Rockwell College Senior Rugby Team Returns from Successful Pre-Season Tour

The Rockwell College senior rugby team has just returned from a highly successful pre-season tour to England. The 36-strong player group, led by Head Coach Aidan Butler, departed Rockwell on Thursday morning, 22nd August. The training party was based at Losehill Hall, Castletown, situated in the picturesque Peak District.

The trip aimed to achieve several key objectives: to conduct a demanding pre-season training camp, integrate new squad members, refine strategies and playbooks, and prepare for upcoming challenges. Most importantly, it sought to build team unity and offer the players a chance to bond and enjoy themselves.

Training facilities were generously provided by Stockport RUFC Business Network in Manchester. The excellent weather during the sessions allowed the team to make significant progress and fully utilise the high-quality facilities.

On Friday afternoon, the team visited a Water Adventure Centre near Sheffield, where everyone had a blast. However, the grace and skill displayed on the rugby field seemed to vanish, leading to scenes that could only be likened to the Titanic. The players’ enthusiasm for dunking the coaches was particularly memorable, and the coaches will surely find a way to seek their revenge on the training ground.

The highlight of the tour was the Kings 1st XV Festival in Macclesfield, which attracts some of Britain’s leading rugby schools. Rockwell faced Denstone College (ranked 17th in England), Kirkham G.S. (ranked 2nd in England), YDA from Wales (one of Wales' leading rugby schools, coached by Shane Williams), and Dame Allen Rugby College. Each game lasted 25 minutes. The standard of rugby, pace of the games, and intensity of these matches were incredible. The Rockwell team performed magnificently on the field and were a credit to the college off the field. The squad learned a great deal about themselves and how other rugby strongholds operate. All panel members received game time and savoured the occasion. It was a very exhausted but satisfied squad that left Macclesfield that evening.

Kevin Leamy , Director of Rugby, was delighted with the overall value of the tour. “We learned a lot about ourselves, both coaching staff and players. We are now focused on where we need to go and how to get there. We are collectively striving to develop a positive culture for the future of Rockwell Rugby, and this tour will be a crucial step in that direction. A pathway to excellence has begun.”

A weary but contented squad arrived back in Rockwell late on Sunday night, with renewed focus on the tasks ahead and happy to be facing these challenges with their friends.