With all the young players we have training on a Saturday morning, across all age groups, it is quite hard to imagine that the junior section is just eight years old. For those volunteers who were around at the inception it is still a case of pinching ourselves on how far we have come in such a short space of time.

In our short history we have had some notable achievements – winning the Middlesex Development cup for accumulative points over the County festivals. Having numerous players go on & represent the county. Having the first junior go on & play for the 1st XV, and then securing a rugby scholarship at a US college.

All of this is something all can be proud of, as it is players, coaches & volunteers who create the atmosphere for children to keep turning up and going on to achieve both team & individual mile stones.

Another mile stone that we had this weekend is rather special. On our very first session, Ali Halsall, the 1st XV coach at the time, encouraged a couple of his pupils at St Aloysius to pop down & give the club a go. One of these lads was built like a brick house, had soft hands & dancing feet. We were sure that if he persisted with rugby, then he had a bright future. That lad was Cecil MacCarthy, and it was a delight to see him make his professional rugby debut at the weekend, coming on in the second half for Nottingham in their Championship league match at London Scottish. I’m sure this is just yet another stepping stone for Cecil for bigger & better things.

Simon Taylor, Head of Youth Rugby