Nottingham Rugby players will be lending a hand in the fight against childhood obesity through a project based at West Bridgford Community Centre. The Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do it! (MEND) programme, which is run by Rushcliffe Borough Council, aims to help children and young people understand the benefits of a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Scrum-half Finlay Barnham, who made a series of first-team performances through the 2010/11 campaign with the Green and Whites, will be assisting the council’s teams in promoting exercise and nutrition.
The Norfolk born starlet, who currently lives in West Bridgford with fellow Nottingham players Jamie Barnard and Dave Marshall, said: “As rugby players our lives are governed by exercise and maintaining the correct diet, so hopefully we can try and set a good example to youngsters and encourage the progress of young people in the area.
“Already this programme has helped lots of children across Nottingham and we’re very proud to be working with the council to potentially make a very big difference to the lives of many youngsters. ”

Nottingham Rugby Club chief executive Simon Beatham has outlined his belief that areas such as Clifton hold the key to further boosting attendances. The CEO, who was appointed last August following stints as director of rugby, coach, committee member, board director and player, is hoping the club can attract more fans from areas in the south of the city.
With the Championship club playing their rugby at the prominent Meadow Lane stadium, Beatham, who first came to Nottingham in 1997 following a switch from the Leicester Tigers, is adamant that the Green and Whites can further increase gate numbers by attracting local people.
He said: “Attracting support from local areas like Clifton and West Bridgford will be absolutely crucial in the club taking steps forward to Premiership rugby.
“We’ve had a 25% increase in attendances in 2010-11 and we know that there’s even more people out there we can turn into fans of the future.
“We want people across Nottingham to be proud to support us, this is a great city and it deserves a top-class rugby team, with the support of local people we know we can achieve that.
“At present the name of Nottingham Rugby isn’t that widely known but we have lots to shout about. We’ve had seven internationals at the club this year, including All Black Ali Wiliams. We have a massive community programme and we hold realistic ambitions of Premiership rugby in the near future.”

A pioneering Initiative between Nottingham Rugby and Nottingham City Council has seen Clifton youngsters descend on West Bridgford for the first in a series of classroom events led by back row star Phil Eggleshaw (pictured below).
The partnership will see school children from across Nottingham attend classes at the Green and Whites’ Lady Bay training ground in Bridgford, where they will take part in English, Maths and history lessons, with a rugby spin.
Durham University-graduate Eggleshaw, who originally heralds from Nottingham and played for Paviors RFC before signing for the Green and Whites, said: “This is an opportunity for the club to continue to expand the local knowledge of rugby in the younger generation, whilst also continuing to help with the education of children within the city area.”
Community coach, Josh Salathiel, added: “We’re expecting a great response to this event and are looking forward to introducing local children to Nottingham Rugby Club and approaching their education from a different sort of perspective for one fun-packed day.”

Vickery spent the day assisting with much needed DIY repairs at the club, before taking the rugby teams from Toot Hill School through their paces during a special training session.

He said: “Grassroots rugby clubs are at the heart of the community. In these difficult times they need the backing of the local people more than ever. RBS RugbyForce helps clubs help themselves, by providing guidance and tools to host a ‘make-over’ weekend. A lick of paint, a bit of elbow grease and a show of support from the locals can make all the difference.”

Chris Packer, secretary at Bingham RFC said “RBS RugbyForce couldn’t have come at a better time for us, as a small grassroots club we’re always looking to improve our facilities.”

West Bridgford resident and Championship leading scorer James Arlidge has swapped Meadow Lane and Nottingham Rugby for international duties with Japan. The fly-half, who came to Nottingham this summer after signing from Magners League side Newport Gwent Dragons, has had an impressive impact at the Green and Whites since moving to Nottingham with his wife and young son.
Arlidge (pictured below) told The Local News: “The area I live in with my wife and son is a really great community, very family friendly, which is perfect.
“I feel as though I’ve settled into Nottingham really well, the city is very nice with lots of great people, and the team spirit of the squad itself has been very tight knit.
“It is always a real honour representing Japan and something that I’m very proud to have done. To be doing that having qualified on residency grounds.”

A pioneering community initiative from Nottingham Rugby, in partnership with Rushcliffe Borough Council, aims to change the lives of young people in the area. The first major project underway is the council’s MIND scheme, which encourages young people to participate in physical activity with the help of expert training and encouragement from stars of the Green and Whites.
Skipper, Craig Hammond, told The Local News: “This project is a fantastic scheme and everyone at the club recognises how important it is for young people to be fit and healthy. We all think this is a brilliant idea.
“We want all the youngsters in Rushcliffe to have the chance to learn about health and the benefits of active living, and we really back what this initiative is attempting to do.”
Community manager, David Bonser, added: “Working with the council we aim todo our bit as a local sporting club and promote fitness – particularly for young people who can learn good lessons that can help them to stay healthy as they become adults.”

• - Big reductions on match day prices
• - Guaranteed entry into 11 Championship games
• - Guaranteed entry into three Championship play-off games after the regular season
• - Free junior ticket for every adult ticket purchased (available on request at time of application only)
• - 10% discount on one purchase in the Nottingham Rugby shop
• - 10% discount on one Pie Club booking (valid for one person at one home league game only)
• - Two ‘Bring a Friend for a Fiver’ vouchers
• - Right to apply for the ballot for England home international tickets
• - Fantastic offers from the rugby club’s partners

All existing season ticket holders should have already received their application forms through the post.
Upgrade Your Season Ticket for only £29
Once again Nottingham Rugby are offering you the opportunity to upgrade your season ticket…

• - 2 x free tickets to a selected home league game to bring a friend
• - Pre-match pie club at a selected home game
• - 2 x £5 off vouchers for matchday hospitality
• - VIP invitation to a meet the players event
• - Entry into a draw to win a free season ticket for 2011/2012
• - Monthly draw for a signed ball

For more information on any of the above please telephone 0115 907 0070 or send an email to Laura Gregory at laura.gregory@nottinghamrugby.co.uk
You can also visit the website nottinghamrugby.co.uk