Successful sports clubs depend upon the contribution of volunteers. It is well known that performance on the pitch at all levels and the atmosphere off the pitch needs to be underpinned with an army of volunteers who bring different skills and experience.
Clifton Rugby Club is no exception with an army of former players, parents of children in the Mini and Junior section and rugby fanatics. Many assists in coaching and developing players of all ages and others bring expertise from their working backgrounds to work alongside those in club official roles.
All these people offer outstanding enthusiasm, time and loyalty to the club with its Executive Committee led by Chairman Aftab Hamid with the active support of his wife Sarah. He joined the club as a thirteen-year-old and progressed to become a 1st XV stalwart. Like others the Hamids are Clifton families with son Zak a first team regular and his brother Sami, currently at Loughborough University, a staunch Clifton man.
Many who joined originally as players remain to see the club has a future. Graham Hardy is typical of this breed. He joined the club straight from university in 1998 with a track record of Welsh Under 18 caps including an appearance against the All Blacks, a Rugby League experience at university, was in the Clifton teams which won promotions, featuried at Twickenham in the EDF final, winning the Bristol Combination Cup and captaining the 7aside team in winning trophies.
Twelve years playing at the top level encouraged him to put something back and he remains a coach in the Junior section and committed himself to developing aspiring players by turning out for the third fifteen known as the Nomads and to this day is a regular performer in the Misfits to share his vast experience.
Like many of us Graham retains strong friendships with other players who sometimes only come together occasionally to remember specific games, great victories, memorable losses and tour antics.
He recalls top players including Eddie Smith, a tough back row forward, Rhys Oakley, winner of Welsh caps, and Carl Butcher who brough style and weight to the forwards.
Graham comments: “It’s great to see the number of players at the club on the rise and I look forward to the Junior section furthering its integration and the transition of young players into senior teams”.
October 19th 1st XV v Macclesfield at 2.30
Roger Opie