RICHMOND SCHOOL STUDENTS CELEBRATE SUCCESS AT RICHMONDSHIRE RUFC PRESENTATION EVENT
Richmondshire RUFC recently held their end of season presentation event, celebrating the successes of their junior teams and players throughout the season. Many awards were presented for a wide variety of reasons, but two current Richmond School students deserve a special mention this year – Ethan Kirby and Kacper Kusta, both in Year 8.
Both Ethan and Kacper play for the Richmondshire RUFC U13 team, attending coaching sessions on Friday nights and training or playing matches on Sundays. They also play in the Richmond School Year 8 team, helping them to a recent inter-schools tournament victory.
Ethan Kirby won the Player of the Season award, voted for by the coaches – Jon Moulding and Neil Gardner. Ethan’s skills and tackling playing at number 8 have really progressed over the season – Ethan and Kacper described a particular highlight – a try saving tackle in a recent game, resulting in cheers and applause both from the sidelines and on the pitch!
Ethan also won the Junior Club Player of the Season, an award given to someone who has gone out of their way to help the club as a whole. As well as being a valuable player in the U13 squad, Ethan attends every session, even if he is not feeling 100%, and is a fantastic help off the pitch. He is always very polite and stays behind at the end of training, helping to clear away. In addition, he is incredibly supportive of other players at the club, supporting them and cheering them on whenever he has the opportunity.
When Ethan received the awards he said he felt ‘over the moon’! This despite being at the food table when he heard his name announced for one of them and receiving the trophy with a handful of Pringles! Ethan’s dad, an ex player at the club was and still is very proud!
Kacper Kusta won the Players’ Player award. This is decided by the whole team voting for the player they think is most deserving. Kacper is a versatile player, having moved from wing to hooker and now playing at centre in the backs. He’s always there at the important plays and is never afraid of getting stuck into hard tackles or filling in wherever the team needs him. A real players’ player!
Kacper was very pleased and proud to have won the award – especially since it was decided by his fellow teammates. Kacper’s mum couldn’t be at the presentation evening, but she was very happy and proud when Kacper returned with his award!
When we asked Ethan and Kacper who they’d like to thank, they both immediately said ‘the team’ – it’s obvious that being part of such a close knit squad means a lot to them. They also mentioned the coaches at the club and their parents – Ethan especially mentioned his dad, who he credits with getting him into rugby, passing on knowledge and experience from his playing days. Ethan also mentioned his younger brother Marcus – another up and coming player at the club, winning the U10 Player of the Year award on the same evening!
Well done to Ethan and Kacper and thank you to Richmondshire RUFC for providing them the opportunity to flourish on the ruby pitch as players and off it as young members of our community. Both boys are already looking forward to pre-season training starting in August!
Richmondshire RUFC are one of many local clubs offering brilliant opportunities for players young and old, male and female. If you’re interested in joining for next season, check their websites for details and information:
Richmondshire RUFC: www.pitchero.com/clubs/richmondshire
Darlington RFC: www.pitchero.com/clubs/darlingtonrfc
Darlington Mowden Park RFC: www.mowdenpark.com/
Wensleydale RUFC: wrufc.co.uk/
Catterick Crusaders RLFC: www.catterickcrusaders.co.uk
Northallerton Rugby Club: www.pitchero.com/clubs/northallerton