Preparations for next season are well and truly underway as Sandbach Rugby’s senior players have begun pre-season training. Sandbach will be playing in the Regional 2 North West league when the season begins in September, their first campaign at level six for over a decade.

Over fifty players turned up last week, eager to get back into action. A blend of youth, experience and new recruits are looking to represent Sandbach’s four teams, which include the 1st XV, the Saxons, the Stormers and the Stallions.

Jimmy Gore has been announced as the new club captain for the 24/25 season. Gore, who has been 1st XV captain for the past four seasons, recently represented Cheshire in the Bill Beaumont County Final at Twickenham, alongside fellow Bach player Harry Hughes.

On being made club captain, Gore said, “Since joining Sandbach it’s honestly been like a home club. It’s an amazing place to be, on and off the pitch. So, to be club captain as well as 1st team captain is something I’ll be very proud of and cannot wait to start the season.”

The club have also confirmed their coaching team for the new season. Director of Rugby Andrew Bird, Head Coach Tom Holmes (who also remains as a player) and Senior Coach Will Cargill will be joined by Laurie Essenhigh, who makes the transition into a player coach role. Also joining the team is former Sandbach player Lee Pickles, who, after successful head coach roles at a variety of clubs, returns to share his skills and experiences with the next generation of Bach Senior players.

Essenhigh, a PE teacher by day, has had a successful spell as Cheshire U18s coach and last season won the ‘1st XV Players’ Player’ and ‘Coach’s Player’ award for his fantastic and entertaining rugby displays. He was also selected for the North West Team of the Year, which was voted for by the clubs in the league, and helped them to beat the North East, 35-28.

Andrew Bird said, “I’m delighted to have such a mix of experience and creativity within the senior coaching group, all local lads who know exactly what the club is about. Everyone is excited to build upon the reflections from the past 12 months.

“I’m confident we will check and challenge each other to gain the best out of sessions and ultimately develop the players within the whole club. I’m also delighted that both Tom and Laurie will continue to contribute massively on the field.”

Pre-season fixtures have been arranged and will see Sandbach join Stoke Rugby for a joint training session, followed by games away at Whitchurch and Broughton Park. A final home warm up game against Bromsgrove will take place at Bradwall Road.

The club are also delighted to announce a social fixture between Sandbach’s social team and rugby’s leading mental health charity, LooseHeadz. The charity’s mission is to place a mental health lead into every rugby club around the world and equip them with a toolkit of resources to help tackle the stigma of mental health.

The league fixtures have been released and Sandbach will kick-off their campaign at home against Burnage. There will be plenty of big clashes next season as the Bach face local rivals Northwich, Crewe & Nantwich and Winnington Park. An exciting trip for the players and supporters to the Isle of Man for a match against Douglas will take place in January and some eager supporters have already booked their flights.

Sandbach’s Women and Girls section have also recommenced training and have started the season with a bang. Pre-season training has brought in new players to both teams and the coaching team, which includes Rei Crooks, with a background of community coaching and inclusion with Sale Sharks, and Ros Wiggins, who is head coach at the Stone Roses and Chair of Staffordshire Women and Girls, have big plans for the Sandbach players.

Assistant coach, Emma Gardner, an A&E Nurse, mum and player, who has been with the Women and Girls since their exciting return to the club last season said, “There are big things in the pipeline for the W&G this season with new faces each week exited to get stuck in. It’s been amazing to see the growth and development in all our players as each session goes by. We can’t wait to showcase what we have learnt and what we can do, watch this space!”

New players are very welcome every Wednesday night, with the under 18s training at 6pm and the over 18s at 7pm. No experience is needed, just come along and join the fun. The team are excited to have launched their own TikTok channel. Follow them on TikTok @srufc.women.girls and send them a message if you need any more information.

An empty slate, a blank canvas and a fresh start for Sandbach as an exciting season of rugby awaits and the whole club is raring to go.

Pre-Season Fixtures
Thursday 8th August
Live training with Stoke RUFC (away) 7pm onwards

Saturday 17th August
Whitchurch v Sandbach

Saturday 24th August
Broughton Park v Sandbach
Sandbach Social Squad v Looseheadz (home) (Bradwall Road)

Saturday 31st August
Sandbach v Bromsgrove (home) (Bradwall Road)

Regional 2 North West League 2024/25 Fixtures
Saturday 7th September
Sandbach v Burnage

Saturday 14th September
Northwich v Sandbach

Saturday 21st September
Sandbach v Bowdon

Saturday 28th September
Crewe & Nantwich v Sandbach

Saturday 12th October
Sandbach v Douglas (I.O.M.)

Saturday 19th October
Firwood Waterloo v Sandbach

Saturday 26th October
Sandbach v Widnes

Saturday 9th November
Eccles v Sandbach

Saturday 16th November
Sandbach v Vale of Lune

Saturday 30th November
Sandbach v Winnington Park

Saturday 7th December
Altrincham Kersal v Sandbach

Saturday 14th December
Sandbach v Northwich

Saturday 21st December
Bowdon v Sandbach

Saturday 4th January
Sandbach v Crewe & Nantwich

Saturday 11th January
Douglas (I.O.M.) v Sandbach

Saturday 18th January
Sandbach v Firwood Waterloo

Saturday 1st February
Widnes v Sandbach

Saturday 15th February
Sandbach v Eccles

Saturday 1st March
Vale of Lune v Sandbach

Saturday 8th March
Winnington Park v Sandbach

Saturday 22nd March
Sandbach v Altrincham Kersal

Saturday 5th April
Burnage v Sandbach