CHINNOR made a tentative return to training today as the players were back at the Club for the first time since lockdown.
Our senior squad were put through their paces at Kingsey Road this afternoon in organised groups of no more than six people.
Following the government and Rugby Football Union guidelines, two-metre social distancing and hand cleansing were observed at all times.
Head of Strength & Conditioning Daz Oliver and Team Manager Matty Mountford led the first session.
Daz, co-founder of Powerhouse Performance Club which operates from the Club, said: “We basically got the guys moving. We had a bit of SAQ (speed, agility and quickness) with Matty. We also did a bit of barbell complex stuff to get them chucking a bit of weight around again and got them doing some run aways.
“It was literally about getting some volume in their legs because a lot of the lads haven’t done anything for a long time, so we’re trying to get them ready for when pre-season starts properly.
“Everything is being done in maximum groups of six, with two-metre gaps, hand sanitisers, gloves - the works - so we’re all sorted.”
Chinnor have also announced the appointment of Craig Hampson as Attack Coach.
The 29-year-old, who has more than 150 professional appearances to his name, is the first addition to our new-look coaching team.
The former Bristol and Wasps scrum-half will also be Chinnor’s specialist kicking coach. He will combine the role at Kingsey Road with continuing his playing career at Championship club Ealing Trailfinders.
Craig, who has also lined up for Yorkshire Carnegie and Doncaster Knights, is excited to be a part of the new chapter at Chinnor.
He said: “I’m really looking forward to getting started. Richard Thorpe’s vision for the Club is an exciting prospect, and his enthusiasm and energy for Chinnor is contagious. I’m hoping we can get into rugby sooner rather than later. It’s going to be a fun pre-season getting to know the players and their strengths which will allow us to develop our game plan in time for the start of the campaign.”
Chinnor RFC Thame Director of Rugby, Richard Thorpe said: “It became clear very quickly that Craig Hampson would be a huge asset to Chinnor. He is a player centred coach through and through. His attacking philosophy and coaching style are very similar to my own, and I
am excited to begin working alongside Craig on field. I have no doubt, together with our further coaching announcements, that we will be able to deliver a cutting edge, next generation coaching team at Chinnor.”
