The Gym Group Bristol and BodyShox co-sponsor Bristol Ladies Rugby warm up shirts

      

The Gym Group Bristol and BodyShox co-sponsor Bristol Ladies Rugby warm up shirts

Local businesses The Gym Group Bristol and BodyShox are the new sponsors of the Bristol Ladies Rugby warm up shirts. We spoke to The Gym Group Assistant Manager Deborah Fleming and Adam Cox from BodyShox about why they have decided to support the team, and to learn more about their organisations

Deborah, tell us a bit about The Gym Group and why you decided to get involved with Bristol Ladies?

The Gym Group was established in 2008 and is based on the idea of a gym being affordable and accessible to everyone - a budget price but with top of the range equipment and facilities. We’re built around the idea that people should be able to come to the gym at times that suit them and experience top of the range classes and facilities at a budget price.

 

As a company we’re extremely interested in supporting local athletes and sports teams. We have provided the training facilities for multiple international athletes, most recently Claudia Fragapane (GB Gymnast) and Pamela Cookey (England Netball). So following the success of the England Women's Rugby team winning the Women’s Rugby World Cup in the summer and the 2013/14 Premiership success of Bristol Ladies Rugby Club we thought it would be a great opportunity to support some more of the most talented sports women in the country.

And Adam, what is BodyShox all about?

The basic principles of the company are to provide healthy sports supplements at affordable prices and to gradually reinvest profits into local charities and causes to benefit those in need of help and support. As the company grows we wish to get more involved with charitable work and give something back to the communities of the local areas.

 

We decided to get involved with Bristol Ladies due to the current advancement in women’s rugby and the fantastic work that the club do to advance the team and promote the sport in the community.

 

So what can the general public get from The Gym Group and BodyShox?

The Gym Bristol is providing a very unique opportunity for the public to be able to train alongside some the best athletes in the country whilst also providing an environment and culture which encourages everyone to achieve their own personal fitness goals - whether that's losing weight, toning up or preparing to become the next international sporting superstar. We offer 'gym for everyone' 24 hours 7 days a week for just £16.99 per month which allows everyone an ideal time to train regardless of their time commitments, so come along and get involved! 

 

BodyShox is there for everyone to use. All our products are produced in the UK and are formulated at leading laboratories to ensure compliance with strict government standards. We have access to the latest scientifically designed products supplement formulas, and aim to provide proteins, meal replacements, fat loss aids, pre-workouts and vitamins at affordable prices.

 

More information about The Gym Group Bristol can be found here:

Location: Unit LS4A LS4B , Quakers Friars, Cabot Circus, Bristol, Avon, BS1 3BU
Facebook: /thegymgroup
Twitter: @thegymgroup

 

More information about BoxyShox can be found here:

Website: www.bodyshox.com
Email: info@bodyshox.com
Facebook: /BS-X-Bodyshox
Twitter: +BSX BODYSHOX 

Bristol Ladies Beth Turpin and The Gym Group Assistant Manager, Deborah Fleming

Deborah Fleming and Bristol Ladies Amber Reed and Beth Turpin

Izzy Noel-Smith, Bristol Ladies Rugby

To support Bristol Ladies Player Hardship Fund - donate here:

Bristol Ladies Player Hardship Fund Paypal Account Now Live!

Bristol Ladies Player Hardship Fund

Paypal Account Now Live!

After launching the Player Hardship Fund in October this year, Bristol Ladies are happy to announce that you can now make a donation via Paypal by clicking on the link below.

Bristol Ladies launch Player Hardship Fund

Bristol Ladies are excited to launch their new Player Hardship Fund. The aim of the fund is to support our players who struggle with the financial commitments of playing rugby at the highest level.

Bristol Ladies is the only self-sufficient Women’s Rugby Club in the UK, raising the money to run the club though fundraising events, sponsorship and player annual subs. However there are additional costs such as training kit and away travel which individual players must cover in addition to their annual subs.

For some of our members these costs are affordable, but for others it all adds up. Players often struggle to find the extra cash and the club frequently receives requests to help players with these additional costs. We support these individuals by working out specific payment plans and encourage individual player sponsorship however for some this still may not be enough.  As a club we feel we have a duty to make sure the game of rugby is open to everyone everywhere, regardless of their background.  Nobody should be unable to play for the club because of their financial situation.

Rugby prides itself on being an all-inclusive family game and a building block within the community and this is why we have launched the fund.

Our goal is to build a pot of money from supporter and local business donations and have this available to those players who need financial help to continue their involvement with the club. Any registered member of the club will be able to submit a formal request outlining their personal circumstances and their requirements. All requests will be reviewed by a panel from the club and donors, on a case by case basis, allowing the funds to be allocated in a fair and transparent way.

Heidi Chapman-Mercer, Club Chairwoman outlined the importance of widening participation for women’s rugby in the South West. ‘Having such a diverse group of players involved in Bristol Ladies is one of the things that makes us a really special club. Launching the fund will allow us to support all our players and gives Bristol Ladies the best chance of reaching our full potential. By removing cost as one of the barriers, we’re opening the game up to more individuals.  The fund will be a lifeline to some of the girls here, allowing them to continue to play for us, and to all those who support us already and to those who will do in future - thank you’.

The Women’s Rugby World Cup is coming to Bristol Ladies Rugby!

Saturday 20^th December sees the final fixture in the Women’s Rugby calendar for 2014, and Bristol Ladies Rugby are seeing the year out with a bang!

Both teams play at home, at the Portway Rugby Development Centre, with the 1^st XV facing Worcester, who they beat 36 – 22 in the reverse fixture, and the 2^nd XV playing Cheltenham Ladies.

Adding to the occasion, the team are delighted to have the most prized possession within English Women’s Rugby present at the game…..the Women’s Rugby World Cup! Supporters will be given close up access to the cup and the opportunity to have their picture taken with the cup.

Supporters will also have the opportunity to meet Bristol’s very own World Cup players, including Nolli Waterman and Amber Reed, who will be participating in a photography and autographing session.

We’re also running a competition to find a ball girl/boy for the 1^st XV game – to enter you must be between the ages of 5 – 17 years old, but don’t have to play rugby, just be interested in the sport. To be in with a chance to win, please send your name and phone number to bristol.ladies.media@hotmail.com by 12noon Wednesday 17^th December. A name will then be selected at random, and the individual who has won will be notified directly.

There are several other things happening on the 20th too:

• A girls rugby skills session run by Bristol Ladies Rugby players between 11-12
• A Q&A session with the Bristol WRWC Winning players and those involved in local girls rugby – perfect for anyone thinking about giving rugby a go, or for current players to get help and advice.
• On the day we’ll also be running a raffle for supporters to win a signed piece of World Cup memorabilia.

For those interested in VIP packages or sponsorship opportunities, please email bristol.ladies.media@hotmail.com

Timings:

10.30am – WRWC on show 

Midday – autograph signing session

2pm – KO

4.30pm – World Cup memorabilia raffle

Location:

Portway Rugby Development Centre
Portway
Sea Mills
Bristol
BS9 2HS

Like our facebook page (search Bristol Ladies Rugby) or follow our blog (http://bristolladiesrugby.blogspot.co.uk/) for more information. 

We hope to see you there!

Image via John White Media, http://johnwhitemedia.co.uk/

Two players gain sponsorship deal from CrossFit Avon

Noel Smith and Moore gain sponsorship deal from 

CrossFit Avon

Bristol Ladies Rugby is the only self-sufficient Women’s Rugby Club in the UK, raising the money to run the club through fundraising events, sponsorship and player annual subscription fees.

Izzy Noel Smith (Number 8) and Sian Moore (Scrum Half) have both looked to local organisations for sponsorship to support them and allow them to continue to play rugby at the highest level, and have found sponsorship from CrossFit Avon and Head Coach Andrew Clark.

CrossFit is a fitness training system which is scalable and therefore suitable for any committed individual, regardless of experience or current fitness. It’s built around three principles: functionality (using multiple muscle groups at one time), variation (each session is different, keeping the body guessing) and intensity (shorter workouts with as little rest as possible). The great thing about CrossFit is that an elite athlete, an average exerciser and a first time elderly participant will be found doing the same workout, but scaled down (or up!!) to suit their own abilities. This means our training is suitable (and in fact, ideal) for all.

CrossFit Avon was founded by Andrew Clark, who started using CrossFit himself in 2009. He opened his own gym in Bristol in March 2010 and later affiliated to CrossFit.

Izzy Noel Smith started playing rugby at the age of eight at Monmouth and has since represented England at U19, U20, Sevens and senior level. Having been introduced to CrossFit through her England team mates, she is thrilled to have their sponsorship this year.

Sian Moore has been playing rugby since she was 17, and represented Wales in this year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup in France. The sponsorship from CrossFit also means a lot to Sian.

How has having sponsorship from CrossFit Avon helped you, personally and within your rugby? 

IZZY: As women's rugby is currently amateur both at an international and premiership level, the sponsorship from Crossfit Avon has helped me financially to train to the best of my ability. It is local to me which it means I am able to manage my dual commitments easily – I can work, attend training with Bristol Ladies and maintain a high level of fitness without extra travel and cost. Since training at Crossfit Avon I have had both group and individual coaching on various power lifts and movements facilitating me in becoming more powerful for my position in rugby. I’ve seen real benefits in my ability to lift more and more efficiently after expert coaching from the team.

SIAN: The sponsorship has really allowed me to increase my level of fitness. The gym membership but also access to highly trained staff and instructors is such a massive help. CrossFit a really refreshing take on training and the set up at CrossFit Avon is brilliant. There is so much variety which keeps you engaged throughout and there are lots of transferable components that you work on in training that relate directly to rugby.

What do you enjoy about Crossfit Avon?

IZZY: The coaches and people who train there are so friendly and make everyone feel welcome. It has given me a new focus and drive to keep pushing myself at that a really high level. I also love the variety, the competitive element and the intensity of each workout – it’s something new each time I go and because you don't know what it's going to be each morning you end up working on things you might subconsciously try to avoid otherwise!

SIAN: I really love training in a group – the community feel is fantastic and really motivates you and keeps going, especially those 7am sessions. I’ve met a great group of individuals and it’s lovely to see other developing, and it really gives you that push to go that bit further. As Izzy says, everyone is so friendly and supportive, you can’t help but give it your all every session!

For more information about CrossFit Avon, visit their website, http://www.crossfitavon.com/ or email info@crossfitavon.com. 

The gym can be found at:

Unit 15 Merton Rd,

Horfield, Bristol, BS7 8TL

Izzy Noel Smith (8), Andrew Clark (Head Coach - CrossFit Avon), Sian Moore (9)

All photographs taken by Rikki Teml - http://www.rmtphotos.co.uk/

Match Report - Bristol Ladies 2nd XV vs Trojan Ladies - 7th Dec 2014

BRISTOL LADIES RUGBY MATCH REPORT

Bristol Ladies 2^nd XV vs Trojans Ladies – 7^th Dec 2014

Bristol Ladies lost to Trojans Ladies this afternoon in a hard fought and competitive game at the Portway Development Centre.

A try for Tash Doyle on 23 minutes with the conversion from Stacey Jones gave Bristol their only points of the game.

Trojans came out with attack and landed their first try of the game on 2 minutes, which was then followed by 80 minutes of strong competitive rugby from both teams. Trojans got their 2^nd on 32 minutes, and sealed the win with their 3^rd on 60 minutes, to end the game 7 – 15.

2^nd team captain Jenny Fotheringham was proud with the way the girls played, but disappointed with the end result. ‘We played the full 80 minutes, with all the girls committing and playing as a team. Individual execution let us down, because when we had the ball we looked really dangerous. Trojans has a few players that managed to penetrate our defence on one too many occasions, we just need to work on closing those gaps and improve our accuracy moving forward. I’m happy with the spirit the girls showed though, the never gave up, and many of them played on through pain – really putting their bodies on the line for their team mates’.

Forward of the match: Sam Herrick played with passion and added another level of pace to the game. She played on, even after dislocating a knuckle mid-way through the game – showing real team spirit.

Back of the match: Sammy Knighton caused consistent disruption for the opposition and made them work really hard for the ball.

Team sheet:

1 Sam Herrick

2 Trish Brown

3 Tash Doyle

4 Tara McGlade

5 Nat Lewis

6 Daisy Travers

7 Becki Belcher

8 Evie Bunce

9 Sammy Knighton

10 Rebecca Defilippo 

11 Courtney Bishop

12 Polly Pearce

13 Jenny Fotheringham

14 Rosie Kells

15 Stacey Welsh

SUBS

16 Lauren Santini on for Courtney Bishop (20min – return from injury)

                                                                                                                                                         

Bristol Ladies continue to support SOS Kit Aid

Bristol Ladies continue to support SOS Kit Aid

Bristol Ladies were delighted to hand over this seasons selection of old kit to the Charity SOS Kit Aid recently.

South West Director Ross Young came down to the club before the home games on Sunday 2nd November for the handover, where Club Chairwoman Heidi Chapman Mercer, Welsh International and Bristol Scrum Half Sian Moore and Bristol Number 8 Izzy Noel Smith presented the donation.

Bristol Ladies had gathered a selection of items for the charity, including a full strip, 20 balls, a set of cones and ten bags of old kit donated by players from the club.

Heidi spoke of the importance of supporting the charity. 'Bristol Ladies Rugby are proud to continue supporting SOS Kit Aid. As players and club members we know the importance of sport and the values it installs, knowing that our kit goes to benefit young people who would normally not get the opportunity to play and enjoy sport is really rewarding.’ 

SOS Kit Aid is a charity which collects second hand/surplus kit from clubs, schools, and individuals and redistributes it to disadvantaged young people giving them the opportunity to play and enjoy sport, whilst also making use of kit that would otherwise become environmentally damaging waste. Since 2001, over £3.5 million worth has been redistributed and last year 32 tonnes went out to 25 countries. Closer to home The 2nd Chance project in Bristol received kit. For more information on the fantastic work SOS Kit Aid does please visit their website at http://www.soskitaid.com/

Bristol Ladies 2nd XV vs Thurrock Ladies - 2nd Nov 2014

BRISTOL LADIES RUGBY MATCH REPORT

Bristol Ladies 2^nd XV vs Thurrock Ladies - 2^nd Nov 2014

Bristol Ladies 2^nd XV were unable to get passed the Thurrock defence this afternoon as they fell to a 0 – 37 defeat.

There were periods of excellent play during the first half with the pack showing aggression and pushing forward, and the backs linking well and completing passes with a high level of accuracy. After conceding one try in the early stages of the first half, the girls held strong showing their skill and determination and came close to crossing the try line twice in 10 minutes. Unfortunately a spell of increased pressure from Thurrock just before half time saw them score two tries in quick succession taking the half time score to 0 – 19.

Bristol took several knocks early in the second half and were unable to get through the Thurrock defence. Their fierce determination showed as the players tried their all to get that elusive score, however Thurrock powered on and ended the game with a score line of 0 -37.

Assistant Coach Matt Belbin was pleased with the performance despite the final score. ‘That was definitely one of the best performances of the season so far – individually and as a team. The players have listened to the coaches in training and I could see them using all the skills we worked on in training which is fantastic – you can’t ask any more. Our downfall was not being able to get the ball out wide and hold onto it, but we’ll work on during our week off and come back stronger next time around’.

Forward of the match: Tara McGlade

Back of the match: Rosie Kells

Squad list:

1 Sam Herrick

2 Becki Belcher 
3 Tash Doyle 4 Tara McGlade 5 Heidi Chapman Mercer 6 Sadie Giles 7 Lauren Tracey 8 Sue Neumann 9 Sammy Knighton 10 Jenny Fotheringham 11 Lauren Santini 12 Polly Pearce 13 Lucy Demaine  14 Rosie Kells 15 Stacey Jones 16 Natalie Lewis 17 Sophie Cleverly  18 Beth Turpin 19 Naomi Smith 20 Rebecca Cox