Bath RFC U10s Mini Rugby Tour To Exeter

A in-depth case study and tour review from Bath RFC U10s first every rugby tour to Exeter with Sky High Sports.

Back

Exeter 2020 Rugby Tour

Bath RFC U10s approached Sky High Sports in the summer of 2019 with the ambition of giving their Mini Rugby side their first taste of rugby touring. 

Following a range of tour proposals put forward by Sky High Sports, The side agreed on Exeter as their chosen tour destination. A rugby-mad, compact City on the South West Coast within manageable travel distance for the young side.

The tour would be centred around a pro-fixture at Sandy Park, where Exeter Chiefs would host Bath Rugby in the Gallagher Premiership. 

2 days before departure the South West experienced unprecedented rainfall with Spring storms battering the coast leading to widespread flooding in the region. Unsurprisingly, local rugby clubs didn't fair well with host clubs Exeter Athletic and Paignton RFC pitches unable to cope with the intense rainfall.

Thanks to the awesome efforts from our host clubs (Ben Lister at Exeter and Marc Norton at Paignton) we were able to change the venues in short-notice to ensure all fixtures went ahead.

It really shows that we are only as good as the great rugby people that we work with. 

Despite a coach puncture to start the journey, the rest of the weekend went extremely well and most importantly, the young players from Bath RFC U10s were able to enjoy a fantastic introduction to rugby touring. 

Please see below a tour review Bath RFC U10s Head Coach, Gordon Robinson. 

 

"It was absolutely brilliant...

Really impressed with the effort that Exeter Athletic and Paignton went to in order to have the matches go ahead, both at alternative grounds to where planned, but we made it work. Coach driver was great as well, and we wont blame him for the puncture to kick the tour off with!

All the lads, big and small, had a superb time, with a perfect balance between game time and fun, and I think we created some memories for the youngsters that will last. They were all beaming at the end, and were asking to do it again next season!

Thanks very much for your great work in getting the weekend arranged, it is much appreciated!"

It's always satisfying sending a mini rugby team away on their first ever tour and to hear that the team are asking about the plans for next years tour is a great marker of success for us. Looking forward to working with this age group and help shape their touring careers for many more years to come!