As Chairman this year I am very pleased with the standing of the club to date, in particular the established nature of the current teams. The Club has fielded teams in four age groups this season these were the Under 7s; Under 8s; Under 11s and Under 14s. My thanks go to the coaches Clive Thurgate and Brian Devrill; Alan Hollister and Victor Newman; Pat Scally, Eliott Forster, Mike Smalley and Brian Mills; and Russ Timpson respectively. Also to the many additional volunteers who give their services especially for match days. One person that needs particular mention is Heather Hollister who has directed the kitchen staff brilliantly almost since the club started and has finally decided now her son no longer plays for the minis, to pass her apron over.

This season the club has again been successful on the playing field in most age groups. As the youngest and newest members of the club the under 7s are on the steepest learning curve. It is due to the patience and hard work of the coaches that this particularly young side (with some as young as 4 or 5) have managed to win some matches towards the end of the season.

The under 8 team continue to dominate their age group only losing one friendly match all season.

The under 11s are another team that have had to learn many new aspects of the game for some had never competed with full tackle before. There were also many who had never played in the scrum, or rucked and mauled prior to this season so it was great to watch this team really Improve the techniques and utilise them to such good effect.

The under 14 team started off slowly gaining new players from the Duke of York’s School to boost the squad numbers and strength. This team have worked hard on playing together as a unit and have been rewarded for their efforts with improving results towards the end of the season.

Within tournaments Ash have continued to do well. At the Kent Festival of Rugby at Aylesford in April the Under 7s recorded their first win and all enjoyed the atmosphere and received their medal form one of the Harlequins players. The 8s very nearly went all the way unfortunately missed out on promotion into the knockout phase by one try. However the team made up for this by winning the Hastings and Bexhill Tournament for the second year running (see press release below).

The Under 14s enjoyed a tour of Devon and although under strength did enjoy the surfing and hospitality of the locals.

The coaches enjoyed a very pleasant evening at the end of season Dinner, as the players had enjoyed their Christmas Disco and end of season BBQ.

On behalf of the players and coaches I would like to thank our first set of Honorary Officials for their support:

Hon. President Bob Hopkins

Hon. Vice Presidents Jon Butt

Mike Smalley

Peter Chandler

Mark Shallcross

Debbie Hands

Hon. Life Members Pat and Peggy Smalley

The Club Awards are as follows:

Under 7s Most Valuable Player Mark Thomas and William Thurgate

Best Newcomer: Ben Chapman

Best Endeavour Harry Devrill

Under 8s Most Valuable Player Conor Michaels / Thomas Chapman

Best Newcomer: Nicholas Bartley

Best Endeavour Jack Dean

Under 11s Most Valuable Player Jordan Mills and Ben Smally

Best Newcomer: Michael Pritchard

Best Endeavour Sam Ward

Finally I would welcome any new players BOYS and GIRLS (aged 5 upward) and their parents to attend our first training session on Ash Recreation Ground at 10.00a.m. on Sunday 8 September 2002 and thereafter every Sunday morning (except for away fixtures).

Jez Michaels

Last updated 20th October 2003

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