(First photo, credit: Andy Mitchell)
“The Bach are raring to go as pre-season gets underway.” – Rhys Fullerton writes for So Cheshire on behalf of Sandbach RUFC
Preparations for next season are well and truly underway as Sandbach Rugby’s senior players have begun pre-season training.
Sandbach will be playing in the Regional 2 North West league when the season begins in September, their first campaign at level six for over a decade.
More than 50 players turned up last week, eager to get back into action. A blend of youth, experience and new recruits are looking to represent Sandbach’s four teams, which include the 1st XV, the Saxons, the Stormers and the Stallions.
New Captain
Jimmy Gore has been announced as the new club captain for the 24/25 season. Gore, who has been 1st XV captain for the past four seasons, recently represented Cheshire in the Bill Beaumont County Final at Twickenham, alongside fellow Bach player Harry Hughes.
On being made club captain, Gore said, “Since joining Sandbach it’s honestly been like a home club. It’s an amazing place to be, on and off the pitch.
“So, to be club captain as well as 1st team captain is something I’ll be very proud of and cannot wait to start the season.”
Coaching team
The club have also confirmed their coaching team for the new season.
Director of rugby Andrew Bird, head coach Tom Holmes (who also remains as a player) and senior coach Will Cargill will be joined by Laurie Essenhigh who makes the transition into a player coach role.
Also joining the team is former Sandbach player Lee Pickles, who, after successful head coach roles at a variety of clubs, returns to share his skills and experiences with the next generation of Bach senior players.
Essenhigh, a PE teacher by day, has had a successful spell as Cheshire U18s coach and last season won the 1st XV Players’ Player Award and Coach’s Player Award for his fantastic and entertaining rugby displays.
He was also selected for the North West Team of the Year, which was voted for by the clubs in the league, and helped them to beat the North East, 35-28.
Bird said: “I’m delighted to have such a mix of experience and creativity within the senior coaching group, all local lads who know exactly what the club is about. Everyone is excited to build upon the reflections from the past 12 months.
“I’m confident we will check and challenge each other to gain the best out of sessions and ultimately develop the players within the whole club. I’m also delighted that both Tom and Laurie will continue to contribute massively on the field.”
Fixtures and events
Pre-season fixtures have been arranged and will see Sandbach join Stoke Rugby for a joint training session, followed by games away at Ruthin and Broughton Park.
A final home warm up game against Bromsgrove will take place at Bradwall Road.
The club is also delighted to announce a social fixture between Sandbach’s social team and rugby’s leading mental health charity, LooseHeadz.
The charity’s mission is to place a mental health lead into every rugby club around the world and equip them with a toolkit of resources to help tackle the stigma of mental health.
The league fixtures have been released and Sandbach will kick-off their campaign at home against Burnage. There will be plenty of big clashes next season as the Bach face local rivals Northwich, Crewe & Nantwich and Winnington Park.
An exciting trip for the players and supporters to the Isle of Man for a match against Douglas will take place in January and some eager supporters have already booked their flights.
Women and girls
Sandbach’s women and girls section has also recommenced training and has started the season with a bang.
Pre-season training has brought in new players to both teams and the coaching team – which includes Rei Crooks, with a background of community coaching and inclusion with Sale Sharks, and Ros Wiggins, who is head coach at the Stone Roses and chair of Staffordshire Women and Girls – have big plans for the Sandbach players.
Assistant coach Emma Gardner – an A&E nurse, mum and player, who has been with the women since their exciting return to the club last season – said: “There are big things in the pipeline for the women and girls this season with new faces each week exited to get stuck in.
“It’s been amazing to see the growth and development in all our players as each session goes by. We can’t wait to showcase what we have learnt and what we can do. Watch this space.”
New players are very welcome every Wednesday night, with the U18s training at 6pm and the O18s at 7pm.
No experience is needed, just come along and join the fun. The team is also excited to have launched a dedicated TikTok channel. Follow them using @srufc.women.girls and send them a message if you want any further information.
An empty slate, a blank canvas and a fresh start for Sandbach as an exciting season of rugby awaits and the whole club is raring to go.
Pre-Season Fixtures
Thursday 8th August 2024
Live training with Stoke RUFC (away) 7pm onwards
Saturday 17th August 2024
Ruthin v Sandbach
Saturday 24th August 2024
Broughton Park v Sandbach
Sandbach Social Squad v Looseheadz (home) (Bradwall Road)
Saturday 31st August 2024
Sandbach v Bromsgrove (home) (Bradwall Road)
Regional 2 North West League 2024/25 Fixtures
Saturday 7th September 2024
Sandbach v Burnage
Saturday 14th September 2024
Northwich v Sandbach
Saturday 21st September 2024
Sandbach v Bowdon
Saturday 28th September 2024
Crewe & Nantwich v Sandbach
Saturday 12th October 2024
Sandbach v Douglas (I.O.M.)
Saturday 19th October 2024
Firwood Waterloo v Sandbach
Saturday 26th October 2024
Sandbach v Widnes
Saturday 9th November 2024
Eccles v Sandbach
Saturday 16th November 2024
Sandbach v Vale of Lune
Saturday 30th November 2024
Sandbach v Winnington Park
Saturday 7th December 2024
Altrincham Kersal v Sandbach
Saturday 14th December 2024
Sandbach v Northwich
Saturday 21st December 2024
Bowdon v Sandbach
Saturday 4th January 2025
Sandbach v Crewe & Nantwich
Saturday 11th January 2025
Douglas (I.O.M.) v Sandbach
Saturday 18th January 2025
Sandbach v Firwood Waterloo
Saturday 1st February 2025
Widnes v Sandbach
Saturday 15th February 2025
Sandbach v Eccles
Saturday 1st March 2025
Vale of Lune v Sandbach
Saturday 8th March 2025
Winnington Park v Sandbach
Saturday 22nd March 2025
Sandbach v Altrincham Kersal
Saturday 5th April 2025
Burnage v Sandbach
