Down Grange club earns RFU plaudits (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Down Grange club earns RFU plaudits

8:07am Friday 9th February 2007

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BASINGSTOKE RFC have been awarded the prestigious RFU Seal of Approval.

Based on a detailed written presentation put together over three months and submitted by director of rugby Jim Dixon, the decision to grant the accolade has given another boost to the Down Grange club.

The seal of approval recognises the standard at the club, using a number of criteria, so it is not easy to get and took a lot of hard work

Jim Dixon

News of the success was relayed to the club by Hampshire RFU development officer John Brookstein, who is soon due to deliver the seal of approval plaque, which will be mounted at the club.

Explaining the process that led to the honour, Dixon said: "The initiative is set up by Sport England, and each national body of various sports has criteria to go on before it can make the award.

"The RFU is setting the standard they are looking for from top clubs - so it's a pretty exhaustive list, as there are a lot of criteria to meet.

"The seal of approval recognises the standard at the club, using a number of criteria, so it is not easy to get and took a lot of hard work."

He added: "The RFU need to see the necessary standard of coaching, the junior rugby and ladies' rugby set-up, facilities, procedures, medical practices, child protection, community coaching, the management and development structure, future plans - all those sorts of things.

"So, for the club to be recognised as having all of that in place is very pleasing."

'Stoke as a club have made major advances in recent years in a number of ways.

Both Dixon and community coach Ollie Rogers have strengthened the community rugby programme and taken the sport to new schools and children.

The youth section continues to thrive, with close to 400 children playing rugby from the age of five upwards in a safe environment.

The women's section has grown to include both the Sirens and Swifts, the Academy side won their first-ever Hampshire League title last season, while the senior team is established in South-West One and building as a unit to challenge for promotion to national rugby status.

And, off the pitch, the development of facilities - such as the new floodlights, the 269-seat stand, main pitch and proposed clubhouse improvement - over the past two years under the Stand Up 4 'Stoke appeal has made 'Stoke the envy of rugby clubs in Hampshire.

Dixon hailed all as contributory factors in gaining the RFU seal of approval, and he added: "Getting it is very pleasing and testament to a lot of hard work so many people put in at the club.

"We're all pulling together and working from the same page to improve the club in all areas.

"Well done everyone and let's keep raising the bar in Hampshire."

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