Rugby tournament in Woody's memory

HUNGERFORD Rugby Club has announced it is launching a new, secondary school tournament in memory of one of its players.

The club already hosts a popular primary school tournament credited with having introduced around 2,000 boys and girls to the sport during the past 10 years.
The club has a thriving junior section as a result.
Now it aims to extend that success to a new age group in memory of David ‘Woody’ Woodroffe, who was killed in a car crash on the A4 near Kintbury in July last year.
The Secondary School Tournament launches on June 13 and the chairman of the club’s junior section, Rob Cox, said:
“Hungerford is growing from the youngest age group upwards. Next season we plan to add Under 14s for the first time. In order to support this growth it seemed a fantastic idea to start the Secondary School Tournament, to underpin our development of these junior age groups.”
Hungerford RFC chairman Martin Digweed said: “The growth of the youth section brings huge benefits for the whole club. For example, the juniors’ parents are now becoming involved in every area of the club. As well as becoming social members, those parents are involved in coaching, refereeing, playing in the 15-a-side game as well as the ever popular touch rugby. “This new tournament will be another step forward for Hungerford RFC.”
Tournament organiser Jeremy Smeddle said: “We wanted something that would form a lasting memorial to Woody Junior, and a junior school tournament seemed like a perfect tribute, as Woody was only 20 when he was so tragically taken from us.”
Mr Woodroffe, a former John O’Gaunt School pupil from Shalbourne, was a First XV player for Hungerford Rugby Football Club (RFC), and the youngest of four brothers, all nicknamed Woody.
He had trained with the club since he was aged 15 and played since he was 16 years old, working his way up into the first team.
Seven West Berkshire schools have confirmed their participation: The Downs, John O’Gaunt, Trinity, King Alfreds, Kennet, St Barts and Park House.
The tournament kicks off at 4pm on Friday, June 13,and the finals begin at 6pm.
Spectators are welcome and there will be a barbecue running late into the night.
A bar will also be available.
The action will take place at the Triangle Field in Priory Road.