Harrogate Grammar School‘s boys’ first team has been crowned under-18s national rugby union champions.
The team beat St Peter’s High School, Gloucestershire 31-20 to win the Continental Tyres Schools Bowl at Saracens’ StoneX Stadium in London. A total of 125 schools entered.
It was the first time in the school’s recent history that the under-18s reached a national final.
Coached by former Scotland International Tom Ryder, director of sport at the school and Stuart Vincent, former captain of Ilkley RFC, six of the team the team have represented Yorkshire Academy this season.
Mr Ryder said:
“This was a fantastic performance from the boys, they’ve worked very hard all year so I’m really pleased for them that it was such a great game.
Try time for HGS
Captained by Matthew Leatham, who plays for Yorkshire Academy under-18 team and vice-captained by Sam Parsons-Bastiman, who was selected for the North of England under-18 squad, the team scored five tries in the final, which was live-streamed on England Rugby’s YouTube channel.
Matthew said:
“The squad would like to thank Mr Ryder and Mr Vincent for their coaching, mentoring and encouragement throughout the season; not forgetting Michelle Farnhill, our strength and conditioning coach, who helped us keep the intensity throughout the game.
“The players would also like to thank all the travelling supporters, it certainly made a difference hearing the singing, drumming and trumpet playing.”
Kicking for glory
Harrogate Grammar’s sixth form sports academy is only in its second year, with 30 boys currently in the rugby programme.
This, along with twice-weekly gym sessions and weekly fixtures, has cultivated a more professional approach to school sport.
Evading a tackle
Headteacher Neil Renton said:
“This is an outstanding achievement to be very proud of and a reflection of their dedication, commitment and unity as a team. We are delighted to be crowned national champions.
“The academy is a unique asset to our school, championing success in netball and rugby, and we want to continue attracting students from across the county to our sixth form.”
Photographs by Leo Wilkinson Photography
Former Leeds Rhinos captain joins Harrogate Rugby Club as coachFormer Leeds Rhinos and New Zealand rugby league international Gary Mercer has joined Harrogate Rugby Club as defence coach.
Mercer, who played rugby league before switching to union as a coach, will join the club alongside newly appointed director of rugby Martyn Wood, who was capped by England.
The former Rhinos captain made more than 150 appearances for Leeds and represented his country 21 times.
Mercer said:
“I’m very much looking forward to taking on the new role of defence coach with the Aces.
“I am very confident about the team’s future. An excellent plan has been put in place and things are certainly happening at the club.”
During his career, Mercer also played for Bradford, Warrington and Halifax at rugby league.
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He had a spell as coach at Halifax before switching codes to union where he went on to coach Yorkshire Carnegie, Glasgow Warriors and Biggar in Scotland.
Mercer will continue his role as head of rugby and tutor at Ashville College while coaching at Harrogate.
Martyn Wood said:
Harrogate’s director of rugby resigns“Gary Mercer has incredible experience in both codes at club and international level, and we will be drawing upon his knowledge to produce the required step-change in our defence.
“Having Gary join us will add a new range of skills to our coaching set-up. Working alongside our existing head coach Sam Fox, we are expecting great things.”
Harrogate Rugby Club has announced that its director of rugby is to step down at the end of the season.
David ‘Doc’ Doherty will resign from the position after being at the club since 2016.
He helped to rebuild the first team squad and secure promotion back to National 2 North in 2019/20, as well as establishing an academy. However, the first team is currently at the foot of the table with just three wins from 24 fixtures this season.
Doherty also took on commercial chair duties and helped to bring a number of new sponsors to the club.
– David Doherty – Director of Rugby. It is with regret that Harrogate RUFC announce that our Director of Rugby, David ‘Doc’ Doherty, has decided to resign his position at the end of this current season. https://t.co/c2edMeXCMm pic.twitter.com/VjBlSw7Uxj
— Harrogate Rugby Football Club (@Harrogate_Rugby) March 23, 2022
Speaking following the decision, Doherty said:
“I have always loved my six years leading Harrogate Rugby Club. I have consistently strived to leave the club in a better place than when I joined.
“We now have a long-lease on our land and have a sustainable business model, with the academy at the heart of what we do. This has already started to bear fruit with a huge number of players transitioning into 1stXV and senior rugby.
“Planning is well on the way for our ground redevelopment and the club can kick-on to future success, as we have created solid foundations.
“I would sincerely like to thank all the players, coaches and members who have supported me at the club during my time, and look forward to sharing a beer with them at the end of season dinner.”
The club are now reviewing options to replace Doherty, with an announcement on a new director expected by the end of the season.
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