Senior Players

The future is looking very promising for our Tuffley Avenue side in our 85th anniversary year. Our senior 1st XV have progressed from out of the league in 1999 to Western Counties North (Winning 4 promotions in 7 seasons). Our 2nd XV are now in the top Gloucester Merit Table and our 3rd XV are more of a social side that still play in a merit table, but have a great social side. In the 2006/2007 season the Senior 1st XV won promotion to Western Counties North, and the following week lost the final of the Gloucester Combination Cup to Coney Hill.

The Coaching and player development is seen as crucial here at Widden, so our coaching sessions are second to none with the possibility of four coaches going through various drills each session.

Dave Spencer (Spanner) is the current Senior County forwards coach and is our Head Coach at Widden. As a player he had 136 appearances for Gloucester, and at the end of his playing career spent three more years at Kingsholme coaching the forwards along side Keith Richardson and Richard Hill.

Spencer will also have along side him in his coaching team, Ex-Gloucester and Rugby League player Mark Nicholson (Dinner). Mark is the 1st XV backs coach and also looks into improving the defensive patterns of the squads.

Widden also have two younger coaches in the staff including Mike Lewis, who is our 2nd XV Head Coach and is RFU Level 2 approved. Mike obviously works closely to our 2nd XV when the 1st XV are going through their team runs, but also assists at most training sessions with all players.

Gareth Casey has come on board from Coney Hill as an assistant forwards coach, and will work alongside Spencer with all forwards within the club. Gareth has played at various levels including England, County, Lydney and Cinderford.

Senior Training…
Tuesday 1st July 2008 - 28th August 2008
Training is on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the club from 7pm till 9pm.

2nd September 2008 - 30th April 2009
Training is on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Hartpury College from 8pm till 9pm. At Hartpury we have full use of the changing facilities, boots and blades can be worn on this rubber crumb full contact surface.

Membership will cost you £60 for the whole season and this will include some free kit and other benefits, the only other cost you will incur will be £3 for subs at every game.

If you feel you would like to be a part of this ambitious club (at any level from Senior 1st XV, 2nd XV, 3rd XV or vets), please contact our Senior Rugby Manager Mike Charnock.

Junior Players

Widden's junior section is also a great success, this season winning six titles. Both our Under 16's and Under 17's won the GRFU County Cup. Our under 15's reached the GRFU County Cup semi-final. Some of the Colts played a full season of senior 1st XV rugby last season, and this season the new Colts team will be entering the National Colts cup and the County merit table.

Under 17's train on a Wednesday evening, from 7pm.

If you would like to hear more about our ambitious junior section (13 to 19), please contact Tildy Ryder.

Mini/Midi Players

Widden's mini/midi section is running well with many new coaches, players and sponsorship. Both Widdens Under 8's and Under 9's won the GRFU County Plate in the 2006/2007 season. All age groups will be covered in 2007/2008 ranging from under 7's to under 12's. Boys and girls can play tag rugby as soon as they turn 6 years old, there will be no contact until they reach the Under 9's.
If you would like to know more about our mini/midi section (6 to 12), please contact Tildy Ryder.