As summer rapidly approaches many have already taken the opportunity to book onto some of our summer Masterclass courses. This is your chance to book early and take advantage of our online prices, offering up to 15% off normal prices. For further information or to book your place click here <http://www.rugbycamps.com/saracens>
Headlines... Ford to take up England role...
Mike Ford is to leave Saracens to take up a position as full time defensive coach with England.
Ford will take up his new role with immediate effect and will travel with the England squad for their two-test tour of Australia next month.
Saracens Chief Executive Mark Sinderberry said: "I was approached by Francis Baron earlier this month for permission to speak to Mike about the role and those discussions have been taking place over the past few weeks.
"Mike has been a valuable member of the coaching staff over the past few seasons. We are obviously very disappointed to be losing him, but this is an excellent opportunity to work with the RFU and England in their defence of the World Cup and it would be wrong of Saracens to stand in his way. We wish him every success in the future."
Player News... Saracens sign Samoan powerhouse...
Prop Census Johnson will add his weight to the Saracens front row next season after signing a two-year deal with the club.
The 24-year-old, who missed out on a Heineken Cup winner's medal with current club Biarritz at the weekend, will return to New Zealand to play for Taranaki in the NPC competition in August and September and play a series of test matches for the Pacific Islands before joining up with Saracens in November.
The 6ft 2in 20st prop was part of the Biarritz side which missed out to Munster at the weekend having temporarily joined them from Taranaki as cover for the second half of the season.
The Samoan international, who broke into the national side last season which included an appearance against England at Twickenham, is seen by Saracens Director of Rugby Alan Gaffney as very much a player for the future.
He said: "We've met with Census on a number of occasions and we were very impressed with him and his performances this season in both the Heineken Cup and the French league. We're delighted that he is joining us. He is a powerful prop who came on to the international scene last year with Samoa and at 24, is a player for the future which is an area where our recruitment is focused."
Saracens make Fab Front Row signing... Italian international hooker Fabio Ongaro will join Saracens from the start of the 2006/07 season.
The 38-times capped hooker has put pen to paper on a three-year deal with the club and joins from Benetton Treviso with who he has played for the past seven seasons.
The 28-year-old is a regular in the Italian national side and made his debut for the Azzuri in 2000. Saracens fans will know all about Ongaro as he played in both matches for Treviso when the two teams met in the group stages of this year's Heineken Cup.
With Shane Byrne only having a year to run on his contract, the signing has been made with a view to long-term planning at the club.
Ongaro, who will be in action for Treviso in the final of the Italian championship against Calvisano this weekend, said: "I am very excited to be joining Saracens. It's a tremendous opportunity to develop my game and compete in the Guinness Premiership."
Saracens Director of Rugby Alan Gaffney added: "We're delighted that Fabio will be joining us from next season. As someone who has played in the last four Six Nations and 7 Heineken Cup campaigns, he is very experienced at both international and domestic level. But still being only aged 28, he has a great future in the game and is very much part of our long-term planning."
Community News... The best coaching in the world...
Hundred of youngsters got the opportunity of a lifetime on Saturday when members of the World XV squad passed on their coaching tips at Old Albanians as parts of a coaching clinic organised by Saracens.
After having their team run ahead of the game at Vicarage Road the following day, the likes of Carlos Spencer, Justin Marshal, Lawrence Dallaglio and former Wales Head Coach Mike Ruddock joined in with the 240 children.
Our own Richard Hill also joined in along with other World XV squad members Xavier Rush, Raphael Ibanez, Joe Roff and Owen Finegan to really make it a day to remember for those taking part.
If you missed this fantastic opportunity and would like to know about future courses we are running please click here <http://www.saracens.com/community/masterclass.php> or email
For those of you looking for photos from the event please see:
As summer rapidly approaches many have already taken the opportunity to book onto some of our summer Masterclass courses. This is your chance to book early and take advantage of our online prices, offering up to 15% off normal prices.
Saracens Multi Skills (6-12 years of age) Hemel Hempstead Rugby Club - Tues 30th May
This ONE day multi-skills course will provide local sports mad youngsters with the chance to try out a number of different activities concentrating on the FUNdamentals elements of the long term athletic development recommendations, using fun games.
The course will concentrate on; Catching and Passing, Agility, Balance & Co-ordination, Kicking, Hitting & Striking and the O2 - Kick, Pass, Run Challenge.
Saracens Summer Coaching Courses (6-16 years old) OA's RFC Mon 31st July - Fri 4th August Cheshunt RFC Mon 14th - Fri 18th August
These FIVE-day courses are aimed at all rugby-playing youngsters (U7-U16). It provides an opportunity for players to improve their skills under the guidance of qualified coaches and professional players.
Saracens British Army Be your Best Course (14-17 years old) Bassingbourn Army Barracks Mon 28th Aug-Fri 1st Sept Residential
We'll make sure you get the most out of your time with us on this exciting new course. As well as hours of top quality rugby coaching, there'll be unique extra activities provided by the Army. Many of these will be aimed at increasing team and leadership skills.
This 5 day RESIDENTIAL Masterclass is specifically aimed at 14-17 year olds and provides an opportunity for players to improve their skills under the guidance of qualified coaches and professional players as well as taking part in excellent array of activities will run by the Army.
Activities will include-
· Assault Courses
· Paint Balling
· Team Building
· Leadership Development activities
· Night Navigation
· Interactive Rifle Range
Saracens Academy coaches will also be in attendance and those of a suitable standard maybe selected for the Academy.
Why a Saracens Summer Course?
Saracens coaching courses pride themselves on the excellent coaching they deliver in conjunction with Professional Players who are in attendance every day.
The courses are renowned for the vast amount of give aways they supply to each Participant, including a T-Shirt and a Free Ticket our first home game for the 06/07 Season. The club is second to none.
How do I Book?
For more details about these unique opportunities and to book your place, please go to click here <http://www.rugbycamps.com/saracens>
Saracens short listed for Citizenship Award...
Saracens is one of three Guinness Premiership clubs to be short listed for an award by the All Party Parliamentary Group for their work within the community
The Citizenship Award aims to highlight the impact that Premiership clubs have on their communities and staff from the Saracens will present to an independent panel of judges at the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday along with Newcastle Falcons and Leicester Tigers who have also been nominated.
Derek Wyatt MP will chair the panel and Saracens Foundation Director Gordon Banks along with Community Development Officer Hannah Pirnie will be presenting details of the club's commitment to the community and the partnerships which have been developed with local authorities, businesses, schools and rugby clubs. They will also be giving details of all the schemes that the Saracens Community Team delivers, highlighting in particular the Club Partnership Programme and the highly acclaimed Sport for Health Programme.
The winner will be announced at the 2006 Guinness Premiership Award dinner which is being held on Wednesday night.
Premier Rugby clubs invest approximately 4-5% of their turnover into community programmes (roughly £2m). Across the country, Premier Rugby has over 25 private and public sector community partners and is running (with its clubs and partners) programmes in the fitness, sports, health, education and social inclusion areas. The schemes are delivered by the full time equivalent of 50 Community Development officers, 100 volunteers and the players. In total, Premier Rugby clubs contribute 100,000 man hours per year to community work
