~ The Heart Of Bath ~ (Bath Rugby Union Team)

Member Name: blackmagicstar4

Product:	Bath Rugby Union Team
Date:	12/12/08 (180 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Brilliant atmsophere, talented team, plenty of cider!!

Disadvantages: None

Bath Rugby- was introduced to me by my mum, about 4 years ago. My Grampy used to watch them all the time and bath was his favourite team. This has passed down and my mum and her sisters are huge fans and now me, my sister and younger brother follow them as well. Even though I am not a Season ticket holder, (bit expensive really), I go to most of the home games and an away match each season with my mum or family. It is a great experience watching them play and there is always a brilliant atmosphere at the Rec.

BACKGROUND

Bath Rugby was founded in 1865 and is one of the oldest clubs in the Rugby Union Premiership that still exists. In the beginning most games were of local teams including Bristol, Gloucester and Weston-Super Mare and the club played their first game at the Rec now the home ground 1907. Bath lost a lot of players at the start of WW2 which crimpled the Club but soon reformed to produce its non English international. The eighties was the decade where rugby cam to a whole new level and after fitting in flood lights Bath Rugby began succeeding. After struggling to show their professionalism after Bath lost their coach Jack Rowell's, however after gaining Andy Nicol Bath managed to be the first British club to win the Heineken Cup in 1997. Bath is now currently at the top of this years season Premiership table and is one of the most successful clubs to date.

The Rec

*Layout*

The Recreation ground Bath's home ground also known to supporters as The Rec is situated in the heart of Bath's town centre next to the River Avon on Putney Street. The Rec can hold up to 10,600 people and in the summer also has the ability to host cricket matches. The stadium as four entrances, William Street Gate, Sports centre Gate, Riverside Gate and South Gate. The stadium is very spacious and is great for holding all kinds of events including tag rugby for children in the summer.

* Food & Drink *

On match days there are a selection of bars and food vans placed in each corner of the stadium which I think have a good selection of food and drink. It is always a tradition when I go with my mum to always have some cider and a burger.
The bars serve lagers, beers, Blackthorn, Guinness and soft drinks- all chosen as Bath's Sponsors. The food is also always good with a selection of hot dogs, burgers, pasties and chips which is very handy in cold weather when the season starts.

*Merchandise*

The club also provides merchandise inside the stadium and in the centre of Bath for shoppers. The club shop outside the ground is situated on Argyle Street and is ideal for fans passing after and before matches. The shop is also open 7 days a week and has a full selection of Bath's merchandise. There is also a mobile shop open on the ground on match days. They also have a online shop on their website which is ideal and easy to buy new shirts and gifts.

*Development *

The RFU have said that by 2010 all Guinness Premiership Rugby clubs should have a capacity of at least 15,000 which shows a complication for The Rec.
At the moment there are arguments over what they can do for the club including moving temporary outside Bath which has annoyed many of us fans.

Club Sponsors

Bath rugby's sponsors

* HELPHIRE- Main sponsor of Bath Rugby, one of the most successful businesses in Bath's town centre and as a main sponsor they have their names on the front of the replica shirts and have a stand names after them in the ground.

* PUMA- Major Sponsor and official kit supplier for the team.

- other sponsors.

* Wilts Electircal Wholesalers
* Kronenburg 1664
* Wincanton
* Hamptons International


The Squad

The 2008-2009 Squad *


Nick Abendanon Tom Cheeseman Danny Grewcock
Matt Banahan Michael Claassens Justin Harrison
David Barnes Rhys Crane Rob Hawkins
Mike Baxter Alex Crockett Andrew Higgins
Andy Beattie Ryan Davis Stuart Hooper
Duncan Bell Pieter Dixon Paulica Ion
Scott Bemand Jonny Fa'amatuainu Butch James
Shaun Berne David Flatman Michael Lipman
Daniel Browne Eliot Fuimaonosapolu Joe Maddock
Lee Mears Matt Stevens Laurenece Owens
Michael Stephenson


The Supporters Club

As Bath success is flowing into this years season the club now as a Supporters Club which was started in 1997. This club provides to bring you the latest information on the Club, its Functions and Social Events. The club also provides travel to away matches and trips . I joined the supporters club this season which was only £5 pound for Adults.

With your membership you can be included in all of these-

* A Official Supporters Badge
* 5% discount on Merchandise
* 5% on Clubhouse Bookings
* Membership card
* 3-4 Newsletters per year
* Free or discounted admission to Supporters events
* A chance to vote for player of the year and other awards
* Discounted travel to away matches.

To join all you have to do is fill in and download a form which you can find on the Bath Rugby website.

My Experience

Bath rugby has always been my favourite Rugby club. I am not a very sporty person and don't really follow any other sport but I have an ongoing passion for Rugby Union and International games. Bath Rugby when I started following them were always at middle table and even though they were not the most successful at the time I continued my family beliefs in the club. Now the club is very successful and are currently at the top of the Guinness Premiership table. The atmosphere is amazing at home games at the Rec. I all the fans are very committed to their teams but there is still a friendly vibe in the stadium when rival teams play not like the football hooligans which spoil the games so there are always many kids that go too.

Recently I went to the Bath Rugby launch kit evening which was interesting. They modelled the new kit and you got to see and talk to many of the famous players. It was a great evening and all the children got autographs, pictures and there was even a fun slide and bouncy castle for them.

I always find the games exciting and I think the club do a lot for the fans, hosting events and the website is very informational about the club, upcoming games and buying match tickets.

Website- www.bathrugby.com

Club Office
11 Argyle Sreet
Bath
BA2 4BQ
01225 325200

Club Ground
The Recreation ground
Spring Gardens
Bath
01225 469230

Thanks for reading- *Blackmagicstar4*
Also published on Ciao under same name.

Summary: Bath Boys get my vote every time x