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JUST REWARD: Leighton Buzzard Rugby coach Rod Keating
Success on a plate
IT has certainly been success on a plate for one rugby team and their coach this year – and the prizes still haven't stopped coming. This week Leighton Buzzard U18s rugby coach Rod Keating has run away with another prestigious national trophy.
Rod was awarded the Rugby Football Union Junior Coaching award for 2009-2010 on Saturday at a conference held at Warwick University, having received multiple nominations. Gary Henderson, RFU national coaching manager, presented Rod with the crystal glass rugby ball prize in recognition of his coaching at junior level.
Having played rugby for Northampton Saints in his younger days, Rod, 52, gives up all of his spare time to rugby as a RFU level three coach, coaching Buzzards U18s (Colts), Bedfordshire and East Midlands squads.
He took his Buzzards team from losing every game at U13s to winning the Bedfordshire cup at U16s and then in May this year winning the National Plate, beating Bracknell 24-14 in the final played at Worcester. Earlier this year, Rod also won a Service To Sport Award presented by Leighton-Linslade Sports Council for his services to sport in the local community.
On winning the national coaching award, Rod said: "The key for me was the acknowledgement of squad ethos, and development of all players regardless of ability, not just a win-at-all-cost attitude."
Having picked up another prestigious award, Rod said: "I am very flattered, to say the least. I felt very pleasantly surprised and a little embarrassed, particularly as I was surrounded by hundreds of other hard-working coaches and administrators, all equally deserving of recognition and accolade for their continued hard work and efforts.
"The award is very much a shared award, with a huge debt due to many others for their continued support and hard work in the background and particularly, team manger Kevin Blundell and my fellow coach Martin Wood."
Director of rugby at Leighton Buzzard David Yirrell said: "Rod's award is a tremendous personal achievement, however the real winners are the lads that Rod coaches at the club.
"Rod does not coach for the plaudits, however his Colts team and indeed the entire club, feel rightly proud of his national recognition and it is just reward for the long hours and commitment that Rod has shown over the years."
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Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North
