Welwyn RFC are proud to be a Saracens Partner Club.

CLUBS UPDATE, 8th August 2005

Team News

Saracens prepare for Pre-Season opener

It's now less than five weeks until the start of the Guinness Premiership season, but Saracens begin their pre-season action at Twickenham on Saturday 13th August as part of the Compass Group Middlesex 7s.

Sevens specialists Richard Haughton, Nnambi Obi, Ben Skirving and Ben Russell will all be fighting for a place in the squad of 10 for the competition with Saracens facing Sale Sharks in the first round. The event starts at 11.20am with Saracens taking the pitch at 1.50pm.

The players started full contact work last week on the training field as they build up to the pre-season campaign and with a busy pre-season schedule ahead of them this weekend will be their last one off until next year.

The Compass Group Middlesex 7s promises to be a day of exciting fast flowing rugby and will be benefiting the Wooden Spoon Society, helping disadvantaged children and young people in the UK, and the Professional Rugby Players' Association Benevolent Fund. Tickets can be bought via Ticketmaster on 0871 871 0777 at £25 for adults and £10 for Under 16s.

After the Sevens Saracens head to Bedford the following Saturday for the first of two pre-season friendlies, the second will take place a week later at Harpenden RFC against Harlequins on Saturday 27th August.

After that the new Guinness Premiership season kicks off with Saracens playing champions Wasps at Twickenham in the London Double Header.

Hooker Raphael Ibanez has signed for Wasps.

Following negotiations between the player and Wasps, Saracens have agreed to his request for an early release from his contract.

Ibanez joined the Men In Black at the conclusion of the 2003 Rugby World Cup and following his request for an early release to his contract last month, Saracens made the move to sign Irish international hooker Shane Byrne and he will meet up with his new club mates in the next few days.

Saracens Sign Nnamdi Obi

Winger Nnamdi Obi has swapped hospital wards for the rugby pitch after joining Saracens for the start of the 2005/06 Guinness Premiership season.

The 25-year-old began training with the rest of the Saracens squad last Wednesday – just hours after completing his last shift as a house officer as part of his medicine studies.

After gaining his medicine degree at Imperial College, Obi has spent the last 12 months working in the general surgery department at Charing Cross Hospital and the medical department at Wexham Park Hospital to complete his studies.

During that time, he’d also been playing for Henley in National League 1 and was the club’s leading try-scorer last season – demonstrating his other clinical finishing in crossing the line 12 times. But he’s now decided to put his medical career on hold and join Saracens.

Head Coach Steve Diamond said: “Nnamdi has been playing at Henley while completing his studies as a doctor. He’s now qualified and we’re delighted he has signed for us as he looks to take his opportunity in the Guinness Premiership.

“We’re very pleased he’s joining us. He’s a young and talented English winger and I’m very happy that he’s become part of the squad.”

Speaking after his first full day’s training, Obi said: “This is a big step up from what I’ve been used to and I know it’s going to be hard work, but it’s also a great challenge.

“Everything is a step up right from the facilities through to the attitude, attention to details, intensity and quality of coaching. Having worked hard for the last seven years to qualify as a doctor, taking up the chance to play full-time rugby wasn’t an easy decision.

“But I don’t want to look back on my life and have any regrets. And while it’s not an easy choice, it’s something I am very much looking forward to. I want to give rugby my best shot and I’m delighted that Saracens have given me the chance. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Obi’s try scoring and pace was soon noticed by England as he was called into the 7s squad last year. He added: “That was a great experience but it came when I was in the middle of completing my finals exams so it was a busy time. It was about then that Saracens showed an interest in me and we’ve kept in contact ever since. I wanted to complete my studies and the club have been very supportive.”

After completing his course at Imperial College, Obi then took the next step along the path of becoming a doctor and was a house officer working in Charing Cross and Wexham Park Hospital in the last year.

“That was a very interesting experience and a lot of hard work,” he explained. “As it’s shift work, it hasn’t been easy to juggle rugby and medicine, but taking up rugby full time is a great opportunity while I’m still young enough to do it. It won’t be easy to pick up the medicine again, but joining Saracens was an opportunity I didn’t want to turn down.”


Other News

Club Partnership Programme

Our first Coach Development session of the new season has been planned for Thursday 18th August at the team’s new Training Centre at the University of Hertfordshire’s Sports Village. Times are to be confirmed, as the training schedule for that day is yet to be fully finalised, but the day is likely to run from 9.00am – 12.00pm.

This is your chance to come and watch the team train as they make their final preparations before the start of the season. The session is open to all coaches (and players over 16, as long as they are accompanied by an adult) from our partner clubs who are interested in seeing behind the scenes at the training ground. Limited places are available on a first come first served basis. If you would like to book yourself a place on this day, please email davehesketh@saracens.net with your name and which club you are from.

Tickets for Harlequins friendly in Harpenden

Tickets for Saracens pre-season game against Harlequins at Harpenden RFC are on sale now from a variety of outlets across the town.

The game kicks off at 3pm on Saturday 27th August and entry for the game at Redbourne Lane, Harpenden, cost £10 for adults which includes free entry for one child. All other children cost £5.

Tickets are available from the following outlets in Harpenden; Billy's Bar and Restaurant, Lane Fox, The Silver Cup, Solano's, Thoms, The Cock, Legends, The Cross Keys and The Black and White Event Company.

You can also purchase tickets directly from Harpenden RFC on Tuesday and Thursday from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

Tickets will also be available from the Saracens Ticket Office on 01923 475222. Fans can also pay on the day. Parking is available for 2,000 cars on the day.

Masterclass

A few places still remain on the course to be held at Hertford RFC from Monday 22nd - Friday 26th August. This course is expected to sell out - so book now to avoid missing out.

Aimed at players aged U7-U16, the Masterclass not only gives player top quality coaching throughout the week, but participants also get the chance to receive top tips from the likes of Richard Hill, Hugh Vyvyan, Taine Randell, Thomas Castaignede and other members of the squad who are also involved on the course.

For more details call 01923 475 231

 

 

 

 

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