Newsletter - Feb

The Paw
“Strikes Back”
With a tough season underway and a
lot of new faces within the club we felt
it was important to make communication
a priority.
So “THE PAW” is back.
We will aim to get a monthly newsletter
out to all current members and old gits
both home and abroad, spectators and
sponsors, informing them of general
updates, committee decisions, player
contributions, coaching corner, quote of
the month, WhatsApp messaging disasters
(plenty of material from Toby
here!!) and much much more.
All members can contribute if wish just
send a mail to George with articles, pics
and any point of view you wish the other
members to consider. Any publication
is only as good as its content so the
more info the merrier.
All the best
George
(Editor)
(vicechairman@locksheathpumas.com)

I am sure many of you are aware that we have been trying for 2 years to
get a piece of land in the manor where we can build our own Club facilities.
A sub-committee has explored many options with Fareham Borough
Council, who seem unwilling to help us in our drive to grow the club. Most
of the recreational space available is already earmarked for Football and
Cricket with land at an all time high especially with the new housing projects
bringing people into Locks Heath, Titchfield and Whitely.
We have built a robust business case and continue to discuss options with the Council and local MP. Our strapline is
“Bringing Rugby to the Community and the Community to Rugby”
Our aim is to grow the club to include the development of: -
2 / 3 senior men’s teams
1 woman’s team
Various Mins/junior and colts
We have the backing of the RFU for certain funding and the plan will be executed over 5 years.
We are also looking not only for a lump of land but an area where can build a Club House where members and all
the community can enjoy.
Henry Cort College
- In our current thinking we are exploring an area at Henry Cort College, Hilsen Road,
Fareham. The college is just outside our present manor but well away from our closest rival. They have an area of
land we could develop over time subject to getting the right Lease. The land is owned by Hampshire County Council
and the College are trying to get approval that we can
use to build a “Rugby Academy”
The college will allow us to use their changing facilities
immediately and we could get a 2XV pitch set up quite
quickly. The area for the 1XV pitch needs to be drained
and this takes funding and time.
There is a gym at the College for indoor training and
parking is free.
We are also in discussions with Fareham Hockey
Club as they have just built a new Clubhouse
which we could socialise at initially and possibly
use their all weather pitch for training.
It is exciting times but a lot of work to do and on
-going meetings with College are happening.
More updates next month!!

Nick gives his round up!!!
“So I was asked by The Paw to write a few words, as 1st xv captain, on
how I thought the season had gone so far and my hope for the coming
few months. Straight away my mind turned to how I was going to be
able to put a positive spin on a season where we languish bottom having
only tasted success in our very 1st league game, and are currently
12 points adrift of lifting ourselves out of the bottom 2. Not the vision I
had when I proudly accepted to lead the team back in September!
As I thought more about it, and looked beyond the dire situation the
league table seems to portray I realised that hidden amongst the many disappointments were many more positives
that the said table does not illustrate. The fact that we have competed in every match bar two, and given many of
the top sides a run for their money, proves that we are more than capable of competing and doing well at this level,
as would be shown in our points difference which I would hazard a guess is better than the whole of the bottom
half of the league. These capabilities were most evident to any of you who witnessed our performance at Fordingbridge,
which in my option eclipsed any display on show in last year’s league winning season. This showed the
level of our capabilities, and it is this that feeds the frustration that we have been unable to create any continuity
throughout the year due to injuries and unavailability, which have been the worse I have ever known, which certainly
would have brought us some much needed success.
However, the emergence this season of many new members, quality players and the return of Freddie (with tail
between his legs in the knowledge of the mistake he had made when he left his Puma brothers) have been a major
boost, and with a squad, that if willing to commit and stick together, the future looks very bright. The emergence of
the Squirrels as a regular side competing and being very successful in the merit league shows what a great state the
club is in. No one knows mathematically yet how the season will end up
and whether we will have the greatest celebration of all on the Island on
the last day of the season, but if we do fall foul to relegation then after securing
promotion next season I have no doubts we will come back a much
improved side ready to compete at the top of the league.
On a personal note there have been a couple of high and memorable moments.
At long last, the arrival of our new highly talented, dynamic back
row player Brad, has finally left our ageing club captain with the realisation
that he is not and never was a highly talented, dynamic back row player,
and his ability to break into the second row is also under much questioning with the talent available to us in Mitch
and club stalwart Jules as well as others. After months of faking injury with his phantom rib cartilage, that he seems
to use on a season to season basis, I feel he may have finally found his ultimate calling as a water boy in which he,
for half of this year, performed without fault.
Another point of personal fortune, was my choice, (or experience) to cut my evening short after a couple of pub
stops on the way back from the Fordingbridge match, and head home, ultimately forfeiting the opportunity to see
our veteran winger Phil Nuttal have a bout of travel sickness early on and to partake in our vice-captain Mitch's 'old
Rosie night' which as far as I am aware consisted of 2 digits and a 'back door'!
Skipper and Vice!!
As I've already alluded to, the season as a whole has so far been disappointing on a results basis, but as I have mentioned
to a few of the players the fact that we've stuck together and still choose to socialise together, when many
other more established clubs would have disintegrated, says massive things about why Locks Heath Pumas is a very
special place to play your rugby. It's still very early days for this young club, with huge potential, and we all have an
opportunity to play a part in its history which above all else we should be very proud of.”

Greetings from the Treasurer,
It's now been over a year since we launched the monthly standing
order scheme for paying the Annual Membership and match fees
and the club has never been more financially secure.
As the club has grown with new members playing for the Pumas
and a Squirrels team now playing regularly in the merit league,
membership numbers have increased and we have approx. 80
people on my database of which 60 are regularly paying their £25
per month. Those of you who miss payments or fail to register get
regularly emailed by me and reminded of their shortcomings!!!
The certainty of income has meant we have been able to fund
things like match day drinks and bananas, secure a regular Tuesday
night slot from our Phsyio to help with injury recovery and
make purchases of kit and equipment for match days and training.
We have also been able to subsidise the End of Season dinner
this year and secure a venue that means we can have a spring
ball rather than a hog roast.
Of course we have also been able to purchase the replacement
battle bus with the assistance of the many sponsors to the crowdfunding
effort. I would hope that you the playing members see the
benefits although unfortunately the season has not gone as
well for the Pumas as we had hoped. I would remind all of
the need to maintain their regular payments and to those of
you not signed up to do so, as the financial platform the income
generates means that we can regroup after the end of
the season and kick on next season with true Paw Power.
Yours in Finance
Gary

Player Profiles
Mitch Goldring
Our new Vice-
Captain is a man of
few words but big
on action.
Mitch is an ex Market
House Tavern
convert coming to
the Pumas to play
more competitive
rugby
He has been playing the game for only
a few seasons but continually puts his
body on the line playing either in the
back row or lock.
On the social side if no one could
guess he likes the “Old Rossie” and can
be seen leading any new member to
the club astray! In fact that’s any club
member now we think about it :
Freddie Hoare
Where to begin???
Freddie is our loveable
rogue.
For 2 years he has
terrorised the opposition
from the front
row making the
occasional appearance at Flanker.
He lost his way moving back to his
home club of Pompey only to return to
the club of his dreams 6 months later.
Freddie we forgive you!!!
Freddie has decided
to develop his own
language and specialises
in four letter
words rhyming with
aunt, bunt, dunt,
eunt, funt, gunt…..
zunt!! Spot the
missing word??
Chris Botterill
My name's Chris Botterill, known as Botty by my Team Mates. I am originally
from Gosport and have many family roots within the Navy
Prior to this season, I have had no experience playing Rugby so learning every
game and training session something new.
I joined Locks Heath Pumas as it is my local team, however from my first
night's training I've found every player to be supportive and helped me
develop in the sport.
Other than playing Rugby I enjoy Snowboarding, Carting, Biking and
Kayaking. Not many things wind me up however when behind the wheel I
lose my patience with middle lane drivers and just generally being stuck in a car."

Interview
with new
coach
Rich
Rigby
After starting my rugby career at
the age of 14 and progressing
through the age groups at Gosport
and Fareham, alongside Lee Sewell
(!), I went on to hold various positions
of responsibility within the
field of sport. After college, I
attended Northumbria University where I was given a
semi-professional contract for Newcastle Falcons RFC,
alongside such players as Ross Beattie, Hugh Vyvian
and now England defence coach, Paul Gustard.
After 2 seasons with the Falcons, I joined Northern
RFC where I held the captaincy of the 1st XV. I have
also represented both Hampshire (Colts) and Northumberland
(U21) counties and the North of England
RFU (U21), and Great Britain U19 in the sport of
American football.
More recently, since returning from Asia in 2010, I returned
to Gosport and Fareham and captained the
second XV whilst also numerous appearances for the
first XV, at the age of 37! From 2010-2012, and after
an issue with the coaching staff in the 2010-2011 Season,
I was asked to take over the senior coaching duties
at Gosport and Fareham. I successfully implemented
a clear and transparent coaching strategy at
the club and grew the senior playing numbers significantly;
with in excess of 40 new and returning players
training regularly on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
This was achieved by employing an analytical approach
to the game and paradigm breaking techniques
that enabled the senior squad to gain confidence
in their game play over 80 minutes on match
days. A friendly, encouraging atmosphere was thus
created, enabling a winning mentality still at the club
today.
Rich failed to mention his acting experience as
“Mr Groves” in the TV adaptation of Mr
Selfridge when being interviewed
Oher coaches will focus in future editions
Short periods of coaching have also taken me to
Southsea Nomads and numerous other clubs, I am
now looking after the rugby programme at St. Vincents
College Gosport, which has been a hugely rewarding
experience. Despite putting my playing days
behind me, I still continue to enjoy my rugby in a
coaching capacity and passing on as much of my own
experiences in the sport as I possibly can.

This season has seen the Pumas use WhatsApp more and more.
One of the more favoured groups is the “We chat Bollocks—24/7” and they do!!
So when thinking about future posts remember they may get a publication here!
Pack your bags!!
Tour Date Announced

Battle Bus flies again….
albeit at 60mph tops!!
Due to a very popular campaign the
club secured a new 17 seater bus. It
is in the process of getting a few bits
sorted out and a new paint job but
is operational and ready for away
fixtures.
The club would like to thank its own
members who contributed and the
following businesses and individuals
who helped us get our wheels back
on the road.
Contributors
NATS
Larcomes Solicitors
Imperial Cars
Marshall Elevators
Jolly Farmer
Steve Sutherland
Chris Ward
John Destefano
John Linney
And many more!!

End of
Season
Awards
To celebrate the tough season we have had the Committee
invite you and your partners to a night at The Ageas Bowl on
Friday 29th April from 6pm
You will enjoy...
a 3-course meal
DJ to dance the night away
Award Ceremony
Bar till 1am
This year’s event will be a black tie dress code
Cost is subsidised for members that pay into the
Direct Debit Scheme.
£20 per person for members and another guest or
£40 for unpaid up members.
There will be awards, games, (no karaoke) but
dancing throughout the night.
Come and enjoy a great night out!