Team News Freshers Fair 2010The fair will run on Tuesday 5th October and Wednesday 6th October from 10am-4pm in ER143,144,148 and 149 07.07.2010DURL alumni Thomas Brewster is competing in the Men's Health Survival of the Fittest, on October 9th. In the process, he is trying to raise funds for Try Assist (The RFL Benevolent Fund), and The Steve Prescott Foundation, who do tremendous work in re-habilitating players that have been left with permentent injuries from the game we all love. Please click on the link below, and any contribution big or small will be greatly appreciated.
It seems incredible that it is time to sit down and produce the end of season review because it only feels like five minutes since I wrote a DURLFC pre-season article for the Palatinate. At this time of year in between exams, heads of sports teams traditionally sit down with lists of results, man of match awards, a blank piece of paper and a biro, and then try to link anything and everything in between. But for us this year at DURLFC, we have more to talk about. Our positive results went beyond the many successful results that we accrued, to achieving the objectives in club development that we set out at the beginning of the season. Having been promoted to BUCS North 1 for the 2009/10 season, it was apparent from the offset that fixtures would be more challenging. Despite the excitement that playing in a higher league brings, it can also present challenges for a side. It creates a make or break environment as more becomes expected of the club and its members. Looking back, I feel this opportunity has made our club, and that the squad reacted extremely well to this challenge, finishing second in BUCS North 1 League this year. A fantastic achievement for a development side, and one the whole squad can be proud of. In terms of game development, DURLFC this year for the first time have been pleased to involve members of the community at training sessions. We have very much enjoyed having them along and on occasions been shown up by their tempo and aggression that they brought to with them. Durham Demons lads, many thanks for getting involved. To those alumni becoming worried that we’ve lost our roots, do not fear. Our social scene has been as vibrant as ever this year. It is this combination of good performances, (on and off the field), that our club stands for so well and typifies the DURL student experience. This has been enriched by some key characters who I would like to give thanks to. Martin Hall, recognised by his half palatinate this year has over three years made an invaluable contribution to the running of the club. Martin held 1st team captain and club captain positions, and as he moves on from Durham I wish him all the best. Will Alsop, also recognised by his half Palatinate, has been another fantastic man to work with over the past two years. Will has held the club treasurer position for two years.To Paul Dodsworth, we thank you for the many years of support and service that you have given. To all other players leaving Durham this year, I wish you well with your future careers and urge you to find local clubs wherever you move to and stay in the game. To Jade Mackie and Simon Flynn from the RFL, thank you ever so much for your support which has always been gratefully appreciated. Before we draw a line under our progress this year, I wish the new administration Tom Eardley (President), Jonno Stanhope-Smith (1st Team Captain), George Simkin (Club Captain), Robbie McFaul (Treasurer) & Felix Newman (Social Sec) the very best for Rugby League in Durham next year, and hope that you carry this successful momentum forward.  2010 Man of Steel - Lewis Smeeton 2010 Clubman of the Year - Jonno Stanhope-Smith 2010 Players Player - Lewis Smeeton / Jonno Stanhope-Smith DURLFC would also like to recognise the support from our sponsors for financially aiding our development. To My UK Students, Barclays Capital, Proctor & Gamble, MDS, UnisportUK and Maximuscle, thank you very much. Thomas Brewster (President, DURLFC)
Matt was a formidable winger and Centre that represented both the first team, the North East and Gateshead Panthers during his time at Durham. It was at Durham he discovered league and went on to carry on playing for Siddall in Yorkshire whilst he worked for the local constabulary. Described by a fellow team mate, "he was a great player, and an even better bloke." 18.02.2010 |
| DOB | 1st November 1983 | |
| Height | 185cm | |
| Weight | 97Kg | |
| 2010 | Career | |
| App | 2 | 153 |
| Sub | 32 | |
| T | 1 | 63 |
| G | 0 | |
| DG | 1 | |
| Pts | 4 | 253 |
A real ambassador for Rugby League, Jon was signed from Hull KR in the summer of 2002 and has become an important part of the first team.
A great passer with quick feet, strong defence and vision, he has racked up 40 tries since his debut in 2003 and scored two tries in the 2006 Challenge Cup Final at Twickenham… with a broken nose.
Jon is media savvy, a great asset to the sport and will continue to be the face of Rugby League for the foreseeable future.
His blog can be read on http://jonwilkinsportscolumn.blogspot.com/
06.02.2010
DURLFC Sponsor MyUKStudents get 'Lost' for Charity
DURLFC would like to raise awareness to our sponsors forthcoming charity venture in association with the Durham Universitties Charity Komittee (DUCK). Andy Stephenson has to say:-
"On Saturday 13th February at 7am, Ali Hunsley and I will be blindfolded, bundled into a minibus and driven 4.5 hours away from Durham to an unknown location, most probably at the side of remote road, as part of DUCK's (Durham University Charities Kommittee) LOST Event 2010.
We will then have to establish where we are and then try and get back to Durham as soon as possible, without paying for any transport. If we are the first people back to Durham from the 50 or so entrants, we win £200. If we win, I am pledging to donate my share of the winnings to whatever other donations have come in, so please dig deep and help out.
To make things a little harder, we won't be using any of the wondrous features of my iPhone!
To add to the fun, we are hoping to dress up as Batman and Robin to aid our blagging power on the roads and railways of Great Britain, so if you see us at some point, please feel free to honk (it is a certainty that we will look ridiculous) or even better, give us a lift towards Durham!
I've decided to donate all monies raised to The Princes Trust, which helps people from disadvantaged backgrounds to develop the skills they need to set up and run their own businesses. I've always been lucky in that I have been able to set up and run any ventures I've wanted to but others aren't quite so fortunate and I'd really like to try and help others to realise their potential.
To view the progress of my donations or to pledge any amount at all, please visit my JustGiving page at: http://www.justgiving.com/Andy-Stephenson0
Even if you're unable to donate, please feel free to keep up to date on our progress by using the Automatic Tracking System available here: http://www.chooseachallenge.com/lost/duck/tracker.php "
DURLFC wishes Andy & Ali well, and asks our fans to help them out by donating generously.
21.01.2010
Highlights - Edinburgh Vs Durham
10.01.2010
08.11.2009
DURLFC promotes Proctor & Gamble in Durham.
Proctor & Gamble visited Durham on Tuesday 3rd November for a careers event, and we helped raise awarness to their event.
Interested in sponsoring us? One key feature of sponsoring our team is our active promotion in Durham. Knowing the town like the back of our hands, be rest assured we can distribute your corporate literature effectively in prime locations to people who would make a great addition to your company. Our promotion has proved particularly effective in raising awareness to our sponsor’s forthcoming corporate events. To ask a question about our sponsorship options just click here to contact Thomas.
10.10.2009
A new league, a new season.
Goal setting and season planning is a standard job for all leaders of Durham’s sports clubs. It’s that blank sheet of paper you typically stare at in early September in search of a season full of successful results. Normally it’s a case of mirroring the past and seeing how you match up against the same old rivals, but for us the standard path has been rejected. DURLFC has undergone a complete face lift, and the re-birth of Rugby League in Durham began back in March. Now a week away from our first fixture, we cannot wait to get the 2009 Student Rugby League season started on the road to Newcastle (14.10.09).
Last year was one of the most successful in the clubs history, reaching the national semi finals of the BUCS plate and earned promotion into BUCS North 1. As we look to develop from this platform, we find ourselves facing a new set of challenges as we encounter tougher sides, further from home. A challenge which we are not afraid of. The 2009 Fixture card sees Durham playing in new locations such as Cambridge, Edinburgh, Leeds and London in addition to more established local rivals Newcastle, Sunderland.
The re-structure of our club has posed some key challenges. How do you expand a sports club whilst maintaining that close friendly environment that rugby league stands for? How can you bring new people to the game and feel included whilst operating at a university level? How do we improve personal performance and get the best out of all of our players? These are some of the key questions and I believe this year DURLFC have the innovative solutions required for the road ahead.
So in a club that currently holds so much promise, have you thought of giving the hardest contact sport in the world a go? 94% of those previous first and second years that said ‘yes’ to Rugby League last year are coming back for more, one of the highest squad retention rates in the University. Student Rugby League in Durham offers a greater playing standard than the college Rugby Union competition, whilst providing those both with and without League experience the chance to represent the university. As a coach, improvement of our club places our members (both on and off the field) at the centre of our development plans. To this end DURLFC has a whole host of other vital none playing staff positions from trainers, physio’s, coaches to team assistants, writers and photographers.
It has to be said that the development of our club this year has not been possible without the support from our sponsors to which we are very grateful. This year we are pleased to announce association with MyUKStudents.com, Barclays Capital, Proctor & Gamble, MDS, UnisportUK.com and our nutrition partner Maximuscle. To you we owe a big thank you.
So from this strong base we now move into the season. DURLFC has never looked stronger pre-season. We enjoyed a very healthy intake during freshers week, giving our squad the required depth to perform successfully at this level. There is a fantastic buzz about training at the moment and I am confident that this enthusiasm will lead to us to completing all season objectives, raising the profile of our game and most of all having a lot of fun in the process.
Thomas Brewster (President, DURLFC)
08.10.2009
DURLFC team up with MY UK STUDENTS.co.uk
DURLFC are very pleased to be associated with one of the nations leading student services companies, MyUKStudents. The Durham based company is growing from strength to strengh not just within our town, but gaining increased presence in many others as well. DURLFC are very much looking forward to playing our part in promoting their name in all the locations we play, and developing a great partnership with the company throughout the 2009/10 season.
DURLFC 2008/09 Season Sportsmans Awards
The Man of Steel Award
Will Alsop
Man of Steel Award presented by Head Coach Simon Flynn (Right) to Will Alsop (Left)
Player's Player of the Year Award
Martin Hall
Players Player of the Year Award presented by Club Captain Karl Stephenson (Left) to Martin Hall (Right)
Clubman of the Year Award
Thomas Brewster
Clubman of the Year Award presented by Club Captain Karl Stephenson (Right) to Thomas Brewster (Left)
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