As Sevenoaks RFC Senior Squad enter the home straight for the season, with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd XV’s all competing to win their respective leagues, as our Gents, the 4th XV, the foundations on which their success this season has been built is quite apparent – the condition of their players and the role that the Oaks bolstered medical department has played in ensuring they have been fit and available for rugby on a Saturday afternoon.
Oaks physio Vicky Di Placito attends to an injured Oaks player during the 1st XV match against Havant RFC. Photo Credit: David Purday
In a season that 1st XV captain Stuart Coleman has described as ‘the most physical’ he has ever experienced in his senior career, which spans well over a decade, the position of a strong medical offering has never been more important. The growth in the medical team has been in large thanks to Sevenoaks RFC Main Club sponsor Savills, with funding for an additional two physiotherapists being supplied through bonus payments received from the sale of houses through Sevenoaks RFC members. Quite simply, the funding and resource has been a season-changer.
‘Our relationship with Savills now goes back a number of years and their support, as the Senior Squad has grown in numbers and league status, is invaluable’ said Director of Rugby, Roger McKerlie. ‘On Tuesday’s and Thursday’s, Adam Bowman and his coaching staff are now overseeing training for c.45/50 players a session. We have a responsibility as a Club and a Committee to ensure that the best medical care is available to all those who participate in our great game and thanks to Savills and the money that they have invested, we are able to provide physiotherapy on both training nights and across 1st and 2nd XV matches.’
Roger continued ‘The money that we have received has also enabled us to beef up our medical provision on Sunday mornings for our Minis and Juniors, an area which we know is critically important to each and every parent. Ste (Fairest) is in attendance at the Club most Sunday mornings, to offer advice and also to be there when more serious injuries occur.’
Director of Rugby Roger McKerlie has cited Savills investment as ‘crucial’ to Oaks medical department. Photo Credit: David Purday
David Johnston, Associate Director at Savills in Sevenoaks, spoke ahead of the Oaks 1st XV match against Havant RFC, saying ‘As a business, we are extremely proud to be associated and invest in a Community Club like Sevenoaks RFC. All the supporters here today can see what a physical game rugby is at this level and it’s so important to provide these amateur rugby players with the correct environment and support to ensure that they can firstly go into work on a Monday morning and secondly that they can play rugby on a Saturday afternoon.’
David continued ‘It’s great to see that the model we have with the Club (Savills will pay £500 to the club on each member's house transaction.), is being invested directly back into the welfare of the Club’s playing membership. We certainly feel as though we have played a part in the success this year and we can’t wait to see how the boys fair towards the end of the season – everyone at Savills is certainly behind Adam and his team!’
Roger concluded ‘As a Club and Committee, we would like to express a public thank you to David and everyone at Savills – it is through support of sponsors like Savills that amateur Clubs like ours thrive on.’