Bournville’s newly-established Player Development Pathway programme is already bearing fruit with four players making their senior debuts for the Third XV against Camp Hill Seconds last Saturday.
Twin brothers Alfie and Tom Chandler plus Jacob Maycock and Josh McCabe – all Under-18s – all stepped up to senior rugby for the first time with Alfie Chandler marking his debut by scoring a try, assisted by Tom.
It was very much a family affair for the Chandlers as Will, father of the twins, also made his third XV debut alongside his sons.
The side against Camp Hill also included Tom Downes, who graduated from Bournville Colts last season and who made his senior debut for the third team at Dudley Kingswinford in September.
Bournville established the Player Development Pathway at the start of this season to help support homegrown players progress from the minis and juniors section into senior rugby.
The goal of the Pathway is to maximise the number of M&Js progressing into the club’s senior teams, from third XV social rugby through to the first team in the National Two West.
The programme offers coaching support and mentoring to all aspiring players from Under-16s to Under-18s alongside structured support to help them transition into senior sides.
The programme is led by first team prop James Burgoyne as lead coach for Bournville Colts and Matt Mirecki who is utilising his experience of coaching Midlands Rugby Academy (West) Developing Players Pathway and Player Development Group to holistically manage the Player Development Pathway from talent identification, to coaching support, through to safeguarding and pastoral care for junior players making the step up into senior rugby.
Bournville have a thriving M&Js section with over 350 players aged from Under-6 to Under-13 regularly turning out for the club on Sundays.
Many of these players have gone on to achieve higher playing honours. Recent success has included Will Terry being selected for the regional Under-18s Academy and two more being selected for the Under-16s regional Player Development Group. In addition Meg Watson and Lizzie Jones, two members of Bournville Golds, the club’s women’s team, have won senior county honours with North Midlands having previously represented the county at Under-18s level.
For further information about Bournville’s Player Development Pathway, please contact Matt Mirecki at: matthew.mirecki.mke@gmail.com
For more information about Bournville Rugby Club in general, please contact: general@averyfields.com
