As always, I would start by offering my congratulations to every player who has represented Cheshunt RFC at any point throughout this season. Almost every player in our senior section has played for Cheshunt RFC at youth level, so the future success and sustainability of our Mens and Ladies senior teams will continue to be achieved by players coming through our mini and youth sections.

A huge thank you must also go to the coaches, admins, first aiders, referees and a whole number of volunteers that give up their time week in and week out to support the junior section. The club simply cannot run without you all. And never forgetting the parents, grandparents, carers, and friends who function as taxi drivers, kit carriers and supporters to get the junior players to their games on a Sunday and to mid-week training.

On the pitch all our junior teams had some great results in their league/pool games and played some excellent rugby. In the Herts cup, the Colts and U15s lost in the quarter final and semi-final respectively, but the U14s made it all the way to the final beating Royston 27-19 to win the Herts Shield. A huge congratulations to all those involved in this excellent win.

Whilst we saw wonderful team success, we also recognised some individuals for their performance throughout the season in the end of year awards. I would offer my congratulations to all players who pick up an individual award this year, and also to any player who received a nomination for an award.

It was great to see so many teams going on tour this year around the country, and for some this would have been their first time touring as a junior team. The U13s went to Dorset, U14s to Wales, U15s to Bogner Regis and Colts to Camber Sands. These tours are a fantastic way of bringing the players together and enhancing team building, and I am sure all players who toured came away with stories that will be told for many years to come. Well done to all of you for representing Cheshunt RFC in a positive way, as we only hear positive comments from the clubs you visited.

We continued to see players transitioning from our junior section to play senior rugby for Cheshunt RFC, which is a key objective for our club. Congratulation to Sophie Morris, Jake Mathews, Taylor Tupper, Jack Gruncell, Ben Holloway, Archie Medcalf, Callum Everard, Lincoln Alade & Charlie Gurney on either making their senior debuts this season or continuing to play senior rugby whilst being a member of our junior section. There are not many clubs that can demonstrate such an incredible transition rate from Junior to Senior rugby, and that is something to be very proud of.

The last acknowledge goes to all U18 Colts players leaving the junior section at the end of this season, some of whom would have been with the club for a number of years. Two U18 players (Jake & Jack) join the list of past Cheshunt players who have played in every age group from U7s all the way through to U18s & seniors. Well done to both of you, a brilliant achievement.

I wish every U18 player success in your future endeavors, both on the rugby pitch and in whatever you choose to do next. I hope to see many of you return to represent Cheshunt RFC in the senior section either next season or once you have completed your university/college studies. Don’t forget that it is never too late to come back and play for YOUR club Cheshunt RFC. Whether it is one month, one year or ten years from now, you will always be received in a positive way if you decide to continue playing senior rugby at any point in the future. The door is always open for all of you.

And finally from me, it has been an honour and a privilege to serve as your Junior Secretary and a member of the Exec Committee over the past 6 seasons. I feel blessed to have worked so closely with such a great Executive Committee, made up of hardworking, genuine, honest, and humble people, focused solely on trying to bring future success and the continued progression of our club. I have no doubts that the club will continue to go from strength to strength.

I hand over the Junior Secretary baton to a true Cheshunt legend and a top fella in Lee Chalk ‘Chalky’. Chalky has loads of past playing experience, still turns out for the Senior/Vets teams and was also last year’s Mini Secretary, so the junior section is in great hands.

I look forward to standing on the side-lines in my Cheshunt scarf & hat and a beer, watching the continued success in the minis, junior and senior sections.

Come on you Cs.

Neil Gruncell
Junior Secretary
Cheshunt RFC