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Tug of
War News 
Website www.hollandtugofwar.co.uk
Page last update on 03 November 2009
Holland Tug of War Club are Flanders Cup Champions 2009
On Sunday 18th October, Holland Tug of War Club from Barton under Needwood took part in the Annual International Tournament in Belgium. Held near Brugges and organised by local team 'TTV Versieck', this was the Staffordshire team’s third consecutive appearance at the competition, and having been losing finalists in 2007 and 2008 Holland were determined to walk off the field as champions this time and lift the Flanders Cup.
There was 34 teams taking part in the event, and Holland entered two teams in the top flight competition. Holland also entered a team in a lower level of the competition, and that third team pulled very well to finish mid table. All eyes though were on the top flight event which saw the top two Holland teams joined by 8 other top teams to make a group of ten. The top list of teams included some very tough opponents, including the defending 2008 Champions ‘Jaggersrust’ from the Netherlands’ and former 2007 Champions ‘Familie Jansenns’ from Belgium.
The two Holland teams were brilliant on the field, with neither team dropping an end despite some massive attacks by their opponents, especially the Belgian powerhouses ‘TTV De Stove’ and after three hours of pulling both teams finished the group stage in first and second place, to qualify them both for the Final. It was an amazing sight to see the two teams from the same club march out for the Final together with stirring music adding to the tension and wonderful atmosphere. After an epic final where both teams gave their all, one of the Holland Tug of War Club teams from Barton were the Flanders Cup Champions, and of course, the others were the losing Finalists, this is the first time in the competitions history that an individual club has had two teams both make it through to the final.
Coach Steve Gardner said ‘It was an emotional moment as our two teams went into the arena for the final, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up as we were introduced to the crowd’. This was a great result for the Staffordshire club, and a fitting end to a great season, the team have been out competing every weekend since mid March, both at home and abroad.
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Holland Tug of War Club Winners |
Holland Tug of War Club Runners-up |
Steve Gardner Holland Tug of War Club - Barton and England Tel: 01283 723464 steve-g@powerful.co.uk
3 November 2009
Holland Tug of War Club pull in style at the European Championships
The European Tug of War Championships were held in Assen, The Netherlands between17th and 20th September 2009. Holland Tug of War Club from Barton under Needwood in Staffordshire competed in the European Open Clubs 680 kilos and 720 kilos Championships. Holland found themselves in a very tough group in the 680 kilos, which was the weaker of their two sides. Holland pulled like Lions, but only managed a draw with TTV Jaggersrsut from the Netherlands, and despite their efforts they didn’t pick up any other points at all.
The 720 kilos weight class held the next day was another story though, this was a stronger Holland team and the lads were eager to get out and pull. The draw was once again a real tough one, with several Champion teams in the same group as Holland (who were the only English team competing in the 720k). The Barton boys went onto the field first against ‘Velkonis’ the Latvian and former European Champions. After two long and exhausting ends of pulling, Holland were beaten 2-0, but the boys bounced back with vengeance from that point beating all the other teams 2-0, excepting ‘Koopman Boys’ from the Netherlands, The Staffordshire team from Barton were in great shape and pulled far too strong for the other teams, meaning that they finished 3rd in their group.
 Holland Tug of War Club in action |
Coach Steve Gardner said ‘ It was a great performance from the lads, and amongst the teams victims were the Dutch Champions – Touwtjre, and the German Champions – Dietenbach, who are a very impressive side, I am very proud of them all’ The team are now in training for their last International trip of the 2009 season in October when they compete in the ‘Flanders Cup’ in Belgium. |
Steve Gardner Holland Tug of War Club - Barton and England Tel: 01283 723464 steve-g@powerful.co.uk
2 November 2009
Holland Tug of War club Strike Gold at the Federation National Championships!
On Sunday 30th August, Holland Tug of War Club from Barton under Needwood travelled to Northampton to defend their National Title at the Tug of War Federation of Great Britain’s 2009 National Championships. Holland were defending champions in the 720 kilos category, (the weight class in which they represented England at the World Championships in Sweden in 2008). Ten of the top teams in the National Federation lined up to do battle, and the 720 kilos was the first weight class of the day to be contested. The Holland boys pulled well, and after winning the first pull (which lasted over four and a half minutes) they went on to beat all others and retain their ‘National Crown’ without losing an end.
The Barton club also entered teams in all of the other six weight class categories, from the lightweights through to heavyweight, including both of the mixed weight classes too (where teams consist of 4 men and 4 women) and picked up another three fantastic Silver Medals and one Bronze to go with their prized Gold.
 Holland Tug of War Club in action |
Back Row: Steve Gardner (Coach) Bill Kerry Front Row: James Gardner Craig Hudson |
Steve Gardner Holland Tug of War Club - Barton and England Tel: 01283 723464 steve-g@powerful.co.uk
1 September 2009
Holland Tug of War Club Win World Open Title on home
soil!!!
Holland Tug of War Club have won the World 4+4 Open Club Title in the 660 kilos weight class at their own International Tournament in Barton under Needwood, on Saturday 1st August 2009. The Barton club who train and compete at the Holland Sports Club, celebrate 40 years of competition this year, a long way since it’s humble beginnings as Barton Tug of War Team based at the Red Lion Inn. To mark the occasion the team organised an International event at Barton and were delighted to have teams and officials taking part from The Tug of War Federation of Great Britain and the Tug of War Associations of England, Belgium, Wales and The Netherlands.
The International Tournament was held over two days, 1st and 2nd of August, with 8 different weight class competitions, 4 on each day. Included in the 8 competitions were the 2 official World 4+4 weight class categories at 600 kilos and 660 kilos. 4+4 pulling means that the teams of 8 consist of 4 men and 4 women. The team from Barton applied for permission to hold the World Open Titles at their event and were excited at the prospect when it was confirmed that the team had the go ahead to include it in their International weekend. A team called ‘Jagersrust’ the double World Champions from the Netherlands were on hand to defend their titles.
Holland Tug of War club have a fine reputation for mixed pulling, and won a bronze medal in the 2008 championships when they were held in Belgium. On the day the constant driving rain made conditions difficult but Holland competed really well. The first weight class was the lightweight 600 kilos, and Hollands team battled their way through to the final where they met and lost to the defending champions Jagersrust, taking a very well earned Silver Medal. However it was a different story in the heavier 660 kilos class, as again Holland worked hard in the group stage to finish in the top three positions, then winning the semi final put them in the final to face the champions from the Netherlands again. A pull is the best of three ends of pulling (teams pull the others a distance of 4 metres) and there was a better end and a really difficult end. Jagersrust had the best end first and after a long pull took the end from Holland. Holland changed ends and went to work taking the second end from Jagersrust to level things up at one all. The toss of the coin saw Jagersrust choosing the best end to pull the third and deciding end, and the Barton team had to pull on the end that was so deep and muddy it was like a trench. The coach: Steve Gardner, got behind the team and got them together for one final superhuman effort, as the defending champions tried to move the Holland men and women refused to budge, then started to apply the power and pressure to the rope and after a couple of minutes of sustained attack cracks started to appear in Jagersrusts defence, suddenly they collapsed and the Holland team broke through charging hard for the line they pulled the former champions over the line to win the World Title!
It was a fantastic achievement for the Barton Club, who competed throughout the whole weekend with style, taking 3 Gold medals and 5 Silver medals from the 8 weight classes. It has certainly been a tournament worthy of marking the clubs 40 years. Coach Steve Gardner says ‘It is an awesome thing that the club have just done, I am very proud of them all, they train very hard and are dedicated to their sport’ Holland Tug of War Club from Barton under Needwood have earned a reputation over recent years for competing well at International standard, and this fine win backs that reputation up once more.
600 kilos 4+4 World Champions |
Back row: Steve Gardner (Coach) Craig Hudson James Gardner Shaun Jose Ian Murphy Front Row: Emily Kerry Siobhaun Jose Rebecca Timmis Alex Mackeller World 4+4 660 kilos Champions 2009 |
Steve Gardner Holland Tug of War Club - Barton and England Tel: 01283 723464 steve-g@powerful.co.uk
8 August 2009
New Competition Shirts for Holland
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Holland Tug of War Club wearing their new competition shirts, sponsored by Roger Mercer of Mercer Farming. Pictured at Barton under Needwood on Sunday 26th April. Club Coach: Steve Gardner, shakes hand with Mr Roger Mercer as the team thank him for his valuable support in funding the new shirts which feature the logos of Packington Pork and Packington Poultry as well as that of Mercer Farming. |
The photograph was taken right before the commencement of the Tug of War Federation of Great Britain’s 2009 Super League, which was hosted at the Holland Sports club by the Barton team. Holland tug of war club went on to win five of the seven different weight class competitions, taking second and third in the other two. With strong opposition in the eight team competition this was a good result for the Barton club who are working hard to maintain their International status which they established last year when they represented England at the 2008 World Championships in Sweden.
1 May 2009
Belgium Glory
Holland Tug of War Club from Barton under Needwood capped off their best ever season in the clubs 38 year history last weekend by competing in The Flanders Cup in Sijsele, Belgium.
The Barton boys travelled to Belgium with two teams ready to do battle in the end of season tournament held annually by team TTV Versieck from Belgium. Holland were in splendid form as the two teams competed hard throughout the '12 team' competition. The Holland ‘A’ Team smashed through all of the opposition without losing an end to meet 'Jagersrust' from the Netherlands in the Final. Despite a valiant effort, the team finished as Runners Up, but afterwards were very pleased to have been 'Cup Finalists'.
The other fantastic news for the squad was that the Holland Tug of War club ‘B’ Team had followed the ‘A’ Team’s example and finished in an incredible third place, tied with Family Jansenns team from Belgium.
Coach Steve Gardner said 'It was an awesome performance by the boys, to get second and third place in an International competition of that standard speaks volumes'.
The Holland Sports Club will be packed on Friday night (24th October) as the club hold its 'End of Season Presentation Night'
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The Holland Tug of War squad after the pulling
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The Holland ‘A’ Team on its way to the final
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Steve Gardner 01283 713464
23 October 2008
Holland Tug of War Club Shine as they represent England
Holland Tug of War Club from Barton under Needwood achieved their highest honour when they represented England at the Tug of War World Championships in Sweden. The team who are based at Barton’s Holland Sports Club, wore the England shirts on Sunday 7th September as they represented England in the Men’s 720 kilos (heavyweight) competition at the Tug of War International Federation (TWIF) World Championships which were held at Stenungsund near Gothenberg in Sweden. The Barton team felt that they were under severe pressure to compete well as it was their first time being called up to do the honours for their Country, and the boys did not let the side down in fact they competed magnificently to finish in sixth place overall, earning rapturous applause from the knowledgeable crowd and many congratulations from fellow England representative teams and team management officials alike.
Holland Tug of War Club, who were called ‘England’ on the day, strode out onto the competition field with a massive job in hand, the team were drawn against the other top ten Countries in the World, making a straight eleven teams ‘points’ tournament which was going to demand every ounce of strength, fitness and ability. The boys did England proud finishing in the top six in the World is no mean feat, of course the team desperately wanted to finish in the top four so they could go through to the Semi Final Medal pull offs, and in fact they did hold a top four position throughout most of the competition but had two of the hardest matches in the draw at the end of the group which just nudged them down to sixth place. Holland Tug of War Club walked off the competition field after 4 hours of pulling, having won four matches, lost four and drawn two, beating the National teams of: USA, Italy, South Africa, and Lithuania, and winning ends too, to draw with Germany and Latvia. The team were very proud when the pull between England and Latvia was described by many as being one of the best pulls of the whole tournament. The only teams that Holland Tug of War Club didn’t beat were the Semi Final top four: Sweden, Ireland, Netherlands and the eventual winners Switzerland, and the England team were one of the few teams that did actually take some rope off the Swiss despite eventually losing to them.
Team Coach of thirty years Steve Gardner said ‘There was no one more proud than me when we attended the medal and prize giving ceremony, we were presented with a nice trophy and the President of the Tug of War International Federation told me that our team was were a credit to England. This has been an amazing experience, the team have worked so hard and deserve the recognition for their amazing achievements’.
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Team picture Left to Right
Back: Steve Gardner - Coach, Bill Kerry, Front: James Gardner, Shaun Jose, |
720 kilos Team in action
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Steve Gardner -Coach - 01283 713464 -18 Holly Road, Barton, Staffs DE13 8LP
19 September 2008
Medal haul 3 Gold 2 Silver 3 Bronze
Holland tug of war club from Barton under Needwood travelled to Northamptonshire on Sunday 24th August to take part in the Tug of War Federation of Great Britain’s National Championships, and came away with 8 medals, three of them GOLD.
This year’s performance was a record for the club from Barton, who entered 8 teams in the 7 weight class competition, and won medals with all 8 teams, a performance never achieved before by any club. Holland won the three Gold Medals in the 680 kilos (light Heavyweight) the 720 kilos (heavyweight) and Catchweight (Unlimited). The team took two Silver medals in the mixed pulling weight classes at 660 kilos and 600 kilos, where the teams consist of 4 ladies and 4 men. Holland also took three Bronze medals in the two lightweight classes, the 600 kilos and 640 kilos, and having entered two teams into the 680 kilos it was fantastic to see Holland take both Gold and Bronze.
The team continue in hard training now preparing for their trip to Sweden in September where they will represent and pull as England in the 720 kilos in the World Championships.
For more information call Steve Gardner on 01283 713464 or e mail: steve-g@powerful.co.uk
 720 kilos Team |
 720 kilos Team in action |
26 August 2008
‘Help get our boys to Sweden’
A special presentation evening will be held at the Holland Sports Club on Friday 25th July at 8pm. The evening will celebrate the great honour of Holland Tug of War Club’s Invitation to represent England at the forthcoming World Championships in Sweden in September.
The formal presentation will be followed by a social evening. Many local dignitaries will be present, together with press and media personal, and anyone who would like to come along and share in the evening and celebrations with the team.
Everyone is more than welcome to attend the event, and the members of the team would be pleased to see any past club members, ex pullers, supporters and sponsors, indeed anyone who has had a connection with Holland Tug of War club in its 38 year history.
The evening will also be used as a platform for helping to spread the message: ‘Help get our boys to Sweden’ and help the team to find financial support, via fund raising, sponsorship, donations etc.
For more information call Steve Gardner on 01283 713464 or e mail: steve-g@powerful.co.uk
17 July 2008
HOLLAND TUG OF WAR CLUB FROM BARTON UNDER NEEDWOOD GET THEIR ENGLAND CALL UP!
 Holland Tug of War Club |
For Holland Tug of War club from Barton, this news is just
fantastic, something that every club dreams of: Coach and team organiser
Steve Gardner said “to be invited to represent England at the Closed
World Championships in Sweden in September is the greatest honour ever
bestowed upon our club, in fact there is no greater honour, every puller
dreams of being asked to pull on the England shirt and wear the England
Rose with pride!” This news comes in the aftermath of the teams great performance at the Tug of War Association Championships in June where Holland managed to win a bronze Medal in the Catchweight competition and a Silver medal in the 720 kilos competition, and It is at 720 kilos that Holland have been selected to represent their Country. The team have competed in several European and World competitions in previous years, but always in the ‘Open’ Championships which any team can enter, but this invitation is for the club to compete in the closed World Championships where member Countries select just one team for each of the four ’World representative weight classes’ to represent them. |
This honour puts the Barton team amongst the Countries elite teams, not many get to wear the England Rose, and this honour comes in the clubs 38th year, the team having first formed at Barton’s Red Lion Inn in 1970, before moving down to the Holland Sports Club in 1974 and becoming Holland Tug of War Club. Coach and organiser Steve Gardner joined the club in 1975 and has coached the team for 30 years having taken the role on in 1978. Steve has run the team since then with his right hand man Bill Kerry who has been with the club even longer than Steve and is still pulling, the pair have a massive 68+ years of experience in the sport between them. When Steve and Bill rebuilt the team in 1978, they started from scratch and didn’t win much at all for ten years, but their long apprenticeship paid off as the team started to win competitions and then the team went from strength to strength. The team have been a top level team now for the last ten years and have achieved many things, the current Guinness World Record Holders for ‘Tug of War Endurance’ will also be seen on the television this summer in a show called ‘The Big Stunt Show’ but this honour tops the lot and the team will now be training harder than ever to be in the best shape possible for their task.
This wonderful opportunity for the club does come at a price however, and although some funding is available from the Tug of War Association the team will still have to find about £5000 to fund the trip. If any potential sponsors or anyone out there would like to help the local tug of war club find the funding or contribute towards it, please contact Steve Gardner on 01283 713464 or online at steve-g@powerful.co.uk The team would be keen to help with any advertising or promotional work for sponsors, at the end of the day this is the highest honour that can be bestowed on a club, and Holland Tug of War club from Barton under Needwood will be striding out in Sweden in their England Blazers, proud to be an East Staffordshire Village team competing on the highest World Stage of their sport.
11 July 2008
Car Boot
The Holland Tug of War Club from Barton-under-Needwood are fully active with a Fund Raising Programme to help fund their International Trips this season. The club has already been to Belgium this season where they won a Bronze Medal and have events scheduled in Sweden and Holland later in the season. The club is having good success at the moment but like everything else the cost of running the club increases all of the time and fund raising is a necessary part of the clubs activities these days.
Holland Tug of War Club will hold a Car Boot Sale at the Holland Sports Club in Barton under Needwood on Saturday 28th June, from 10 am until 1pm. Sellers can arrive and set up at 9am at a cost of just £5.00. The team is hoping to attract as many Car Booters along on the day as possible! Any enquiries to Steve Gardner on 01283 713464.
11 June 2008
International honours for Barton team!
Holland Tug of War Club win Bronze Medal at the 4+4 Mixed Pulling World Championships held in Retie, Belgium on Friday 1st May 2008
Holland Tug of War club from Barton under Needwood represented the Tug of War Federation of Great Britain at the 2008 World Championships for 4+4 mixed pulling (4 men and 4 women) in Belgium, and won a super Bronze medal in the 660 kilos weight class. The Barton team were on magnificent form and fought their way through to finish joint third after the group stages, level on points with Gortletteragh from Ireland, and behind Eschbachta from Germany who held second place and TTV Schutshof from the Netherlands who headed the group.
Holland were drawn against the Dutch Champions in the first Semi Final and despite a valiant effort, the Dutch team were just too strong and they won their way through to the final, leaving Holland to go into the Bronze Medal pull off. Holland faced the German team for the Bronze Medal, and had earlier drawn against them in the group stages. This time though it was very different, Holland knew they could almost touch the medal and they fought like British Lions from the off and despite an onslaught from the Germans, Holland eventually hauled them over the line to win the first end. Eschbachta made a substitution, but it made no difference, the Barton boys and girls were not going to let the Germans off the hook and absolutely blitzed them to win the Bronze Medal with a two ends to nothing victory. It was a super result for Holland from Staffordshire, who only actually lost to one team during the competition - the eventual Gold Medal Winners!
Coach Steve Gardner was delighted for the team, and lost his voice in the process of coaching them to the bronze medal. Steve said ‘They have worked so hard and have prepared themselves well, we are a Village team competing in an International Arena. I would like to make a special mention of the medal winners: Lucy Gray, Siobhaun Jose’, Karen Gardner, Rachel Lewis, Shaun Jose’ Mark Beaver, Bill Kerry and Ian Murphy’
 Holland 660 kilos Team in Belgium |
Holland TOWC Bronze Podium |
May 2008
Holland Tug of War Club compete in and make the Final of the Invitation International Tournament in Belgium.
Holland Tug of War Club from Barton under Needwood were invited to represent the Tug of War Federation of Great Britain and travel to Sijsele near Brugge in Belgium to compete in an annual International tournament, which is hosted by a team named TTV Verseick, Sunday 21st October 2007. When the Barton lads arrived they found they were competing with 37 teams from Belgium, Netherlands and Armenia, and that they were to compete in the top flight of 8 teams where their opposition included Dutch Champions Jaggersrust and the Belgian Champions Family Janssens.
Holland were in terrific form and tore through the opposing teams winning most pulls 2-0 and in fast times too. However, the champion teams proved a different matter, but Holland stuck to their guns and went 1-1 to draw with Jaggersrust and share the points, but after an epic struggle went down 2-0 to Family Janssens. The good work Holland had done saw them finish second in the group ahead of Jaggersrust, and they went into the final for a second crack at Belgiums finest. Holland won the first end in impressive style, but Family Janssens would not give up either and took the second end. As the teams clashed for the third and exciting deciding end, Holland had lost the toss and Janssens chose the better of the two ends to pull on. The Barton team gave their all but had to settle for the silver medal.
The visitors from Britain were applauded by a very appreciative crowd, and winners Family Janssens acknowledged that had the Holland boys had the best end in the last pull the result may have been different. Team Coach Steve Gardner said ” I am more than proud of the boys, they were cool and calm under pressure and showed their class like true Champions, yes we were disappointed at finishing second but it was still a great result!”
 Holland Team in Belgium |
 Holland TOWC in action in Belgium |
22 November 2007
Full House for Holland Tug of War Club
On Sunday 27th May Holland Tug of War Club from Barton under Needwood competed in the 'Tug of War Federation' National Inter Counties Championships, held in Norfolk.
Holland had been invited to represent Staffordshire in the championships and went along with a full squad, entering teams in all six weight class categories. After a very hard and difficult days competition, in what turned out to be awful torrential rain conditions, Holland stunned the onlookers by taking all six weight class titles beating off stiff opposition in the finals from Essex, Cambridge and Norfolk.
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Holland are now the proud title holders for all six weight classes,
the lightweight men’s 600 kilos, the 640 kilos, the 680 kilos and the
heavyweight event the Catchweight. The team also took both mixed weights
(where teams consist of 4 men and 4 women) at 600 kilos and 660 kilos. Coach Steve Gardner said "I am very proud of what we have achieved. The team are dedicated and train very hard, and they are good ambassadors for the sport and they are overjoyed to take the titles whilst representing their County of Staffordshire" |
4 June 2007
Holland Win a Gold Medal at the First Leg of the 2007 National League
Holland Tug of War Club from Barton under Needwood were in action at Melton Mowbray at the weekend, competing in the first of six legs of the Tug of War Federation of Great Britain’s, National League. The league is spread throughout the 2007 season with the final leg being set for September, and it will see Holland travelling across the Country in order to complete all legs of the league.
There are six different weight classes at the league events, the 600 kilos (lightweight), the 640 kilos, the 680 kilos and the Catchweight (Heavyweight) and two weights are set at 4+4 (4 men and 4 women) the 600 4+4 and the 660 4+4. Holland were the only team to enter all six weight classes, for what was to be a tiring afternoons competition. There were eleven teams competing, from Buckinghamshire, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire, and the pulling action started at 12 noon and finished at 5pm
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The Barton team, based at the Holland Sports Club worked hard all afternoon and took third place in the 600 kilos, the 600 4+4 and the 680 kilos, but got through to win silver medals in the 660 4+4 event and a super Gold medal in the Catchweight. Coach Steve Gardner was delighted “We have a long way to go yet, but we are training hard and improving, if the team stay focussed and dedicated they have a good chance of winning a National League title by the end of the season” |
8 May 2007
Holland Tug of War Club make a storming start to the 2006 Federation National League
Sunday 30th April was the first of seven legs of the Tug of War Federation National League, spread throughout this 2006 Summer Season. There were 13 teams competing from Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Essex, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire. Holland from Barton under Needwood entered all six weight class competitions and even entered two teams in one of the weights.
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Holland dominated the first
weight of the day, the 660 kilos 4+4 (4 men and 4 women), the current World 4+4
Bronze Medallists didn't give any of the opposition teams a chance to do them
any damage, taking them all out in 2 straight ends to win the Gold Medal ( a
pull is always a best of 3 ends). Holland had their second team ‘Barton’ entered
in this weight and they finished a creditable fourth. Holland took third place
in the 680 kilos, 4th place in the 600 kilos and took a silver Medal in the 600
kilos 4+4. With just the Catchweight event left (heavyweight) there were several teams with their eye on the Gold, Holland started off with an epic pull against 2 Dales from Derbyshire, (the current National Champions) beating them 2-0, the team then went on to despatch, Leek from Staffs, Ashburnham from Essex, Triple F from Milton Keynes and 3 Tuns from Bucks, taking all the wins 2-0 to take maximum points and a second Gold Medal. |
The next Federation National League will be in Suffolk at the end of May, and the 7th and final event will be held at Barton under Needwood at the end of September.
3 May 2006
End of Season Awards Presentation Evening sees Tug of War Club members Honoured for loyal support!
The Holland Tug of War Club from Barton under Needwood held their annual end of season awards presentation evening at the Holland Sports Club on Friday 11th November. Though an annual event this years was always going to be a special one, because in the clubs 35th year it experienced its most successful season ever, without a doubt, breaking club records in every which way possible:
In 2005 the club had 35 team members, the team competed on 30 occasions, and the team beat 42 other teams during the season winning an amazing 144 trophies, for Winners, Runners up or Bronze Medals. 86 of the 144 were for first place Gold Medal wins. These figures are all club records.
The nine top wins of the season were:
v Federation North League Winners
v Federation Inter League Winners
v Federation National Inter Counties Champions
v Federation National 5 a side Champions
v Association Bronze Medal Winners
v World 4+4 Championships Bronze Medal Winners
v Federation National 660k Champions
v Federation National League Winners
v Federation Champion of Champions Trophy Winners
Thirty three Club members were honoured for their loyal support of the team throughout the 2005 season, and then special awards were presented to:
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The Brian Hodgson Memorial Cup |
James Kerry |
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The Bob Gray Memorial Trophy |
Shaun Jose, Kevin
Wilson, |
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The Stephen John Bates Memorial Cup |
Mark Emmerson |
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Bronze Award of Honour (5 years service) |
Paul Johnson, James Kerry, William Gadsby |
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Gold Award of Honour (15 years service) |
Ian Murphy and Gavin Corden |
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Lifetime Acheivement Award (30 years) |
Steve Gardner |
20 November 2005
Three National League Titles and 'Champion of Champions' Trophy for Holland
Sunday 11th September saw the Tug of War Federation’s National League draw to a close with the 'National League Finals' which were held at Barton-under-Needwood and hosted by the home club, Holland Tug of War Club. The Tug of War Federations National League took place over six legs which were spread across 4 months of the season, and saw the competing teams travel to Norfolk, Buckinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and finally Staffordshire. The National League is held at 6 different weight classes, so there were 6 National Titles up for grabs, and the final competition held at the Holland Sports Club at Barton was a really tough competition, with all of the top Federation teams out to win and secure their National League medal places.
Holland went into the final league competition well placed in 5 out of the 6 leagues, which was a wonderful testament to the amount of success the team have enjoyed in this 2005 season, another record season for the club. At the end of the day Barton’s Holland Tug of War Club were awarded the Gold Medals as National League Champions for 3 of the 6 weight classes:
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The 600 Kilos (Lightweight) |
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The Catchweight (Heavyweight) |
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The 660 kilos 4+4 (where teams consist of 4 men and 4 women) |
As well as the three Golds Holland also took two Silver medals
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The 680 kilos (Light Heavyweight) |
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The 600 kilos 4+4 (the Lightweight mixed team event)) |
The final honour of the season is traditionally awarded following the final league event 'The Tug of War Federation of Great Britain’s Champion of Champions Team Award'. This prestigious trophy is presented annually to the team that take the most wins during the whole season, including all league and open competition events. The Champion of Champions Team award for 2005 was presented to Barton’s Holland Tug of War Club.
1 October 2005
Holland Tug of War Club win Bronze at World 4+4 Tug of War Championships in Belgium
On Saturday 30th July the 2005 World 4+4 Tug of War Championships were staged at Merksplas in Belgium. Holland Tug of War Club from Barton under Needwood were one of three English clubs taking part in the tournament and were delighted to come away as Bronze medallists in the 660 kilos event.
4+4 is a more recent innovation in the world of Tug of War, and represents teams of 8 consisting of 4 men and 4 women pulling together in the same team. Since it started in England in 1991, Holland from Barton have been one of the leading 4+4 clubs in the Country, twice winning the British Title at the Tug of War Federation Championships. This year was the second annual World Championships for 4+4 pulling, and next year the competition is arranged for the first week in August in Holland. The competition is held at two weight classes, 600 kilos and 660 kilos, which means all 8 team members must weigh in together and not exceed 600 or 660 kilos respectively. In the 600 kilos event Holland finished 3rd in the qualifying group, and so with only the top two going through from each group to form the semi finals Holland had to wait and hope for something better in the 660 kilos event.
Something better was just what they got, tearing through their qualifying group with 5 straight wins, losing only to TTV Jagersrust from the Netherlands, who went on to become the eventual Gold Medal Winners, as losing semi finalists Holland from Barton claimed a bronze position and were delighted. Holland entered two teams in both weight classes and all four teams competed excellently. Other teams from England were Triple F from Newport Pagnall and Twyford from Melton Mowbray. Among the teams that Holland beat were: TTV Hertme (NL), TTV Versieck (NL), De Berketrekkers (BEL), Familie Jannsens (BEL), Triple F TOWC (ENG) and Twyford TOWC (ENG)
The team are now training hard for the Federation National Championships at Nottingham during the August Bank Holiday Weekend.
3 August 2005
National Bronze Medal For Barton Tug of War Team!
Holland Tug of War Club from Barton continued their successful run in this their 35th season as a club, by taking a National Bronze Medal at the weekend, in the Tug of War Associations English Championships. On Saturday 18th June the team, coached by Barton's Steve Gardner were in Minehead, Somerset for the 2005 Nationals, where they were entered to compete in two of the contested weight classes: the 720 kilos and the Catchweight event.
The first weight of the day was the Catchweight event (Heavyweight -unlimited) Holland drew Congleton from Cheshire in the Semi Final and after two hard fought ends of pulling Holland went out of the competition, finishing in 4th place overall.
But it was the 720 kilos competition where the sparks started to fly! Halfway through the day Holland went out into the arena for the 720 kilos event (average of 90 kilos per man). The Barton team were ready to compete, training had gone well and they were keen to make up for missing a medal in the Catchweight. The team set about the others in their group, beating teams in 2 straight ends, including Lincoln, B.A.C. and Bosley Wood Treatment. When Holland came up against Congleton (last years defending Champions) they had a hard pull and gave it their best, but despite taking rope off them in both ends, Holland lost the pull 2-0. That left one pull with Felton Eccles team to decide the Silver and Bronze medals. Holland attacked Felton with everything they had and dragged them halfway of the required 4 metre distance before Felton managed to stop Holland. A tough battle followed and the crowd were cheering the teams on, but slowly, Felton managed to get it back, and despite taking the first half of the rope in the second end as well Holland couldn’t quite do enough to take it from the very experienced International campaigners. The Barton squad were sad for a moment at losing what had looked like a possible silver, but then quickly realised that at least they had the bronze medal - and were 'over the moon' .
Team coach for 27 years Steve Gardner said (with a tear in his eye) 'It is a fitting reward for the team, they train hard and are dedicated to the sport and to each other - I am very proud of them!
7 July 2005
Super Holland take three Inter-Counties Titles!
The Holland Tug of War Club from Barton-under-Needwood were invited to represent Staffordshire in the 'Tug of War Federation of Great Britain's National Inter Counties Championships 2005'. The Championships were held at Thomton in Buckinghamshire on Sunday 12th June, and Holland were there to compete in four of the six weight classes that are annually contested.
The first success of the day for the Barton club came in the 660 kilo 4+4 (4 men and 4 women) where the team won every end without losing any ground at all to defeat all the other teams and take their first title of the day. The next event for Holland was the 680 kilos (Light Heavyweight) event and the team were on crushing form, not only winning every end without losing ground, but actually destroying the opposition in super quick time, it was a truly awesome win for the team. The final success of the day for Holland came in the last event, the Catchweight competition (Heavyweight) where once again the team were unbeaten to take their third Inter Counties Title! Holland also competed in the 600 kilos 4+4 event where they finished in third place. So, three first and a third place - a terrific result for the club!
The team are always looking for new pullers for the squad, training is hard but fun too, no previous experience is needed. And remember, we need athletes of all body weights, (not just big guys) and we need gals as well as the guys. If you are interested: contact Steve Gardner on 01283 713464
23 June 2005
National League Success Keeps Barton Tug of War Team on top!
Holland Tug of War Club from Barton under Needwood travelled to Norfolk on Sunday 29th May to compete in the second leg of the Tug of War Federation of Great Britain’s 2005 'National League'. Building on the success of the first leg, the team came away with some great victories under their belt, which now sees them remain in first place in four out of the six different weight classes. There are four more legs to be contested throughout the season, the finals being hosted by the Barton team in September at their Holland Sports Club base.
The team’s best performance of the day was in the 680 Kilos event (Light Heavyweight) where Holland won every end of the seven team straight contest, beating the opposition in fine style and without losing any ground at all. The Barton team also took the Gold Medals on the day in the Catchweight event (Heavyweight), where they pulled with an awesome display of power and fine teamwork to defeat all opposition, losing just one end in the competition to Two Dales' from Derbyshire
Elsewhere the team would be found taking fourth place in the 600 Kilos event (Lightweight), second in the Men and Women’s mixed pulling team at 660 Kilos and third in the men and women’s mixed pulling team for 600 Kilos.
Their Coach said 'All in all a good overall result for the team, who have worked hard in training, and their commitment to the sport has already seen them travel good distances to compete in important events in Grimsby near Hull, down at Battle near Hastings, and now across in Norfolk near Norwich'
The team are now in training for the Tug of War Association National Championships in Minehead, Somerset, and the Tug of War Federation National Inter Counties event at Buckingham where they will represent Staffordshire. The team will be off to Belgium at the end of July to defend the World Crown they claimed in 2004 for the 660 Kilos 4+4 World Open event, for men and ladies mixed tug of war pulling.
15 June 2005
League Win for Holland Tug of War Club from Barton!
Barton’s Holland Tug of War Club has just completed a three week league which started the Tug of War season. Competing in the Northern Area League for the Tug of War Federation of Great Britain, the Holland Club was at Leek on April 3rd, at Grimsby on April 10th and at Barton-under-Needwood on Sunday 17th April for the league finals. Nine teams were at Barton for the final leg, which saw Holland win three of the 6 weight classes of the day, and taking two second places and a third in the other weights. It was a great day’s competition for the home side, and the result helped them complete a clean sweep of all weight classes, being presented with all six winners trophies for having scored the most points over the three weeks. This great result has given the Barton Club a good start to the season. A team from Barton are hoping to go to Belgium in August to defend the World Open Title they won in 2004 for 4+4 mixed pulling, where teams consist of 4 men and 4 women.
20 April 2005End of season awards night 30 athletes recognised for services to the club
The Holland Tug of War Club held its annual end of season awards and presentation evening on Friday 5 November 2004, at the Holland Sports Club in Barton-under-Needwood. The Club recognises the efforts put into the running of the Tug of War Club by the competing members and also by the sponsors and helpers and in its 34th year the Holland Tug of War Club had a lot to celebrate, for 2004 has been a season where many records have been broken! The Club has won 90 trophies throughout the entire season, at both winners and runners up positions, and this is the third highest haul by the Club ever. The team turned out to compete on 34 different occasions during the season, and this was anew Club record. The Club beat 55 different teams in both domestic and international competition, and this again is a Club record. Thirty men and women Club members were recognised on the presentation night for their active service, another Club record. The biggest highlight of the season was the trip to the World Championships in Minnesota USA, which was a record for the distance travelled by the Club also.
Steve Gardner and Bill Kerry who have both been with the Club for over thirty years now were on hand to co-ordinate the prestigious awards evening, which saw Holland Sports Club bursting at the seams with well wishers, supporters and family members packing in to witness the evening. Suitable mention and reflection was made on the biggest achievements of the season, which included taking the Tug of War Federation National Catchweight League Title for the tenth year running, the Youth Team winning Gold at the Federation National Youth Championships, the 4+4 Team winning the World Mixed Pulling Title at 660 kilos, the Senior Men’s 720 kilos Team winning the Tug of War Associations East of England Championships, and taking sixth place overall at the World Open Championships in the USA where 200 teams from 38 countries took part.
The Chairman of the East Staffs Sports Council Mr. George Fargher presented the Club with a Certificate of Achievement from the Sports Council in recognition of their wonderful successes during 2004. Holland Tug of War Club will be travelling to Belgium next June to defend their 660 kilo Mixed Pulling World Title!
12 November 2004
Great finish to the season as Holland win East of England Championships
On the weekend of Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th October the Holland Tug of War Club, from Barton-under-Needwood, competed in the annual Tug of War Association two-day competition event held at Kessingland in Norfolk, which was the Associations ‘East of England Open Championships’. The Barton Club have enjoyed tremendous success already this season, competed on both days of the tournament. On Saturday the club made it to the last two of the 680 Kilos event finishing in the runners up position only losing out to 'Thames Valley'. On the Sunday, four members of Holland’s ladies section, that were pulling with another team from Suffolk, managed to take the Silver Medals in the Ladies 560 Kilos competition finishing second to Bedford Ladies Tug of War Club.
But the best was yet to come, the Men’s 720 Kilos (heavyweight) event was the last of the day, and Holland looked impressive as they went through the early rounds, winning all of their pulls without losing a single end. Holland then took on St Pats, from Leicester, and beating them 2-0 which put Holland through to meet the Association Rebels team, who likewise had not lost any ends at all.
Holland lost the pull 2-0, but still finished the group points competition on equal points. With the two teams tying for first place, a pull off was held to decide the overall champions of the 720 Kilos competition. Holland’s coach of 26 years - Steve Gardner instilled it into the team as they went out “It’s not a question of whether we can go through it and do it again, I know we can, it is a question of whether they can do it all again!” The Barton team took that belief onto the field and then took the opposition apart with a fine display of strength, teamwork and awesome power, becoming East of England 720 Kilos Champions for 2004.
13 October 2004
Barton's Tug of War team compete well at World Championships in Minnesota, USA
Holland Tug of War Club from Barton under Needwood competed in the 'Open Club' World Tug of War Championships, in Rochester, Minnesota, USA on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd September 2004. There were lots of teams taking part in the bi-annual event, from over 30 different Countries. With temperatures in the low 90's, the Barton team performed really well participating in the Catchweight (Heavyweight) event on Thursday and the 720k (Mid Heavyweight) on Friday.
The Catchweight competition was a straight group where all the teams had to pull against each other, on a point’s basis. At the end of the group stage the top four teams went through to the semi final stages. Holland set about the teams, of which all bar one were much heavier than the Barton Boys with some were well over 100 kilos heavier. Holland beat ‘South East Hope’ from Canada, ‘Boars Nest’ from USA, ‘Leos Boys’ from Ireland, and another big Canadian team called 'The Highlanders'. With ties against several teams also, Holland finished in fifth place overall. With 3 points for a 2-0 win, and 1 point only for a 1-1 tied pull, it’s the three pointers that make the difference in the final tally. So despite competing well above their expectations, the Barton team didn't quite make the Semi-Finals. The team were pleased with their performance, and they had actually beaten the 'Boars Nest' team that finished in fourth place.
In the 720 kilos event on the Friday, Holland found themselves in a group of 8 teams, and despite losing two of their seven pulls, the team went on to win a couple and tie the rest, to finish somewhere in the middle of the group. Without doubt the Catchweight was the teams best result, but the boys had again performed really well, and only lost two of their matches, one of which was to a Dutch team called 'TTV OKIA' who went on to become the eventual Gold Medallists!
Team Coach Steve Gardner said "The team deserved the fine results that they have achieved, because of all the hard work and dedication they have put into their training and preparation. Holland Tug of War Club is a credit to Barton under Needwood, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire and England." The team from Barton spent six months fund raising and preparing for the trip, and have come home with some great memories, and a great deal of pride, a small Village team that competed shoulder to shoulder with the best in the World. The team are very grateful to all of those companies and individuals in the area who made donations to the clubs 'World Championship Funds', which helped the team to keep the costs down to the individual team members.
Holland capped this result, and a great season, by competing with style at the Federation of Great Britain’s National League Finals where they won the National League Catchweight Gold Medal despite having been back in England less than 48hours!
16 September 2004
Holland Taste Success at Three Day Tournament!
Holland Tug of War Club from Barton-under-Needwood has been training hard, and has had some terrific success this season. Before the team prepared to leave for Minnesota USA on 1st September, where they will compete in the Open World Championships, they first had the annual three day National Championships weekend to deal with. The Tug of War Federation of Great Britain, hold the annual competition at the Royal Showground, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, over the August Bank Holiday weekend, and to compete over the three days is not for the weak! On Saturday 28th August, Holland won the Junior (Under 18) Catchweight competition, whilst the senior team pulled off the same feat, winning the Catchweight title in the 'Village Championships'.
Sunday 29th was the big one, that day is always the National Championships, where the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are up for grabs. The Barton club entered four teams into the competition, and came away with a Silver and three Bronze medals. The team competed well but the standard of pulling was very high as you would expect of a National Championships. Holland’s best result was in the Catchweight event where the Barton team tore through their group, beating every team they met, and without losing a single end of pulling (a tug of war competition is always a best of three). Progressing steadily the team met Thorne Tug of War Club, from North Yorkshire in the Final and they too had not dropped an end. This really was a tremendous battle between the two teams that both wanted to take the honours, but in the end Holland had to settle for the Silver medal, as the final result went with the Yorkshire men.
Monday 30th was the third day of competition, traditionally known as the 'Town and Country Open Event' there were eight teams entered on the day, and Holland were one of only four teams that competed in all three days. There were five different weight class competitions and Holland entered them all, and with two teams in some. The Barton team were very impressive, winning four of the five competitions and taking second' place in the fifth, a truly amazing result after three days of competing, but it shows the standard of conditioning of the team have reached, in readiness for their World Championships adventure.
31 August 2004
Holland Tug of War Club from Barton wins World Title at the first 4+4 Open Club World Championships!
Holland Tug of War Club from Barton were honoured to be asked by the Tug of War Federation of Great Britain, to provide the venue for the first ever World Open Club Championships for mixed pulling tug of war. The Federation recognised the excellent setting and facilities that were available at Barton, and the fact that it is well placed in the middle of the Country probably helped make the decision also. 'Mixed pulling' means teams consisting of 4 men and 4 women, and this first championships was ground breaking stuff, in future years this competition could find itself in different Countries, but people will always remember that first one took place in Barton under Needwood, Staffordshire. That Holland should be asked to put this event on was in fact quite fitting, as the Barton club have been supporters and somewhat fair exponents of the mixed pulling start since its inception about 12 years ago. Holland Tug of War Club won the British Championships for 4+4 pulling in 1995, 1999 and 2000; yes the Guinness World Record holders from Barton were ready for the challenge!
The competition took place on Saturday 7th August 2004, and was held at two different weight classes, 600 kilos and 660 kilos. Eleven teams took part in the competition, including 'De Berketrekkers' Tug of War Club from 'Belgium and 'GLD' Tug of War Club from the United States of America. Good will messages were sent from teams in Italy, Holland and Mongolia that had not been able to attend due to other commitments and reasons, but still wished their National Flags to be flown at the event. The other teams included: Triple F from Buckinghamshire, Woodton from Norfolk, Twyford from Leicestershire, Two Dales Ploughmen from Derbyshire, Leek from Staffordshire and of course Holland Tug of War Club from Barton, and their second and third string teams: Barton and RLI.
In the 600 kilos event, Holland finished 3rd in their group and so did not quite make it to the semi final stage, Holland were in the harder of the two groups and would no doubt have progressed if they had been drawn in the other group.
In the 660 kilos, things turned out different. Holland worked through their group stage without losing a single end (a pull is a best of three ends), tearing the 600 kilos bronze medal team from Belgium through the ground, and beating Leek the winners of the 600 kilos gold medal. As winners of the group stage Holland faced the might of GLD from America in the Semi Finals, but Holland were on terrific form and trounced their opponents, as they marched into the final. In the final Holland faced Triple F from Newport Pagnall, who had taken the silver at 600 kilos, and now intended to take gold. It was not to be, the team from Barton would not be stopped, and Coach Steve Gardner really helped the team to raise their performance, and win the final in a powerful and fine style. Holland were so pleased to win the gold medals and Coach Steve raised the giant silver cup aloft amid great cheers and applause. It is no doubt the clubs finest moment in its 34 year history - World Open Club 4+4 Champions!
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Holland Tug of War Club 660
Kilos World Open 4+4 Champions Back row Rob Roberts, Peter Cockayne, Bill Kerry, Ian Murphy. Front row Catrina Warrington, Louise Johnson, Steve Gardner, Elsie Whitfield, Karen Gardner. |
30 August 2004
The First Ever World 4+4 Tug of War Championships
The First Ever World 4+4 Tug of War Championships for Men and Ladies Mixed Pulling will take place at Holland Sports Club, Barton-under-Needwood on Saturday 7 August 2004. The event is hosted by Holland Tug of War Club. Mixed pulling Tug of War, where teams consist of 4 men and 4 women, is a growth area within the sport that has become a very strong movement around the world over the last ten or twelve years. At the moment the Tug of War International Federation (TWIF) does not include the mixed pulling element of the sport in their World and European Championship events. It is fully expected that they will include it at some point in the near future, due to the number of Countries that are now regularly practising this form of competition. The Tug of War Federation of Great Britain was one of the first to stage mixed pulling events. Holland Tug of War Club, from Barton, was one of the first clubs in Britain to compete, winning the first British Championship Gold Medal in 1995.
Holland Tug of War Club has identified this ‘Gap in the Market’ and has decided to run an ‘Open World Challenge’ specifically for men and ladies mixed Tug of War. The competition is open to any club, from any organisation, from any country in the world. The event is set to happen on Saturday 7 August 2004 from 1:00 pm, with an opening ceremony at 12:30 pm. The club was not sure if any foreign clubs would actually be tempted to participate expecting only other English clubs. But there has been enormous interest, and currently the club has received confirmations of entry from clubs in Italy, Belgium, Holland, Mongolia, USA and Wales. This will be a very exciting event, and Holland Tug of War Club is thrilled with the response. This will be the only World Championships that has not been run by TWIF in the last 30 years. The club still cannot believe that these International Teams are going to compete at Barton-under-Needwood!
2 July 2004
Holland Tug of War Club from Barton-under-Needwood take honours at the Inter-Counties Championships
Holland Tug of War Club from Barton-under-Needwood were invited to represent Staffordshire in the Tug of War Federation of Great Britain’s ‘Inter-Counties Championships’ at Thornton, Buckinghamshire, on Sunday 13 June 2004. The club represented Staffordshire at three of the five weight class competitions, and came away with Silver Medals in all three. The club took the honours in the 620 Kilos 4+4 (teams of 4 men and 4 women), the 680 Kilos and the Catchweight event. Some of the Barton teams’ best wins included victories over teams from Essex, Sussex, Norfolk, Buckinghamshire and Lincolnshire.
The team are training hard as they approach the midway point of the season, and are looking forward to competing in the National League again where they are well placed, the next leg is at Blackfordby in Leicestershire on 20 June 2004. Holland Tug of War Club will be hosting the first ever World Open Club Championships for mixed pulling (teams of 4 men and 4 women) at Barton-under-Needwood on 7 August 2004. mixed pulling is fast becoming a growth area within modern day competitive Tug of War.
The Barton team are off to Minnesota USA in September to compete in the Tug of War World Championships, and are currently doing well in their attempt to fund raise £4,000 to help subsidise the trip.
15 June 2004
Golden Holland
Saturday 2 May saw Barton’s Holland Tug of War Club travel to the Leicestershire Agricultural show at Loughborough to contest the first leg of the Tug of War Federation of Great Britain’s National League. It was a glorious hot sunny day, despite the weather forecast, and the teams turned out in force. There were twelve teams contesting the honours, and they had travelled from as far away as Milton Keynes, North Lincolnshire and Norfolk. Holland Tug of War Club, based at Holland Sports Club in Barton-under-Needwood, contested three of the five weight class competitions and took away two sets of gold medals and asset of silver medals.
The National League has six venues, evenly spaced across the season, and Barton’s Holland Tug of War Club couldn’t have hoped for better results. First up was the 620 kilos 4+4 (4 men and 4 women) with Holland managing to take the silver medals, after losing out to Denford Tug of War Club. In the 680 kilos competition Holland took on 10 other teams coming out on top, never even losing an end. The story was duplicated in the Catchweight event, where they cleaned up once again without losing a single end of pulling.
There is a long way to go in the season, but these terrific results have certainly set Holland Tug of War Club off to a flying start. The next National League venue is in Norfolk at the end of May.
3 May 2004
Barton’s Tug of War Team get off to a good start
Sunday 25 April 2004 saw the final fixture of the Tug of War Federation’s pre-season 4-week league, and Barton’s Holland Tug of War Club hosted the event at their Holland Sports Club ground. The weather was fantastic and must have helped to turn out the people, both competing teams and spectators too! There were no less than 12 teams at Barton, which is almost unheard of for a pre-season competition. There were teams from Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire with some teams travelling from North Lincolnshire, Milton Keynes and Wiltshire.
It was a terrific competition with Holland battling their way through to the final of both the 680 kilos competition and the Catchweight competition. The valuable league points earned by Holland saw them placed Second overall in the 680 kilos and the Catchweight classes and Third in the 640 kilos class. Team representatives from the Barton Club were proud to step up and receive the three new pieces of Silverware for the team’s trophy cabinet.
Club Coach, Steve Gardner, said, “It is going to be a long hard season ahead of us, but the team are up for it, and we will continue to train hard to prepare for the challenge ahead”.
27 April 2004
Barton’s Holland Tug of War Club are going to September’s World Open Club Championship in Minnesota USA!
This is by far the biggest project undertaken by Holland Tug of War Club, from Barton-under-Needwood, as the team celebrates 35 years of its history. The team have competes in World Championships before, but only when they occurred in Britain due to the massive costs involved in taking a team abroad.
This year the team have decided to “Go for it” and have set out to raise the £4,000 to £6,000 needed. Much of the cost will come directly out of the pockets of those taking part, but the team are working hard right now with many different fund raising ventures planned. The team are also hoping to pick up some sponsorship, if any can be found, and to receive donations to their World Championships fund. Tug of War is a truly amateur sport, and each member is looking to be paying £850 each to make the trip. Holland Tug of War Club has really flown the flag for Barton-under-Needwood and East Staffordshire for a few years now. What a way to celebrate their 35th year.
If anyone would like to help in any way at all please call Steve Gardner 01283 713464
26 March 2004
Record number honoured at End of Season Presentation Evening
Holland Sports Club was the venue for Barton-under-Needwood’s Holland Tug of War Team’s annual end of season presentation evening on Friday 24 October 2003. A record number of club members were recognised during the evening, twenty-six in all, ten ladies and sixteen men, which included members of the junior ranks. Glyn Lawrence and Bill Kerry presented awards for dedicated service to the club throughout the 2003 season. A short report on the team’s successes during 2003 was given by Steve Gardner, which included the following super highlights:
 | Catchweight (Heavyweight) Semi-Finalists at the Tug of War Association’s National Championships |
| Silver Medal Winners at the Tug of War Federation’s Inter-Counties Championships, representing Staffordshire |
| Silver Medal Winners at 680 Kilos and Catchweight at the Tug of War Federation’s National Championships, Junior Team were Gold Medal Winners |
| Gold Medal Winners at Catchweight in the Tug of War Federation’s National League |
Special Commemorative awards were presented to:
| William Kerry – The Brian Hodgson Memorial Trophy |
| Peter Cokayne – The Stephen John Bates Memorial Trophy |
| Tony Gray, Ian Murphy, Tom Pickford and Zoe Upton – The Bob Gray Memorial Trophy |
| Tracy Delves – Bronze Award of Honour |
| Peter Cokayne - Silver Award of Honour |
| Glyn Lawrence – Dedication Award of Honour |
Finally Steve Gardner was presented with an award recognising his 25 years, to date, as Coach of the Holland Tug of War Team.
Barton’s village team have mounted a fund raising effort to raise £4,000 to enable them to send a team to the 2004 Open World Championships in Rochester, New York State, USA.
28 October 2003
Golden Finish to the Season for Barton’s Holland Tug of War Team
The final event concluding the Tug of War Federation 2003 season was held at the Holland Sports Club, Barton-under-Needwood, on Sunday 14 September. This event hosted by the local team, Holland Tug of War Club, was the final leg of the Federation’s National League and with wonderful weather what a cracker of a day it turned out to be. With so much at stake the top teams from around the country had assembled, all ready to do battle and try to pick up the all important points that could help win them a medal position in the National League. The ten teams in contention to clinch medals in one or more of the five different weight classes had travelled from Norfolk, Buckinghamshire, Leicestershire, Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire, West Midlands, Derbyshire and Staffordshire.
The Holland team were in the hunt for a National medal in three of the five weight classes. Their first battle was in the opening competition of the day, the 620 kilos 4+4 (4 men and 4 women). Holland pulled well narrowly missing out on the runners up spot, but the point they earned from finishing third on the day clinched them the overall National League Silver Medal, behind Gold medallists Woodton TOWC from Norfolk. The 680 kilos (Light Heavyweight) was the next event for Holland and the local team really turned on the power, finishing the day in second place. Again the points they earned on the day secured them the overall National League Silver Medal, behind Gold medallists Denford TOWC from near Leek in North Staffordshire.
The final competition of the day was the Catchweight competition (Heavyweight). Again Holland performed with exceptional power and control finishing in second place on the day. But this time the points they earned on the day secured them the overall National League Gold Medal, ahead of Woodton TOWC from Norfolk and Clickem TOWC from Lincolnshire. The Gold Medal was a fitting finish to the season for the Barton Club who have had another successful year. Their coach Steve Gardner is very proud of the team who train hard and are very dedicated to their sport.
25 September 2003
Holland Claim National Silver Medals
Last weekend saw the Holland Tug of War Club from Barton competing in the Tug of War Federation of Great Britain’s National Championships, which were held at the Royal Showground Stoneleigh in Warwickshire. The team entered into three of the five senior weight class championships on the Sunday. They were overjoyed to come away with three medals, the same result as at the 2002 championships, except that last year the team won 3 bronze medals but this time they took 2 silvers and a bronze!
The first competition that saw the Barton-under-Needwood team in the arena was the 620 kilos 4+4 (teams consist of 4 men and 4 women). Holland entered two teams into the competition, and they finished in third and fifth places. Holland’s first team was in good form and fought hard in every round of the competition, there was not much to choose between the top four teams at all. Having lost to Denford after an epic battle, the team were pitched against Woodton from Norfolk. The pull was another tough battle with the teams taking one end each forcing a third and deciding end. Holland almost hauled Woodton across the line but then lost ground an eventually lost the pull 2-1. Holland had come so close to the silver medal but knew that to make sure of the bronze medal they would have to beat New Earswick, from York, by 2 straight ends (a pull is best of three ends). New Earswick were ferocious and forced a hard pace, constantly attacking Holland, but they managed to hold and keep their form, then Holland were able to use their stamina and experience to force New Earswick forward the full required 4 metre distance to win the first end. The second end was a carbon copy of the first, and Holland finished in bronze medal position only ONE point behind the silver medal team.
The next event for Holland was the 680 kilos competition, the light Heavyweight class, and this time Holland looked dominant. They went through the competition without dropping a single end beating teams from Essex, Beds, Lincolnshire and Milton Keynes. Holland came up against Thorn, from Lincolnshire, who had likewise been unbeaten. The pull was a real hard battle once more, this time though Holland had to settle for second place. The Gold had been the objective but at least a silver medal was a place higher than last year. The third and final competition for Holland was the Catchweight (Heavyweight) event. The Barton team went in with a lighter Catchweight side than most of the others, and suffered two defeats straight off the bat to Brickmakers, from Aldridge, and to Thorn, from Lincolnshire (the eventual winners). The Barton lads did not give up though and fought hard for every end, winning all their remaining pulls whilst Aldridge started to tire and lose points. The end result was another silver medal for Holland Tug of War Club.
The Junior team won a gold medal in the Under 17’s Catchweight event on the Saturday, and in the Monday’s Open event Holland took three Runners up trophies at 620 4+4, 660 and 620 kilos, and were winners of the 720 kilos. A great result from three days of competition.
29 August 2003
Holland Tug of War Club Win Big at Barton
Barton-under-Needwood’s Holland Tug of War Club staged their 24th annual “Open Club Championships” last week at their Holland Sports Club headquarters, putting on a terrific show for the home crowd. Five different weight classes were contested on the day, with Holland entering and winning three of them. The 620 kilos 4+4 event (4 men and 4 ladies) was first. Holland looked very strong, beating all the opposition without losing a single end with their biggest challenge coming from the “Triple F” team from Milton Keynes. The second competition that Holland entered was the 680 kilos event (Light Heavyweight). Once again Holland did not lose any ends at all. They had to overcome a couple of mighty challenges, the most severe coming from Gloucester’s “Upton” Tug of War Club who twice took Holland to within a foot of the line, only for Holland to dig in and recover, eventually winning both ends and hence the title. The last competition of the day was the Catchweight (Heavyweight) event. This was again sponsored by the father of Holland’s Coach Steve Gardner, former Burton Police Chief Ernie Gardner, as he has done for the past 24 years. Holland were once again on fine form beating their opposition well and finished with a good win over a team known as “The Clicken” from North Lincolnshire who had been unbeaten until they faced Holland. The home competition was a great success for the home team Holland, who also performed very well the previous week at Blackfordby Show, a National League event, where they won two silver medals spots.
14 July 2003