The junior section of Ashley Down Old Boys rugby club has only been in existence for seven years but already they can boast of having two Bristol rugby legends among their ranks after Ellis Genge and Joe Joyce were guests of honour at the end-of-season awards.
Bristol Bears forwards Genge and Joyce visited the Lockleaze-based club to hand out medals, chat with the younger players, sign autographs and pose for pictures as a means of inspiration.
The genesis of the presence of such esteemed figures in the world of rugby, with Knowle West-raised Genge having captained England at the Six Nations and ‘King of the Mead’ Joyce a Bears stalwart for the last nine years, lay just over a mile away at the home of Bristol Rovers.
Ashley Down committee member Ian Holtby served as stadium manager at the Mem for 21 years and during that time he befriended the Genge family. Dad Richard used to operate a bar service at BS7 and with Ellis an avid Gashead, his connection with Holtby was formed. The two would meet on Filton Avenue, with Holtby sorting him complimentary tickets, before walking him into the Mem where he could meet his dad and watch the games.
Just over seven years later, and with the Genge now a fully fledged international star, all it took was a phonecall to Richard and the 28-year-old was more than happy to repay a favour.
“I thought it would be great for the youngsters to get Ellis Genge there. We all talk about him being a local boy and I’ve known him a long time from when he was young,” Holtby said. “When I was at Rovers, I used to look after him. Meet him outside and walk him into the ground so he could go and meet his dad and watch the game.
“He remembered that. When I spoke to his dad, he passed the message on to Ellis who said, ‘is that Holts from Rovers? I’ll do that, he always used to help me out so I’ll help him out’.
“They were just incredible. Two hours they stayed, giving out medals, signing every single autograph, pictures, photos, and then when he left he said, ‘Holts, you have got an unbelievable rugby club here’.
“Then he said he’ll give us a signed England shirt which we can raffle off and put it towards our club tour for the juniors. Just a class act.
“I cannot speak highly enough of what they did; giving up their time on a Sunday morning. For them to do that was incredible.
“The kids were blown away, absolutely blown away. So excited. To have the England captain and the Bristol Bears captain at little old Ashley Down rugby club. It’s about treating people and looking after people and that’s what we do.”
As expected, it proved a memorable day for all involved and served as a symbol of how far Ashley Down have come in a short space of time. The club itself celebrated its centenary year in 2022 but the junior section was born out of the work of James Hall and Kevin Shipway who established a new wing to the organisation.
Now boasting more than 250 youngsters from Under-5s to Under-16s, not only are they a club that play regular matches but also help the community with a number of projects such as running rugby sessions in schools, raising money for the British Heart Foundation and cancer charities and volunteering at various local events.
“To have two local Bristolians who are playing at the top of their game - one representing their country and one the captain of Bristol Bears, it will inspire the children,” Holtby added, with his daughter Isla in the U12s and son JJ with the U9s. “They were so excited to see them. They were hanging on their every word.”
The event was a mark of not only the club itself but the two Bears stars who in the not-so distant past were also wide-eyed juniors just enjoying playing the game on a weekend, before their talents took them further than they probably ever imagined.
It wasn’t a wholly pleasurable experience for Joyce, however. While Genge has been a lifelong Gashead, the 29-year-old is a passionate City fan and was given a very visual reminder of what side of town he was on when he arrived at the clubhouse.
As he got out of his car he was greeted by a sea of blue and white quarters as a Rovers academy side were playing on an adjoining pitch.
“Oh, we all hammered him for that,” Holtby added. “Especially Ellis.”
