THE STOTT FAMILY & RUGBY UNION - A MARRIAGE MADE IN LANCASHIRE!
By Derick Thomas
One Lancashire family has Rugby Union running through its daily lives and has seen three members pull on the Red Rose county shirt, and one has also embarked on a fledgling international career with the England Women’s Under 20 team.
The Stott family hail from Vale of Lune in the north of the county and dad Phil has worn the Lancashire colours and has now been followed by his two children Sally (20) and Sam (18). Wife and rugby mum Lisa is actively involved in the Lancaster-based club as assistant treasurer and avid supporter.
Dad Phil speaks of starting his playing days at Vale and gaining county honours before switching code, first with Wigan RLFC and then Barrow. He returned to Powderhouse Lane and now holds the Director of Rugby post.
“I started playing rugby union as a 6-year-old kid at Vale and eventually move into rugby league. I spent two years at Wigan and then Barrow. I did have stint with Lancashire Colts and returned to the Vale when my children took up mini rugby.
“I became involved with coaching and setup the girls team when my daughter Sally moved away from the boy’s team. Both my son and daughter have developed through Vale of Lune and played for Lancashire and, in Sally’s case, England under 20’s.”
Phil is proud the North 1 West club emphasises player development ahead of results. He describes Vale of Lune as a family centred community club with a recognised development path into senior rugby.
“We promote the club around the local community and local schools and anyone who wants to play rugby can join us.
“Our catchment area is Lancaster and Morecambe and it’s not really renowned rugby territory. That means we do rely on home-grown players and we have a good route from the Colts to the senior team.
“The Colts have seen 9 players through to the first team over the last 18 months.”
One Lancashire under 20’s player is typical of that approach after being voted Colts Players’ Player of the Year and lifting the same senior award last term, his first season at senior level.
“Jack Ayrton was recognised by the Colts and then the senior players the very next season. That is a tremendous achievement. He’s also played forward for the Lancashire under 20 side,” added Phil proudly.
“As a club we want to play at the highest possible level and encourage our players to strive for the highest possible level they can achieve.”
Meanwhile, Mum Lisa has now seen her two children emulate their dad by representing the Red Rose county and picks up the story.
“It’s phenomenal watching the children pull on a Lancashire shirt considering their dad has also played for the county. It’s a continuation of what has now become a family tradition. Seeing both of our children captaining Lancashire is amazing. For Sally to then progress to England makes me a very proud parent. A tear does come to the eye on occasion.”
Sam (18) currently figures in the Lancashire Colts side whilst Sally (20) not only represents the county side but is preparing for her third, and last, season with England Women’s under 20 team.
Lisa does admit some concern about the physical nature of the game but is reassured by the emphasis the RFU places on player safety.
“You can’t wrap your children in cotton wool. It’s been said I have a season ticket at the local A&E department! I remember being in casualty one Boxing Day when Phil dislocated his shoulder in a game. I’ve also been a regular visitor with Sally and Sam with various bumps and bruises over the years,” added Lisa.
The mum-of-two has attended first aid courses and says faith must be placed in the adoption and understanding of RFU initiatives.
“I’ve completed the first aid course and the online RFU Headcase material. The head injury course was an eye-opener and has also been widely taken up at the club. You do realise that players sometimes play-on when perhaps they shouldn’t. It’s no longer good enough keeping a player on the pitch to ensure a win. We need to think of the short and long term health of each player.
“It’s very important coaches and referees receive good training. As a club, we encourage level one and two participation alongside other courses. It’s all about teaching correction movement in order to keep young players safe. The coaches give up their time voluntarily and equipping them with the correct knowledge is very important at club level and beyond. It’s all about being proactive.”
Lisa also balances the books at the Lancaster club in her role of assistant treasurer and says Vale are well supported from the business community.
“We are well regarded in terms of business connections from the local community. We have former players supporting us as well as executive members who are all in business. That support helps us function as a club in the heart of the community. It is a struggle for smaller clubs but we have a good structure and this allows our club to function well.
“As a yardstick, the under 7 side currently have between 20 and 30 players available at any one time. When Sally and Sam started playing a few years ago the 7 and 8’s had to combine age groups due to small numbers. We are really moving forward as a community club and playing at a good level in the senior side.”
Daughter Sally’s England call-up came when just 17 and she was a regular in her first season, but a serious hand injury restricted her second term with the national side.
“I was captaining Lancashire under 18’s when I was called-up by England. I played against the British Army and France both home and away that first season. I suffered a training injury and that held me back for a long period of recovery and physiotherapy.”
England host Canada in the Nations Cup at RAF Cosford this summer and Sally is determined to earn selection for her final season in the age group.
“I’m fully recovered and being playing well this season with Lancashire, and at university, so I hope to be included in the squad to face Canada. The Lancashire under 18 team have contributed 5 players to this England setup and I’m enormously proud to captain the county side.
“I owe a great deal to Vale of Lune. They set me on the path to county and international honours and my dad has been a huge part of my development.”
Sally is a first year undergraduate at Edinburgh University and combines rugby with aspirations to join the army as a veterinary officer.
“I currently have army scholarship through Sandhurst and that is one option I’m very much considering.”
The youngest member of the clan is son Sam, who has continued a family tradition by following dad Phil and sister Sally in wearing the Vale of Lune jersey and representing Lancashire.
The county under 17 skipper wears his armband with pride and has a mature outlook on his responsibilities.
“I quite like the pressure of wearing the armband. Captaining the side was personally a step up and it put me in a leadership role. Leadership is about encouraging your teammates and lifting the side when the need arises. The coaches have confidence I can do a good job and I see the role as being the link between them and the squad.”
The Lancaster Grammar student will play Under 18 rugby at Lancaster and Vale of Lune this coming season and has firm plans to fight for his Lancashire Colts shirt and retain the captain’s armband.
“I’m certainly looking forward to the new season. We have a great spirit at Vale and have good coaches both at the club and Lancashire. They all provide very good guidance.”
“I find rugby a good release from my studies and being willing to make compromises is important. It’s all about making decisions which benefit both rugby and school.
“I’d like to take my rugby as far as I can and keep developing. I’ll take every opportunity to further my game.”
Lancashire Rugby would like to hear of any other Lancashire families where Rugby Union is at the epicentre of their lives. Please contact stuart.kohler1@gmail.com and we will feature you at a future date on the Lancashire web site
