Introducing Mark Howe - UK Sales Manager, Onedrywash

Mark Howe, UK Sales Manager, Onedrywash

My role is to look after our existing customers and further develop our relationships with them, whilst searching our new potential markets and growing the business in those areas. As this business develops, it is hoped I will be able to develop a sales team to support this.

Having qualified in IT at DeMontfort University in Leicester, I did the honourable thing and tried a career in IT at the British Library. It didn't take long for me to realise that I wasn't going to fit in with the IT crowd, so I headed for the sales world. Having cut my teeth as a door to door insurance salesman, I soon joined the world of Reg Vardy in car sales - not a bad job if you like 7 days a week, 12 plus hours a day and limited holidays. I went on to join Andrew Page selling parts to the motor industry before joining Pro-Align as a sales manager for garage equipment. 11 years ago I joined Autoglass as a business manager, I went on to spend time running branches - winning manager of the year, before becoming part of the
team that set up a specialist repair business within Autoglass. That's where I first met SJ, and some would say it was only a matter of time. None of my colleagues were really surprised when I announced that I would be joining Onedrywash.

Outside work, my family is very important to me. I have been married to Jo for almost 13 years and have 2 wonderful children - Lauren who is almost 12 and Ben who is 9. Any spare time not taken up running the kids to their various clubs and activities is taken up with rugby. I coach at Doncaster Knights and help out with the local school team as well as being a season ticket holder at Leeds Rhinos.

Mark Howe,
UK Sales Manager - Onedrywash

Knights on Tour!

Ready Willing and Able

This weekend saw the Onedrywash and Autoglass^® sponsored Doncaster Knights under 9’s head to Scarborough for their annual tour. The boys and their families arrived Friday night having travelled from far and wide – Roger (Owains Dad) was stuck in Russia at the start of the week and had to make his way across Europe single handed to be with us – but he made it – well done!!

Once we had all arrived, we headed out for a pre match feast of pizza and burgers before dancing the night away (Ian and Dave led the way).

Pre-Match meal

Friday night fever!

The Haka!!

Sunday saw us head to Scarborough rugby club where the boys were treated to a pre tournament parachute display before getting on with the ‘serious’ stuff – some rugby !

Thomas picks his target!

As is often the theme, the Knights were a bit slow out of the blocks and lost their first game, but that would be their last defeat of the day. Having come from behind to draw with Sunderland , the boys finished the day against Northern, and what a finish it was. As coaches it felt like a whole seasons work had clicked into place. We made a couple of positional changes and the game opened up with some of the best passing and support our backs have shown this season, and some excellent work from the forwards to create a platform. The boys worked just as hard in defence and won the game comfortably, putting themselves right in the mix for the next day.

The fun was only just beginning, as we headed back to our caravan site, the ‘ladies’ on tour felt the urge to challenge the men to a game of touch rugby. Captain BJ offered to referee with the other boys acting as touch judges and support from the sides. The ‘ladies’ played rough from the start and it wasn’t long before BJ had the yellow card out! The game went both ways with the men believing they had won, and the ‘ladies’ looking close to tears, BJ nobly awarded a draw!

Oh no you dont!

Now children - play nicely

We finished the afternoon with our annual presentations, which saw Frazer win the player with the most endeavour, Conor win the most improved player with Oliver in second place and BJ beat Harry to win the players player of the season.

Sunday saw us all head back to the rugby club, with one eye on what looked like a tropical storm brewing overhead, we started the day as we left off with a well earned win against Harrogate which Saw Frazer back up his award with a great supporting try. In our next game, we went from one injury to the next, and ended with our last 9 fit players on the field and a narrow defeat. It would all come down to the last game of the season, the last 10 minutes for the boys to make some memories, and boy did they. They picked themselves up, dusted themselves down and threw everything at Ilkley coming out as well deserved winners – mainly down to the strong tackling of Thomas, BJ and James.

Frazer takes on the world

The boys had taken on all comers and exceeded our expectations with a runners up spot in the end of weekend league table – Well done to all of you !

Tired, Bruised but still Smiling

This was the culmination of a great season, and I would like to thank the boys for their efforts, their families for the loudest support anywhere, the coaches for your help, Jo for organising tour (and putting up with me!) and also Onedrywash for their support of the team – you are helping to make dreams come true – Thank You.

High Expectations Dashed Again!

Coiled Springs

Sunday saw the Onedrywash and Autoglass^® sponsored Doncaster Knights under 9’s make the short trip up the A19 to take part in the Selby Festival. The sun was in the sky, and despite some players and supporters being stuck oversees, the team was confident that this was their chance to shine. The day got off to a great start with a hard earned draw against Moortown. Only a curious decision to disallow what looked like a great try from the skipper kept the team level.

Hands up and check for nits

There was no break before the boys were onto their next game and with a well earned win against the hosts it looked like the day was going to plan. The boys had a long break before their next game, and the refreshment break looked to takes its toll against a giant Dinnington side who looked to be able to destroy anything in its path. A defeat meant that the result of the last game between Moortown and Selby could make the difference between qualification and a trip home. After an even first half, Moortown stepped up a gear and their result meant they went through to the semi finals on points difference.

Spot the ball

Get the Ref!

Catch!

For the boys not going on tour, this was the last rugby of the season, but I am sure it is just the start of a long journey for the team.

Well done to everyone, and a massive thanks to our supporters!

Knights invade York

Doncaster Knights under 9’s

Sunday saw the Onedrywash and Autoglass^® sponsored Doncaster Knights under 9’s head up the A19 to York for another festival of rugby. This was a great chance to challenge ourselves against new opposition with teams travelling from Cheshire , Lancashire and beyond. And challenged we were, the first game saw the team draw with a strong Chester team and despite loosing their captain at half time to a Knee injury, the boys battled away and conceded a late try for the draw.

Between games, the boys decided they could take on the world, and boosted by the recovery of captain BJ, the team threw everything at the rest of the day. Unfortunately there were some really strong teams on display, and the knights despite 100% effort from everyone just failed to make the knock out stages of the festival. The lads were gutted at first, but a reminder from the coaches about the rules of the team soon saw everyone with a smile back on their faces and remembering what a great day playing rugby they had had.

This is a team who are building in confidence every week, and learning their craft. They will go on to have some great times together and who knows they may even pick up a trophy or two along the way, and some of them may grace out TV screens in years to come – Well done boys – Keep up the hard work !!

Knights continue their winning ways

As was always the plan this season, the Onedrywash and Autoglass^® sponsored Doncaster Knights under 9’s have worked very hard at the transition from TAG to contact rugby. There was never a rush to ‘win games at any cost’, we wanted to make sure the boys got to grips with the game step by step, and despite the weather since Christmas, that plan is coming to fruition with the side undefeated in the second half of the season so far.

Owain gets his instructions from the sideline

Sunday saw the visit of Old Brodlians to the castle, and the Knights wasted no time in putting them to the sword racing into an early lead with almost the first play of the game. The team worked really hard and pressured Old Brods into mistake after mistake allowing them to kick on for a great win. Player of the day – Scrum half Ol really directed his troops and with a couple of tries to his name took the game by the scruff of the neck. Captain BJ and the rest of his backs line put into practice what they have been learning, and managed to keep the scoreboard ticking over for an impressive win.

Ol encourages the ref!

Game 2 saw a complete change of playing personnel for the Knights and a renewed enthusiasm from Old Brods, but some determined running from Conor and aggressive ‘wrestling’ from Fraser saw the knights hang in there until game 2 captain Joe popped up on the wing to race in for a try to tie up the game.

Clear the way - Conor on the move!

This was a fantastic day for the team – showing how focussed they have remained throughout the long winter – well done boys – keep it up!!

Mark Howe
Central Support Manager, Retail Repair
Autoglass^®

Cold Weather Training for the Knights

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Sunday 31st January saw all games called off for the Autoglass^® and Onedrywash^® sponsored Doncaster Knights under 9’s, but not to be out smarted by the weather, the team found a spare bit of land behind the pitches and spent a couple of hours running through their drills. Plenty of passing, running, lineouts, and break down practice was the order of the day.

Cold weather training!

Thanks to everyone who was able to make it; here’s hoping the weather improves this week so we can get some practice before our second trip to Leeds Carnegie this season.
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The Sponsors come to visit

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From left to right: Mark Hillyer, Autoglass® territory manager
for the north, captain BJ and vice-captain Oliver
(receiving their shirts), SJ Khebbal, Onedrywash CEO

Ben applauds man of the match Jack

One Drywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Doncaster Knights under 9’s match report

Sunday saw SJ make one of his now famous waterlogged trips North. Everytime he has been to see the boys over the last couple of seasons, it has rained, been cold and generally very unwelcoming!

Fear not – the boys decided to make it a day to remember, and with the visit of Sheffield Tigers who act as a feeder club to the first team, they set about putting the many pieces of the jigsaw together all in one game. All season, we have done different things really well as a team, but today – as if to honour the water logged SJ, the boys put everything together in one game, and it was fabulous to watch.

Eventual player of the week – Jack - scored his first, and then second tries of the season.

Jack finally crosses the line

Top Tackler, Dan, lead by example. Harry and Lewi celebrated their birthdays with a massive effort for the team, and the Captain himself – BJ, seems to be settling into his new role at Stand Off, and at last finding some space to open the backs up for a run.

BJ tiptoes through the land of the giants!

Thomas (pictured below) is so used to beating opposition players, he has now mastered it with his eyes shut!

He's so good, Thomas can do it with his eyes closed

It was a cold, wet and muddy day for everyone, particularly our visitor from the South, but we were all warmed through by this massive effort from the boys, who never once moaned about the conditions, and did everything that was asked of them. Days like this are what rugby is made of, and we, as coaches, were proud to be a part of it.

Well done boys !!

Mark Howe
Central Support Manager, Retail Repair
Autoglass®
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A day in the country

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Thomas checks the grounding!

KICKABOUT!

Conor hangs on

BJ launches his back line

Sunday saw the One Drywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Doncaster Knights under 9’s head out to the countryside with a first-ever trip to Market Rasen.

Having squeezed into the smallest changing room on record, the boys couldn’t wait to get out into the country air and get stuck in. After a thorough warm up, the boys set about trying to overturn the unwanted record of losing the first game each week! Last week's training really looked to have paid off as the forwards set about doing the work that had earned them the nickname of the ‘donkies’ and they worked hard to secure plenty of ball to make the backs look good and, but for a couple of missed tackles, the knights gave their best performance of the season but were once again just edged out.

We made several changes for the second game, including some positional ones but were able to pick up where we left off, and for the first time this season, we rolled the ball through several phases and took the lead in a game.

Not for long though. As the boys were still patting each other on the back and enjoying their moment, the Rasen boys picked up the tempo and again a couple of missed tackles cost the Knights. The game continued to go back and forth, but some excellent handling and brilliant running saw Conor go close, before Thomas ran almost onto the next door pitch to score and secure another game-2 win.

Next week sees the visit of Sheffield Tigers to Castle Park and I know we are all looking forward to more of the great attacking play we saw today, especially as SJ is coming to watch!! Well done to everyone, and a special mention to Thomas as top tackler, Conor as top metre maker, Owain for an outstanding effort for the team and BJ who was player of the week.

Good luck for next week boys.

Mark Howe
Central Support Manager, Retail Repair
Autoglass®
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Knights update

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Stand clear - forwards on the loose!

Ease up Jack, I'm on your side!

Sunday was due to see the One Drywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Doncaster Knights under 9’s take on big local rivals Rotherham Titans in an attempt to overturn the first team's narrow loss the previous day. Unfortunately, the Titans were unable to field a team, and the Knights got the opportunity to take on a tough training session under the autumn sun.

Whilst the boys love to play, it is important during this massive year of transition that they get the chance to work on the new skills without the pressure of an opposition, and that’s exactly what we did.

Today was about getting the team working for each other, understanding more about the different roles of forwards and backs – the main one being the pretty coloured boots and the great looking hair sported by most of the backs, as opposed to the up and at ‘em mentality of the forwards.

We spent the morning looking at how the forwards could win, steal, and/or secure ball and give the backs the best opportunity to show their lovely boots to the crowd as they ran past. We included a couple of the Rotherham players who had turned up, and they introduced some exciting new thoughts which helped the Knights fire up. After an hour, we re-introduced the backs to the forwards, and ran through some game scenarios. The forwards rucked and mauled for all their worth, and the backs had space to run and let the wind whistle through their flowing locks.

Fraser celebrates his Player of the Day Award with a small blackcurrant!

This was an important session for the boys in terms of understanding the differences in the roles but more importantly how they fit together on game day, and we as coaches were really proud of their achievements.

Bring on game day next week so we can put it into practice.

Well done boys

Mark Howe
Central Support Manager, Retail Repair
Autoglass®
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Remembrance Sunday at Castle Park

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Lest we forget....

Sunday saw the One Drywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Doncaster Knights under 9’s host local rivals, Sheffield. The boys started with a minute's silence at 11am and a moment to remember those who have given their lives for our country.

Once the game got started, Doncaster did their best to hold onto a free-flowing hard-running Sheffield side, but seemed to come off second best in contact, and the one-man breaks from a very experienced looking scrum half were hard to track. Credit to the boys though; they battled right the way to the end of the game and gave their all for the cause.

Strictly Come Rugby!

The coaches spent some time talking about working as a team, and the pride of walking from the field with their heads held high, and being able to say they had given their all. We then made some changes and set about the task. The boys worked tirelessly and not for the first time this season (infact it's becoming a weekly event!!), the boys turned the defeat around, and the all-winning Sheffield side were held to their first draw of the season. The boys played with real passion and worked for each other, and it was great to see Ethan stand tall as player of the day, having rucked and mauled his way to near exhaustion !!!!

The effort from everyone in and around the team is really starting to pay off, and I am really proud to say I have been a part of the boys' development until now – good luck boys; keep working hard.
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Winter rugby at last !

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Get off me foot !!

Oh no you dont !!

World Gnome fishing championships - Hull 2009

We have been spoilt so far this season, playing deep into October in fabulous sunshine and balmy temperatures. But Sunday saw the first Winter rugby for the season, and for many of our new players, yet another step in their long rugby roads!

We headed down the M62 to Hull Ionians, and after 30 minutes in the dressing rooms, we decided we could hide no more and headed out on our expedition to the pitches. Not sure whether to run, paddle or swim, the boys reluctantly headed out. We had a good warm up and, despite the weather, we looked promising with some really slick handling – always a worry to the coaches when we look this good in warm up!

Eventually, Hull found their way to the pitch and we got started on the first of our 2 games for the day. The boys worked really hard and played exactly how they had been taught; just a shame that the opposition, and at times the referee, seemed to be playing a different game! It was a very physical and a very wet game, and I am only glad it wasn’t my turn to wash the shirts this week!

The boys battled well and kept plugging to the end, but weren’t really given the space to play by a ‘keen’ Hull side on a very small pitch, and we came off second best.

With water in places not to be mentioned, it would have been easy to call it a day and head back to the warm, but after a short huddle together, most of the knees had stopped knocking and the teeth stopped chattering so we decided to give it another go! This time, we offered to referee and the boys slotted back into the routine they know best – knocking down the big men and running hard and straight at the opposition. Some great team work and good passing saw the Onedrywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Knights under 9’s record another great victory and, for the second game in a row, turn defeat into victory against a powerful opposition. It was an outstanding effort by everyone, with the pieces of the jigsaw slowly starting to come together – watch this space!

Well done to 'Player of the Day': Oliver, 'Most Effort for the Team': Luis, 'Top Metre Maker': Thomas and 'Top Tackler': BJ.

Here’s hoping for less rain next week and a chance to show off some of those great skills.
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Autoglass® and Onedrywash help out again

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Charity Carwash Raises £200 for Keech Hospice Care

Friday saw the culmination of a month of fundraising for the annual Autoglass® day at Woburn Safari Park for Keech Hospice Care. This year, the weather was much more favourable compared to last, and whilst the rest of head office – dressed as their super heroes - played human table football, rode surf boards and ate from the barbeque, the retail repair team with support from SJ set about ‘washing’ (drywashing) cars with the waterless carwash product, Onedrywash, for the cause.

This was a great opportunity for the new management team to spend some time together, and they worked hard together, cleaning well over 20 cars, inside and out, to raise £200 for the cause.

Despite the senior management needing to keep checking on things inside, and SJ always finding a distraction, the day managed to pass by in a much more organized way than last year, and the team should be really proud of their efforts.

Next year, Tim from Onedrywash will be joining us. Well, he is much better with a cloth in his hand than SJ (just what we’ve heard !!)

Thanks to SJ for giving us his time and the tools to do the job, and thanks to everyone who let us loose on their cars :)

Mark Howe
Central Support Manager, Retail Repair
Autoglass® - We Fit Safety As Standard®
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Junior rugby: preparations for the new season

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Up, up and away!

2 weeks and counting

This week saw the half way point in the preparations for the new season for the Onedrywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Doncaster Knights Under 9’s. This was the start of week 3 of our 4-week preparations, and we are officially a rugby team !! We played our first practice match, 15 minutes of tackling, banging, boshing, scrummaging and organized chaos.

As head coach, it’s a nervous time, but this was 15 minutes of real rugby, of some slick passing, excellent support play and top tries. I have never felt more confident that, as a team, we will be ready for our first outing at Headingley on October 4th. The effort and development of the players has been fantastic, and the support for the coaching team from parents has been brilliant – thanks !!

Come here!

Next weekend will see our last 2 sessions, and we will be pushing towards a full practice match. Keep up the hard work boys – good luck from the coaching team.

Well done to this week's player of the week – seen below directing his troops – captain BJ, and newcomer, Jack, who was rewarded for his efforts with the prestigious ‘Most Effort for the Team’ award.

That way!

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Onedrywash YouTube channel goes live

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We've christened our brand new YouTube channel with our brand new video

Our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/onedrywash
Link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nTWIrbAKAw

This video was produced by TechnoVisual and filmed at Rockhopper Studios

External view of Rockhopper Studios (an original 1963 Overlander Airstream caravan)

Internal view of Rockhopper Studios (full professional recording, mixing and mastering studio)

See what the BBC has said about Rockhopper:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/content/articles/2008/08/05/rockhopper_feature.shtml

and here's a documentary about Rockhopper:

http://www.buckstv.co.uk/buckstv/music/the_new_roxette/rockhopper.html

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Player of the Year (junior rugby)

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Donny Knight and John Rouse, the tournament manager,
presents the Captain, BJ Howe, with a commemorative ball

Great News for The Captain !!

Last week, Captain of the Onedrywash and Autoglass®-sponsored Doncaster Knights Under 8’s was chosen to represent Kirk Sandall Junior School under 11’s. Despite playing 3 years above his age, BJ led by example, scoring some excellent tries and was bitterly disappointed to be on the losing side in the final.

His day took a turn for the better though during the presentations when he was recognized as the ‘Donny Knight Young Player of the Year for 2009’.

A big well done from the rest of the team – here’s hoping he plays as well next season.
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Onedrywash Attend Caravan Club Show

Caravan Club Show, 22-25 May 2009

SJ and Tim showed caravaners the merits of Onedrywash at the recent Caravan Club Show
(the annual Club Rally), and told them, rather than do this:

do this:

Other shows SJ and Tim have been attending include:

• Green Fleet Show at Rockingham
• National Kit Car Show, Stoneleigh Showground