The big game change this year was full contact tackling and step up the boys did. Through teamwork, communication, and sometimes brute strength, the team have created a defence that is quite terrifying and has made the ‘Mighty’ under 9’s a force to be reckoned with. Defence however is only half a picture, the foundation if you like, that we build a game on. The second half of the season we spent a lot of time working on expansive, open play rugby which resulted in some devastating effects. Position into contact, Offloads, Lines of running, use of space, the list goes on and the team’s ability to put into practice the work of the training ground is an exciting prospect for the future.

As coaches, all we’ve ever asked is that the boys do their best. Back yourselves, trust your team mates and do your best, put this together and the results will come, and they certainly did! The weekly fixtures went well too with some great battles against St Brendans, Winscombe and North Bristol to name a few with the trip to Old B’s worth a mention where we conceded 3 tries in 4 matches whilst crossing the whitewash nearly 30 times! In Tournaments, the ‘Mighty’ under 9’s won Silverware at the Clifton, Keynsham, St Brendans and Cleeve Tournaments whilst securing pool winners at the Gloucester cup and a fantastic finale with 4 wins from 4 against Barnstable on Tour.

We’ve had a lot of new faces this year and the speed and depth to which they have integrated into the squad is a real credit to the boys. Everyone is welcome and everyone is accepted and in this squad everyone has had a part to play. The new players have learned fast and ’stepped up’ whilst the ‘old heads’ have provided support and assistance. It’s been a real pleasure for the coaches and parents to watch the team gel.

However, everything we’ve said so far is just a consequence of the true story of the season, ‘Heart’. As coaches we can coach skills, safety and technique but you can’t coach pure ‘Heart’, that passion for the game and players around you that drives you to do more than you thought possible and put yourself on the line for a teammate. Arguably, the most important element of our sport and WOW! The boys brought it in bucket loads week in and week out. It’s the ‘Heart’ in the team that made all of the above a reality. The ‘Mighty’ Under 9’s embody the core Values of Rugby and the parents, families and coaching team (aka Support Staff!) are extremely proud of every one of you. Fantastic year boys and bring on Under 10 Rugby!