My latest article focuses on a story from grassroots rugby. I am in conversation with Andy Jermy, Commercial Operations Director for QD Stores Group and current Minis Chairman at Diss RFC in Norfolk, England.
What was your first involvement in rugby?
I went to Wymondham College here in Norfolk, aged eleven and was coached by ‘Taff’ Morgan who is still coaching their first fifteen thirty five years later.
Where did you play and what was your position?
I was described as a big lad for my age and placed at tight head prop. Other than a few games where I was making up the numbers I never really altered from that position not even to play at loose head.
I did have a memorable game for Bury St Edmunds at number eight in the Suffolk Colts Cup Final, whilst registered for Diss and overaged but that’s another story.
Which was your grassroots club?
I was brought to Diss RFC with my younger brother, Steve, when I was about 14 by Dennis Harrison (current Diss RFC Bar Manager, former player, publican and well documented character of local rugby folklore).
I played for various teams often playing for Wymondham College on Saturday and Diss Colts on Sunday. I played mostly with the seconds and never secured a regular place in the firsts. Having said that I left Diss when I was twenty to join Essex Police and so hadn’t peaked!
Playing in the front row for a police team is an experience where most of the violence seemed to be received for parking or speeding tickets, which hadn’t been issued by me as I was on CID.
How did you become involved in coaching and what does your role entail as Minis Chairman at Diss RFC?
When my son Joe was six I wanted him to try rugby and I wanted him to come to Diss RFC the club which had given me so much.
There wasn’t anyone lined up as Under Sevens coach for the season. So in a rather clichéd way of wanting to give something back I put myself forward. I am so glad I did, the rewards have been immeasurable.
The minis chairman role is a coordinating and facilitating role ensuring that we develop the players of the future, I have been fortunate to have a great coaching team at all age groups working with me.
The minis section has thrived in recent years, what do you see as your major successes in recruiting more youngsters and how can this be maintained?
I set out to ensure that we play an inclusive form of the game where everyone has the chance to develop to the best of their ability and everyone plays.
We play to win, but not at all costs and although we come up against clubs with a different attitude, they tend not to have the numbers we have.
Diss has fantastic playing and social facilities. I strongly believe that parents like the ethos and discipline of rugby over that silly round ball game, which is a factor in recruitment.
Nurturing the original spirit of the game has meant great retention of numbers. My ambition is to leave the post in two years with every minis team having sufficient qualified coaches and thirty players at each age group.
That will lead to strong numbers at junior level and ultimately into the seniors. You have to concentrate on the numbers because players develop at different stages and it is having the opportunity to develop a larger number which leads to success.
Does the schools liaison officer bring in additional minis on a Sunday?
Tim (Courridge) has been great for giving the children a taste of rugby and sparking the interest in coming to a club to play.
I believe we will reap the biggest benefit this season from his efforts and the raised profile of the Rugby World Cup.
QD’s support of the minis section has been a massive help in funding various areas. How important is corporate social responsibility to larger businesses in supporting their community sports?
I have been very fortunate in gaining the financial support of my employer. QD Group have always targeted their charitable giving and support to local charities and sports.
You can never gauge the benefit received from this, but we feel it is important to be seen to give back to the community. It is something we have always done even when retailing has seen difficult years.
Are there other local businesses who have supported tours & equipment at Diss?
My own age group has been supported for playing kit, bottles, shelter, tackle wheels etc. The Park Hotel Diss has been very generous. It is most definitely an opportunity which should be encouraged.
Would you consider there to be any ways in which the crossover between the junior and senior sides of the club could be further improved?
I hope that this season a few of the seniors might assist with an occasional training session for juniors or minis.
I think it would be of great benefit and would encourage some of the juniors and minis to come and watch on a Saturday, to see the players they have met. Diss is most definitely ‘one’ club though and I don’t notice a Saturday and Sunday club feeling as can be experienced elsewhere.
Are there other clubs regionally that you aspire to or are Diss one of the leading grassroots setups in terms of bringing youngsters through?
My belief is that we are one of the best clubs in the region, this was demonstrated by the junior county cup results last season. I believe we have to continue the work in developing our coaches to continue this success but overall I would say that I am confident that the playing future of the club has been secured within the minis and juniors.
Andy, as always a pleasure and thanks for your input and for talking to me.
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