Article from Don Douglas who coached the first XV in the late 60s/early 70s before emigrating to New Zealand. 

I have so many memories of my time with Havant that it is difficult to know where to start!  

Memories of the era when we dramatically overhauled our fixture list - no leagues in those days - and decided that we would only play clubs once a season and would not play 2nd XVs.  I recollect that this decision created considerable ructions within Hampshire as the decision involved dropping Winchester whom we had beaten consistently by 30 odd points in the preceding three/four seasons.  Considered amongst the Hampshire hierarchy of the time as being upstarts, this decision - which was clearly right for the club and a precursor to what was to happen generally - was to alienate the club for many seasons thereafter.

Also memories of the start of junior/mini rugby, for which I have often been asked of my recollections. Perhaps others have differing memories, but mine go back to a coaching programme that Peter Price and myself attended in the late 60s which I think was held at Lillishall.  One of the speakers was the then Wales RFU coaching advisor, I think it was Ray Williams, who had recently produced a booklet for the Wales RFU promoting and outlining the principles of a new concept - mini rugby.   I remember that en route back home Peter and I discussed how we might introduce the idea to Havant.  Having a young son Iain, then around 7/8, I was possibly a little keener than Peter.  Iain was attending a soccer playing school and I was anxious to introduce him to rugby.  

Coinciding with this I had recently introduced Sunday morning training for the senior squad and used the players attending as the first mini rugby coaches.  Alistair Marshall, the then rugby correspondent for The Portsmouth Evening News, kindly did a major feature of this new idea which resulted in a surprisingly good turnout to the first and subsequent mini sessions. I seem to recollect that the likes of Bobby Castle, Viv White, David Sparshatt, Denis Eveleigh and others were coerced as the first mini coaches. Fortunately other members of the club with boys of mini rugby age quickly took over - lead by Roger Thompson.  

And what about Iain who was a primary reason for starting mini rugby?  Generally he was to be found kicking a round ball about at the top end of Hooks Lane where there was a soccer pitch in those days.   Although now involved in rugby in New Zealand, his heart remains with the round ball game. 

                                                                                                                      Don Douglas