Bingham Rugby Club team-talk
Turning out to watch a group of grown men huddle, touch and ruck might not be everyone’s idea of a good night out but when you’re talking rugby, all that changes.
Bingham Rugby Football Club was set up in 1971 by passionate fan and accountant Bob Buchanan.
"We’re playing bigger clubs this year… and hoping to win back-to-back trophies for the first time in the club’s history."
Jason Churchill, captain
The club has fought hard to attract players from the South Nottinghamshire ‘triangle’, fending off competition from nearby clubs such as Newark and now after two years of committed fundraising, the latest tool in their armoury is up and running.
The club now has three all-singing, all-dancing floodlights which means the squads can practice properly through the winter without having to make each other out in the murky gloom of temporary lights.
For those used to the hefty funding of other mainstream sports such as football, three floodlights might not seem like much but as captain of the 1st XV, Jason Churchill says, it makes a huge difference to Bingham RFC.
"Bingham is a small club and it can be hard to attract players. The new lights mean we can encourage more people to come down to train and build up the club."
As Wednesday night’s session proved, these lads train hard, practising in their spare time and playing cup matches at weekends. And this was no ordinary training session.
Craig Hammond and Bob Buchanan
Three professional players from Nottingham Rugby Club came down to Bingham to give the seniors some tips and really show them how it’s done. The warm-up game of touch rugby looked slick. I think some players were trying to make an impression.
But after the official switching on of the lights, the hard work started with Craig Hammond, Ryan "Finger" Hopkins and Nic Rouse showing the team how line-outs should be done.
"You need to get right under his bum and you’ll get the lift much more," advised Craig. The concentration was clear with not even a snigger from the grown men grabbing a handful of backside to "improve their game."
On a more serious note, having professional players come out to a small local team such as Bingham, can give the squad a real boost.
"Getting the players from Nottingham to spend time at Bingham, means a lot to the lads. It means we exist, that we’ve been noticed and that’s really important for the game," said captain Jason Churchill.
And Bingham has high hopes for the season ahead. Having won the Security Plus Pennant, Group Five last season, they have moved up a rung to Group Four.
"We’re playing bigger clubs this year… and hoping to win back-to-back trophies for the first time in the club’s history," said Jason. With the expert tips they received from Nottingham’s professional players, they look well on course to go all the way.
*If new players would like to get in touch, they should contact Jason Churchill on 07860 615341.
RFU.com 
Search
