HOME NATIONS CHAMPIONS - 2013

ETA President Gregg Cropper lifts the 'Overall Home Nations 2013 Champions' trophy aloft.

Having barely touched back down onto home soil, England Touch Association caught up with our President, Gregg Cropper, on his feelings and initial thoughts in the aftermath of Home Nations 2013 in Dublin, Ireland:

"WOW, what an amazing weekend! 6 out of 8 categories won and 2nd place in the other 2, an amazing result and testament to the hard work everybody has put in over the last 12 months. England won both the Open and Senior categories and now stand European and Home Nations champions! On behalf of the ETA, I personally just want to say huge thanks and congratulations to everyone who’s been involved in the #HN2013 campaign. The high performance team and national coaches for all their planning and knowledge sharing. The time and effort it takes to take a bunch of players and make them into a winning national squad is immense. Your dedication, commitment and perseverance has been limitless, awesome work, team! The tour, team and kit managers for their assistance in all the tournament logistics and all the issues that go with it, it’s sometimes like herding cats, so thanks for your persistence. Medical staff for their conditioning programmes, behind the scenes work and keeping the teams fit to play all weekend. All the referees that not only represented us out there in Dublin, but to all those who assisted in the build-up and training camps too. Your valued input is always great. The players, who stepped up when it mattered most and have put us back on top of the leader board! To all the fans, friends and family that came to support us, they were like an extra player out there when it mattered! This is not an exhausted list, and I've no doubt missed someone off, so apologies in advance! Thanks again, you've been amazing! See you all soon."

Gregg Cropper

England Touch President

www.englandtouch.org.uk