HEAD COACH NOTES Good afternoon and a very warm welcome to everyone attending Gorton Street today. Well, after an extremely long and difficult time for us all, as Covid-19 put a halt to rugby and life as we knew it, we are finally able to welcome back competitive rugby as the 1XV take on old friends Burnley in the first round of the Lancashire Plate. Eccles will be fielding three Senior male teams today, as the 2XV host Littleborough 2XV at Gorton Street, while our 3XV make the short journey over to Trafford MV to play in what we hope will be the first of hopefully many games this season. I wish all our players and teams good luck as we look to build and learn from mistakes made during the previous two weekends to ensure we are ready for the start of the league campaign next Saturday. Over the course of the season ahead, the club will be looking to maintain its development of rugby for all, offering a training and playing experience for everyone who wants to take part in the game we love. The provision of both competitive and social fixtures for Male and Female players with different aspirations is something we see as being vitally important for the continued growth of our club. Walking Rugby and Touch Rugby keep so many people actively engaged and have proven to be a useful tool for the recruitment of new faces. Cultivation of Homegrown talent through our Mini, Junior and Colts sections will remain central to our future senior success, encouraging participation rugby at whatever level / format players want, for as long as they want. I’m sure the 2021/22 season will have many exciting and disappointing days in store up its sleeve for all clubs, but to have our game and everything it offers back, after such a long time, should make us all feel like Trophy Winners. Finally a huge thanks to all the spectators, sponsors and club volunteers involved today. Without you, days like today wouldn’t be able to happen. Thank you and please continue in your fantastic efforts to support the game. Sam Simpson // Eccles RFC Director Of Rugby
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