Ben Andrews, coach to Pershore Junior Rugby, was guest speaker at Pershore Rotary’s meeting on Wednesday, July 25 at The Railway Inn, Defford.

Ben talked of his involvement with the club over the past 6/7 years and the ongoing development of junior boys’ and girls’ rugby in Pershore. The rugby tour in May took a team of 9 ‘Under 11’ boys to Burnham on Sea where they played an exhausting 12 matches over two days. Ben highlighted the valued support given to the team by coaches, parents, friends and all those organisations that helped fund the team’s new rugby kit.

Ben emphasised the RFU’s approach to junior rugby which is to focus on the core values of the game, ie teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship. He was proud of the way the team had performed over the two days and delighted that they were awarded the trophy for being the ‘most respectful’ team.

Ben thanked Pershore Rotarians for their financial support over the past couple of years, noting that the funds had gone towards the financing of the tour and new playing kit.

After a lively question and answer session, Rotarian Peter Gardner thanked Ben for his commitment to Pershore Junior Rugby and was pleased that Pershore Rotary’s PROGS funding scheme had helped the club through another successful year.

Pershore Rotary can support local individuals and organisations through its PROGS funding scheme. Terms and conditions for individual applications for grants of up to £100 and charities or societies looking for grants of up to £250 can be found on the Pershore Rotary website or to the Treasurer at treasurer@pershore.rotary1100.org.

RICHARD LEES