Doc Cox is currently the player / coach of the Royal Navy Mariners, is a former Senior XV coach and also an Inter Service winning head coach of the U23s side. However his coaching CV runs wider than Navy Rugby. During a recent tour of duty in Afghansistan he did some coaching with the local players and also encouraged Navy Rugby to help out with some kit. This kit initiative was also very generously supported by the Scottish Rugby Union.
Well as the photograph shows a drop of snow (50cm) does not stop the enthusiastic Afghans from playing the game. Through the drive and determination of the Chief Executive Officer (Asad Ziar) the Afghanisatan Rugby Federation is growing and has joined a small group of countries (Argentina, Canada India and USA) where snow rugby is played.
The two teams showed in the pictures are Kabul United and Paghman and the game is being played at the Golf Ground at Qargha Park, Kabul. On the eve of this year’s Army Navy game at Twickenham the Afghan team will be in Dubai as part of the Asia Region, IRB sponsored competition. All involved with Navy Rugby will no doubt wish them the best of luck.
Malta v Sweden
Navy Rugby prop, Kyle Mason, will be wearing the national colours of Malta later today when they take on table toppers Sweden in the European Nations Cup league match. The last time the two teams met at Malta’s Hibernians Stadium the home team secured the closest of victories with the last kick of the game 5 minutes in to stoppage time. The Swedes however had their revenge with a comfortable victory last year 24-13 at Staockholm.
A Blast From the Past
No doubt Navy DoR Andy Kellett will be hoping Kyle comes through unscathed. He is pictured above in action at Twickenham in the Navy’s win against the RAF 22-13 during the triple tie 1992 season. It was to prove Andy’s last year in representative colours before injuries and academic studies took him away from the Senior side. He did return later as a substitute but that was in the days when the bench was only used for injuries and he didn’t add to his ten caps.
I am grateful to the Royal AIr Force Rugby Union for the use of the photographs and I would commend all to have a look at the galleries on their website where there are same great image from history.
Harrison and Harrison
I know they sound like a firm of solicitors but both have been added to the Navy Rugby Great Players page. Arthur Harrison is the answer to my last Proud Heritage Quiz question and is the only England International to have been awarded a Victoria Cross. Harold Harrison is one of two players who have represented both the Army and Navy at the Army Navy match.
Leave a Reply