Posted on the 12th April 2012 by Patrick
Last time I sat down to write one of these the Rugby League season had just finished, Santa was on his way and the summer of 2011 was but a distant memory for the Demons. For me it was a chance to reflect on the year I had encountered, yes Afghanistan was a major part of my 2011 but as a Demon it seems like only yesterday we were walking out at Rushmills to compete in our first ever Challenge Cup tie against Gloucester University. I remember young players standing up to be counted that day, players like Rhys Hook donning the number 6 shirt usually worn by Kie Fewster and bossing the team around the park which made my job as a hooker relatively easy, Seb Ward bumping off numerous defenders to cross over for two tries, Frank Barlow linking up well with Kieran Richards to prove a daunting right side partnership for any team to defend against, Carl Suidek and Grant Wond proving why they are certainly worthy to play professional Rugby League, Joe Rice being donned “The fattest winger I’ve ever seen” and many more personal contributions to an all round fantastic Demons display of quality RL on a cold, blustery day in January.
It is these little things I notice which makes Northampton Demons special to me. Yes I only signed for the club in June of 2010 after witnessing an 82-0 thrashing of Norwich (Even Joe Smith crossed for a couple of Try’s that day) but I know my history of this club, I’ve watched countless highlight reels of performances, some of which I’d like to share with you here….
Northampton Demons Vs Bedford Tigers – July 2010. We were hurting after Bedford narrowly beat us on their patch by 2 points, our response was in typical Demon fashion…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUrP1lQa0I4
On the same day, the Academy showed Bedford a thing or two….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r4yrf21SBM&feature=fvst
The East Regional final from 2009 Vs Bury, Dezzy, Brotherton, Hulme, Big K and the likes tearing it up….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmvRUOqAWxI&feature=relmfu
The 2009 National Regional grand Final Vs Jarrow Vikings – Yellow Brick Wall…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irXQ1HhMHjo&list=UUroF8dey_tLgQBrtSpAGZpQ&index=10&feature=plcp
And the aforementioned Challenge Cup win vs Gloucester University….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuaVmnf40eo&feature=relmfu
In the clubs short life it has been very successful and it is that success that we want to instil in to the new breed of players coming through. We’ve been through a transition phase over the past 2 years, the likes of Trigger, Derry, Hartley, Hammie, Ward and Goslett are great memories, all of whom I hope to link up with again one day but their replacements, the likes of Durning, Beardsley, Cottle and Woods linking up with the old heads such as Fewster, Jaznik, Beckett, Wond and Hulme etc. are all valuable and fantastic players who can lead Northampton Demons in to a new period of success.
That success and that new chapter starts this weekend in our first friendly of the year at home to the Wigan Riversiders. Whilst this game may be a friendly we want to win and want to win it well. Many teams from the North who come down here expect the Northampton Demons to be a bunch of Rugby Union players who play Rugby League during the Summer, I can assure every one this it not the case. We had 40 senior players training this week all grafting hard and working on technical aspects of their game. I was particularly impressed with the young under 18’s who were putting their body’s on the line at training, I love watching these young kids come through and hopefully I can be some sort of mentor to them as they progress, I’ve always prided myself on making everyone welcome and I hope that they find me approachable enough to chat about anything RL related.
From a personal point of view it is going to be a real honour to walk out with the Demons again this Saturday, I haven’t done it since April last year before jetting off for my all expenses paid 4 month holiday. This club is full of grinders, we graft for each other and for the badge, we take care of ourselves as if we were professionals and we do it all for the love of Rugby League.
That’s all for now but I hope to see as many of you down at our new home; Bugbrooke RFC this Saturday for the game against the Wigan Riversiders, it’s 1pm KO and it would be great if you could bring your loudest and proudest Demons voices to spur us on.
Work hard, train hard, play harder.
Cheers
Tony
Posted on the 12th April 2012 by Patrick
All fixtures for all age groups at the club are now on our website! U11′s – 18s are under the junior section with the first grade and academy in their own relevant sections. Should you have any questions please contact either your age group coach or patrickwilson@northamptonrl.co.uk
Good luck to everyone for the season and enjoy another bumper Rugby League season!
Posted on the 11th February 2012 by Patrick
The new Northampton professional rugby league club are hosting their first ever Fans Forum on Thursday the 16th of February, with doors open from 7pm for an 8pm start.
The open forum will be held at Carr’s Bar (formerly the Carlsberg Bar) at Sixfields Stadium. It’ll be the first time that supporters and players of rugby league in the region will have the opportunity to come and find out more about their new professional club.
Taking your questions will be Chairman David Cardoza, the man in charge of Rugby League at the club, Joss Sheldon, and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats’ General Manager Davide Longo.
Longo is a former rugby league player who has represented Bradford Bulls, Swinton Lions, Keighley Cougars, Batley Bulldogs, and Dewsbury Rams.
“Things are coming together off the pitch, and we’re looking forward to the chance to answer supporter’s questions on our plans” said Sheldon. “There’s a lot of things that we’ve been working on which aren’t yet in the public domain yet, so the evening should be well worth coming to for some exclusive insights”.
Whilst Cardoza and Sheldon will be able to answer questions on off the field operations, Davide Longo has been invited to answer questions on on-field matters, as well as the partnership between the clubs.
“We’ve been really impressed with Davide and Jimmy at Wakefield, and have already learnt a lot from them regarding both their commercial and sporting operation. We’re looking forward to working with Wakefield in the months and years to come, and this evening will be a great opportunity for supporters to get to meet one of the key figures there”.
The event is free to attend, and there is no need to book in advance. There is ample free parking at Sixfields Stadium, which is under 10 minutes from the M1, postcode NN5 5QA.
Posted on the 17th February 2012 by Patrick
Northampton Demons are proud to announce their new strength and conditioning coach for the 2012 season in Michael Peacock from Pure Performance Strength and Conditioning Services
Michael has over 10 years experience in Sports, Health and Fitness having played County and semi professional football and representing Cambridgeshire Minor Counties Cricket Club.
After several years in the industry Michael’s passion, enthusiasm and philosophies for creating the complete athlete led him to go to University in Cambridge to obtain a degree in Sport and Exercise Science. During his time at University, Michael gained an internship with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) at a High Performance Centre in Cambridge. This internship continued to employment for the next 18 months as a Strength & Conditioning Coach and is now Lead S&C at Bishops Stortford Lawn Tennis Club.
Michael also spent 2010-2011 pre-season as an intern at League One side Leyton Orient FC assisting in the deliverance of all aspects of the first teams training program and has spent time with the Arsenal Reserve Team & Academy Fitness Coach.
Still striving for more knowledge and education in all sports he gained more experience with Northampton Saints Rugby Club as an S&C Coach intern for the Cambridge based players within their Elite Professional Development Group (EPDG). This again has continued and he coached the whole U 16 Elite Professional Development Group through their pre-season with the guidance of the Strength & Conditioning Coaches at the club.
On joining The Northampton Demons:
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to join a great rugby league club. After meeting with Joe and sharing his passion and enthusiasm for success, I’m looking forward to working with Joe and sharing the challenge of making the Demons a Championship winning side again. Pre-season’s going to be tough but with the aim of winning the championship again strength and fitness levels have to be high and be maintained throughout the season.”
So, whether your are 10-50 years old or your aim is simply to return function in a joint or muscle or remain injury free whilst maintaining a high performance in your sport. All aspects at both ends of the scale and everywhere in between are treated with the same professional standards expected by the best. Packages for 1-2-1 coaching, group coaching, programme planning and remote coaching are available
Should you be looking for a personal training plan you can contact Michael on the details below,
Tel: 07967 634 537
Email: michaelpeacock@live.co.uk
Website: www.pure-performance.org.uk
Twitter: @Pureperformanc1
Posted on the 13th January 2012 by Patrick
Over the next two weeks Abbeyfield will make a small amount of history in the region as they field a team in every age group of the prestigious Carnegie Champion Schools Competition East Midlands Finals.
Even more remarkable for the school is the way the sport has taken off since the first session there just over two years ago. Rugby League has gone from the occasional session to being on the schools PE curriculum, with every age group now having sampled the great game. Earlier in the school year the after school club gained 45 participants, soon after the Challenge Cup Trophy arrived for a visit.
Having been unbeaten in the Northamptonshire rounds of the Carnegie Champions Schools tournament, Abbeyfield now get the chance to take on schools from Derbyshire. Tuesday sees Abbeyfields year 7, 9 and 11s travel up the M1 to take on Frederick Gent School. On Wednesday 25th Heanorgate year 8s and Frederick Gent year 10s come down the M1 to play at Abbeyfield.
Previewing the East Midlands Finals, Head of PE Claire Perrin commented, “The fact that Abbeyfield has reached the Champion Schools Regional Finals in all age groups reflects how rugby league has become an integral part of the curriculum over the last two years. The students have responded with great enthusiasm to the coaching they have received. To have success at every age group is a brilliant achievement, there is a real sense of excitement about the upcoming matches.”
The excitement of the lads at the school has been noticable this week, Northampton Community Coach Patrick Wilson stated, “The lads at the school are bouncing about the opportunity they have. All I’ve heard this week is questions and excitment about the forthcoming games, it can only be a good thing for Northamptonshire Rugby League for there to be such a buzz about the sport!
The school has built an exceptional relationship with us and are reaping the rewards. They have shown their commitment to the sport recently purchasing playing kits and it will be great to get their first use in such a big event. Claire and her team deserve a large amount of credit for the work they have put in to the sport at Abbeyfield, I’m sure everyone at the club will join me in wishing them well for the next two weeks!”
If you/your school is interested in Rugby League or the Carnegie Champion Schools Tournament please contact Community Rugby League Coach Patrick Wilson on patrickwilson@northamptonrl.co.uk
