RUGBY UNION: Alchester set for a new era (From Bicester Advertiser)
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RUGBY UNION: Alchester set for a new era
10:00am Thursday 12th July 2012 in Other sport
By Ed Mezzetti, Sports reporter specialising in Rugby, Cricket and Athletics. Call me on 01865 425456
Alchester are getting ready to stage the first game at their new Fritwell home against Buckingham on September 29. Pictured (left to right) are: club skipper Adam Thompson, 1st XV captain Tom Iles, Craig Boyce (2nds' captain)
Alchester will begin next season at their own ground after moving to Fritwell.
The club, founded in 2008, have played at Oxford Harl-equins’ Marston Ferry Road ground for their first three seasons of league rugby.
But they are now relishing taking the field at their new home near Bicester.
“We have been very lucky that we have been able to find a ground,” said chairman Chris Kimber.
“We really appreciate the work Oxford Harlequins have done for us.
“Without them, we would really have struggled.”
Alchester’s first match at Fritwell playing field is on September 29 when they host Buckingham in Sou-thern Counties North.
The club have signed an initial ten-year agreement with the Fritwell Playing Field Committee to rent the old football pitch Kimber said: “We are just refurbishing the changing rooms and we will use the village hall for entertaining.
“Everyone has worked really hard for it. It is the players’ club and they are all involved with fundraising.
“We would like to get a clubhouse going with the village and make it a community facility.
“We have got about 12 people from the village who play for the club, so there is a natural link.”
Kimber said Alchester needed to find their own ground to progress, with the establishment of a youth set-up their next target.
“We had to go that way,” he said. “The aim is to put out a junior team as well and we couldn’t do that at Marston Ferry Road “This is a new beginning and a new challenge, alth-ough we are only four years old.
“I think we have done really well to get established and run two teams.”
Meanwhile, Tom Iles will captain Alchester’s first team next season after taking over from Dan Kimber, who will be club coach while he recovers from a neck injury.
Adam Thompson is club captain, while Craig Boyce skippers the second team, with Steve Coogan manager.
The club is holding pre-season training at the new ground every Tuesday and Thursday (7pm). All players are welcome.
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