Monday Musings - Profile, Pritch

CW offers special congratulations to Canada’s, James Pritchard who is being feted by his club, the Bedford Blues with the honor of the upcoming season being a Testimonial one for him. The coming campaign will be Pritch's 11th at Goldington Road and the year ahead holds some very special events to commemorate his loyalty to Bedford Blues. James has been a mainstay of Bedford Blues and exemplifies everything that is good about the club, the town and rugby as a whole.

Speaking about his Testimonial Season, Pritchard said: “I am truly humbled to have been offered a Testimonial by the board at Goldington Road and I’m thoroughly looking forward to the year ahead. We have some fantastic events lined up and hopefully I’ll be able to cap my Testimonial season by being called up to the Canada Rugby World Cup squad. Bedford Blues is a wonderful club to be part of and to play for. It also has some of the most fanatical followers I have ever known and it is always a delight to see so many friendly faces whether it be at Goldington Road or in the far flung destinations such as Penzance, Dublin, Belfast or Stirling.”

Bedford Blues Chairman Geoff Irvine said: “James has been a terrific servant to Bedford Blues both on and off the field over the years and the board were unanimous in their decision to offer him a Testimonial this season. I'm sure that all of our fans will take the opportunity to support Pritch and his chosen charity over the coming 12 months.” Blues Director of Rugby Mike Rayer also added: “Pritch has been an integral cog in the Bedford Blues machine throughout his tenure with the club and he thoroughly deserves this Testimonial. His work ethic and commitment to Bedford Blues is second to none and he continues to be shining example to young players of how to be a professional rugby player. It is only right that Pritch joins the likes of Junior Paramore, James Hinkins, Ben Whetstone and Sacha Harding in being honoured in such a way. It is a big year for James both on and off the pitch and I'm sure everyone else will be looking forward to it as much as he is.”

Originally from Parkes in Australia, Pritchard started his sporting career in Rugby League before switching codes, and continents, to join Bedford Blues in 2001. After his mini tour around the UK and France, Pritch returned to Bedford in 2006 and has made the town his home. Pritchard's successes on the field are clear for all to see and last season he overtook Andy Finnie as the Blues all-time leading point scorer. This achievement was coupled with the international equivalent when he surpassed Gareth Rees’s record of 491 to become Canada’s leading point scorer. Pritchard will also be looking to secure his place in the Canada squad for next year’s Rugby World Cup which would be his fourth.

CW adds a brief footnote to pre-Pritch’s Parkes' days. It was 49 years ago when a group of blokes under the lead of local High School teacher Doustie, including CW’s Ruggernut, assembled in the Commercial pub and discussed the idea of forming a Union club in a rugby league hotbed. Some of the blokes were playing League, others had just quit playing because their favoured game was not a local offing. Some travelled from thirty miles to be part of it all. After the required “re-instatement” by the ARU, the club formed and flourished. This was the pre-cursor to the Parkes Boars RFC.

As for Pritch, Parkes born, he started playing rugby league, played (and we introduce you to some ‘strine), Mungos for Parra and switched back to Rah Rahs with Randwick Galloping Greens in Sydney. In 2001 he went to Bedford after a very promising youth career in Sydney Rugby. In 2003, thanks to a Canadian grandfather, James came to Canada to play summer rugby for the Prairie Fire and the rest of it is history! So, it’s hats off to Pritch for this deserved honor.

 

CW IN THE GYM. We post this note from Gord Kehoe, our shining light leader for player fitness. Gord reminds all players that our gym sessions have continued through the summer. Our playing goals cannot be achieved unless we put in the work off the field (in the gym). We have private gym time on Monday nights after touch rugby starts @ 7:30. Location: Crossfitzone 708 Pembroke St., near The Temple. Everyone from age 16 up, should be taking advantage of this opportunity. “See you there!”