Gloucester Rugby announce KooGa as new kit partner

image Gloucester Rugby have confirmed they have agreed a four year contract, commencing with the 2011-12 season, which sees KooGa named as the club’s official kit partner.

Kooga are, of course, a major player in the world of rugby and can currently name the likes of Australia, the Brumbies, Fiji, Melbourne Rebels, Ospreys, Queensland Reds, Samoa and Wigan Warriors amongst many others as clients.

The deal will see Gloucester Rugby’s squad wearing KooGa playing and training kit and KooGa will also produce a wide range of replica products for the club’s supporters.

Gloucester Rugby’s Head of Sales and Marketing, Pete Grzonka confirmed today:

“KooGa are an established brand and a perfect fit for Gloucester Rugby, one of the best known names in club rugby worldwide. We’re looking forward immensely to working with them.”

“They (KooGa) have a superb track record in both rugby union and rugby league and we anticipate this being the start of a great relationship.”

Andrew Peters Managing Director of KooGa added:

“We are very happy to be associated with Gloucester, as we feel that we are a great fit. They have a history and passion for the game matched by our own, and they have a great record over the years of upholding the spirit of the game. These values also match our own.

“We hope that we will share a period of success together. We will certainly do our utmost to ensure that everything we do for the club is to the highest standards, and gives them the best chance to perform to their maximum on the field.”

The club shop at Kingsholm is currently undergoing a refurbishment in preparation for the launch of the new range of kit and leisurewear and will re-open under the management of Hudson Sports.

Hudson Sports, a family run business for over 100 years, have had a retail presence in the centre of Gloucester for many years and their retail expertise will be a huge asset.

The club shop at Kingsholm will re-open on July 11thfeaturing a limited range of KooGa stock with more arriving over the next few weeks as we build up the full range.

Update on Sitiveni Sivivatu’s Shoulder Injury

Sitiveni Sivivatu injured his shoulder during the Chiefs vs Reds game last Saturday night at Waikato Stadium.

Chiefs’ Physiotherapist Paul Cameron said “ it is not as bad as we first thought. He sub-luxed his left shoulder on Saturday night so it was not fully dislocated. He has full range of movement and good strength in the affected shoulder and he is going to see an orthopaedic surgeon because it is the shoulder that was operated on last year. He’s very unlikely to be out for any more than a couple of weeks”.

Coaching opportunities with Premiership Clubs

The 12 Premiership Rugby clubs – Bath Rugby, Exeter Chiefs, Gloucester Rugby, Harlequins, Leeds Carnegie, Leicester Tigers, London Irish, London Wasps, Newcastle Falcons, Northampton Saints, Sale Sharks and Saracens – along with Bristol Rugby and Worcester Warriors, currently have opportunities for 76 new Community Coaching roles as part of their Future Jobs Fund Scheme.

Applicants must be aged between 18 and 24 years old to qualify, must be registered unemployed and able to provide a referral letter from a Job Centre Plus to confirm their eligibility.

If successful, candidates will be enrolled on a training programme which will enable them to support the growth and sustainability of community based projects, under the direction and mentoring of experienced top level coaches and support staff.  They will be offered a six month contract to start in March 2011.

The opportunity will provide valuable experience for anyone interested in a career in community sports coaching.

There are three types of community coaching opportunities being offered by Premiership Rugby – Community Coaches and Up and Unders’ Co-ordinators offered by all 14 clubs, and Hitz Coaches, offered by Saracens, Harlequins and London Irish.  There are 76 opportunities in total.  More details about each type of role are listed below.

Salary: 25 hours a week at £5.93 an hour

Applicants can apply by visiting www.jobsgameon.co.uk and typing in “Premiership Rugby” or for more information contact Scott Watson on swatson@premiershiprugby.com

A series of open days giving information about the opportunities will take place at Job Centres around the country during February 2011.

Wayne Morris, Head of Community at Premiership Rugby, said “There are 76 community coaching roles around the country being offered by the Premiership Rugby clubs.  With unemployment figures for this age-group reaching close to a million it’s a great opportunity for young people who are currently registered unemployed to get their foot on the ladder of community coaching and to gain essential skills. The successful candidates will be learning from top Premiership Rugby coaches and at the same time helping the clubs to deliver an even higher standard of community programmes through an increased number of coaches.”

Job title:              Community Coach

Reporting to:     Club Community Manager and National Programme Co-ordinator

Contract:             6 Month Contract Starting March 2011

Job purpose:

To be responsible for assisting with the delivery of a wide range of outreach community projects and supporting school services within an associated school, including assisting the delivery of lessons, after school programmes, sports fixtures, and general school liaison in accordance with the Children’s Act/OFSTED regulations, as well as supporting the delivery of Premiership Rugby Academy Camps during school holidays, in accordance with the Premiership Rugby entry criteria document.

Summary of responsibilities and personal duties:
To work alongside the club community team leader in delivering PE sessions, lunchtime clubs, after school clubs and extended school provisions
To assist in the delivery of rugby camp holiday activities at a range of sites
Course facilitation to include registering of attendees, coaching support, utilising lesson plans, and daily planning to ensure the activities remain fun, varied and progressive
Occasionally to lead coaching sessions and learning activities to educate children on leading a healthy lifestyle
To support the club community team in delivering a range of community programmes and events across a broad range of agendas including grassroots participation, health, education and inclusion topics
To assist in the delivery of activities in community areas
To support the promotion of ticket marketing opportunities through community channels
The completion of regular monitoring and evaluation returns

Skills required:
A passion and commitment to the development of young people
The ability to gain an RFU enhanced CRB clearance and a rugby coaching qualification Enthusiasm and energy to initiate activities/sessions in a safe environment and ensure the energy is maintained throughout the day
To be a role model for all children, and develop positive relations with the children including monitoring social skills, participation, discipline and welfare
The ability to communicate with a broad range of key stakeholders including teachers, sponsors and parents/guardians

A Community Coach role offers the opportunity to receive the following training and qualifications:
Level 2 (VRQ) Teaching Physical Activity to Children
Paediatric First Aid
Tag Rugby Course
IRB Rugby Ready Qualification
Safeguarding and Protecting Young People In Rugby

It would be beneficial for candidates to have a background or experience in rugby union but not essential. Every candidate must complete an RFU enhanced CRB disclosure.

Interviews for these roles will be carried out at Job Centre venues located in close proximity to each Premiership Rugby club.  The roles are all based at the clubs.

Applications should be made using an application form, which can be completed through www.jobsgameon.co.uk and found by typing in “Premiership Rugby” or for more information contact Scott Watson on swatson@premiershiprugby.com

Salary: 25 hours a week at £5.93 an hour

A series of open days giving information about the opportunity will take place at Job Centres around the country during February 2011.

Job title:              Up and Unders Co-Ordinator

Reporting to:     Club Community Manager and National Programme Co-ordinator

Contract:             6 Month Contract Starting March 2011

Job purpose:

The development of a new nationwide programme for preschool children called Up and Unders, designed to develop children’s fundamental motor skills – coordination, balance, spatial awareness, knowledge of colours, numbers and shapes, along with introductory rugby skills – passing, catching and kicking.  Up & Unders also acts as a promotion of healthy living for children and their parents/guardians.

Summary of responsibilities and personal duties:
The identification and recruitment of venues
The recruitment of new participants
The delivery of the programme to a pre-school aged audience teaching the fundamentals of movement, balance and coordination with a rugby focus
To assist in the delivery of rugby camps holiday activities at a range of sites
To assist with course facilitation to include registering attendees, coaching support,  utilising lesson plans, daily planning to ensure the activities remain fun, varied and progressive
Occasionally lead coaching sessions and learning activities to educate children on leading a healthy lifestyle
To support the club community team to deliver a range of community programmes and events across a broad range of agendas including grassroots participation, health, education and inclusion topics.

Skills required:
A passion and commitment to the development of young people
The ability to gain an RFU enhanced CRB clearance
Enthusiasm and energy to initiate activities/sessions in a fun and safe environment, ensuring the energy is maintained throughout the day
The ability to engage and communicate with young children whilst acting as a role model for all participants, developing positive relations with all children whilst monitoring skill development, social skills, participation, discipline and welfare.
The ability to communicate with a broad range of key stakeholders including young people, sponsors and parents/guardians.

Would suit:
Drama/dance/sports related graduates or college leavers/higher education leavers
Mums returning to work
Individuals with experience of delivering on early years and movement fundamentals schemes

An Up and Unders Co-ordinator role offers the opportunity to receive the following training and qualifications:
Level 2 (VRQ) Teaching Physical Activity to Children
Paediatric First Aid
Tag Rugby Course
IRB Rugby Ready Qualification
Safeguarding and Protecting Young People In Rugby

It would be beneficial for candidates to have a background or experience in rugby union but not essential. Every candidate must complete an RFU enhanced CRB disclosure.

Interviews for these roles will be carried out at Job Centre venues located in close proximity to each Premiership Rugby club.  The roles are all based at the clubs.

Applications should be made using an application form, which can be completed through www.jobsgameon.co.uk and found by typing in “Premiership Rugby” or for more information contact Scott Watson on swatson@premiershiprugby.com

Salary: 25 hours a week at £5.93 an hour

A series of open days giving information about this opportunity will take place at Job Centres around the country during February 2011.

Job Title:             Hitz Coach

Reporting to:     Hitz Programme Manager

Contract:             6 Month Contract Starting March 2011

About Hitz:

The Hitz project, using the power of rugby, targets young people in some of the most disadvantaged areas of London. For more background  information about Hitz please visit www.premiershiprugby.com/community

Job purpose:

To lead and deliver rugby sessions.  To develop young people’s enthusiasm and participation in rugby and direct them into relevant training courses and volunteering opportunities.  To ensure activities are correctly targeted at identified priority groups and areas according to need.

Summary of responsibilities and personal duties:
To develop, in conjunction with the project manager and Hitz officers, a suitable social inclusion rugby programme
To assist, lead and coordinate rugby sessions at various venues, and coordinating competitions and other events as appropriate.  All activities to be appropriate to the needs of the target audience and be in line with the Hitz strategic aims.
To be responsible for the high quality delivery of community and social inclusion sessions as agreed in the programme
To keep accurate monitoring records for all sessions and contribute to the gathering and analysis of evaluation information for activities
To identify and direct young people onto relevant training and volunteering opportunities
To identify and direct young people towards local exit route rugby clubs
To maximise opportunities to raise awareness amongst the target audience of rugby activities and encourage their participation
To assist Hitz officers in producing reports for the project manager, funding agencies and related partners as required
To identify and follow-up potential opportunities to develop activities in line with the strategic development of the Hitz programme

Skills:
A passion and commitment to the development of young people
The ability to gain an RFU enhanced CRB clearance and rugby coaching qualification.
Enthusiasm and energy to initiate activities/sessions in a safe secure environment
The ability to be a role model for all young people and develop positive relations with them to encourage participation, improvement of social skills, discipline and respect
The ability to communicate with a broad range of key stakeholders including teachers, sponsors and parents/guardians
The completion of accurate and regular monitoring and evaluation reports.

A Hitz Coach role offers the opportunity to receive the following training and qualifications:
Level 2 (VRQ) Teaching Physical Activity to Children
Paediatric First Aid
Tag Rugby Course
IRB Rugby Ready Qualification
Safeguarding and Protecting Young People In Rugby

It would be beneficial for candidates to have a background or experience in rugby union but not essential. Every candidate must complete an RFU enhanced CRB disclosure.

Interviews for these roles will be carried out at Job Centre venues located in close proximity to each Premiership Rugby club.  The roles are all based at the clubs.

Applications should be made using an application form, which can be completed through www.jobsgameon.co.uk and found by typing in “Premiership Rugby” or for more information contact Scott Watson on swatson@premiershiprugby.com

Salary: 25 hours a week at £5.93 an hour

A series of open days giving information about this opportunity will take place at Job Centres around the country during February 2011.

Leinster move Heineken Cup quarter final to the Aviva Stadium

Leinster Rugby have announced the forthcoming Heineken Cup quarter final against Leicester, to be played on the weekend of 8-10 April, will be played in the Aviva Stadium.

The decision by the Leinster Professional Board to play the fixture in the Aviva Stadium was taken in consultation with the Leinster team management and squad. Having won two matches so far this season in the Aviva Stadium against Munster (Magners League) and ASM Clermont Auvergne (Heineken Cup), the Board is confident that this decision will give the opportunity to the greatest number of Leinster supporters to see the game.

Full ticket details for the Heineken Cup quarter final will be available in the coming days once the kick off time and date have been confirmed by ERC.

Leinster Chief Executive Mick Dawson commented: “I would firstly congratulate the entire team and management on reaching the quarter finals in what was, arguably, the toughest pool that the province has ever faced.

“To reach the knock-out stages – and achieve a home quarter final draw in the process – is an impressive achievement and due reward, not only for the team, but also for our loyal supporters who have followed the team across Europe at great expense and also established their own reputation as a significant element in the Leinster quest to regain the Heineken Cup. They once again added to this reputation last Friday night when over 1,000 supporters made the trip to Paris and gave wonderful vocal support throughout the game.

“In our two fixtures in the Aviva Stadium to date we have enjoyed two outstanding spectacles with the team having been inspired to victory by close to 100,000 supporters over the course of both games.

“Existing Leinster season ticket holders will be offered the priority option to purchase tickets for this game and information will be circulated shortly. There will also be a range of family packages and junior tickets on public sale.

“We will continue the increasingly popular ‘One Province’ scheme as we do for all of our home matches, a community ticketing initiative designed specifically for underage groups travelling to matches at discount prices.

“We remain committed to our home in the RDS, but given the manner in which our Leinster supporter base has grown in recent years, we believe that we have a duty to cater for as large an audience as possible for special one off matches such as this, which will be a local and international event.

“I would like to thank Martin Murphy and his team for facilitating our plans to play in the Aviva Stadium, a venue which is fast becoming one of the leading arenas in Europe.

“Over the coming days we will finalise competitive ticket prices, mindful of the difficult economic climate and the great commitment of our supporters, both at home and abroad, over recent seasons.”

WRU egg chasers become “The Full Team”

Rugby fans throughout Wales can now enjoy Pancake Day safe in the knowledge that they are emulating Warren Gatland’s national side – thanks to a new licensing agreement reached by the Welsh Rugby Union.

Farmhouse Freedom Eggs have teamed up with the WRU to offer top quality free range eggs produced and packed in Wales, now carrying the official WRU three feathers logo on all packaging and to be known as “The Full Team” eggs.

Gatland’s players have been tucking into the high protein, vitamin and mineral rich free range eggs regularly since they began their RBS 6 Nations campaign three weeks ago and national squad nutritionist Jon Williams says that’s made for a happy camp at breakfast time.

“Free range eggs are a vital source of protein and essential fats for our players, while in camp scrambled eggs and omelettes are the players preferred source of protein at breakfast time,” said Williams.
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