Masters XV

Team Management and Contact Details

Director’s Foreword

I am delighted and thrilled to have been selected as Director Masters Rugby and now have the chance to support an organisation and team that has given me possibly some of the most competitive, fun filled rugby of my playing career to date; if I can encourage anybody who loves rugby and has played at a decent level to give it a go then they should aspire to waling out onto a pitch on a warm spring morning clad in the red of the Army and about to do battle with the Navy. There is simply nothing to compare.

Gin and Tonic rugby it is not, and the passion and ferocity that it is played with by fit serviceman their late 30s would put many a professional sportsman to shame.

Whilst winning is important though, we the Masters, like to embrace an ethos of the non professional era with regards the camaraderie and fun that perhaps is now missing from senior level rugby, whilst at the same time aspiring to be the best players we can possibly be and compete at the highest level. Testament to that ethos and effort is our current title as World Masters Rugby Champions and the style and great fun had in securing this vaunted title. You’ll never know until you’ve tried it, so ask yourself what you are waiting for if rugby truly is your life!

• Are you a committed, dedicated and selfless team member?
• Are you serving, over 35 and still playing good rugby?
• Have you played rugby to a minimum of Corps standard regularly?

If yes or you would like to know more details of the Army Veterans’ game please contact the Assistant Director Masters XV at graham.quant202@mod.uk.

Fixtures

Last updated: 06 July 2011

The ARU Masters Director, Lt Col Simon Orr would like to congratulate the following 25 personnel on their selection for the ARU Masters Inter Services 2011/2012 Squad:

1. 559448 Maj Ewen Cameron – REME
2. 24791574 WO1 Shaun Collins – RLC
3. 25036601 SSgt Mark Eastley – RE
4. 24924613 SSgt Seirol Hughes – RAPTC *
5. 25024599 SSgt Gary Windle – RE (Season Skipper)
6. 555329 Maj Woody Wood – ETS *
7. 547895 Maj Andy Davie – RLC
8. 527258 Lt Col Huw James – Inf *
9. 552543 Maj Jamie O’Mara – AGC *
10. 563187 Capt Cam Hastie – AAC
11. 24888667 WO2 Griffiths MC – Inf
12. 24906528 SSgt Dave Goddard – RE
13. 25127159 LCpl Racks Rakabu – RLC *
14. 24905028 WO1 Phil Davies – REME
15. 25042527 SSgt Bongo Davies – RAC *
16. 25066521 Sgt Rob Smart – RAMC *
17. 25027032 SSgt Calvin Venn – RLC
18. 25052010 Cpl Lee Davies – RLC
19. 24906026 WO2 Mark Kane – RAPTC
20. 24865639 WO2 Stu James – RE *
21. 24853747 WO2 Darrell Cooper – RE *
22. 559591 Maj Dom Hayakawa – ETS *
23. 25141359 Cpl Dan Ratu – RLC
24. 25001599 SSgt Errol Jones – RE
25. 25118587 Cpl Nabs Nabakeke – R Sigs

* = Uncapped ARU Master

ARU Masters Team Captain

SSGT GARRY WINDLE (GINGE) – ROYAL ENGINEERS

Position: Hooker; Height: 5ft 7”; Weight: 15st 4 lbs; Age: 36 (Libran)

Ginge joined the Royal Engineers in 1993, and quickly became part of the highly successful Sappers’ Corps teams, captaining the Union side for many of those great seasons. Still pulling on the number 2 jersey, along with Ben Hughes he is one of the most capped players to ever put on a Corps jersey.

He has represented the Army and Combined Services at Rugby League for many seasons, represented the Army Rugby Union at U21, BAG, Army A and Senior level. In 2001 whilst playing First Division Rugby in Swansea, he earned his Welsh International Cap representing the Welsh Districts in a number of International fixtures. Passing the grand old age of 35, he represented the Army Masters in the Navy fixture in May 2010, being awarded the Man of the Match.

In 2010 he also represented the Combined Services Masters teams, at both Rugby League and Union. Being this his first full season with the Army Masters Union side, he is honoured to be leading the men from the front as skipper. With a new structured management team in place, that have selected a quality number of players within the squad, he is excited at the prospect of continuing to play a great level of rugby for many more seasons to come.

As a captain he will lead from the front and never one to take a backward step, is more than confident in leading the men, for many more Inter Services titles.

Ginge is married to Natalie, who keeps the Windle clan together when he is away with work or Rugby. They reside in Germany, with their four children – Cameron 15, Neriah 12, Anais 8 and Iona who is 6.

Season’s Match Reports & Features

Army Masters V Royal Navy Mariners – 28 Apr 2012 – The wet weather decided to play its part in this fixture and it meant that both sides had to modify their play to suit the conditions . . . Read more…
Posted: 08 May 2012

RAF Vultures v Army Masters – 11 Apr 2012 – The season since the Christmas break for the Army Masters had been a story of up’s and down’s, but back to back wins . . . Read more…
Posted: 20 Apr 2012

Army Masters Training Camp and Fossils Match Report
The Army Masters in preparation for the Inter Services competition travelled to Edinburgh for a short but intensive training camp. Read more…
Posted: 13 Apr 2012

Army Masters V Kew Occassionals – 24 Feb 2012 – On a pleasant warm winter afternoon in South West London, the Army Masters faced a young Kew Occasionals side at the Richmond Rugby ground. Read more…
Posted: 01 Mar 2012

Army Masters V Kew Occassionals – 24 Feb 2012 – On a pleasant warm winter afternoon in South West London, the Army Masters faced a young Kew Occasionals side at the Richmond Rugby ground. Read more…
Posted: 01 Mar 2012

Army Masters V HM Prison Service – 18 Jan 12 – On a slightly damp cold night in Aldershot the Army Masters faced HM Prison Service in the last home game before going on the road in the build-up… Read more…
Posted: 23 Jan 12

Army Masters V Farnborough RFU- 21 Nov 11 – On a reasonably mild if slightly wet night for the month of November the Army Masters squared up to a Farnborough Club side made up from 1st team and Vets players… Read more…
Posted: 25 Nov 11

Army Masters V REME Vets – 30 Oct 11 – A new season with new challenges for the Army Masters with the main aim to defend the Inter Services title won last season and looking ahead build towards… Read more…
Posted: 4 Nov 11

Army Master V RN Mariners – 7 May 11 – The road to this game for the Army Masters started on a warm night at Newbury RFU about a year ago. The loss to the RAF Vultures… Read more…
Posted: 17 May 11

Army Masters v Richmond Heavies – 4 March 11 – This was always going to be a interesting fixture with the Army Masters facing Richmond Heavies off the back of a good win against Kew Occasionals. Read more…
Posted: 9 March 11

Masters v Prison – 12 Jan 11 – This was always going to be a interesting fixture with the Army Masters facing Richmond Heavies off the back of a good win against… Read more…
Posted 17 Jan 11

Masters XV – 11 Oct 10 – A cold night in Aldershot saw the Army Masters kick off against the REME Veterans Read more…

Posted: 12 Oct 10