years ago, finishing the game on top with a score of 65-5 to Wythenshawe RUFC.

Club chairman, Stuart Manifould, could hardly contain his delight at the strong performance for the fledgling club: “Our vision of having four Wythenshawe teams playing on Wythenshawe’s first rugby pitch at MEA is slowly starting to come to fruition, and I would like to thank all of the staff and parents who attended on Saturday for their support.”

The club has attracted 40 registered players already, with an average of 50 boys aged from 11-16 years currently attending training each Thursday at MEA, where the seeds of the club were initially sown between MEA sport curriculum lead Stuart Manifould, and Phil Clarke, principal sport development officer for Manchester.

Two years in the planning, the duo were keen to encourage more young people in Wythenshawe to participate in sport, and to target those who are not active in their spare time with little or no interest in football or other sports.

Surprisingly popular with girls too, the rugby club is also building an under 13 girls’ squad, training at St Paul’s RC High School each Monday. More teams for different ages are in early stages of development and new players are welcome.

Parents have been so enthusiastic about the club that 18 of the players’ fathers have now formed their own squad, playing its first ‘friendly’ game on 29 January against Eccles RFC.

Training will carry on throughout the year and the club will also offer rugby camps during school holiday periods.  Sessions currently take place at local high schools and additional sessions and times will be added according to demand.

Head coach Sam played at Eccles RFC, then semi-professionally at Fylde. Since retiring from playing professionally at Sedgeley Tigers, Sam also acts as director of rugby back at Eccles. 

Prospective players and parents are encouraged to contact Sam on 07546 216136 or by email to samsimpson@rfu.com, for further information about training sessions.  The club is also interested in hearing from volunteers with different skills to help its development.