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more »The legend of Surrey School Sevens
When donning my detective’s hat and doing some digging on the upcoming Surrey School Sevens, one name kept getting mentioned. Colin Holman.
Everyone knows one. That teacher at your school who is the unsung hero. They are part of the furniture, in various black and white photos from ‘the golden olden days’, and unbelievably still walking around campus when you go back and visit an eternity later. Mr. Holman fits the bill.
Die hard sportsmen
Holman is a self-confessed sports nut educated at the ultra-active St Lukes College Exeter under the tutelage of Don Rutherford, before going on to study for a Diploma in Sports Psychology at Newcastle University.
He took up a position at prep school Woodcote House in 1959 to coach sport for a term. He never left. Introducing Rugby soon after he took over the reins of the First XV in 1965 and still coaches the Colts Under-11s.
He also quickly established himself on the Surrey rugby circuit as a County selector and coached the hugely successful Richmond side that took the Middlesex Sevens on five occasions between 1974-1980, emphasising his pedigree in the abbreviated code.
He was handed the reins of the Surrey School Sevens in 1970 (without even strictly applying for it!) and it was a responsibility he has only just relinquished, some 40 years later!
“The tournament used to be held at Esher, but it got too big and popular with schools coming in from all over the place. You only have to look at last year with sides from the South of England and two teams from Wales - Brynteg and Coleg Sir Gar,” says the inimitable Holman.
“I’m a big believer in getting kids away from the TV and into sports. Sevens really is like a 20:20 equivalent of cricket but that doesn’t make it easy at all. It takes huge skill, concentration, and ultimately it is down to fitness”.
Richmond Athletic Ground, a West London location which sees a splurge of Sevens from March-September, will once again play host on to 52 Under-18 sides.
For many it is the last chance saloon final to tune-up before the National Schools tournament which follows the week after. Such is the standard of the Surrey event, it’s often a yardstick of who to keep an eye out for the following week.
But if you think the event strictly plays the role of bridesmaid of Nationals think again.
The 'Big Two' meet
“The nice thing about this tournament is that it sees all the Nationals Schools teams sides playing against each other. And that usually means Wellington and Millfield at some stages,” adds Holman.
With both ‘Welly’ and ‘Miffy’ split apart for Nationals with the former in the Festival (one term rugby) and latter inthe Open (two term rugby) the Surrey Schools gives a platform for bragging rights between the two highly competitive outfits. Wellington has 7 titles but are dwarfed by the Millfieldians’ 13 wins.
The two met in last year’s final with Wellington coming out winners, making it especially sweet viewing for Director of PE, Steve Shortland who had previously coached for a decade at Millfield. Just think how much talent he must have seen his school teaching days?!
Woodcote House School's Ed Lyddon (right) receives Colin Holman's Telegraph award from Marlon Devonish
Two youngsters who played in that final have kicked on in their fledgling careers. Oliver Lindsay Hague (Millfield) has gone onto to be part of England’s current Sevens squad on the World Series and Guy Armitage (Wellington) involved in London Irish’s victorious Middlesex Sevens campaign.
Armitage, brother of England’s Delon and Steffon, is expected to be back at Surrey Schools with the Berkshire powerhouse this year.
But what other mere mortal Rugby schools who have enjoyed the good times? Holman looks back fondly.
“It’s not just these two though, my other years that stick out are the victorious Colstons (2008), Ivybridge (2004) and John Fisher sides (1997). All superb teams.”
Holman is quick to thank others for the support he has received in building up the tournament namely Gordon Brew and Hamish Webb from the Daily Mail and RBS Bank.
Reaching out for talent
With Olympic rugby now coming into fore, the UK will need to cast its net further than just the independent institutions and into State schools. It’s something which Surrey rugby is aware of with the National Emerging Schools Festival evidence to back this up.
It provides none rugby playing state schools with the opportunity to play at Twickenham in their first year of participation at age group, under 12 years (Year 7).
The Festival organized by the Rugby Football Union and the Armed Forces aims to bring new young players into the game. All the schools taking part are “emerging” rugby teams, so the festival is truly a grass roots event with Leon Hogan the organiser.
Speaking to the likes of England Sevens coach Ben Ryan there is a desire to uncover talent in state funded schools , with many potential talented athletes seemingly getting lost in the system.
Despite being from the old school, it’s a sentiment wholeheartedly agreed by Holman, who has to cut short our telephone conversation..
“Sorry but I’ve got to get these kids over to Athletics,” he exclaims.
Oh I forgot to mention he also run the West Surrey Prep Schools Athletics for 30 years and dovetailed with his rugby is one of the main reasons he won the prestigious Daily Telegraph’s ‘Contribution to School Sport award’ at the end of last year.
There he was cited as an inspiration to a multitude of kids over the years. You can add a certain Rugby Sevens journalist to that list.
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2010 Surrey Schools Pools:
Pool A – St Josephs Ipswich, Wellington College, Tiffin, RGS Guildford
Pool B – Campion, Sherbone, Whitgift, Herts
Pool C – Cranleigh, Filton, Haliford, St Olaves
Pool D – Downside, Sevenoaks, Epsom, Wallington County Grammar School
Pool E – St. Georges, Tonbridge, Harrow, Windsor Boys
Pool F – Colstons, Kings Cantab, Reigate, St Williams Borlaise
Pool G – Coleg Sir Gar, Dulwich, Richmond College, QE Barnett
Pool H – St Peters Glos, Hampton, Worth, Wimbledon
Pool I – St. Johns Leatherhead, St. Benedicts, Emmanuel, London Oratory
Pool J – Merchants Taylor, Bryanston, Gordons, City Freemans
Pook K – John Fisher, Eton College, Richard Hale, Chis Sidcup.
Pool L – Millfield, KSC Wimbledon, Eltham, Pangbourne
Pool M - Isleworth & Syon School, Reeds, Brighton College, Oaklands
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