Rugby Club Magazine issue 98

Wymondham RFC

"Double Champions!"

Burnham on Crouch RUFC

“Commitment, Family, Team, Passion!“

Basildon RFC

Chinnor RFC

“UK Club of the season 2023/2024” “History Makers!”

Wanstead RFC “Triple League Winners!” Brockleians RFC

“A Rich History Spanning 100 Years!”

Welcome to the latest edition of Rugby Club Magazine!

e are not far off pre-season, so sending everyone best wishes for an injury free summer. As always we have all delighted at Rugby Club Magazine in featuring a great selection of Rugby Club`s who would not exist if it wasn’t for the off field volunteers who deserve the greatest `pat on the back` for their outstanding contribution to sport and their own local communities.` If you didn’t exist there would be an unmeasurable hole in your area and in rugby. It’s the collective coming together of you guys, understanding, that you can only keep what you give away, that makes Rugby Union such a great sport. I hope you enjoy our latest edition and if you have a story to tell or want to be considered for inclusion in our next issue just drop me an email: martin@rugbyclubmag.com

Yours in Rugby Martin Morgan

Chinnor RFC

• National 1 Champions 2023/2024

• UK Club of The Season 2023/2024

SIMON VICKERS

CLUB PRESIDENT

I live near Thame, and my association with Chinnor RFC goes back to the ‘80s when I moved to the area, joining the club in ‘82 when we played our rugby at Towersey. I had the privilege of serving as Captain in the mid-’80s and we had a timber hut back then, and changing took place in a steel container before running out onto the Reck—a bit of a mud bath, to say the least.

Our predecessors had the foresight to purchase land at the edge of Thame in the ‘70s, as we were only renting at the time. I recall the meeting where a proposal was made to buy an old scout hut and place it on the land. Some of us believed investing in a brick clubhouse was the way forward. Eventually, we succeeded, and I never changed in the new clubhouse, having retired by then. However, I did manage to play one game on the new ground, which we properly opened around ‘87, and we’ve been playing there ever since.

Back in my playing days as a back-row player, phrases like “recovery time” were seldom heard of. Taking care of bumps and bruises wasn’t a priority, and I kept pulling muscles until I decided it was one muscle too many and hung up my boots!

After retiring, I focused on my family and career until the late ‘90s when I was drawn back to the club, becoming a sponsor and board member, eventually becoming the main sponsor through my company, Rectory Homes—a commitment I’ve maintained ever since.

The gentleman who brought me back into the fold was Kenneth Vaughan, the father of a player. Kenneth played a pivotal role in guiding the club through the leagues. He was a true stalwart, serving as president for 16 years before passing the baton to me in 2008. His dedication and influence left a lasting impact on many, and his legacy continues to resonate within the club.

I rarely miss games; my dedication is such that my wife has come to expect holidays planned around match schedules. It’s not just about the game itself; it’s about the camaraderie and spirit that permeate the club.

For a successful season, it’s like the chicken and the egg scenario—bonding among players is crucial, but so is fostering the right

environment. Nick Easter has been instrumental in creating that environment, recruiting players who embody the club’s ethos and are willing to give their all. It’s been a remarkable journey, and everyone involved is appreciative of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Luck has played its part, but it’s also a testament to the dedication and preparation of the players. We’ve had the right people in the right places at the right times, which has culminated in our recent successes.

Celebrating these historic moments is essential, but it’s also about recognizing the hard work and planning that have gone into achieving them. Our journey to this point has been years in the making, marked by steady progression and strategic decision-making.

As we look ahead to the Championship, there’s a sense of excitement and anticipation within the club. We’re under no illusions about the challenges we’ll face, but we’re prepared to meet them head-on.

What sets Chinnor Rugby Club apart is our sense of community. We’re not just a sports club; we’re a hub that caters to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Whether we’re celebrating victories on the field or supporting each other off it, our bond as a community remains unbreakable.

Ultimately, success at our

level inspires not only our current players but also future generations. It’s about more than just winning matches; it’s about instilling a sense of pride and accomplishment in everyone associated with Chinnor RFC, ensuring that our legacy endures for years to come.

NICK EASTER, DIRECTOR OF RUGBY

Arriving at Chinnor on December 1, 2022, has been quite the journey. Chinnor, though part-time, presented an intriguing opportunity with a modest track record upon my arrival. Stepping into the role of director of rugby meant adapting to new challenges. While success wasn’t solely dependent on me, I quickly realized the weight of responsibility on my shoulders. I knew success or failure would ultimately be attributed to my leadership and approach. The accountability rests squarely with me.

Navigating the team out of the relegation zone proved to be an invigorating challenge. They were falling short of expectations upon my arrival, but the journey thus far has been rewarding.

Under my guidance, Chinnor has charted a course of success, sailing smoothly through the season with aspirations for even greater achievements on the horizon.

With 21 victories out of 25 league matches and nearly 1,000 points scored, this campaign has been nothing short of extraordinary. Adhering to fundamental principles in training has been paramount.

Injecting a newfound intensity into training routines was a paradigm shift for the team. We aimed to be the fittest outfit in the league, a goal we undoubtedly achieved with a rigorous pre-season regimen and strategic recruitment efforts. The dedication of the players, balancing their commitments alongside rugby, has been commendable.

Drawing comparisons to full-time outfits, the level of effort from our players is exceptional. However, the transition to the Championship will pose fresh challenges, notably in terms of physicality and its toll on the squad. Anticipating an uptick in injuries next season, we’re bolstering our strength and conditioning as well as medical support.

While juggling roles with Chinnor and the USA Eagles may seem unconventional, it presents a unique opportunity for growth. Despite occasionally missing Chinnor fixtures due to international commitments, I view it as a chance to enhance my coaching repertoire, ultimately benefiting both teams.

Working with Chinnor and the USA Eagles offers a fulfilling balance, each role enriching the other in unexpected ways.

NICK STAINTON, CHAIRMAN. ”ONE CLUB, ONE COMMUNITY!”

I moved to the area 18 years ago from Chiswick when my two sons were 3 years and 3 weeks old. Eighteen months later, I took my eldest, Henry, down to the rugby club and became part of the coaching group within a few weeks. I have been heavily involved ever since, which has been around 15 years. I continued to coach through my boys’ age groups into junior rugby, became minis chair, and took on various roles, including fundraising for events, committee duties, and a bit of coaching for Wasps DPP. Over the last four years, I have been on the board, and since 2022, I have been club chairman.

My two sons are both still involved with Chinnor. Henry is just finishing university and plays in returning Colts games, similar to U23s games, and will play more next season after graduating. Jake is currently in the Colts and is now moving into senior rugby. Both have progressed from U6s all the way to senior rugby. We have a philosophy that it’s not just about player development but about personal growth. Our key core values are teamwork, enjoyment, discipline, and sportsmanship. These are fundamental, but we also embrace diversity in terms of demographics and ensure there are no barriers for anyone wanting to play rugby at Chinnor Rugby Club.

We always strive to remove financial hurdles and make rugby tours affordable for all. This responsibility falls on everyone involved, including the board, volunteers, coaches, and first aiders, who are the backbone of the club. Everyone must play their part.

rugby. We have found that the better the involvement and the more enjoyable the experience, the stronger the friendships and the more likely players are to stay on a positive path. Our club is about more than just playing; it’s about fostering a good social environment.

At Chinnor, there is a quiet determination and ambition to excel on the pitch, balanced by the right attitude off it. This is a core part of our club’s DNA. We strive to make the rugby club feel like a second home. Tom Clifford is a great example of someone who came through our ranks, starting as an U8 and debuting in the 1st team this season.

Last season, I attended most games, enjoying some huge highs and very few lows. Even when we lost some players, we quickly rebounded with strong replacements like Olly Curry and Grant Hughes, who both made an immediate impact. We didn’t miss a beat.

Our home form was phenomenal; we only lost one game, creating a real fortress at Kingsey Road. It was great to see the on-field rugby quality matched by the quality of the matchday experience. We’ve had local brass bands, theme days, sponsors’ days, and women’s events, making it enjoyable off the pitch as well.

Some of the players, like those in the U11s or U12s, benefit greatly from playing and often continue into senior

Looking towards next season in the championship is hugely exciting for everyone involved at our club, as well as for the surrounding communities. Our open-top bus parade showed how our success resonated throughout the area. With no big clubs nearby anymore like Wasps and London Irish, we offer the best level of rugby there is and are within only a 45 minute drive, or so, for those in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, and even Wiltshire.

I am incredibly proud of Chinnor’s men’s team for standing out this season. Next season will be a new experience, but one we are all looking forward to. There is much work to do off the pitch, and the squad will be preparing for the new season. We must ensure that our matchday experience is maintained and improved and that we bring the rest of the club with us. We don’t want to create a divide; we want everyone to be part of the journey. The worst thing would be to feel like two different entities. There is a huge amount of goodwill and good people at Chinnor Rugby Club, so let’s make sure we enjoy this journey and stay connected to each other as a club.

ALUN WALKER HOOKER, COACHES

PLAYER

OF THE YEAR

Originally hailing from Edinburgh, I began my rugby journey in Scotland, playing for esteemed clubs like Musselburgh, Melrose, and Currie Rugby Clubs. It was my older brother Greg who first introduced me to the sport, a passion he still pursues as a member of the Scottish Police Rugby team. My professional endeavours led me to Ealing Trailfinders for a decade, with a brief stint at Newcastle Falcons along the way. This season, however, has seen me donning the Chinnor jersey, and it’s been nothing short of exceptional, culminating in our triumphant win of National 1.

Our success can be attributed to a remarkable winning streak, fuelled by the tight bond shared among our players both on and off the pitch. The continuity of our squad, with seasoned veterans complementing the younger talent, has undoubtedly played a significant role in our achievements. Playing for Chinnor has been a privilege, and I anticipate that the momentum we’ve built will carry us forward into the next season. Despite already clinching the league title before our match against Darlington, the unwavering determination of our team was evident, a quality that will undoubtedly serve us well as we step up to the challenges of the Championship.

LUKE CARTER, SCRUMHALF, PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2023/2024!

I’m originally from Windsor, and randomly my wife and I bought a house in Chinnor Village in 2014. I was off playing for other clubs at the time, but the location worked well for us as we were both working relatively locally. However, I didn’t join Chinnor until 2021.

My introduction to rugby itself started in school, and I was lucky because even though we were a nonselective school, we had a good year group who were quite talented, and a lot of us joined Windsor RFC together as 13/14-year-olds before I moved onto Bracknell RFC. I’ve always played in the scrum-half position and played at county level and at London Irish Academy & Bath Rugby Club before studying at the University of Bath, where I completed my studies in 2012.

My first taste of National 1 rugby came with Cinderford, and I moved back to Windsor and started playing for Henley in National 2, winning the league that year before transferring to Rosslyn Park, where I was picked up by Rotherham Titans in the Championship. After three years at Ealing, I had a season at Hartpury as Captain before entering into Covid. Subsequently, I joined Chinnor as we came out of the pandemic.

This season at Chinnor, we set out with a basic goal of being the best we could be at the simple things. So, whether that was our tackling, passing, or being the fittest team, we focused a lot on what was easy for the boys to get better at and then on top of that just worked harder than everyone else in our league. Our mindset was always being the best at the basics. This was something we kept returning to and served us well. If we were ever struggling in games, it was returning to the simple playing structures we had endlessly practiced for the next 5 or 10 minutes, and that put us in good stead and grounded the team. We do a lot of tackling in training, which is not always the most enjoyable for a scrum-half, but the outcome was vast improvements through this area demonstrated particularly by our pack, which became particularly formidable.

We already had some longer-serving players in the team at the start of the season, and many of our new recruits I already knew. Alun Walker, Willie Ryan, who I played with at three previous

clubs, Max Clementson, whom I’ve known since he was 18, Olly Curry, and many others. Knowing how each other works on the pitch and all being great mates off it naturally helped. Nick Easter also brought in a few players here and there that fitted comfortably into the overall group.

Chinnor is a very friendly place whether you’re a supporter, player, or member; everybody is very welcoming, and we all just love Chinnor Rugby Club. Simon, the owner and his team, have done a brilliant job in looking after us all, definitely the lads in the 1st team, but all the way down and throughout the club, it’s a really enjoyable place to be. I’ve made a lot of friends

at the club in the last three years, and hopefully, it will be the same going forward. To be honest, I haven’t thought too much about next season in the Championship. I don’t know why, but I honestly didn’t know whether we would win the league this year, probably because I’ve played a few seasons in National one before and know what a difficult league it is to get promoted from. Having had six seasons in the Championship, I didn’t really realize till recently that my time there had been cut short due to Covid, so it’s nice to have another crack at this level as I’m now 34, and our team is really looking forward to the challenge against different and difficult opposition.

WIILIE RYAN

1ST XV CAPTAIN

Hailing from Cork, Ireland, I was immersed in Gaelic Football from an early age. Following in the footsteps of my brother John, who still plays for Munster, I found myself drawn to the exhilarating game of rugby. At the age of 11, I enrolled in CBS (Christian Brothers College). After a brief hiatus from the sport, I continued my rugby journey at UCC, representing Cork Con for three seasons. In 2014, I made the leap to the UK, joining Ealing Trailfinders, where an unfortunate shoulder injury. I eventually returned to Chinnor for the 2019/2020 season.

Reflecting on the 2023/2024 season at Chinnor, I can only describe it as surreal. Securing the league title after languishing in the relegation zone just 15 months prior is a testament to the resilience and unity of our team. It’s been a collective effort, with a consistent group of players persevering through challenges. The

journey has been both rewarding and arduous, as we’ve maintained a rigorous training regimen while juggling travel and personal commitments.

Many of our players have remained loyal to Chinnor for the past 3/4 years, with a substantial portion of our squad earning 50+ caps. This continuity has fostered deep camaraderie among teammates, a crucial component in team sports. The supportive atmosphere cultivated by the rugby club, from the dedicated committee to the coaches, has made Chinnor Rugby Club a welcoming home for all. The cozy sofa and coffee area provide a space for pretraining camaraderie, easing the integration of new players into our tight-knit community. Every individual feels valued, ensuring no one is left on the sidelines. It’s this attention to inclusivity and detail that truly sets our club apart.

Our focus has always been on continuous improvement, rather than solely on results. As we look ahead to the next season, where we’ll face tougher competition in the Championship, we recognize the need for increased dedication and effort. Despite my 15-year tenure in rugby, I struggle to envision a team or club that could rival the special bond we share at Chinnor RFC.

KUBOTA

Based in Thame since 1979, Kubota is a market leading supplier of machinery to the groundcare, construction and agricultural industries. Their highly-recognisable range of professional turf care equipment, in its distinctive orange and black livery, spans compact tractors, ride-on mowers and utility vehicles that play a pivotal role in the maintenance of sporting venues around the country and across the world. This includes Chinnor RFC, whom Kubota have been a proud sponsor since 2012.

Kubota has a long history of supporting rugby globally, indeed its rugby team in Japan – The Kubota Spears – are the current Japanese League One Champions (the equivalent of the Rugby Premiership). They have also been instrumental in supporting disability and Mixed Ability rugby in Spain, through their support of the El Salvador Rugby Club.

David Hart, Managing Director at Kubota UK says “The game of rugby aligns with us at both a corporate and local level. We share the values of teamwork, strength, resilience, discipline and dedication, which drives our successful alignment with Chinnor RFC. As a long-term sponsor we work alongside the team, to support them with sponsorship and the use of machinery. In return,

“TAMBO” RUGBY IN RICE PADDIES

Tambo Rugby is a unique twist on conventional rugby where local residents play rugby in “Tambo” rice paddies, that is, the flooded but bare paddy before the rice has been transplanted into it. The first event was held in 2015 by rugby fans and local farmers in Fukuchiyama City in Kyoto. Its aim was to lift the spirits of the local community which had been severely hit by a recent typhoon. Such was the success that it is now played throughout Japan, supported by the Kubota Spears, helping contribute to the growth of rugby and the revitalization of local Japanese communities.

we also benefit from use of the facilities for training and corporate events, as well as working with their fitness staff to provide activities for our staff here in Thame”.

“Everyone at Kubota extends a huge congratulations to all at Chinnor RFC for a fantastic season and their promotion into the RFU Championship.”

THE KUBOTA SPEARS ENGAGES IN JAPANESE SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION ACTIVITIES

Sustainable Development Goals are key to a sound social, environmental and business future for Kubota, and demands that its business contributes to the continuous development of a co-operative society. The sport of rugby is a key part of the Kubota social contribution activities.

The Kubota Spears rugby team, currently champions of the “Japan Rugby Top League”, the premier rugby league in Japan, aims to be a strong, well-loved team, and conducts many social contribution activities linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, (SDG’s) in its hometown of Funabashi in Chiba, among other areas of Japan including Tokyo.

The Kubota Spears team vision, translated from Japanese to “Proud Billboard”: aims to be a

strong, well loved team, worthily embodying its stakeholder pride. To realize this team vision, team members and athletes endeavor both to win matches, and through their social contribution activities, to become a valuable presence for the local community and residents. All players attend sessions on SDGs at Kubota and the following is an example of the wide range of social contribution activities the Kubota Spears embrace.

FIRST RUGBY WITH THE SPEARS

In 2019, players held its first “Try Rugby” session in Itami City in Osaka so that children who had an interest in rugby from the recent Rugby World Cup in Japan could come and try the game of rugby. This event, which attracted about 500 participants, gave many of them, who had never before played rugby before, the opportunity to sample rugby’s appeal of teamwork, inclusiveness, skill development and of course exercise. These sessions continue today and are seen as key to building the rugby family.

GRANT HUGHES

INSIDE CENTRE

I was born and raised in Falkirk and have lived in both Glasgow and Edinburgh. My entry into rugby began on the street where I grew up. When I was aged 4, there were around 18 kids who lived there, and it just so happened that one of the adults was a coach at Falkirk Rugby Club. He approached my parents and extended an invitation to my brother Ross and me to come along to the club; the rest is history, as they say. I moved to Dollar Academy aged twelve and played youth pro football and rugby. By the time I was 16, I had to decide which path to travel down, and rugby won the day, by this time I started playing for my local club Stirling Albion.

My playing career led me to represent Scotland U18s & U20s, the Glasgow Rugby Academy, and postCovid, I was invited to go on The HSBC 7’s tour, which I thoroughly enjoyed, as well as all the international travel to places like Toulouse, Singapore, and into the Commonwealth Games before injury struck.

I had played and spent time at Chinnor RFC previously, and the welcome I had received back then meant that when I returned more recently, it really was like coming home.

My return to Chinnor was very different from my first trip, as we had previously been in the relegation zone. I have played at three different rugby clubs but never experienced such closeness in a team. The club’s Old Boys really look after you, and we reciprocate our gratitude between fans and players. We have been inspired by an excellent coaching team, and we already know that next season in the Championship will be about robustness and resilience. Pre-season has already been laid out as one that will demand more from us than this one. I feel we already have the structure of a Championship side but will naturally have to adapt quickly to game speed.

Chinnor Rugby Club and this season’s success are all about the people on and off the pitch who show respect, time, and inclusion whoever you are; no one is left on the sidelines at our club.

MAX CLEMENTSON BLINDSIDE FLANKER

I started life in London and moved to the Avenue around 6 years old, attending Aylesbury Prep School. My rugby journey began at Newbury RFC, where I progressed to playing U18s for London Irish, as well as county rugby, before embarking on a university career at Hartpury, where my rugby really took off. In my first year at Hartpury, I played in the thirds, and with the assistance of some fantastic coaching, I progressed to the firsts in my second year, subsequently earning selection for England Students.

During my time at Hartpury, I had the honor of lifting two BUCS Super Rugby titles at Twickenham, before representing Hartpury in the Championship. Additionally, I was part of the England Sevens World Series squad that secured a bronze in Malaga, and I was selected for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Before joining Chinnor, my fiancée and I traveled to Sydney, Australia, where I played for the West Harbour Pirates in NSW.

I was playing for West Harbour when Nick Easter and Craig Hampson got in touch with an offer to join Chinnor; and so the dream began. The coaching team seemed to have called it right this season, assembling a team comprised

of longer-serving players with a good sprinkling of new blood, resulting in a talented and cohesive group. Many of the older and newer players had a history of playing together, which instilled confidence in our team’s ability. After a truly brilliant 2023/2024 season, it’s exciting to know that our squad is largely intact, with some additions to come.

Pre-season will entail more hard work on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It’s challenging to gauge what players are doing between training sessions, but what we’re aware of is that the Championship is a completely different animal. While the National leagues allow for more room for error, the Championship is different and brutal in terms of how opponents will exploit any mistakes and capitalize on every opportunity. Deficits established by your opponents during matches can be harder to overcome. Accuracy and physicality will naturally play important roles, with accuracy, I believe, being the more crucial. We’ll face more games, including cup matches, in the championship.

We are not without our strengths at Chinnor, and with the backing of such a great club, including our fans, committee, and unsung heroes among our volunteers, it’s onwards and upwards as we head toward the next chapter in our clubs great history!

WARWICK

ALDERSLEY, SUPPORTER,

SUPPLIER & SPONSOR: AKUMA

Akuma has had a great relationship with Chinnor Rugby Club for eight years. As Chinnor has blossomed, our business and partnership have grown too. Chinnor epitomizes values that align closely with ours.

Akuma is in its 16th year, a family-run business with our own factory in the UK. We focus on grassroots sports and have a strong footprint in the UK market, with over 60 staff at our headquarters and an additional factory in Stourbridge. We also have overseas partnerships, providing reliable and highquality service with short

manufacturing lead times. Chinnor and Akuma have great synergy. We deal with grassroots sports and have watched Chinnor’s rise to Championship rugby through the England Rugby pyramid system. Chinnor has done it the right way, and their story is fantastic.

Nick Easter was a fabulous addition to the club’s coaching team. Lawrence Dallaglio, a shareholder at Akuma, often reminds me of Nick’s total commitment to Chinnor. Scott Quinnell’s Butterfly team talk in the School of Hard Knocks I believe would be demonstrative of the passion in Chinnor’s dressing rooms and ground.

We hold strong to our ethos and have walked away from big clubs that didn’t match our values. Lawrence Dallaglio’s involvement brought opportunities with elite clubs, but we prioritize relationships that favour both parties equally. Our focus is on grassroots sports, providing unequalled service, as with Chinnor.

Rugby is my passion. As a former player, I’m honoured to have relationships with clubs like Chinnor, Old Leamingtonians RFC, and Oxford Harlequins RFC. These clubs balance experienced leadership with fresh ideas, preventing stagnation. Chinnor’s consistent management impresses me,

especially with Nick Stainton, the club chairman, who does everything professionally and from the heart.

At Akuma, we brainstormed the new Chinnor shirt, incorporating the map of the region, their year of formation, and postcode. We are very proud of this bespoke kit. Akuma feels embedded in the club, and recent orders for shirts reflect our ongoing commitment.

With a ‘one club, one dream’ ethos like Chinnor RFC’s, and everyone buying into it, success is almost certain. Best wishes to everyone at the club as you enter the next exciting chapter in your history!

“Proudly supporting grass roots rugby!”

JP ROUND, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

MANAGER: CARLSBERG MARSTON’S

Marston’s Beer Company (now Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company) has been a partner of Chinnor Rugby Club for over 10 years, and we are passionate about supporting rugby clubs at all levels. We’re very proud to be associated with this club, delighted with their achievements this season, and excited for the journey ahead. The atmosphere on matchday can be fantastic, especially during those Friday night games, and it’s gratifying to see how drink sales really help to support the club.

Personally, I moved into the area in April 2021, and I’ve loved working with the club throughout this time. I did get some stick from the guys in the early days as I was accused of being a Reading Rams fan because I live in Reading, but I think they have accepted me now. I try to get to the games as often as possible, balancing them with my regular visits to Northampton Saints, whom I have supported for as long as I can remember.

Congratulations to everyone at Chinnor RFC on another outstanding season. Wishing you all the very best of continued success on this exciting next chapter of this great clubs History!

NIGEL BECKETT, SUPPORTER & SPONSOR:

DAF TRUCKS & HTC

DAF’s relationship with Chinnor Rugby Club has been a long-standing one. Back in 2014, we were a club sponsor and displayed our name on the 1st XV’s shorts. Although our sponsorship ran its course, we re-engaged after meeting Nick at the cricket, on day 4 of the Ashes at Edgbaston in 2023. The connection was rekindled, and, via our local DAF dealer HTC, we started to sponsor again.

Last season, we had the pleasure of attending quite a

few of the home games and took full advantage of the excellent hospitality, bringing along some of our employees, dealers, friends & family, and, of course, many customers. The whole experience has been brilliant, always a great atmosphere, especially on the large lunch occasions where there have been over 200 guests. The food is very good, with everyone in our party being suitably impressed!

DAF Trucks manufacture vehicles (trucks). Welcome to DAF – DAF Trucks Ltd, United Kingdom. Our Sales & Marketing office, DAF

HQ, is in Haddenham, which is 5 minutes up the road from Chinnor, and HTC is an independent dealership of DAF trucks selling vehicles, parts, and service as well as having a van sales division.

Chinnor is a great familyfriendly club with a brilliant atmosphere. I grew up in Thame and went to Lord Williams School; we used to train on the pitches at Chinnor, and I even had my 18th birthday party there back in 1997, so I’ve known the club for a very long time. Many of my friends have played there. It’s a great local community

club that holds lots of other events as well as rugby and has a very loyal fan base. Last year worked well for us as many of the other sponsors are our joint customers that purchase DAF vehicles, like ASM, Farols, and GGR Group. It worked so well that we are looking forward to sponsoring again. Chinnor Rugby Club has had an outstanding and historic season. Everyone at DAF and HTC Group feels that as the club gained promotion when DAF & HTC became sponsors, our relationship can only be described as a very successful one!

QDOS EVENT HIRE Event infrastructure specialist Qdos Event Hire has been working with Chinnor Rugby Club for more than 5 years across its minis, junior and senior teams to enable large one-off events and support increased footfall on match days.

This season Qdos designed and built the bespoke Try Line Suite and Terrace for Chinnor Rugby Club. Utilising its QVue range it features floor to ceiling glass panels, a 2.5-metre-high viewing terrace created with CTX balconies and a separate bar area. The interior is finished to a high standard with a vinyl floor, heating, air conditioning and LED lighting. Positioned pitch side, access to the terrace area is via two staircases conveniently located at either end of the suite. It has the capacity to accommodate 20-40 guests on match days and has proved a huge hit with club supporters.

James Thomas, managing director of Qdos Event Hire comments: “The club came to us before the start of the 2023/24 season as it was looking to make improvements to its infrastructure, with a view to supporting its on-field ambitions. To be a part of the club’s incredible season and watch them go on to win the National One Championship and secure promotion has been amazing. We can’t wait to build on their success.”

Nick Stainton, chairman of Chinnor RFC adds: “The Qdos Try Line Suite and Terrace made a significant impression, improving the match day experience with an enclosed space for entertaining and the impressive terrace for a heightened view of the action on the pitch. We’ve embarked on many projects over the years but none have had such an immediate positive impact.”

FRAN

RONAN,

PLAYER & HEAD OF COMMUNITY

Originally from Hexham, I now reside in Thame and travelled to the area for university at Oxford Brookes some years back. I originally started playing rugby at age 13. My family is very Welsh-oriented, so rugby is important to us all. My brother played rugby, and I used to watch him. I thought it was a cool sport and wanted to be like him. I was also a rower at school, and some of the girls from my other brother’s year group started an after-school rugby club for girls. So, I and just one other girl turned up. We were invited to go down to the local rugby club, loved it, and never really looked back.

After my scholarship took me to Brookes Uni, I didn’t really enjoy the rowing environment anymore, so I played more rugby and absolutely loved it for all that it offers: the playing of the actual sport, the people, and what it gives back to you.

My involvement with Chinnor started during Covid. Having originally set up a women’s rugby team at Oxford Rugby Club to get more students playing, the guy who ran the bar there had moved to Chinnor. During the pandemic, we went to visit him for coffee when it was okay to meet outside. We sat on some benches outside the club, chatting. I didn’t really know or had heard of the club much before; it just wasn’t on my radar. Richard Thorpe was DOR, and he popped over for a chat. He made a good impression on me and my friends and said, “Oh, you coach women’s rugby; would you like to coach a women’s team here?” I said possibly. About a month later, I thought it was the right time to make the move and start a rugby team at Chinnor. It all took off very quickly, as did our success. The team

recruited itself as there was an appetite from everyone to do something new, a kind of reset; the rest is history.

Our first ever Kites match was a year or so later, where we did a doubleheader with the Colts, who played first, and then with the Kites competing against an Oxfordshire team. Over 500 people arrived, eventually having to stop the gates because of the volume of supporters coming through to watch on a Friday night. We subsequently remained unbeaten all season and gained promotion.

Last season, we had some turnover, which brought in many new players. Although not all results went our way, we still managed to stay up in our league. Numbers have grown massively with a full squad and great attendance at training, with many staying behind for food and socializing. Socially, this year has been incredible, and next season is looking very positive. As we finished last season, we had over 100 women and girls registered at Chinnor, up from 2020 when we only had seven girls on our books.

The exposure women’s rugby enjoys in the media is great, with more ladies empowered to just have a go. Getting our environment right is essential to make our players comfortable and loving the people and the club. Chinnor Rugby Club really sells itself. I fell in love with Chinnor the first time I arrived. I know it sounds cheesy, but it was so welcoming and so open to developing, as it wants to grow and get better. I’ve been in clubs before that resisted change, whereas Chinnor is the opposite. Everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, wants to see it grow and improve across the whole club because we are a community. We want to keep that family feel, which for me is such an important thing.

I’ve retired a few times from rugby but always got drawn back in. Last season, I started playing until a nasty ankle break in the 60th minute ended my ability to continue for the season. Eleven weeks later, I’m still in a leg boot, not quite walking properly yet. I hope to return to playing once healed, as I’m missing my rugby a lot.

I recently stepped into the role of Head of Community at Chinnor, which is a fulltime role involving making

sure the club gets the right exposure. It’s taking me a little while to get going and to build relationships, but we have run some very good local sports days. Essentially, it’s me and Morgan, who is in the 3rd team, traveling around offering coaching. Our most prominent project now is wheelchair rugby, setting up a junior team in partnership with Stoke Mandeville Maulers Wheelchair Rugby. Stoke Mandeville has a spinal injury team with a senior rugby squad in their own stadium but had no junior team. So, we jumped on that and decided to start a team that will be in the local secondary school sports hall, only 100 meters down the road from the hospital, which is ideal. Early on and at the end of July, we will have our first taster days. We have teams all the way through from M&Js to senior rugby at Chinnor, and to add wheelchair rugby to that is something quite amazing. I am passionate about attracting people to our club from Thame who haven’t been here before. Many people I’ve spoken to weren’t aware that you could just walk into the rugby club if you weren’t a member. We want it to be open for everyone and to be more of a community hub. What drew me to Chinnor Rugby Club was how refreshing it was that from the top down, everyone wanted it to grow, succeed, and develop into a bigger and better club. The positivity around all that really attracted me. Almost everyone I’ve met at the club is willing to help each other, so the sense of camaraderie, support, and its ability to be forward-thinking is magnificent, and everyone buys into it. The club has personally been very kind to me and is just full of amazing people. It really feels like home to me!

EMMA CANTER, NONEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & REPRESENTATIVE FOR

THE KITES

I grew up in SW London and attended Oxford Brookes University. I then lived in Haddenham, just down the road from Chinnor, for a few years post-university. After traveling at home and overseas for four years, I eventually stayed put in the local area for the last 11 years.

My connection with Chinnor started through my 17-year-old son, Will. When I returned from the US, he was six years old. Not being a round ball family but more egg-shaped enthusiasts and Northampton Saints fans, we wanted to integrate into our local community and rugby. So, one Sunday morning, I took Will to the fabulous Chinnor Rugby Club, and we have been there ever since!

I quickly decided that standing on the sidelines with a cup of tea was enjoyable, but I also wanted to become more involved. I became the team admin for his age group, but after four years, I felt I needed a change and attempted to resign. Subsequently, I was talked into becoming the club’s Youth Secretary, covering all age groups. As we were entering into the pandemic, I decided it was not the right time to stop my role with the club. Within weeks of stepping down, I was approached by Simon and Nick, who said they really didn’t want me to go and asked if I would consider joining the board. From a personal development perspective, it interested me greatly, so I accepted. I thought and knew what a great place Chinnor RFC was and had experienced, and I was glad to have a position that allowed me to feel connected without the rigidity of having to be at the club every Sunday.

Will and the family were absolutely gutted when a serious wrist fracture while playing rugby meant he had to hang up his boots and stop playing his other great love, clay pigeon shooting, just at the start of Covid. Shortly afterward, he was talent-spotted for the British Clay Shooting Team through its pathway and made the tough decision to give up club rugby, although he still plays at school, for shooting. Ironically, this week, now that we are chatting, he has just been selected to represent GB at the Junior World Cup in July, softening the blow of having to stop playing rugby. Running my own

business in leadership and development means that I am not always working in a team. I spend time with businesses and then leave afterward, so this role at Chinnor provides team involvement in a good and different way. As the board rep for the Kites and being a 40-something-year-old, rugby was never an option for me in my formative years. It wasn’t a sport that girls played, and I felt that females were less encouraged to contribute. So, the opportunity to represent the Kites and the Girls has been very important to me in terms of offering and creating opportunities for girls transitioning into rugby.

My background in HR comes with knowledge and experience of discrimination and other more serious matters. There is a passion in me to enable women in the club to be seen as equals and not to be ignored or dismissed. From a board membership perspective, there is a big weight on my shoulders in some respects, in terms of wanting to represent the women that play rugby in our club in a way that ensures they have an equal voice.

The other piece of my role, which is newer, is what we do in the community. We go into schools and offer rugby coaching in state and private schools, more importantly from a state school perspective, as they wouldn’t often have access to rugby, particularly in primary schools, without us offering what we do. That, for me, is quite important because when we inherit the sports, we end up playing from our teenage years into adulthood, if we have had earlier experiences at primary school, it is very valuable for kids who wouldn’t have had access to rugby otherwise. So, it is vital. We also run camps during holidays with two lenses to that. One is the normal parent-paid multiactivity or rugby camp for their children, and the other is for half camps, which is a resource for children who are on free school meals to ensure they are still getting

access to a decent lunch during holidays. We offer that during summer, Christmas, and Easter holidays, paid for by the council, which we run on their behalf. This is a great way for us to give back to our community, not just offering children access to a decent meal but an introduction to a sport that they may never play. All of this is carried out at Chinnor RFC.

We also run projects like the launch of a junior wheelchair rugby team in conjunction with Stoke Mandeville Hospital, and we are always looking at grants and funding opportunities to help us do more. One of our recent endeavours was the creation of a heritage video around our club history with access to a community focus to explain how the behindthe-scenes resources are so important.

People often ask me about being a board member at Chinnor. Outside the rugby community, there is often an assumption that I am in a paid role, but my role is completely voluntary, and 99.9% of what we do is based on volunteers. Our pitches are maintained by our Friday Club, none of whom receive any form of payment. I think that’s what draws me and a lot of people to the club, in terms of how we rally as a group of individuals and are committed to a club which is not about ego or return but about wanting to do the right thing that enables us to be successful. And yes, we have got some things wrong, but we have always tried our best in the circumstances. If I felt I was the only one giving as much as I was with no payback, although I do receive payback because it is incredibly rewarding watching all our teams play, you just wouldn’t do it.

I do describe Chinnor as my second family. I had a bereavement earlier this year, and the people that rallied around me when they heard of my loss were really touching; none of them had to do that, but because we care and want to hold each other through difficult times, they did. That’s what Chinnor Rugby Club is all about for me!

MIKE HUGHES, FORMER PLAYER, BOARD MEMBER & SPONSOR: CPM

I moved from London to Buckinghamshire in the early ‘90s. Having played most of my rugby in London previously, I was looking for a new club to join. After trying a few other local clubs, I settled on Chinnor, arriving with my boots in ‘95 and playing there until 2010 in my usual “ gnarly hooker position” and enjoying every minute of it. Hooker is the best position on the field, and I absolutely loved it. You’re meant to be a bit of a footballer, although I wasn’t, not to mention the one-to-one combat with your opposite number. Throughout my time at Chinnor, I had the honour of turning out for the Vets, 4s, 3s, and 2s until I hung up my boots at age 45 having become more of a liability than an asset. I still miss it to this day.

Afterwards, I became a spectator for a year or so. Not fancying refereeing, my employer CPM became a leading sponsor, and I was asked to join the board in 2012, where I became involved in the management of the club.

Last season, I attended most of the games, both home and away. What stood out for me from our previous campaigns was the brilliance of both our attacking and defensive plays. Our backs were completely honed, and our defence stood out magnificently compared to earlier years. Depending on who you are, you will naturally have different perspectives, but for me, there was a period in one match when we played RAMs under floodlights at Kingsey Rd. RAMs are an excellent and well-organized outfit who at the time had us on our five-meter line. It felt like forever, but in real time, it was about 10 minutes or so, maybe more. We just held our line, turned the ball over in the end, and cleared with a kick. I’ve seen us defend that way throughout the whole season. What Nick Easter and his coaching team brought to our side was a simplicity around the way they wanted Chinnor to play, with everyone understanding the moves, resulting in a amazing defensive displays. It was Sir Clive Woodward who said, “Defences win Games!”

For me, next season will naturally offer us more challenges. Personally, I don’t necessarily have an ambition around our finishing position in the league, but I want us to be competitive, and I believe we can be. We have huge respect for all of the clubs in

the Championship, both in terms of their own playing ability and leadership.

I had to pinch myself when we became Champions. I was in Birmingham when we won the league and was in a daze for a day or more. National One is a super difficult league to get out of. RAMs pushed us all the way, which we knew would be the case, with the possibility of slipping up being ever-present. The game at Blackheath is an example. There was a lot of anxiety offfield that day, something that was not apparent amongst our players, who held strong in their individual abilities and in how collectively they wanted to play the game.

When I joined the Board in 2012, we were in National 2 and then promoted to National 1. This was a difficult period for our club, as our much-loved physio Lauren Cyster was diagnosed with cancer shortly after our promotion and sadly passed away within weeks, bringing a real tinge of sadness to the club and all that knew what a special person and contributor she had been to Chinnor Rugby Club.

Chinnor are only a little local community club that relies on volunteers and have volumes of people who care about our club environment. So, to now see us in the Championship is quite an amazing thing to experience. From every level of our club: M&Js all the way to our senior men’s and women’s teams, there is great energy around the place.

Last season, I watched some games at the local Lord Williams school. There are a fair number of Colts who are the sons of guys that I played with back in the day. All of their lads were playing for the same Lord Williams 1st XV in a school cup competition that was played at Chinnor. It was just great to see all the dads there watching their sons playing together; a wonderful generational moment to witness. Those dads that I had the pleasure of playing with subsequently passed the baton of their own experience and got involved in coaching their own lads from the minis up through to colts. Rugby relies on this continuing to occur, and it requires a lot of time and effort, but people do it because they love being part of the community. My youngest daughter’s godfather is a guy called Mike Bambrook, a great friend of mine that I met at Chinnor, just another example of the lifelong bonds you can form.

For me, what makes Chinnor Rugby Club such a

special place is the people. People make communities, and we enjoy each other’s company whilst building a successful club. Success builds success, and we have momentum on and off the field, which comes from the people, whether it’s The Friday Club, the clubhouse staff, or the players who are all very prominent in the club with the kids. In Birmingham, we had some of our junior teams doing the tunnel, and when we won the cup and the 1st XV were singing their song “Chinnor’s on Fire” whilst carrying the boombox up the pitch, they got all the U12s & U13s to huddle with them. A very real image of who Chinnor Rugby Club is and where we are!

“Delighted to be associated with the Champions!”

ROSS BATTING, SUPPORTER & SPONSOR: 3B VEHICLE HIRE

Many years ago, Chinnor Rugby Club approached our company while looking for a van to support the transfer of kit to away games. This relationship has evolved over the years, with 3B now providing a range of vehicles, including minibuses, to the club. We have always enjoyed our relationship with the club and have also sponsored the women’s team.

Last season was an outstanding achievement for everyone associated with the club. Chinnor truly offers a great, friendly atmosphere for anyone wishing to spend time there. Success on the field has noticeably increased attendance numbers; however, this has not diminished the laid-back, family-friendly vibe they exude. It’s just a great way to spend your afternoon or evening!

Vehicle rental is an essential, but often unseen, part of the national economy. Often viewed as purely for holiday travel or house moving, vehicle rental

actually plays a vital role in the mobility of the nation. Vehicle rental provides the vehicles that deliver our nation’s supplies, offering cover for fleets when they have downtime, and crucially filling the gap for short-term solutions for businesses.

3B Hire is a family-run business established for 22 years. We love supporting local SMEs, individuals, and organizations. We also provide short- and longerterm fleet rentals to the likes of the NHS, Royal Mail, and various housing trusts. We hire a range of cars, vans, and minibuses from as little as 1 day to 12 months rental.

Chinnor RFC is such a great club to support and sponsor, and they have a loyal local fanbase. They are also very active in the local community, which ticks a lot of boxes for us as a business. Their success is well deserved and makes it easy for us to raise our profile as a sponsor. Myself and everyone at 3B Vehicle Hire would like to wish everyone at the club all the very best of continued success in the Championship next season!

Devonport Services Rugby Club

Double Winners! Regional 1 South West Champions & Devon Senior Cup winners 2023/2024!

LT (MESM) FRASER PEARSON

RN, HONORARY

SECRETARY: “A CULTURE OF INCLUSION, UPHELD BY A DEDICATED TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS!”

I began my journey with Devonport Services RFC in 1988, introduced by my line manager after joining the Royal Navy in 1987. Initially, the club was exclusively for service members. However, in 1994, it opened its doors to civilians, evolving into an inclusive community. Having had the honor of playing at Twickenham for the Navy against the Army on three occasions, I retired from playing in 2016 at the age of 48. Serving as Club Captain since 2013, I assumed the role of Honorary Secretary in January 2021. Devonport Services RFC operates uniquely, with the Chair appointed by the Devonport Naval Base Commander, while the Secretary is elected by club members. Looking ahead, we aspire to enhance the performance of our Ladies team, an area ripe for development. Recently, we’ve employed a Colts coach to nurture our homegrown talent, aiming to develop players to excel in senior rugby.

A GLIMPSE INTO OUR HISTORY

Established in 1904 as a rugby club for British Armed Forces, Devonport Services RFC played at The Rectory Field in Devonport, Plymouth. In its heyday, it counted among the nation’s elite clubs, facing off against renowned teams like Bristol, Bath, Northampton, Cardiff, Swansea, and Gloucester. Noteworthy encounters include matches against international teams such as the USA, New

Zealand, Argentina, and Canada. Transitioning from a military-only club in 1994, we welcomed youth teams, enriching our talent pool.

The club’s emblem, featuring the Lion of the Army, a Naval crown, and the Royal Air Force eagle, with the club’s name on a ribbon, reflects our military heritage. Dubbed ‘The Sporting Blues’ by a local newspaper in 1909, we maintain a strong affiliation with the Royal Navy Rugby Union.

OUR PRESENT

Currently, we nurture youth teams from under 7s to under 16s, including girls’ teams at various age levels. Our senior teams comprise 1sts, 2nds, and 3rds, alongside a Ladies team and Colts, with occasional veterans’ fixtures.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND ASPIRATIONS

With three promotions in six years, our 1st team has soared from level 7 to level 4, securing the Devon Senior Cup. Looking ahead to the 2024/25 season, our focus is on consolidating our level 4 status and aspiring to promote the 2nd team to level 7.

EMPOWERING

WOMEN IN RUGBY

Devonport Services Ladies, formerly known as the ‘Sirens,’ were reestablished in 2018, fostering female participation through initiatives like the Inner Warrior program. Today, our Ladies team boasts 25 members, with several earning representative honors, including Gemma Flowers, Emily Park, Megan Musgrave, and Sam Alderson.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Our youth section, initiated in 1994, has flourished, boasting 325 registered players across 13 age groups, including four girls’ teams. This vibrant segment not only feeds talent into our senior sides but also contributes to representative and academy rugby.

“Triumph at Twickenham: Devonport Services U13 Boys & Devonport Services U16 Girls Victorious!”

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

At Devonport Services RFC, community outreach is a recurring agenda item, reflecting our commitment to service charities and local businesses. Our sponsors play a pivotal role, ensuring the club’s sustainability and success both on and off the field.

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION

Behind our achievements lies a dedicated cadre of volunteers, the lifeblood of our club. Their unwavering commitment ensures the smooth functioning of operations, enriching the experience for players and spectators alike.

Volunteer Names:

• Pete Jewell

• Kieran Leach

• Andy MacBeath

• Dicky Duffield

• Paige Brown

• Jim Moss

• Dave Oakley

• Charlie Rowlands-Stewart

• Steve Hilland

• Joe Page

• Mark Busfield

• Kim Hilland

• Mike Yeats

• Rachel Piercy

DAN SYMONS, SUPPORTER & SPONSOR: GREENLIGHT SAFETY & TRAINING

I am from Plymouth, and it was really through Olli’s involvement that I first became involved. When my son reached Colt’s rugby level, he transferred over to Services Rugby Club. Olli, who plays in the front row & prop position, has been involved with the club since the age of 16. I have followed him on his journey over the past five years, including his progression into the 1st XV at just 18 years old. I’m very proud and chuffed for him. He has worked exceptionally hard to get where he is today and was selected as Player’s Player of the Year 2023/2024! I have loved watching Olli and his progression, understanding of rugby and development as a leader.

Last season was outstanding for Services Rugby Club the team have all grown individually and collectively as a unit. The results reflected this as they finished their season as Champions and Cup winners. My company, Greenlight Safety & Training, has also had the honour of sponsoring the club for the past five years, which has been great. Devonport Services Rugby Club has always had a very friendly atmosphere whenever I have visited the ground. It seems that the members leave their stresses and worries behind them when they enter the club, exuding high spirits, contentment, and happiness, which is great to see.

Next season is obviously going to be a massive challenge, but alongside that, it offers huge value in the learning opportunities it will provide the players and the club. From my perspective, I hope they remain in this much tougher league. However, I don’t see any downsides to whatever the outcome may be, as the time spent in the National leagues will give them invaluable experience they wouldn’t otherwise have. The strong bonds and loyalty the players have for each other will definitely serve them well. I wish everyone at the club all the very best of enjoyment and success as they head towards the 2024/2025 campaign!

Babcock International Group (Babcock) is an international defence company. While our reach is global, playing an active part in supporting our local communities as a major employer is important to us. In Plymouth, where our Devonport facility is located and a number of our people live and work, we proudly support a number of local organisations, including Devonport Services Rugby Club.

As a long-term supporter of the club, we are delighted to be a small part of its success this season. From senior men’s and women’s rugby to the junior and girls’ teams, the club provides an important service to people of all ages throughout Plymouth.

This season, the club’s senior men’s team has achieved remarkable success, adding both the league and cup titles to their impressive list of accolades. In fact, it’s been fantastic to see that across the club growth and achievement have touched all teams and age groups.

It’s great to see the club being recognised for its exceptional contribution to rugby across the UK. Congratulations to the club, its members, and its supporters on their outstanding contributions to rugby football and we wish everyone continued success for many more seasons to come!

MICK QUICK, SUPPORTER & SPONSOR: TECH SURVEYS EPC

I’m from Plymouth and an ex-Army member, so when my nephew Taylor, who is in the Navy, was playing for Services in a Boxing Day match while back home on leave, I decided to pop down and support him and his team. I also know other members, including some of the women from the women’s team who were looking for sponsors, so I started sponsoring them, which led on to sponsoring the 1st XV.

The club is absolutely full of great people and offers a real family community, so I’m very proud to be a sponsor. They have a broad spectrum of businesses that support them, recognizing how the club contributes so much to its members and the wider community.

On the pitch this season, in the games I attended, I couldn’t fault the dedication and quality of the teams’ performances. The club offers three sponsors’ days a year, which I really appreciate,

providing great food and a few pints while getting to meet other sponsors and business leaders, culminating in an outstanding and enjoyable experience. I usually bring along some of my ex-Army friends, who also thoroughly enjoy themselves.

My company, Tech Surveys, has been very proud sponsors for the past three years now, which we very much enjoy. For me, Devonport Services Rugby Club is like a large family that provides the excitement of rugby combined with a fabulous environment. Everyone is very welcoming, making an effort to mingle and chat with each other, from the management, players, members, sponsors, and fans. Services are a very well-organized club and know what they are doing in terms of running a large club and making you feel part of it. I would like to wish everyone at the club the best of continued success for next season and hopefully another promotion; the sooner we are playing Albion, the better!

YOUR LOCAL, PLYMOUTH BASED, FAMILY-RUN COMPANY SPECIALISING IN:

“Delighted to be associated with the success of Devonport Services RFC!”

LOUIS DULLING, FORMER JUNIOR-COLTS

PLAYER, SUPPORTER & SPONSOR: DC PLANNING CONSULTANTS

I grew up in Torpoint, just across the Tamar, and I am very local to the club— literally one hundred meters away—so I can enjoy some of the Colts games from my bedroom window and front garden. The club is well-respected and known in Plymouth and the surrounding areas. The first time I heard of it was when my gran, Joan Waldron, told me about her late husband, my grandfather Arthur John Waldron, and his rugby career. Arthur was in the Royal Navy, where he played for his Navy team as captain, playing for Services while at home on leave and for their second team. He famously lost both his front teeth playing, predating gum shield requirements, I imagine.

From the age of 12 to 14, I was encouraged to go down to the club by a friend who didn’t want to go alone. I ended up playing 2nd row for a very successful team, winning both league and cup over that same period.

Living so close to the club, I naturally attended as many home games as possible with my wife Sophie and our son Arlo, who is 8 years old. We watch senior men’s and women’s games. Sophie is a teacher at a local school, so many of her students and former students play in some of the teams, be it Colts, 2nds, or 3rds. We have been sponsoring the club for around four seasons, which includes a former student of

www.dcplanningconsultants.co.uk

Sphie`s who is a current 1st XV player.

This season, all the teams I’ve watched have been playing a fast and exciting brand of rugby, which is great to see. It was apparent that the players were competing with a high level of confidence and identity this season, especially noticeable since the 1st XV are just newly promoted.

My family and I have always been made to feel welcome from the first day we entered the club.

As spectators with no real connections at the time, we were welcomed with open arms. One of the 1st team players came to Arlo’s birthday, as he has a son of a similar age and therefore other relationships with others at the club have been formed, I can’t speak highly enough about the club as a whole.

My business is a very proud to be a sponsor of Services. DC Planning Consultants offers planning permission services for individuals and companies throughout the

South West, with clients further afield in London and Manchester.

The biggest takeaway for me with Devonport Services Rugby Club is the people and their great nature of inclusivity. What sets Services apart from many other clubs, at their level, is that they clearly play for the pride of the shirt and the history attached to it. Its absolutely fabulous what the club has achieved based on that sense of pride; long may their success continue!

Arthur John Waldron “Wally”. Born 11.9.25, he would have been 18 in this picture. It depicts him as second team captain for his Navy team (holding the ball). The Quote on the back of the picture reads: “These were my happy days - the days of my youth, when I was fascinated by the greatest sport of England - Ruggers - may I never forget! Played 26, Won 24, drew 1 and lost 1.

PAIGE BROWN, TEAM MANAGER, PLAYER & SPONSOR:

FRANCIS STUART

I was born and raised locally and am a current player for the Services Ladies team, as well as being Team Manager and sponsor across two businesses. Before my involvement with the club, I can honestly say I hated rugby and was a rower growing up—no contact sports whatsoever. Many of my male friends played rugby, so they would go up to Albion and Services, but I didn’t really know about the club and how big it was. One of my friends played in a tournament at the club, and I went into the bar to grab a drink. I got chatting with one of the ladies’ team players, got on with her really well, and she invited me down to try it out. I started playing from there at age 21. Initially, it took quite an adjustment for the first month or two, but I have now just completed my sixth season and absolutely love it!

Typically, I started on the wing, and for the last few seasons, I have been a utility player, playing everywhere apart from 9 and 10. In the last game of last season, I played wing and then loose head, which is quite a significant positional difference, so I’m front row trained as well! One of the things I find different in ladies’ rugby is the less disparity amongst playing positions. I could never imagine playing rugby, but now I just want to play every chance I get. I seem to have become an advocate of the game—there is such a wide range of people who play. You don’t have to be a particular shape or size either. Our youngest player in our squad is 18, and the oldest is 44. Such a wide range of stages of development, ages, and experiences—it’s brilliant.

Last season, we had a strong season, finishing 4th in our league, which we feel is great for a team only formed in 2018. This has included growth, growing pains, and a reduction in players, so this season we were very focused on increasing numbers. We fulfilled all fixtures with good points on the board and introduced players who had their first taste of the sport while others had played for the Navy at Twickenham! Getting everyone on the same page was our aim, resulting in a successful season.

Next season, our goal is to win the league! Preseason is nearly upon us. We class the 2023/2024 campaign as our building year. Previously changing the team and management which naturally creates disruption. So this year we feel we are on a firmer footing, our aim is to capitalize on all the hard work we have previously put in.

It’s really nice that our ladies’ team has such a positive community feel about it. We support each other, and although we may go to different gyms, we make the effort to partner up in small groups, which is great fun and valuable for motivation and overall fitness outcomes.

My main gym partners are our flanker and front row player, which is interesting to see the difference in types of training to suit different fitness levels and witness the improvements. The flanker is building muscle, and our prop is getting faster and leaner.

Francis Stuart, ran and founded by Stuart Donnington, has been a sponsor for three years, along with my own property investment company.

There are many reasons why I enjoy spending time at Devonport Services Rugby

Club, but I would say its unity and diversity are some of the main ones. With so many different people from a multitude of backgrounds, it’s never boring. You’re always going to speak to someone interesting, and it has a really nice sense of community. As a

player, it’s a great environment, and as a sponsor, it’s the same. It has a great balance of being a very traditional club while also being open and inclusive. For example, it’s nice having the ladies’ team there—sometimes clubs can struggle to position their own ladies’ team, but Devonport Services offers a lot of support and good intentions toward our team. It’s also great to see our men’s team playing and setting such a high standard for the whole club with deep friendships and unity among players and coaches. Services also provide opportunities to play at different levels, which includes youth rugby, offering variety across main teams and age groups, supported with great facilities.

Myself, our managing director Stuart, and all our staff would like to congratulate all the members, parents, players, volunteers and fans on another outstanding season and wishing everyone at Devonport Services Rugby Club the very best of continued success for many more seasons to come!

MARK & JULIE BRAMWELL, SUPPORTERS & SPONSORS: PLYM PAT TESTING

Our journey to Devonport Services Rugby Club is not a typical one, as we previously had no real rugby or military connection. It all started with a last-minute holiday to Perranporth, Cornwall, in August 2002. Having never been to the South West before, the children absolutely loved it so much that they wanted us to move there, which at the time Julie & I felt was totally unrealistic.

Our three girls and a boy, aged 3 to 14, kept insisting, and we felt that we had to do something about it because of their excitement about the sun, sand, and everything associated with their experience on our family holiday.

We are originally from South Yorkshire, from a town called Rawmarsh where Julie grew up, and I spent a lot of time there in my teenage years. As parents, we painted the bleakest picture, emphasizing that they wouldn’t know anyone, we would have to find schools, and having 3 teenage girls, they would need to be chaperoned. Despite this, they were not swayed.

Eventually, I went against the grain and bit the bullet. I returned south during the Easter holidays of 2004 and took an office job for six months, commuting early Monday morning and returning on Friday for about three months. Although we loved Cornwall, we were aware of how isolated it could be, so Plymouth, a built-up area, suited us much better.

It offered more employment opportunities and better schooling for the kids. It also gave us the best of both worlds, having grown up in Yorkshire where we were used to living close to the countryside but also near local towns.

Now, living in Plym Valley in the woods only 5 miles from town, it’s like a home from home. We started with a 12-month action plan. Initially, we rented and were aware that we had support from family and parents, so we knew we could return North at any time. But we thought, you know what, we’re finding our feet, so let’s just move here! I made a promise to my second oldest daughter, Natasha, that I would get her to Devon for her 13th birthday, which is on July 29th, and I got her down on July 28th with one day to spare!

Ultimately, everything went like clockwork, and we haven’t looked back since. The rest is history, as they say.

My journey with the rugby club started with one of my customers, Francis Stuart, who asked if I would be interested in sponsoring players with my business, Plym Pat Testing. Wanting to give back to the community, I said yes!

I have to say, I knew nothing about rugby at the time—no rugby knowledge or experience whatsoever.

So, after speaking with Paige Brown and Gemma Flowers, we started our sponsorship by supporting these two ladies for our first season. We attended matches sporadically, and then in the 2023/2024 season, our sponsorship shifted with Gemma returning to her Navy career and Paige being sponsored by her company. We decided we still wanted to support the club. A conversation then ensued where Julie and I were invited along to the club. The ultimate outcome was that even though it is my business that sponsors the club, we found that everyone treated Julie and myself with such regard as a couple. Wherever I am, there is Julie and vice-versa. I could see that everyone at the club engaged with my wife just as much as they did with me, which impressed me no end and made me reflect on what a great club Services were. This was very important to me and everything I had wanted.

We were subsequently invited to pick some lads to sponsor. Keep in mind, we knew nothing about rugby, so choosing based on ability wasn’t going to be easy! Eventually, we settled on four players: Rikki Bentham, Dan Goldstone, Shaun Crawford, and Freddy Davies, who

subsequently left. This led us to become avid followers of the team. The interaction, environment, and atmosphere really swept us up and everyone was so positive it felt like we had been part of this new family for years, and all we had done was sponsor four lads!

As the season progressed, we increased our sponsorship as and when needed, including shirt and matchball sponsorship as well as team travel for the club’s away games. As previously mentioned, we are all about supporting our local community. Having started Plym Pat Testing in April 2014, we have grown into a thriving business supported by the community, so we felt it was only right to give back so that other individuals who could then reap the rewards of our success. It’s so important to take an interest in others, value them, and invest in their futures. Having come from a background where we didn’t have much, I guess I’m motivated to give back more than I received growing up. It’s also worth noting that the club never asked us for anything; we decided to make that gesture based on our total enjoyment of the whole club experience!

The amount of appreciation we receive from the players

post-match, who often know our names even when we might not know theirs, is heartwarming and overwhelming. It’s also helped Julie, who works full-time for our business and had previously been a stay-at-home mum raising our children, Emma, Natasha, Matthew, and Rachel. Rachel is getting married in July and now works for the family business.

While I was away working, Julie was constantly cooking, cleaning, organizing and taking care of our family, so her external life became limited, especially whilst the children were growing up. Now that the children are living their own lives and have our grandkids running around, Julie has found more time to spread her wings. This has been helped by the lads at the club who

have helped her really come out of her shell, bringing her newfound confidence, which is great for me to see. At a recent club dinner, I was talking to one of the lads at the bar and said to my friend, “I wonder where Julie is,” and he pointed over towards a bunch of players. There she was, right in the middle, confidently chatting away with them all and enjoying their company. She obviously felt very comfortable, which was the biggest thing for me—to see how happy she was, which, as her husband, made me very happy too. It was also very kind of the club to gift us tickets to Twickenham at the end of last year, which we thoroughly enjoyed.

Next season, we have committed to increasing our sponsorship with regular contributions over the course of the 2024/25 season, which I feel will help with forecasting inevitable expenses. For me, Devonport Services RFC deserve recognition and support as they embark on

“Very proud Sponsors of Devonport Services Rugby Club. Well done on an outstanding 2023/2024 Season!”

another exciting part of their journey. The passion and commitment from players and coaches alike are clearly visible. This aligns with my own company’s values, which are about clarity and transparency. With Devonport Services Rugby Club, there is a whole rationale for why we feel so much a part of this great club and don’t feel like visitors anymore. Anywhere in the ground, we could walk together or on our own and be acknowledged by someone who takes the time to say hello or stop for a chat. It is a very safe and completely friendly environment. From the committee, clubhouse team, and players, nothing is too much for them, whether it’s accommodating Julie’s dietary requirements or going that extra mile for any simple request they are always on the ball. The club’s attention to detail is not an isolated occurrence. For Julie and me, there is no better place to spend time amongst our newfound friends and family at this outstanding club!

& SPONSOR:

HYDREF ACCOUNTING LTD

I used to live in Plymouth, when I graduated from university and where my sister Fran and brother-inlaw, James Kelly, live. It’s also where I was introduced to the rugby club through them. When I moved to Bristol, my sister went on to have three boys, John Jo, Ethan & Mikey, who all ended up taking up the oval ball. That was no surprise, really, because my brother-inlaw is a real rugby fanatic. He helps with coaching the boys through the age grades and also worked, pre-Covid, with the RNRU. It’s just so nice that my nephews grew up in that strong rugby family environment with the support of their community around them. The boys have always been so keen and passionate about going to training, and it’s been heartwarming to see the extended family in the household, girlfriends, wives, and friends, all being part of the rugby family too. Even though I moved out of the area, I’m still very much in touch with them all and the club.

My nephews’ journeys have been fabulous to be part of, with Ethan, my middle nephew, gaining honours for the county. I also have many other family and friends who live down in Plymouth, so when my brother-in-law asked me to sponsor my youngest nephew Mikey, a formidable front row player, I was thrilled. As his auntie, I could really see his enthusiasm and commitment to the sport. When I first saw Mikey playing front row early in the season,

I was a little overwhelmed watching him play in such a dominant position among these huge strong players while facing opposition front row who were equally powerful. I guess there isn’t any other way to gain that type of experience other than getting in amongst it. His commitment resulted in him having a very good season. I always enjoy checking in with social media and seeing all the images of them holding their shiny cups and comments about how well the teams are doing.

I tend to drive the one and a half hours to Plymouth fairly often over the course of the year and will be traveling again soon for James’ 60th birthday, followed a few weeks later by my mum’s 80th, so Plymouth is really like our family home to me. My two girls’ nan lives there, so from when they were small, we would often make the trip.

In the games I saw this season, which were all full-

on rugby, the thing that impressed me was that players who weren’t playing were still very encouraging of the on-field team. It’s evident to me that a lot of members put in a huge amount of commitment and time towards the club and its continued development. It must take a lot of preparation, training, and coaching to play at such a high level for a full 80 minutes.

Hydref Accounting is a very proud club sponsor, and as a company, we offer businesses access to experienced finance professionals when they are perhaps not quite ready to recruit. This can include training and guidance with

software and cloud-based platforms that they may not have had experience with. I would like to finish off by saying that in my experience, Devonport Services Rugby Club is a great club that is very inclusive and goes out of their way to make everybody feel involved and welcome while encouraging you to be the best version of yourself. Their family ethos and support are second to none and go well beyond what happens on the pitch. It’s great to hear they are featuring so prominently in Rugby Club Magazine, and I wish them all the very best of continued success for many more years to come!

Fractional Finance Director Services

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There comes a time when a business needs more than a bookkeeper even if they are supported by the external accountant. Bridging the gap in financial leadership by appointing a fractional FD gives the business time to make longer term decisions knowing the immediate need for support is covered.

RIKKI DOWN, SUPPORTER & SPONSOR: REX DOWN FISH MERCHANTS

I attended most home matches last season, only missing when my boy Aiden was playing. Aiden, who usually plays as a front-row hooker, has just come out of the colts and will be playing senior rugby this year if selected. I’m from Plymouth and played, usually as tight head, against the school that’s next door to Services. A few of my friends also played for the club, although that was many moons ago.

Aiden was never a footballer, so around the age of 5, I thought it would be a good idea to introduce him to rugby. He took to it straight away, initially starting with another club’s rugby tots before joining Services the following year at age 6.

In my opinion and experience, Devonport Services is a proper rugby club with a proper rugby club mentality; just as it should

be, no one is ostracized regardless of their skill and ability; there is a place for you at age-grade rugby, whoever you are. Out of this great openness is born some fabulous rugby players. I have watched kids who wouldn’t necessarily strike you as good rugby players turn into fantastic players as they get older. You have to encourage the kids to get involved, and once they take to the sport, over time, their quality will often surface.

I’ve enjoyed the expansive rugby I watched this season with the men’s teams. The forwards are like massive backs—just a group of incredible athletes and players. I watched them playing against Albion at the beginning of the season, and for the first 40 minutes, you couldn’t tell they were two leagues apart. That, for me, set the tone for the season, which they then built on, going from strength to strength, with

Our U16 & U18 girls’ teams together. U16s won the Devon Cup, U18s were runners up in the Devon Plate. The club also have U12 & U14 girl teams.

BRYAN`YODA` MILFORD, PLAYER, COACH & SPONSOR: COMMANDO FORCE AIRSOFT

I was born in Exeter and have lived all around Devon over the course of my life. I initially played rugby at another local club before moving to Services, where I have played since 2016. I still turn out for the Vets or 3rds, usually in the back row, but they generally put me anywhere. I have also coached the U18 girls for the past five years, including my daughter Sophie, who usually plays as scrum half. Many of the girls come from different schools, giving them a wider circle of friends than they would usually have. This will be Sophie’s final season before deciding if she wants to move into the senior side of the game, depending on her pathway and where life takes her. The 2014/2015 season will see the girls train more with the Ladies team, similar to how the colts and men’s sides train, which is

everyone demonstrating real positivity while pushing for that little bit extra from themselves and each other. The 2nd XV had a great season too, with the 3rds competing strongly. Some of the colts from last season came through and are now playing senior rugby regularly in the 2nd and 1st team squads. I sponsor Club Captain Matt Gregory with my business Rex Down, and I can’t fault Matt, the pack, and the overall team’s attitude and performances. Matt epitomizes what Devonport Services are all about. The whole club, all the young players know him, and he has all the time in the world to pass on his knowledge and experience while explaining the reasoning behind his playing and decision-making.

Aiden has really been taken under their wing and encouraged. Being a hooker is not always a sought-after position for players. He had considered giving up rugby to pursue his career as a Marine Engineer with Babcock, with the offer of weekend work available. However, Aiden has been supported to carry on playing rugby, reflecting what a great group of lads Services are.

Last season, it was apparent that the whole team was primed, with very focused rugby-specific fitness sessions in preparation for the challenge ahead, which made a great difference I feel. The squad was easily able to manage the 80 minutes of game time, something you don’t often see in other sports!

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get to the Devon Cup Final historic victory against Exmouth, but Aiden did and absolutely loved it! Hearts were fully played out, and the determination for victory and the desire for the double was achieved through true grit and knuckling down, as opposed to attractive rugby!

My business, Rex Down, has sponsored the club for three years now, and we are very proud of our association with Devonport Services Rugby Club. Camaraderie is the word I would use to describe Services. I have always found everyone to be so welcoming. Ben Russell, the colts coach, still refers to me as Aiden’s Dad! They are truly a brilliant bunch who you can sit down and have a drink with. I’ve never seen such a group of people giving so much to the club and each other!

great for the girls to see what is possible for them in the senior game.

There’s always a great atmosphere at the club, with all our teams competing really well this season and many home wins continuing to establish our ground as a bit of a fortress. The girls enjoyed a good season and were runners-up in the Devon Plate Final, a great achievement. The main takeaway is that we had five new girls join us, bringing the tally to 25 girls this season, which is tremendous numbers for that age group. Our 3rds finished top of the Devon Combination League, only losing one game all season, and won two cups along the way. The team comprised the usual old heads with youth players coming through. The connection and cohesion between the teams have always been fantastic ever since I joined the club; we generally all know each other and get along well!

IAIN WOODHEAD, SUPPORTER & SPONSOR: KEYHAM VAULTS

I came to Plymouth in ‘83 from Exeter so have always been a local lad. My children were born in ‘94 and ‘95 and were playing tag rugby at Services. With the kids being involved, and back then owning a drinks wholesale company, I became a main shirt sponsor of the club for a few seasons and sponsored the club in various ways with some other venues I owned at the time. Because of my nightclubs and my rugby involvement, I would often have many of the military boys come to the clubs, and we developed a close association. Both my sons are in the Navy: Elliot is a Nuclear Engineer on a submarine, and Harry is a Clearance Diving Officer. So, I guess I go back a long way with the rugby club. Both lads have played since they were very young, including some Navy games as they got older, and it all started at Services.

I’ve always had a deep appreciation of what Services Rugby has provided for our

community, and it’s been a pleasure to help them out with my sponsorship. Unfortunately, my returns to Plymouth from Cyprus didn’t coincide with any of Services’ home games last season; however, I am fully aware of the tremendous season they enjoyed. This coming campaign, I do hope to get down more often and will certainly continue being a club sponsor, not just because I have a pub in the area but because I really admire and love everything about Devonport Services Rugby Club.

As a club, Services are just a fabulous, family-oriented, passionate, and friendly environment for anyone who chooses to spend time there. I know myself and my boys, from a very young age, have always felt very proud to be a part of this special club. The service they provide to the local community can only be described as outstanding, and I can’t sing their praises loudly enough as Devonport Services Rugby Club heads towards another exciting chapter in this great club’s history!

“Very proud of our

TRICIA DUFF, SUPPORTER & SPONSOR: MARKET2MEDIA LTD

I am a proud sponsor of the club, sponsoring Aiden Taylor, coach’s player of the season 2023/2024, and will be continuing to support Aiden this season. My history with the club started many moons ago between 1998 and 2004 when my eldest, Michael Hunt, played and trained at Services from the age of 10 to 16 before embarking on an apprenticeship. He played on and off for subsequent seasons with other clubs; however, work commitments and some broken bones to his tibia, fibula, and an arm break impacted his ability to continue playing and raised concerns about future injuries affecting his ability to work. Nevertheless, he returned to Services for the 2022/23 season, enjoying a fabulous time in the 1st XV squad before deciding to hang up his boots and play the occasional game. My other son, Jack, involved with the club and is very much a part of everything Services offers off the field, whether as a fan traveling both home and away or on tour, and helping out in many other ways, such as on the door, etc.

Having worked in media and radio for 14 years, eventually becoming MD of a station in Plymouth, and after its

acquisition, when offered a Sales Director position, I declined and decided to start my own business; the best decision I ever made. Shortly afterwards, by the time the 2022/23 season came around, I thought I would like to help out the guys at the club through sponsorship. This has developed into adding a board sponsorship alongside sponsoring Aiden and securing a table for the next season.

My brother-in-law, Steven Sayles, a former marine, was part of the club in the past, coaching Michael in his younger years, as well as my nephews Joe and Steve Sayles. Joe was also an outstanding rugby player in his own right, whom I loved dearly, and who sadly and suddenly passed away recently at the young age of just 39, just a month after my dad passed in January this year.

For me, my involvement with Devonport Services Rugby Club as a sponsor, I couldn’t have felt more appreciated and looked after all the way through. The general friendliness of everyone I’ve encountered, as well as the time and support they have given to my sons, has been heartwarming on and off the field of play.

I wish everyone at this great club all the very best of continued success as they head towards the exciting 2024/2025 Season!

Stow-on-the-Wold & District RFC

“One club rugby!”

WAYNE LOXTON CLUB CHAIR

I am not a native of Stow and joined the club back in 2001 when my 2 lads wanted to start playing. As an ex-PE teacher, a current Phys Ed Officer in the RAF, I slotted straight into coaching the Under 6s and then coached the age group through to the Colts. I quickly got involved with the running of the Club as Mini and Youth Fixtures Sec and Deputy Chair and organized many festivals and tournaments at the Club. While coaching the Colts I also refereed, although eventually my battered body gave in, and I had to hang up the boots. After a year out I was “bullied” by our outgoing president Dave “Stretch”

Oughton (guess his playing position?) to become Gen Sec, which is probably the most time-consuming job in the Club. Then last season after 6 years I was voted on as Chair.

The 3 main challenges we have faced have been player availability, 2nd team fixtures, and of course balancing the books. As a village club we are batting way above ourselves, but as a farming and racing community, availability for away games is always a challenge and lengthy travel times affect us badly. Sadly, the Southwest Rugby decision makers have moved us again, for the 3rd year in a row, and we now move from the Regional 2 Midland League to the Regional 2 SW Severn League, which is going to be tough travel wise. What is particularly disappointing is that the Southwest did not consult with us and dismissed our appeal without reply, meaning that we will lose our local derby against Shipston on Stour, just 6 miles away from us. Not only does that affect community spirit, but it is also a huge financial hit as both games are the most attended in the season. That moves us on to finances, and to be honest, without local support from out Sponsors, including our main sponsor Karndean Design Flooring, we could not continue to

provide the excellent rugby opportunities that we do. Fixture cancellations hit us badly in terms of income and that takes us to the 3rd challenge of the lack of fixtures at 2nd team level. Far too many are cancelled owing to clubs being unable to field a team and the league structures at this level need an overhaul and maybe a transition back to local friendly fixtures. It’s a tough one and not easy to resolve, as you also want your aspiring first team players to be playing competitive rugby.

On the pitch, it is all about consolidating our success at Level 6 and building a playing structure and pathway that sustains 2 competitive teams and a thriving Colts section. We do this effectively with dedicated coaches and combined training sessions, so that everyone buys into the ethos. We also have an embryonic Women’s team and there is clear desire to make this as competitive as the men; we just need more female players.

Off the pitch it’s all about improving facilities and generating income, although we have made a firm commitment to remain a good old rugby club rather than a hire venue. You can be both and we do well in this area, but the balance will always favour being a rugby club.

Our M&Y section makes

a clear distinction between playing for fun, playing to develop and playing to win and when it is appropriate to transition between them. It terms of senior rugby, there is a clear development pathway that ensure the ethos to run the ball and play fast rugby is echoed throughout the club. Jamie Gibbs, our current first team coach, along with all the other leaders at each age group foster this fast-flowing and chaotic style which seems to have worked well for us.

The mood in the club at the moment is pretty good. the “Corns” (our 1st XV) finished 2nd in the league and won 2 from 3 in the Papa John’s Cup beating 2 teams that were promoted to Regional 1; this is the highest in out 144-year history. “United” (our 2nd XV) also placed in their highest ever position. Our Women played their first ever full contact game against Dutch touring side The Dukes, while our Colts only lost one game all season. In fact, our junior record is something to raise the mood. No less than 17 Junior players from U15s to U20s achieved representative honours at County, Gloucester, South West and National Level. At the Top end Scott Coombes and Riley Williams played for South West U20s and we were delighted when the South West selected us to host their U20s game against Cornwall. In addition, Olly Allport played for England U18s and has just signed for Gloucester, while Billy Benson played for Ireland U19s.

NICK ALLPORT: FORMER PLAYER, COMMITTEE

MEMBER, SUPPORTER & SPONSOR: DYNOROD

I’m originally from Norfolk and have had the pleasure of being involved with and sponsoring Stow-on-theWold Rugby Club through my DynoRod business for the past 30 years. This coming season, I have agreed to sponsor the rugby balls. My son Olly, who started at Stow as a 5-year-old, has progressed through the age groups, then through Gloucester’s Academy, and has now been capped three times for England, recently signing a pro contract with Gloucester! Quite an achievement, but equally an accolade to Stow. Over the past 14 years, we have had six players from Stow in the Premiership, which is a massive achievement for such a small club. I don’t believe many provincial clubs have had such success in bringing players into professional

rugby as we have. Those six worthy of being honoured and mentioned are: Elliot Stooke - Bath, Gloucester & England Lock, Ollie Thorley - Gloucester, Will GoodrickClarke - Ealing Trailfinders & Exeter Chiefs, Archie Benson - Northampton Saints, Arthur Clark - Worcester, Gloucester & Harlequins, and of course Olly Allport - Gloucester & England!

I bumped into David Humphreys, ex-DOR at Gloucester and former Ulster and Ireland fly-half, who is now the IRFU Performance Director, identifying up-andcoming Irish talent for the national team. David asked me how Billy Benson was doing. Billy, of course, a Stow lad, has gained honours for Ireland, and his older brother Archie is now on the books at Northampton Saints. David has identified a multitude of talents over the years and highlighted Olly while watching him compete in an U14s match! Billy is also an

former number eight and lock. Many have likened Olly to the magnificent Jake Polledri, an English-born Italian rugby union player. It’s always great to hear the admiration many younger players have for their former club players who have risen to professional and international rugby. For a small village club that punches above its weight, this is a truly remarkable achievement!

My other son Joseph, another back-row player, has also competed well in a great Colts team this season at the young age of just 16. Joseph’s work career has led him into an apprenticeship as a gamekeeper, which he is just about to start. All of my six sons have played rugby for Stow: Tom, Jack, Henry, Edward, Joseph & Tom, so we are a real rugby family.

outstanding talent; a great runner not dissimilar to Will Greenwood, who had that lazy gait but could run like nobody’s business!

Olly played Colts this season in his usual position of No. 8 and played his only senior game for Stow 1st XV in the last game of the season while registered with Gloucester. Olly is no doubt an exceptional talent and has naturally admired many back-row players over the years, including Ben Earl, Tom & Ben Curry, Michael Hooper, but his hero has got to be Sébastien Chabal, the French

My own journey with Stow started as a player and captain of the 3rds when we had four teams and a vets side. After moving to the area in ‘86, I played from ‘95 in my usual prop position until a car crash and broken neck put an end to my rugby playing days around 2000. I returned to the club when Olly started with the U6s. He missed the U7s, not liking rugby much for a year, but gave it another go at U8s and has been off and running ever since. At U14s, he entered the Gloucester DPP program, playing, of course, for Stow throughout. An interesting stat is that out of the 501 kids who entered the DPP, Olly was the only one to come through with a contract at Gloucester, and as a family, we are super chuffed for him.

Rugby has always been my sport, the one I love, and Stow has been a huge part of that journey and experience. My wife Radka has had to put up with my obsession over the years, along with my secondary love of shooting! For me, Stow-on-the-Wold Rugby Club is my family;

it’s not just my club – it’s my family! A very good friend of mine, who I played rugby with and went shooting together, a former club captain at Stow, said something I can’t honestly disagree with: “All the greatest parts of my life are down to the rugby club, and that’s all you need to know!”

TOM BURDETT, SUPPORTER & SPONSOR:

STAYCOTSWOLD

I am born and bred in the Cotswolds and my business, StayCotswold, is a holiday letting company based in Stow-on-the-Wold. I’ve known Stow Rugby Club for many years and gotten to know lots of the players, members and the club committee over that time. so when the opportunity to support them arose last year, it was definitely the right fit for us, and we jumped at the chance.

I regularly visit Oddington Road to watch the team play. I thoroughly enjoy their engaging performances, driven by the teams unwavering commitment to their sport and club. They continue to punch well above their weight! The volume of support they receive from local people is incredible; very often, the car park is packed. For a club to have produced such high quality of players, many of whom represent the county, is quite an achievement. Seeing how they are progressing in their rugby careers is inspiring. Stow is a starting point for many budding rugby players, and it is a testament to the

BEN EDDOLLS, FORMER PLAYER, SUPPORTER & SPONSOR: OXFORCE

BUILDING

I come from the era where you used to play rugby for your school in the morning and club in the afternoon. My relationship with Stow came through my school because Stow 3rds would play our 1st XV back then. Plus, a few of our teachers played at the club anyway, so the relationship was naturally ignited and gained momentum from there.

My own rugby career lasted until I was 50, some 20 years ago, and I played mostly in the front row as a

staff, coaches, and training that they nurture young talent so well. Team sports are a great addition to any community that chooses to foster the development of young people, something Stow RFC excels at.

As a life-long local, and long-standing supporter, I have had the pleasure of getting to know many of the members. I have attended various events at the club over the years, stretching all the way back to my school days, when Oddington Road was the site of many school socials.

StayCotswold is an independent holiday letting agency with 232 properties located all over the North and South Cotswolds. Last year, we delivered 9,000 bookings, with over 50,000 guests enjoying our cottages from all over the UK and the rest of the world.

For me, Stow-on-the-Wold Rugby Club is a real pillar of the community. The support they give to so many local people cannot be overstated, carried out by a great bunch of lads and ladies at this wonderful club. Good luck to everyone for the forthcoming campaign!

hooker. Back in the good old days, one thing we always had at Stow were front row players. Although they might have been 5’9” rather than the 6’4” we see these days!

As a sponsor, I have always enjoyed supporting the club and was down last season during the 23/24 campaign, and what terrific support they are enjoying. Stow is unusual in that it is in the middle of nowhere, yet so many people travel to the club just to play for Stow, which is quite remarkable. The club has always fostered a special camaraderie with people from all over the region. Rugby has changed so many people’s lives who otherwise may have

ventured down the wrong path, even when you look at some of our international players whose own journeys were turned around. Rugby, to some degree, has had a reputation for being an elite sport, but many have discovered that there is an inclusivity and equality that offers special relationships and causes them to thrive.

I have my own family, the school I went to, and of course, my rugby family. There are these special places where you can congregate and make friends with like-minded and supportive people. You could leave the rugby club for three or four years and then drop back in and immediately be

part of the old cheery banter, before being told it’s your round again!

I have also been a proud sponsor of the club for the past 10 years or so, and I’ve enjoyed giving something back to a club that has given me so much. Stow-on-theWold Rugby Club is a great club because of the people who offer friendship and camaraderie. Some of the old boys that I played with back in the day would knock seven bells out of each other on the pitch but then would be going out to dinner the next night with friendship and respect for each other. That says it all, really!

MICHAEL NORMAN-KIME, HEAD OF SPONSORSHIP, SUPPORTER & SPONSOR: EMENCO

PROJECT

MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY.

I’ve been in the Cotswolds for over twenty years now and had an interest in the club for over 15 years; initially through a very good friend of mine, club captain Andy Piercy. His understanding of what being part of Stow RFC meant to him inspired me to get on board. Andy and I both have sons of a similar age, so we wanted them to get involved with the rugby club. My son, Sidney, started at age 5 and will be part of the Under 9’s next season, and Andy’s son, Milo, is also in the mini section. The club and his involvement in this great sport have visibly strengthened Sidney`s concentration skills and given him the experience of being part of a team. Sidney loved rugby so much that he encouraged his sister, Primrose, who is now 5, to become involved too. Primrose has enjoyed being at the club for a couple of years now, fully suited in her Stow rugby kit. She absolutely loves it and has come on leaps and bounds herself after tagging along behind her brother. For us as a family, it’s all about involvement with the club and other children. Stow has always

had a strong local presence, providing a great service to our community by bringing all age groups together. The rugby club is not just a “turn up and go home” experience; everyone’s back at the clubhouse being fed and watered, along with all the other teams and visiting clubs. This is something I’d never experienced in football when I used to play. Rugby has that reputation for being an environment where friends for life are made. I wanted to give this gift to my children.

As father, coach and son, I love our chats as we drive to rugby on Sunday mornings. We talk about our plans and actions for the forthcoming training or games, discuss other skills, and how becoming a better player will take time. I love all of that. I often talk to Sidney about how much is involved in a match and that reading the game is a real skill, vitally important and half the battle. His improvement this season has been wonderful to see. A visit to Twickenham during the Six Nations was great; seeing him so excited celebrating a winning try and singing “Swing Low” with an army of other fans, as we walked down the thoroughfare, made me feel incredibly proud.

Stow is a small familyoriented club, but both senior teams have been

performing at a high standard for quite some time, and our ladies’ team has progressed massively. All of our sections across the club are thriving with great numbers. I recall when Piercy approached me last season and asked if I wanted to be more involved in the club and suggested sponsorship. As an owner of a local business, It was an easy decision, giving back to a club and community that has given my family and I so much. I committed to a three-year deal, including pitchside sponsorship board and colts shirts, knowing this was something I wanted to be part of. Subsequently, Wayne, our Chairman, who has a very persuasive nature, talked me into becoming Head of Sponsorship! I like to be involved in things I am passionate about, and Stow Rugby Club is close to my heart.

As we get older, we remember those who have touched our lives. In my own business, many people come into our industry wanting to do a good job, so we help nurture them and protect young people as they face various stigmas and challenges. I have found that being a coach at Stow has positively influenced my working life. Just like at the club, I can metaphorically put my arm around someone

struggling; a few supporting words can make all the difference. Young people can become frustrated about ability or lack of it at our level of the sport, so it’s about promoting rugby as a fun sport in the hope that they come back next season. We’re fortunate to have players turn up every week and want to put the Stow shirt on. Coaching them has been a pleasure to date and in reality, this season we could have given the Most Improved Player to any one of them.

When I became involved at Stow Rugby Club, I attended a sponsor’s lunch and met some great people and volunteers who were collectively doing their part to support the club and create a thriving community. Whether you’re in the juniors or 1st XV at Stow, the values are the same, promoting a “One Club” ethos, which is something I love about our club! We are fortunate to have passionate people at the top of the club’s pyramid who push this message down through the various levels. These committed people give so much of their time for free. It’s very obvious when you go to Stow that it is a family club (whether someone’s serving you a burger or greeting you in the car park), you are always made to feel welcome.

STEPHEN

SHOTT, SUPPORTER & SPONSOR: HAWKINS & BRIMBLE

I’m originally from Cheltenham and have many friends at Stow Rugby Club. However, living in Dubai for the past three years has meant I haven’t been able to visit the club during that time, but certainly before I moved abroad, I would often visit. I do follow how they are doing, though, and it’s great to see what an outstanding season the club has enjoyed.

As a rugby fan myself, the business has also sponsored Gloucester and the Players Association over the years. Hawkins & Brimble is a men’s grooming product business committed to more sustainable, reusable packaging and natural ingredients – we’re leading the charge to make superior grooming standards the industry standard. From our inception, we have been working hard to demystify the world of male grooming – educating gents around the world on the transformational power of superior grooming standards, natural ingredients, and positive choices. Our offices span London, Dubai, and Chicago, and our company has been going for eight years, selling in 25 countries.

I have always found Stow-on-the-Wold RFC to be a very friendly club with great passion for carrying on the traditions of rugby football. Their contribution to sport throughout their

local community speaks for itself, and I would like to congratulate everyone on another excellent season and wish them all continued success as they head towards the 2024/2025 campaign!

JASPER

CHAMBERLAIN, SUPPORTER & SPONSOR: NAILSWORTH LTD

I was brought up in Gloucestershire and briefly moved out of the area in my early twenties, eventually moving back around 10 years ago. I have taken on the family business, and my connection with the club came through my good friend Oliver Clements, a player at Stow, who predominantly plays at number 10. The opportunity arose to become a sponsor, and I jumped at the opportunity as I thought this would be a great way to support the local community whilst getting our business name out there.

Last season was our first year as club sponsors; Ollie has flown the flag for us extremely well on and off the pitch for us this season and we are very proud to continue our sponsorship to the 2024/25 campaign. I managed to get down to watch Ollie play and experience the great atmosphere at the club. Sadly, I wasn’t able to accept all the invitations the club extended to me for lunches and other events; something I’m definitely going to remedy next season.

My own playing days are behind me now, so I’m happy to be a spectator. As a business, Nailsworth Ltd has a commercial estate on the

other side of Gloucestershire, and we offer property development onsite, which is my background, really. We are always looking for development opportunities, so if anyone has anything for sale, we would be interested in being buyers. We concentrate our business efforts predominantly throughout Gloucestershire and The Cotswolds.

My experience with Stowon-the-Wold Rugby Club has been that it is an incredibly welcoming place. As an outsider of sorts, I could really see the great sense of community they embody and how they look after each other and new members. I feel it’s very important that

the club continues in this positive direction, providing such a service to grassroots rugby, which is vitally important for many reasons. When I’ve visited, it’s been fabulous to witness this great local gathering and enjoy some excellent rugby being played. The friendships and community spirit are clearly visible at Stow; it’s the sort of club where you turn up and think, “I’d really like to give rugby another go!”

I would like to congratulate everyone at Stow-on-the-Wold & District Rugby Club on such a historic season and wish the club all the very best for continued growth and success for many more seasons to come!

Royal Wootton Bassett RFC

Regional 2 Tribute Severn Champions 2023/2024!

ALAN LOW, DIRECTOR OF RUGBY, REFLECTS, “LOOKING BACK ON THE JOURNEY, THERE’S A TREMENDOUS SENSE OF PRIDE IN WHAT WE’VE ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR.”

My introduction to RWB RFC came through my previous role with the RFU as the Rugby Development Officer in Wiltshire. The club approached me when they were seeking a new DoR, and since I had recently moved locally, it seemed serendipitous. Conversations with Chris Elias and Alec Adams revealed the club’s compelling ethos, particularly as they transitioned to Ballards Ash’s new facilities.

Embarking on this fresh journey and being part of a promising new era for the club was exhilarating. I distinctly remember my

initial meeting with the senior playing section, who were fielding two teams at the time. There were frank discussions about their underperformance and cultural behavior both on and off the field. They had become disengaged from the M&J section and were not serving as the group to aspire to. I truly believed the senior players at the time underestimated the club’s potential and struggled with retaining players from the M&J’s into senior rugby. Navigating through

the challenges during this initial period, both on and off the field, was arduous. We had to manage players’ expectations and behaviors, and unfortunately, some couldn’t see the issues and opted out. The season before I took over, the club narrowly avoided relegation at level 7. We had to change our playing style significantly, facing tough days at Aylesbury and High Wycombe. However, the players began to buy into our vision, and we secured a midtable finish that season. As we established longer-term

goals, we focused on aligning all coaches from U7 to Senior with the same objectives, emphasizing player retention, performance, and social connection over results.

As we embarked on this journey, it became evident who embraced our vision, and these individuals, although some in different roles now, remain committed to our shared vision. Tim Gallimore, the 1st XV Captain for my first two seasons, has since transitioned to overseeing the club’s S&C and coaching the 2nd XV. Dave Hogg, who

Alan & Finn Low

succeeded Tim, contributes uniquely to 2nd XV coaching after his playing career ended due to injuries. Gavin Ougan, a 21-year-old in his first full senior season when I joined, has evolved into an exemplary captain, setting high standards and serving as a role model for younger players.

Mark Roshier, who assumed the colts lead coach role in my first year, continues to nurture the colts section and coordinates coaching club-wide. This group forms the foundation from which we’ve grown.

Additionally, numerous players have stepped up to assist various roles within the club, showcasing remarkable commitment to giving back.

Throughout my time at RWB, individuals like Dave Floyd and Chris Elias have provided invaluable support and guidance, contributing significantly to the club’s progress.

One of our proudest achievements has been the club’s growth. From 350 members and two senior sides in 2013-14, we now boast four senior sides, expanded colts and junior teams, and a thriving girls’ section, totalling over 1000 members.

Reflecting on this journey fills me with immense pride, yet it’s inspiring to see a continued desire for improvement within the club.

Transitioning from a semiprofessional player to a club leader, I aimed to foster a culture of excellence and inclusivity. Whether players pursue elite status or enjoy social rugby, I aspire for all to feel supported and connected to the club.

Looking ahead, the challenge of maintaining our amateur status while aiming for success at higher levels looms large. However, with the impending return to level 5 for the 1st XV and ongoing community outreach efforts, there’s optimism about the future.

The 2nd XV have done brilliantly to establish themselves at L7, finishing level on points with 5th place. They consistently compete against 1st XVs and have demonstrated exceptional performance. Across the rest of the club, we must work hard to keep growing our playing numbers. We have recently employed a full-time community coach to work in schools, aiming to keep rugby on their curriculum and grow the sport.

As we embark on the next phase of our development, preserving the club’s values and heritage remains paramount. It’s essential to ensure that

every member feels connected to our roots while embracing growth and evolution. We aim to continue developing our facilities; we have already begun planning our next capital projects to enhance the overall playing experiences for all our members.

In conclusion, the past decade with RWB RFC has been remarkable. From confronting challenges to celebrating milestones, each moment has contributed to the rich tapestry of our club’s history, and I’m eager to see the legacy we continue to build together in the years to come.

ALEC ADAMS, LONGSTANDING CLUB MEMBER: I joined Wootton Bassett RFC in 1988 when I moved to the area for work. After training at three other local clubs, I found Bassett to be the most welcoming and well-organized. The people here embraced the spirit of rugby football, combining hard training with a vibrant social scene. Over the last 35+ years, I’ve played for every senior team, Captained the Third XV, served as Player Manager, Vice-Chairman, Chairman, and generally volunteered in various capacities. Since retiring, I’ve taken on several roles for the Club but opted out of the committee, preferring to be hands-on. I work with the chair to attract sponsors and manage memberships, interface with the RFU’s GMS system, and participate in events and fundraising. RWB RFC is truly a vibrant club, offering excellent service to the community and I’m proud to be part of it.

CHRIS ELIAS, CLUB CHAIRMAN: CHRIS CAN YOU LET ME KNOW ABOUT ANY AMBITIONS OR DEVELOPMENT PLANS AT RWBRFC ON AND OFF THE PITCH?

One of our key strategies since we moved to Ballards Ash has been the continual improvement of club facilities. We have recently completed a major gym project, which probably gives us one of the best indoor training facilities outside the Premiership. Our next two key objectives are to install floodlights on at least two more pitches to relieve pressure on midweek training nights and to enhance our changing room and shower facilities, making them more conducive to the growth of our junior and girls’ age groups.

On the pitch, our target is to continue increasing our homegrown talent to ensure the continued success of our senior sides. The recent growth of our girls’ team has been impressive, and ideally, if we can sustain this momentum, we aim to establish a women’s team in the next 3-4 years. Another success has been the establishment of a walking rugby team this year. This initiative has attracted new players to the club, several of whom have never played rugby before.

© James Booth Photography

This season the mood at the club has been very positive and upbeat. We’ve had a very successful season, fielding 4 senior men’s teams, Colts, and every age group from under 6 to under 16. Additionally, we’ve launched a new girls’ section with teams at under 12, under 14, under 16, and under 18 levels. Our First XV clinched the Regional 2 Tribute Severn Of Southwest Division League title, winning 21 of their 22 games with a bonus point in every match. Our second XV secured a respectable 6th place in the Counties 1 Tribute Southern South Of Southwest Division League. Our third XV and fourth XV came 4th and 5th respectively in their divisions. Our Colts, juniors, minis, and girls’ teams have all seen successes, and we’ve initiated a Walking Rugby section. Membership stands at over 1,000 and has remained stable for three years. With a healthy bank balance, we can plan major improvement projects for the future.

Our first XV’s promotion back to the National Leagues (Level 5) is a testament to our commitment to remain amateur while aiming for high standards. We prioritize providing excellent support facilities and personnel without paying players: they pay a membership fee the same as everyone else. Our ambition is to see growth in all age groups and genders, with many senior players graduating from our youth section. We prioritize providing excellent support facilities and personnel without paying players: they pay a membership fee the same as everyone else.

Our Ravens girls’ setup is thriving, with over 45 participants, and we aim to field teams in all 4 girl age groups within two seasons. Mini and juniors are vital to us, and we highlight their contributions in match day programs. Our youth teams are well-subscribed, with the under 15s boasting a squad of 52 players. Our director of rugby has established a clear development path, working closely with coaches and fostering a strong link between our colts and first XV squads.

We have ambitious social targets, including events like Murder Mystery Dinners, Summer Ball, Live Music nights, Wine tastings, and Oom-pah Bands. Socially the club thrives both on and off the field.

We pride ourselves on being a community club, offering our facilities to local businesses and approaching them for advertising opportunities. We support local businesses in return, sourcing match day pies, meat, and cheese locally.

Sponsors are crucial to our club; last season, ten major sponsors contributed £66,000, helping us maintain reasonable membership fees and develop our facilities. We also benefit from a local Landfill Communities Fund, allowing us to improve our facilities with minimal capital outlay. Volunteers are the backbone of our club, from officers to helpers, ensuring our traditions and culture thrive.

This season, we’re proud to add Billy Sella to our starstudded alumni. He joined the England under 20 squad after spending his formative rugby years at RWB RFC, supported by our Director of Rugby, Alan Low.

Bassett Rugby Football Club

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JAMIE LEWIS, SUPPORTER & SPONSOR: REBOUND ELECTRONICS

Rebound Electronics is based in Newbury, around 40 minutes away from the rugby club in Royal Wootton Bassett. Our relationship with the club started through one of our team, Chris Roshier, a player at the club who has been at Wootton Bassett since he was a young lad. Chris had a chat with Rebound about the opportunity to become a sponsor. As our company was progressing with our own marketing, we saw this as a great opportunity where we could not only support one of our own team members but also had a chance to expand our community involvement, which is of great importance to us.

Sport is an area that really offers itself to young people and assists them in their own life progression, so it was felt that this type of development was really important to support in our local community and region.

We have sponsored the club over the past two and a half years, and I guess we have also used our relationship with the club as a hub for meetups. On a few occasions, we have had our UK sales teams meet up for meetings, team events, and lunches. Many of our guys enjoy supporting and cheering Chris and the teams on during match days. We try not to miss their excellent cider and sausage festivals, bringing

STEVE MORRISH, SUPPORTER & MAIN SPONSOR: IMAGINE CRUISING

I live in Southampton and commute cross-country four days a week to our office in Royal Wootton Bassett. Our relationship with the rugby club began in 2016 when one of the founders of our business, Robin Deller, who has always been passionate about supporting local businesses, organizations, and particularly local sports clubs, initiated a sponsorship. In 2016/2017, we commenced a three-year deal with Wootton Bassett, driven by a desire to support the local community. As a company, we also have affiliations with local clubs such as Swindon Town and Swindon Supermarine’s football teams, as well as local cricket and bowls clubs. This is all part of our drive to assist local organizations as much as possible. Our natural home, where we eventually settled, is Wootton Bassett, so it made sense to engage with a local sports club and partner in the area.

One of the biggest and most important initiatives we undertake as a company is a philosophy at Imagine called “One Life,” which is about making the most of the one life we have, whether it’s through the holidays we sell to our customers or the experiences we provide for our staff. Following the pandemic, this philosophy has become even more relevant, emphasizing that every moment and opportunity should encapsulate this approach. Each year, we encourage 12 people to achieve their own One Life goal.

along as many people as we can to support the events. It’s also evident how much hard work and energy the club puts into making the day a success for everyone in attendance.

In every game that we have attended, I have to say the quality of play on the pitch has been excellent! It’s apparent when you see the lads playing how tightknit they are as they work together towards the same goal. In many ways, we that we align very similarly with the values we hold at our own company and vice versa.

Royal Wootton Bassett is a very well-run club both on and off the pitch, grounded in hard work and dedication. Their fabulous club facilities can only help them as they continue on their rugby journey.

Without a doubt, what makes Royal Wootton Bassett Rugby Club such a great club to support, spend time at, and sponsor is the people. The team that run the club have very good business acumen. The club is a very real and impressive demonstration of good organization and management, reflecting on the success they have enjoyed as 2023/2024 league champions. We love spending time there and look forward, with anticipation, to being there for next season’s campaign in the higher division, while bringing along as many friends and people from the UK as we can!

We have used the club’s facilities quite a bit for fitness, including workout sessions with the rugby team itself. One of our staff members, who was looking to improve his fitness at the time, actually trained at the club in preparation for a climb up Kilimanjaro. We are also connected with Chris Skelley, the Paralympic judo competitor and we utilized the club’s training facilities, working with Chris on fitness techniques with some of our staff. Chris became Paralympic champion in 2021 after winning gold in the -100 kg category at the Tokyo Paralympics.

Imagine Cruising is not just a name on a shirt; we believe in building relationships and always ask, “What can we do to help each other?” Additionally, we have used Wootton Bassett to host events for our customers and supporters, making this partnership go way beyond the shirt.

I would say our business model and values align perfectly with the club`s, where we look to give back to our staff through various activities. During the summer months, we will hold a series of events within the company, including access to a cinema in our office downstairs where this year we will broadcast the Euros and Wimbledon, among many other events, to maintain a positive connection and atmosphere with and among our staff members. In fact, today we have a pool competition going on in our office, which I will drop in on and later to play one of the team!

In 2023, a staff member in the UK and a counterpart in Australia trained religiously to scale Mount Kilimanjaro. There have also been other meaningful challenges for people wishing to realize their own dreams, whether it’s becoming a life coach or a downhill mountain biker. Imagine has happily supported and funded all their experiences. For example, we facilitated an opportunity for one of the team in our service centres to meet her brother, from whom she had been separated at birth and who had been adopted and raised in Australia, enabling her to travel and reconnect with him. Giving back to our staff in these ways is extremely important to us and a critical part of what we do for those who work so hard for us.

Our business is built on partnerships, whether that’s with our suppliers for the holidays we build, distributors who market our products, or businesses and local community projects which we support. It’s important that the relationship is mutually beneficial and that we can both work together collaboratively. Here at Imagine, members of staff are happy to volunteer to help out as an extra pair of hands at the club’s fundraising events; and, in turn, they are extremely grateful to benefit from the club’s access to tickets to major rugby games and the state of the art fitness facilities.

Our view is that we are here to support Wootton Bassett in whatever they choose to do and help them grow and develop successfully. Imagine Cruising is definitely in for the ride with Royal Wootton Bassett RFC and has been for the last eight seasons. We would very much like this special relationship to continue for as long as the club wants to have us as a partner. The club’s growth and our own align very well, and as they become more successful, we want to stay on the journey with them!

Wanstead RFC

Triple League Winners & History Makers Season 2023/2024!

JAMES CULL, CHAIRMAN: “OUR CLUB IS AN INCLUSIVE AND SOCIAL COMMUNITY!”

My journey at Wanstead RFC began at 8 years old, in our first minis side, under the excellent guidance of Peter Denton.

Now, as the club chairman, I navigate the challenges of leading a rugby club, with player recruitment standing out among them. Yet, we’ve excelled in nurturing youth players into our senior teams, making this task less daunting.

We recently completed a multi-million pound redevelopment of Centenary Field, boasting two premier grade floodlit pitches, equipped with an automatic irrigation system, and a new clubhouse featuring a pitchside balcony and beer garden.

Further development plans loom large, including an extension for new changing rooms, for which we’re actively fundraising. Additionally, we aspire to construct a large on-site gym at Centenary Field.

Wanstead rugby club’s coaching philosophy centres on fostering a positive culture, allowing players to showcase their skills in an exhilarating brand of rugby. Our values of inclusivity are paramount, as we aim to develop players

across technical proficiency, self-organization, personal standards, and in-game management.

The club’s atmosphere is simply fantastic at the moment! All three of our teams have clinched their leagues and secured promotion, with our 1st XV ascending to the highest level in the club’s history,

Currently, our focus is on the semi-final of the Papa John’s Championship Cup, with hopes of making it to the final at Twickenham.

Mini & Junior rugby form the backbone of our club, with 80% of our senior teams comprising products of our

youth system.

Community engagement is integral to us, evidenced by events like firework displays and a grand jubilee celebration. We also honour fallen players, hosting a Royal Marines charity day with a pitch side memorial,

regional 2 Anglia (level 6) – a remarkable feat!

Alongside my duties as Chairman, I coach the U9s, where my son plays, and have another son in the U7s.

‘Wanstead RFC are committed to the continued maintenance of high standards and values in the management of our club whilst ensuring that we remain true to our principles’.

fostering a strong bond with the local community. Our commitment to touring is unwavering. Annually, over 300 individuals embark on our minis tour to the Isle of Wight, ensuring every youth has a spot. Senior tours are equally thrilling, with recent destinations spanning Rimini, Croatia, Malta, and Portugal – a testament to our club’s spirit.

In essence, Wanstead Rugby Club is not just a place to play; it’s a vibrant, inclusive, and social community that welcomes all.”

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MARCELLA BYRNE, SUPPORTER & SPONSOR: PRESTIGE HEALTH

I’m originally from Ireland and travelled to the UK to embark on my nursing career. I visited the rugby club about 29 years ago with some friends, attracted by the cheap beer! The welcome we received was second to none, and that is where I met my husband, Scott Byrne, who was a player and is now a youth coach. The rest is history, as they say. I still attend the club and matches all these years later and became a first aider until work became too busy, so I had to step away from that role. Scott is at all Saturday games, along with many other supporters and members. It’s a very sociable environment where you

are encouraged to be part of such a welcoming and inclusive community.

The focus is very much on a strong family environment. If you visit the club, you will always see the President, Michael Calvert, who has been at the club for many years as well as many parents and coaches in the mini section, it comprises of such a wide-ranging group of people. A year or so ago, there was interest from a few girls to play rugby, and one of the 1st team players set up a girls’ team demonstrating the attention and care that members demonstrate.

Having arrived at Wanstead from afar, apart from my nursing student friends, I didn’t really know anyone, so the club became my chosen family. My wedding list was predominantly members and players from the rugby club. Wanstead has a wide range of professions represented, all too willing to help and nurture you as you go about your daily life. They give so freely of themselves. I recall when Scott and I were busy with work and family and couldn’t get down to the club

My connection with Wanstead Rugby Club came about through my God-Children, Byron Gipson, who has just entered Colts rugby, and Sofia, who now plays for the U14s; last season`s first ever girls team at U13`s. Although I have been a sponsor for a few years now, one of the things that really caught our eye was the newly formed girls’ team, for which I sponsor the kit. This was particularly pleasing for us to be a part of their history as the first sponsor of the girls’ team.

for 4 or 5 years. That time away didn’t matter—it was like we had never left when we found the time to return.

One of our players, Nick Luxmore, who set up the girls team and is a teacher at a local secondary school, has introduced some of his boys to Wanstead. These boys had their own struggles with various issues and peer pressures, and through time at the club, they experienced a full turnaround in their attitudes, becoming valuable team players and friends. There are enough older people at the club that they have come to know, love, and rely on. My husband once said to me that growing up, being part of the rugby club, he had so many dads there who kept him on the right track!

The club has an active vets’ group still playing, who, irrespective of a dodgy hip or a bit of gout, still manage to pull their boots on. The club caters to young and old alike. The fabulous boundaries that are a natural part of rugby can be carried over into real life for the benefit of any individual.

My lady friends from the rugby club have become very

Byron has been a member for some years and started as a 6 year old before advancing through all the levels to the Colts, with an opportunity to go to Hartpury College next year, where his cousin is. Sofia has also come on the radar of the county team too, which is great.

I get down to the club whenever possible to watch the kids play and enjoy the club’s fabulous facilities, which I understand they are keen to extend. My resolution for the 2024/25 campaign is to get down more often and see more

close and intertwined over the years. We often recount funny past stories and happy memories. My business, Prestige Health, is a very proud sponsor of the club, and I really enjoy supporting a club that has given me so much.

My son Aidan isn’t necessarily the sporty type, but nevertheless, he is still welcomed with open arms and goes on rugby tours. Returning from one recently, he told me how funny it was to be away with friends of mine and his dad, who recounted stories of funny happenings. It’s such a good thing that the next generation is part of the club’s ongoing history.

I believe Wanstead Rugby Club will always have a future in our community because the people have built it from the outside in with that the same values and traditions in mind. It is such an inclusive environment that will always look after it people. Those who go away from Wanstead Rugby Club for their own life reasons always come back because they understand what a special place it is. Irrespective of who you are, you are always included and made to feel welcome!

matches. My own children are grown up now, with one about to leave home, so my time is freeing up a little. If the guys are playing on pitch one, I enjoy watching them while having a cup of tea. The standard of coaching at Wanstead is very impressive. I grew up in New Zealand and lived there from ages 8-16, so my grounding in sport was rugby or cricket; there weren’t really many other sporting choices back then. The relationship between the kids and coaches at Wanstead is really good, as you can see how the children have developed over the seasons, particularly the girls, who have become much more technically proficient.

My company, Reflex International, has been a proud sponsor for three years now. As a merchandising business, we distribute our products throughout the UK and internationally, supplying branded clothing and products mainly business to business. We cover many sports, including F1 and football.

My admiration for Wanstead Rugby Club has many aspects to it. Obviously, the way they take care of the younger players is admirable. Having had the

pleasure of meeting many of the club members, I have enjoyed a great welcome and experienced the family atmosphere the club exudes.

Wanstead has always been a very open club, and over the time of my involvement, I have

come to feel part of them, which is important to me. Its essence, of being a true community club, has really shone through for me, and I wish everybody the very best of continued success as they head towards the new season!

TONY WARD, SUPPORTER & SPONSOR: TURNER RAWLINSON

Two of my sons, Matthew and Philip Ward, play for the Herons’ first team, which is how I became involved over the last three years or so.

Turner Rawlinson, a trading division of PSC UK Insurance Brokers Ltd, which I sold to last year, is a proud sponsor. This is due to both a personal family connection and, importantly, my recognition of the special place a club like Wanstead has in the community. It serves as a centre for collective camaraderie, a sports and social venue accessible to many, providing opportunities for young people from various backgrounds. It’s a refreshing beacon in a sometimes-bleak world and a model for what local sports clubs should aspire to be.

Suppliers of branded clothing and merchandise since 1998

“Delighted to be associated with

the

success of Wanstead Rugby Club!”

The club is run very professionally and seemingly on a secure financial platform. You get a sense of this while there, and it becomes clear that it’s also all about fun. They take their rugby seriously but not always themselves

The lunches and events are a social pleasure, and, as with all such clubs, the behind-thescenes helpers and volunteers are terrific. It’s fantastic that Wanstead Rugby Club won their division this year! On the downside, my two boys are injured more often than not, which their mother constantly reminds me of.

“Very

proud sponsors of Wanstead Rugby Club!”

Stewarts & Lloyds RFC Champions Counties 2 Midlands East (South)

This season has been our most successful on the pitch as far as the 1st XV goes. Winning the league unbeaten had been a huge club achievement and one we couldn’t have done without the depth of players within the club. The 2nd XV has been able to field a strong side when required, We have also had our ever-reliant Vets team giving the boys a run for their money and contributing to the success of the 1s and 2s. Finally, we have been able to capitalize on the success and support of the club by creating the Women’s Team, which has been training well and continues to grow in numbers each week.

The challenges facing not just the success of a club but its actual survival go beyond the obvious financial restraints and hardships of modern-day business, including withstanding a Global pandemic 2 years ago, which placed a huge financial burden on all clubs. However, the Club Members were superb during the pandemic period, with not a single direct debit membership being canceled, despite our hometown having its own social and financial challenges. Beyond the business challenges is the recruitment and retention of new players of all ages and from all walks of life. This is a major challenge with the decreasing number of schools offering rugby as an option on the curriculum.

The world has become a bigger place, offering a greater range of activities for individuals, and it is a constant battle between encouraging people to get off their electronic devices

and getting them out to enjoy a marvelous experience at their local rugby club. The importance of making the club an open and welcoming environment is fundamental in encouraging club members to attract their friends and peers to the club.

We have great ambitions for the club and have been very fortunate to have come through the tough period of COVID and be able to still be growing as a club. This is all thanks to the hard work of our volunteers and members who have worked tirelessly over the last 4/5 years to ensure the club is still here for the whole community to enjoy.

This season we would have loved to have gone further in the Counties 2 Cup competition but were undone narrowly by a strong Brunel University team. Our aim now as a coaching group is to have some rest and regroup for preseason as next year will be a tough challenge going into the Counties 1 level. We would like to add some more depth to our squad with some key players retiring. We have some amazing talents and want to develop that further with the great playing group we have. This year we used 38 players in the 1st XV so maturing some of the younger players and developing skills is our aim going forward.

We are in the early stages of starting a Women’s rugby Team and have attracted some great numbers. The ladies that have joined up have given some great feedback and have even added an extra training session during the week to focus on their fitness alongside the rugby training they are doing. Their ambition and commitment is something we admire and encourage, and we look forward to the team growing through the coming months. We also welcome girls to come and play at our Minis Rugby level. We are looking to grow our Junior Rugby offering as at present we do not have the numbers to start a Girls Junior Rugby Team. We have decided to start with our Senior Women’s Team and hope that this will attract and encourage the younger generation of girls to join up at S&L and be some of the first to be a part of our Junior Rugby Girls teams.

Developmentally, we are currently fundraising for a clubhouse extension to better serve the local community. This will include a lift and firstfloor disabled toilets for ease of access to our social area, and a complete refurbishment of the current changing area. This will include; 4 separate ensuite changing rooms and 2 ensuite referees’ rooms, which will also come as a benefit to our newly formed Women’s rugby team.

Our ethos at the club is “One Club, Our Club,” and this embodies the family and community club we strive to create. We want to ensure that no matter your ability, you will be welcome at Stewarts & Lloyds RFC. We make sure this ethos is coached from our Minis level, all the way through the club from our senior players to members on the sidelines. Part of this is using players from senior levels to U16 to coach and mentor our minisection to pass on their love and knowledge of the sport.

The mood at the club as we move into a month’s worth of celebrations is one of great joy, tinged with a little bit of apprehension as we prepare to take the next step. We placed our own weight of expectancy on the club as the team wins mounted and as it became infectious with our ever-increasing spectator base. 22 from 22, league champions and setting all sorts of club records on the way, equals a constant smile with an air of “I was there”!

The club can boast a number of players who have gone on to play first-class or international rugby. We are currently affiliated with Northampton Saints as a partner club within the East Midlands. We are also proud to host the Northampton Saints Foundation Hub, enabling young people who are disengaged from education and at risk of exclusion to take part in a range of emotional and social development opportunities and physical activities. This helps them to rebuild their confidence and self-esteem while giving them the tools they need to build a brighter future. They have 5-day access to our club and its facilities during term time.

The mini-junior section is the lifeline to the longevity

and sustainability of our club. Without them, there is no future. 60% of our current first XV are homegrown through our mini-junior section. This is also the start of how rugby can influence or even mold the person by respecting core values and whose behavior then reflects the expectations of the club. Obviously, children bring accompanying adults, which immediately increases our volunteer pool, who again are the lifeline within the club.

Stewarts & Lloyds is very much a community club, and this has been no more apparent than this season with the support we have had on the sidelines, growing every week. On our last league game of the season, there were so many supporters that had turned up to watch that cars were spilling out onto the surrounding streets and grass verges. We have never seen our sidelines so full. We like to support the community too and give back to those in need. Just recently, a number of volunteers spent the day at a local charity shop and cafe, giving up their time to help redecorate the premises for their Grand Re-opening.

Our sponsors play a huge role in the success of the club and are all local businesses in the town. Their financial support ensures the club can provide the facilities and equipment to keep the club and its teams not only functioning but flourishing. In return, we offer many different packages that they can utilize to advertise their business from physical hoardings and kit prints to digital and social media assets.

S&L RFC is Community and Family focused, welcoming everyone from all walks of life to enjoy playing (or spectating) the great sport

of rugby! The core values of Rugby are upheld alongside our ethos of “One Club, Our Club.” All of this helps to make our members feel like the club is their second home and extended family, and that is how we want everyone who attends our club to feel. We regularly hold events and functions at the club that are not only organized by committee members but also volunteers from across all sections of the club. This ensures a wide range of fun events that bring everyone

together and help to grow our member base.

We are moving into Counties 1 Midlands East (South) and very much looking forward to the challenge that brings. We have faced many of the teams in that league, and we believe it will be an awesome challenge for these players. We narrowly missed out on promotion last season so to go up the way we have this year we don’t want that to be in vain next season.

We have had amazing support throughout the season

for what is essentially a small town club in level 7/8 of the rugby ladder. We couldn’t ask for a better club atmosphere; our volunteers are awesome and make match days possible. People like Malc our groundsman, who makes our pitches not only playable week in week out but our playing surfaces are some of the best in the league. And Ryan and Paul who are always there to get the pitches ready on match days. People like these are invaluable to this club and there are many more who deserve a mention too for all their work and devotion to the club throughout the season. It is those volunteers who the club is indebted too and make grassroots sport possible.

OUR HISTORY

Stewarts & Lloyds RFC was officially formed in 1936 by “The Three Wise Men” Bert Green, Windsor Genner, and Arthur Cooper. It took its name from the local steelworks as it was originally a “works team”. The steelworks was such a big site in Corby that it had its housing estate for its workers, and it’s from these workers that the club was built. Our Mini & Junior section was founded in 1972, and this played a huge role in the increase from 2 senior teams to four and included the formation of a colts team. This also led to winning the East Northants Cup and Peterborough & District Cup in succeeding seasons. In the modern era of the club, the 1st XV became Midlands Champions, winning the RFU Midlands Senior Vase in 2013/14 and became the first East Midlands club to do so. The win meant a national semi-final against Yorkshire powerhouse Yarnbury RFC, with the winners progressing to a Twickenham final. Sadly, a 10-point difference meant the dream was over. Following that match, the 1st XV secured promotion to Midlands 2 East, securing their place as the most successful side in the history of the club. This season (2023/24) the 1st XV went undefeated for the entire league season (22 games) and finished champions, securing promotion to Counties 1 Midlands East (South). 2024 is also the year we have started a Women’s Rugby team, and we are looking forward to adding many more firsts to this list for the club over the coming years.

MATT FLEMING, MEDIA, “ONE CLUB, OUR CLUB”

My Journey at Stewarts & Lloyds RFC started when I was 7 years old. I joined the club’s mini section and have played there my whole career until around 4 years ago following an injury. I am 37 now. For the most part, I played at Scrum Half and progressed through the age groups and senior sides, finishing my playing career in the 1st XV. My Dad and 2 younger brothers also play at the club, and we were lucky enough on a couple of occasions to all play together with my Dad before his retirement. S&L RFC is truly a family and community club, and there are many other stories like ours where fathers, sons, and siblings have also enjoyed games together while family and friends cheer on from the sidelines.

Following my injury, I knew I still wanted to be involved because the club meant that much to me. For a number of years, I have been taking care of the club’s social media accounts and website. But when I was forced to retire from playing, I started to take photographs of the teams from the 1st XV to the under 7s. I have found that to be really enjoyable and a great way I can continue to give back to a club that has given so much to me, as well as its players and members. We continue the tradition with my son now playing for the U11s, carrying on the legacy.

L-R Connor Fleming (past Club Captain), Colin Fleming (Dad to all 3), Matt Fleming (that’s me) and Mark Fleming.

Visit our website and social media pages www.stewartsandlloydsrfc.com @sandlrfc - Instagram & Facebook

Matt

www.mattflemingphotography.co.uk Instagram and Facebook @mattflemingphotography

Photos Courtesy of

Fleming

WAYNE JENKINS, SUPPORTER & SPONSOR: WILSON BROWNE SOLICITORS

I have lived in Northamptonshire for the past 25 years and our company saw a LinkedIn post where the club was looking for some support for one of their junior teams, and for us, it was a no-brainer to help them out. We contacted them to say we would love to assist and asked for a little more information. As a business, we have always been passionate about supporting grassroots sports whenever we can. We also support other local sports clubs like Brixworth Juniors (Jaguars) FC, Fernie Fields Sports Club, Kettering RFC, Corby & District Junior Cricket League, as well as many other clubs and organizations. In a nutshell, we really feel that our finances invested in grassroots sports can make a real difference, as opposed to trying to be a name with one of the big local clubs where perhaps we are just one of many; there is so much value in supporting these community teams.

Having been brought up in South Wales during the Max Boyce era and the humour

that went with it, football was not really an option. So, I have always been a rugby fan and dabbled in racket and motor sports. My grandfather was a product of the mining villages in the Welsh Valleys, and I remember visiting Cardiff Arms Park and following Newport Rugby at Rodney Parade back in the day, with many fond memories.

Living on the opposite side of the county and being pulled in so many different ways with our marketing plus the usual family commitments, there just aren’t enough hours in the day, so sadly, I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting S&L RFC. However, I am aware of the tremendous season they have enjoyed and their invaluable commitment to supporting young and old throughout their community.

As a local business, Wilson Browne would like to extend our thanks to everyone involved in S&L RFC, including sponsors, coaches, players, and members, for freely and willingly giving their time and energy in pursuit of these great sporting activities while encouraging our next generation to keep it all moving forward! Well Done!

JOHN DAVIDSON, CLUB

PRESIDENT & SPONSOR:

JS DAVIDSON LTD

I’m originally from Perth, Scotland, and moved to the area some 35 years ago. A good friend of mine Ian Jenkinson, whose sons play at S&L, introduced me to the club 25 seasons past, and the rest is history, as they say!

As time went by, I became more involved with the club, initially as a volunteer, then President. Back when my relationship with the club started, our M&J’s section came up with the idea to have a main sponsor covering the kids’ teams. After speaking with my business partner and explaining the opportunity, and how we could support what was a few hundred children at the time, we decided to become a sponsor. Part of this meant bringing our trucks down to the club for the day and enjoying the accompanying photo shoots. Being in the Food business, meant our support evolved into offering some direction at times and supplying food for various events and barbecues—something I really enjoy doing.

As an evolving club, we are definitely heading in the right direction, with changes and development being a frequent part of our growth. This includes the recent formation of a women’s section and addressing all the various aspects of our future with an eye on maintaining the sustainability of the club. Our 90th anniversary is coming up in the 2026 season, and we have naturally put our heads together around planned celebrations and more.

Our success as a club last season was phenomenal and, as you would expect, brought

a lot of attention to the club, which then offers us the challenge of capitalizing on these opportunities, whether it’s through additional sponsorship or more community involvement. S&L is very fortunate to have volunteer groups that put a lot of time and effort into our club and who are invaluable contributors, making sure everything is in place so that our teams can just turn up and perform.

Reinvestment has gone back into the club, before and post-pandemic, including the refurbishment of our main hall, disabled access planning within the club, and as we open our doors to embrace women’s rugby, female changing rooms are another important focus. Fundraising is ongoing all the time. For example, two of our young

guys are running marathons, auctions are a regular occurrence, as well as other community events.

The success of our 1st XV squad this year has come about through a majority of home-grown talent that has emerged from our mini and junior section, who have the mentality of giving something back to the club to make sure we are still here in another 90 years. This has been particularly refreshing and heartwarming to see, fully embodying the values of rugby and of being a true community club.

JS Davidson Ltd has been a proud sponsor of S&L for over two decades now, and as a company, we provide food services covering ambient, chilled, and frozen products as well as many added value services to our

clients. Since our rebranding, companies have become more aware of the broad range of services we can offer across all sectors of the marketplace, both UK and worldwide operations through our sea freight services; we are a onestop-shop solution to our customers’ needs.

I am a great believer in giving back to the community that you are part of, and I feel our club does that really well. S&L RFC is very close to my heart. When you walk up there on a Sunday morning and see 150 kids running around, smiling and enjoying themselves, it can’t help but lift your spirits. To be able to provide a safe place and pass on the great ethos of rugby is something that’s important to us at S&L RFC and is lovely to experience and see!

Ironsides Rugby Club

“Rugby for All!”

ROSS LYNAMCARTER, CHAIRMAN & CLUB CAPTAIN:

My personal introduction to the club is probably the same story as how most people end up joining a new club: a chance meeting with a friend’s brother in a local pub after they’d just finished playing. I ended up having a few drinks with some of the team, and the next Saturday, I was making my debut for the 3rd XV. That was 11 seasons ago, which says a lot about the amazing culture the club has.

It’s been an incredible journey so far, in terms of the growth and success that we’ve had across the club in that time. For me and so many others moving to London, it’s provided an amazing sense of belonging and community that’s resulted in great memories and a great set of mates. Now that the playing days are behind me, it’s great to be able to give something back.

The biggest challenge

we’ve faced and still do to this day is facilities and playing space. We don’t actually have a playing surface of our own; we hire all our pitches from the local council. We’re an incredibly large club with circa 1200 playing members—girls, boys, men’s, and women’s teams—ranging from under 5’s to super vets. Finding space in central London to accommodate all training and games, without a pitch of your own, takes some pretty special logistics skills every weekend.

We’re a really ambitious club, as highlighted by the incredible success of both the women’s and men’s 1st XV this season. Our women’s 1st XV is about to step up into Championship South East 1 league, after an extremely dominant season with 17 wins out of 18. We’re excited to see them take on the challenge of playing one level below the Premiership and establishing themselves as a force.

For our Men’s XV we narrowly missed out on promotion in a very tight promotion battle, so we’re

absolutely chomping at the bit for next season and getting up into Regional South Central.

In the Junior Section, we obviously have a hugely successful minis section (U5U11), and so our ambition there is really to keep doing what we are doing: creating a positive, fun, and inclusive environment that helps children develop a love for playing rugby and encourages and supports our coaches and volunteers to make that happen! Our youth section (U12-U18) is also strong, but like all clubs, player retention and recruitment become more important during the teenage years. Our ambition is to consistently run at least two teams at every boy’s age group, as this allows us to continue to provide development rugby for new joiners.

We want to be a club that reaches out and offers rugby to young people—boys and girls—from all backgrounds— including those who might not otherwise find the sport. We have a real opportunity

to harness the untapped potential of young people growing up in south London to play the game. We are committed to growing the game in our community.

As part of this growth, Girls Rugby is a massive priority for us at Ironsides. We have

been putting huge effort into recruitment, and while we continue to work with other clubs to create “cluster teams” in some age groups, our immediate ambition is to consistently field full teams of Iron girls at U12, U14, U16, and U18.

We do that by working to deliver quality rugby coaching in an inclusive environment—welcoming all those who want to play regardless of experience— where we value effort, honesty, and commitment, and focus on progress and fun. We are lucky enough to have a growing number of experienced coaches and mentors—some current parents, and some former players and parents.

We recognize the huge benefit that team sport, in general, and rugby in particular, can have for young people. By encouraging them to commit to a team and face sporting challenges together, we know rugby can help our players to grow in confidence and self-belief and to understand that being part of a club—something bigger than themselves—is key to their future happiness and achievement.

We know that Rugby is often seen as a sport that isn’t accessible to everyone. But we also know that’s not the case—in fact, across the country, rugby succeeds—and has always succeeded—in bringing together people from all walks of life into a single friendly community.

Off the pitch, we’re working on some really exciting projects to tackle

the challenge of facilities and playing space. We’d love to redevelop our current home so we can provide the whole club with the facilities to take the next step in our journey. We’re working with our sister cricket and football sections to understand the art of the possible to provide an outstanding sporting facility for all three sports.

We’re also actively working with Wandsworth council on the Springfield Trust development to secure a new playing surface just next to our clubhouse, which would facilitate a great deal of juniors being able to play closer to home and on a proper pitch.

I think the most exciting thing about both projects is being able to provide much-needed facilities and playing surfaces for the local community and schools, so more sport can be played.

There is a very clear coaching philosophy in place that runs through the club and forms our DNA, which all starts with our values. The most positive team in the league. The hardest working team in the league. The most welcoming team in the league.

This is set at the 1st XV level, and we seek to instil it throughout every age group at the club. We have a coaching coordinator in place who translates the playing philosophy/values/ approach and culture into an appropriate coaching approach for all sections and age groups. Our ultimate aim is to graduate players from our juniors who are well-

versed and comfortable in the club style of play, but most importantly, play the Ironsides way.

This has been our most successful season ever across the whole club, so the mood is fantastic. We’ve already mentioned the success of the Men’s and Women’s 1st XV, but there has been incredible success—men’s 2nd XV and 3rd XV both finishing second in their leagues, as well as top-half finishes for the 4th XV and 5th XV. The women’s second had another really strong season, cementing their position in a new league after being promoted.

And alongside that, we are seeing tremendous success in our Youth Section. Our Youth Girls Section has had a tremendous season—with real progress and trophies for our U12s and U16 teams—with our U14s narrowly losing in their final. Our U14A team achieved the unprecedented feat of being crowned Surrey Champions this year for the third year in a row. Our U15As also made their third Championship final—only to finish runners up by a single point for the second time in a row. Our U12As were also Surrey runners up, and our U13As won their cup— securing promotion to the top tier next season. But equally importantly, we have thriving B teams in all these age groups—and C teams at U12 and U13—all playing some fantastic rugby and winning trophies.

Of course, we want to be Surrey Champions all the way through—but as importantly, we want to provide an environment where everyone feels part of a squad and part of the club—and can play fun challenging rugby that helps them progress and develop. So, we make sure

AL COWIE, YOUTH CHAIRMAN:

I got involved 10 seasons ago, when my eldest son showed an interest in rugby—aged 7. I brought him down to the Minis and was immediately struck by how friendly and welcoming everyone was and how the coaches took a genuine interest in all the kids— regardless of their level of experience or skills. Initially, I was just a touchline Dad, but as I got to know the other coaches, I was persuaded to dust off my rather limited rugby skills and do some coaching. Before long, I was also coaching my younger son’s age group and getting involved with the management of the club. I think I recognized that Ironsides is a really special club but also has some unique challenges given its size and location—and I wanted to help however I could.

10 years on my sons have got so much from the club: not just as rugby players but also off the pitch in terms of social life, confidence, and self-belief. And personally, I’ve got so much from the club in terms of great friendships, and the reward and inspiration you get as a coach watching young people develop on and off the pitch.

we celebrate every team—for their effort and commitment in victory and defeat.

Kyle Sinckler, the Harlequins, England, and British Lions prop, famously started playing his rugby at Ironsides: an exile from the round ball game, turning up in full Manchester United kit and never looking back! We are really fortunate that Kyle remains an honorary

member and continues to support Ironsides as much as his busy schedule allows, for example, by presenting awards at Mini rugby section end-of-season fun day. He is a huge inspiration to our club and particularly to our junior players—from U5 all the way through to Colts

age groups. He has certainly helped us in our goal to reach out to young people in our community who might otherwise not consider playing rugby but who stand to benefit most from the enjoyment, teamwork, and discipline that rugby provides.

Not to say that we’re limited to just English and Lions caps within the club! Whilst maybe not so widelytelevised, we’re extremely proud of our other current and former internationals, with Moldovan, Gibraltarian, Bulgarian, Kuwaiti, Pakistani, and Singaporean caps amongst our 15-a-siders, as well as Irish and Scottish Students taking to the 13-a-side version.

With one eye on the future, we’re really excited to have more of our minis and youth players breaking through to professional Rugby. Zach Carr came to us as an U6 and has gone on to represent England U18 and U20 levels in the 6 Nations, and secure a Harlequins senior academy contract. Hot on his heels, Jamie Miller has also represented England U18 this year and he and fellow former Ironsides mini–Sam Line are both in the Harlequins U18 set up. And in the Women’s game, Erin Sinckler-Bermingham— half-sister of Kyle—began a Rugby journey with Ironsides Minis which has now taken her to Harlequins and England U18s. With an astonishing 28 boys currently in Harlequins or West London (formerly London Irish) Developing Player Programmes across U15 and U14, we don’t think it will be too long before another Ironsider wins a senior England cap! We should also mention our big-tackling Colts’ XV Captain from 2022-23,

Owayne McKenzie, who has just been called up to the GB U19 American Football Squad.

In terms of links with other clubs—we have a keen sense of our history. Back in 1943, Ironsides Rugby’s founder, Colonel E. H. St Maur Toope, played at what was then Streatham RFC and borrowed their pitch to put on the first-ever match for what would eventually become Battersea Ironsides RFC— giving the opportunity to play rugby to some of the lads he commanded in the 42nd Royal Tank Regiment (RTR) Cadet Battalion.

So we have a special connection to the RTR to this day—and still play them annually in November. And this year as part of our 80th Anniversary celebrations, we celebrated Ironsides’ historic connection with StreathamCroydon RFC by returning to the Streatham ground where it all began to play a special charity Colts match for “The Colonel’s Cup”—raising money for St George’s and Croydon Hospital Charities. We plan to play for the cup annually to celebrate the Colonel’s legacy for youth sport and the ongoing friendship between our two great clubs.

We’ve only just finished up our last games, so our aim is mainly to get the bodies right ahead of pre-season, which isn’t that far away!

The most important thing for all of us at the club is to

take a step back and take the time to celebrate an amazing season and all the success together.

Outside of that, we’re already in planning mode across the club about how we get better and make sure those promotions and league victories happen next season.

Junior and mini rugby is the lifeblood of our club; it’s by far our largest section, and the support they provide the rest of the club on and off the pitch is phenomenal. It’s not just the next generation of players who are going to take us to greater heights; it’s the incredible 300+ volunteers, including Mums, Dads, Grandparents, and big Brothers and Sisters, who give up their time to make sure this club keeps going.

It’s worth mentioning our robust tag rugby setup. Not everyone can play contact anymore, but games for those from 8 years old to 80 years old, every Wednesday brings everyone together; we even had a pair of women representing Great Britain in a recent world cup.

We are very much a community club, and we are proud of Ironsides Rugby for three main reasons:

We are dedicated to participation—girls, boys, men, ladies, our numbers are in the 1000s. The club invests fees back into outreach and inclusivity, to local schools, partnering with Quins to run the Mental Health program, and supporting those who can’t afford to play.

And we are committed to our three nominated Charities, who we support to have an impact across the UK and Internationally; we fundraise and support through volunteering. It is so very important to Ironsides Rugby that we continue to build within the community and share our love of rugby to all. The Club supports three main charities: Tag Rugby Trust, 3 Pillars, and St George’s Hospital.

3Pillars Project is a charity that runs rugby-based interventions and mentoring

programs for young people, vulnerable to crime. We work across London and the South East, in prisons, young offenders’ institutes (YOIs), and in the community, working in partnership with Pupil Referral Units and Youth Offending Teams. Ironsides is proud to support the important work they do—indeed, it is one of our own players who runs it, and a number of our Senior players have played matches in Feltham Young Offenders and against groups from Wormwood and Wandsworth Prison as part of that. 3Pillars has reached out to various community schools and academies in the local area.

Tag Rugby Trust helps initiate positive and lasting changes to individuals and communities in developing countries throughout the world through the sport of rugby. As a club, we are very keen to support their work not just financially but practically as well. Our Rugby Club spends time raising funds, for example, organizing a recent fundraising Ironsides RWC19 Tag Tournament with 20 teams representing the countries present and which Fiji won, which was a surprise! We also collect kit and equipment from

“It is so very important to Ironsides Rugby that we continue to build within the community and share our love of rugby to all”

our players and members which is taken by road to Zambia for distribution to young people in developing communities. In 2017 our Colts raised money to tour to Zambia to assist with a TRT program. A second tour by the current Colts to Zambia will take place in 2020. As part of the personal development of our young players we are very keen to ensure that they are actively involved in the tour planning. They are currently designing a presentation to take out to local businesses to seek their support.

St George’s Hospital is a cause close to many of our members’ hearts. Many of our members have been touched by this wonderful institution— be it as patients, parents, or employees. Ironsides Rugby is proud to be able to give a little back to this important part of our very own community. Touched, as we have been in recent years, by a number of serious injuries, we’re always exceptionally grateful to not only the A&E and rehabilitation teams at St Georges but also to our team of tireless physios. To give up Saturday afternoons to wrap us up in tape and take care

of us should injury strike is something that all players and parents alike are extremely grateful for. We truly believe in our mantra, ‘Rugby for All’. Rugby is a sport that should be accessible to everyone, no matter who they are, what they do, and where they started out in life. We passionately strive to increase participation in the sport of rugby. Our success is very much down to our huge and fabulous army of volunteers, our friendly, welcoming, and inclusive club ethos, and our strong sense of community being part of our local area and working hard to contribute to the development of our young people through the game of rugby. This determination to provide rugby for over 1200+ members every weekend, despite the challenges we face, really sums up what the club is about and what it means to be an Ironsider. I believe it makes incredibly close as a club from U5’s to our presidents club, who can’t pull their boots on anymore, which you can see every single weekend on the pitch and in the clubhouse.

ZOE GOODWIN, MINIS CHAIR.

I have been witnessing kids all over Wandsworth every Sunday, adorned in their green, red, black, and white attire, for the past seven years. Back when our son was merely three years old, this sight piqued the family’s interest. Attending the Minis Funday sealed the deal for us. Ironsides proved to be an exceptionally welcoming club, offering roles for everyone, including both mothers and fathers.

The rugby community, as a whole, embraces families, and Ironsides is no exception within our community. As a club, we unite numerous individuals, a fact of which I am immensely proud. Ensuring that our minis remain connected with our seniors holds significant importance, and participating in various committees where we collaboratively build our OneClub has proven to be quite enjoyable. I take pride in being part of this team.

We diligently strive to initiate the coaching development of our volunteers early on. The sole aim of our club is to ensure that ALL kids have fun, whether it’s with a rugby ball in hand or at least close by! As these volunteering parents transition into integral parts of our Ironsides community, their enthusiasm remains steadfast. The Club endeavours to provide unwavering support, ensuring they feel embraced by their Ironsides’ family and the OneClub, with opportunities for further development and coaching.

Ironsides acknowledges

that it’s the personal dedication of these individuals, coupled with their unique magic and sparkle, that renders each Ironsides Age Group special. This magic, symbolized by our “2,3 Ironsides” chant at the conclusion of each training session, unites our kids every weekend, drawing them from across the Wandsworth Borough, regardless of their place of residence or school affiliation, and whether they’ve previously played rugby (and there are over 1000 of them!).

It’s these volunteers, along with the community spirit embodied by Ironsides, that nurtures our players throughout their early rugby journey, often leading many to continue their rugby journey with Ironsides. Without these volunteers and the Ironsides’ OneClub ethos, our club wouldn’t have reached the esteemed position it holds today.

The Harlequins RFC end of season dinner. Ironsides Rugby

JEREMY BOTT, SUPPORTER & SPONSOR: BLAKES LONDON

I live in South West London, just a short distance from Ironsides Rugby Club, and I originally hail from the North East of the country, just outside Hull. My involvement with Ironsides began with my eldest son, Charlie, who is 10 years old and soon to turn 11. He plays in the U11s rugby team and started his journey with the club at age 6. My youngest son, George, is in Year 3 at school and plays in the U8s, having started his playing career at just 4 years old.

We initially became involved with the club when we lived further away than we do now, coinciding with Charlie’s school change at the start of Year 2. Many of his friends at the new school were already members of Ironsides, and as my wife Caroline and I got to know the other parents, we heard only good things about the club—not only from them but also from others more involved in its administration or coaching. We were desperate to join and were welcomed with open arms by an incredible group of people, even though we joined mid-season!

As a sport, young rugby players evolve as they move through the age groups. It’s fair to say that Charlie enjoyed some seasons more than others, but he always wanted to keep going. All children are different, but he particularly enjoyed the competitive element of playing, whether during training, festivals, or on the annual tours to places like Butlins, which attract teams from all over the UK. Ironsides typically has around 600 children and parents participate in these tours. The tours are very well-organized, with the kids playing in small teams and with friends from their year groups, and this is where Charlie really thrived, learning valuable lessons about gameplay and sportsmanship.

George is just beginning his rugby journey and has really thrown himself into the sport. Currently playing Tag Rugby, he thoroughly enjoys it, especially participating in the festivals, which have a slightly competitive element. The club does a fantastic job of making rugby fun, so there’s no stopping George when he’s ready for

his training session. Each gathering usually involves some drills and games relevant to learning rugby skills, ending with a tag match, which he loves.

The contribution of people like Zoe Goodwin cannot be overstated; the time and energy she puts in are remarkable. She sets a tremendous example and plays a hugely important role in the overall development of Ironsides rugby. I dread to contemplate the volume of hours Zoe puts into the club weekly, and I feel I speak for many in expressing our immense gratitude for her dedication.

Ironsides has many volunteers who give freely of themselves to support the club and community, beyond the necessary administrative duties. Organising weekly training, festivals most weekends, the annual tour and various other events throughout the season requires a huge amount of work, which is hugely impressive.

Having been a club sponsor with my company, Blakes London, for over three years now, it has been a pleasure. Initially supporting the tour and then committing to a 3-year arrangement, we are very happy to help the club in any way we can.

For me, Ironsides Rugby Club epitomizes inclusivity. The fact that every child, regardless of ability, is given the opportunity to enjoy the great sport of rugby marks the club’s culture superbly. They are exceptionally wellorganized and structured, and it is very clear how much effort and energy goes into every single session, each well-thought-out with a wellorchestrated plan. The quality of the coaching also stands out; although they may not be professional coaches, they are volunteers who are very well-prepared!

Overall, the attitude of Ironsides’ coaches and members is excellent. Going on tour, you have the privilege of meeting all the players and parents. Myself, my wife, and our boys have made some great friends through the club, and it is just a fantastic place. What Ironsides Rugby Club contributes, not only within the club itself but throughout the local community, can only be described as outstanding in so many different ways!

Basildon RFC

Victorious Twice Over!

JOANNA

COLYER,

CHAIRPERSON.

“WE ARE THE EPITOME OF A COMMUNITY CLUB!”

My journey with Basildon RFC began in 2015 when my son took to the field for the first time. Initially a rugby mom, I swiftly found myself contributing to the club’s operations, from managing

match fees to ensuring Safeguarding measures were in place. Two years of immersion in the game later, I transitioned into managing the u16/u17s academy, forging enduring friendships and witnessing remarkable growth within our rugby family. As my daughter Sophie joined in, I had the joy of watching

both my children, alongside their peers, evolve into fine players and respectable young individuals.

Stepping up to serve on the committee as Vice Chair for the 2022/2023 season was a rewarding challenge, followed by assuming the role of Chairperson for 2023/2024. Fuelled by a desire to uplift

the club, I embarked on this journey with trepidation but was met with unwavering support every step of the way. With the collaborative efforts of my husband Tyler, senior players, and our dedicated coaches, we achieved remarkable success both on and off the field.

James Meadows has played for Basildon Rugby Club since he was a very young lad and has been club men for years and has a passion and love for grass roots rugby.

He is someone we cherish and couldn’t do without his presence and continued contribution! The season saw both our senior teams clinch their respective leagues, while our academy continued to flourish, nurturing exceptional talent and securing unprecedented victories, including the U18 girls’ historic triumph in the national cup.

Despite facing challenges, such as rebuilding our player base and navigating uncertainties regarding our

premises, Basildon RFC remains steadfast in its commitment to community engagement and player development. Our focus lies not just on winning, but on fostering a love for the game and nurturing a sense of belonging among players, who are the future custodians of our club.

As we look ahead, our resolve to improve facilities and elevate onfield performances remains unwavering. Basildon RFC prides itself on being a true

community club, where sponsors, volunteers, and members unite to uphold our values and enrich the wider rugby community. Our vibrant history and sociable ethos underscore our commitment to preserving our club culture while embracing the broader rugby fraternity.

In essence, Basildon RFC stands as a beacon of camaraderie and sporting excellence, driven by a shared passion for rugby and a deeprooted sense of community.

GARRY BETTIS, HEAD

COACH & SPONSOR: GB

DRYLINING SYSTEMS LTD.

I was born and raised in Basildon but played most of my rugby overseas. In my early 20s, I travelled to Canada, where I met my wife and ended up staying for the next 12 years; what was meant to be a six-month hiatus turned into much longer!

I returned in 2016 and continued playing rugby, but an ACL injury put an end to my playing career. Being self-employed influenced my decision to continue my involvement with the sport, so I eased my way into coaching, starting with the U15s, U16s, and The Academy. I then progressed into senior coaching, which I have been doing for the past three years. Naturally, coaching your hometown side brings its own pressures, including managing your emotions, relationships, and expectations of success on the pitch. This determines the level of respect you can expect from your peers, who have had their own playing careers and victories.

After a few years of rebuilding, it has all worked out for the best. We have a great group of young lads who have gained experience over the seasons. We decided to play a more expansive style of rugby and have fun with the ball without being overly structured; everyone bought in, and the rest is history, as they say.

At the start of the 2023/24 campaign, I had mixed feelings about where we would end up in our league. I did think we would at least finish in the top three. When I asked the players what their goals were, it was a resounding “win the league,”which is probably not an unusual emotive response. After having a strong threefrom-three pre-season and a few good league results, things shifted for me. I felt that if we could maintain our team’s commitment and remain injury-free, we had a good shot at finishing strongly. By mid-season, having completed our first round of fixtures, I knew that finishing as champions was a very strong possibility.

In years gone by, I knew we had to engender a one-club mentality if success was to be realized. Last season, we utilized 43 players across our 1st XV, not just 22. At the end of the day, we are foremost a community club, so it’s essential that people want to be here at Basildon. One of our biggest shifts was around our overall culture and a full embrace of being a single

force as a club, which really paid dividends as our results demonstrated. The social buzz was evident, grounded in our own definition of success, which was rooted in our environment; players kept coming back for the same common goal.

Level 7 offers us new challenges next season, with our goal to remain sustainable and continue building on what we are already doing, with the main target being to stay in our new league. If last season had offered our guys a fuller fixture list without the long breaks throughout the season, I feel the momentum would have benefited us, and the continuity would have made it very difficult for other teams to win against us.

Next season offers us a full 22-team league with more competitive matches and likely more consistency among those teams. Improved strength and fitness with a better rugby IQ will be needed in a more competitive

division, and accountability and competition among players will be a factor.

I am also a proud sponsor of the club with my business, GB Drylining Systems Ltd. Personally, Basildon Rugby Club has given me so much. With our region and club being such a diverse community, it has at times saved some of our guys from going down the wrong path. By having such close connections, genuineness, and trust with each other, we have managed to cultivate, over time, an ability to support and help each other.

It not all about on filed performances either, a focus on team bonding away from rugby, with little things like challenging players to have three conversations with people that don’t involve talking about rugby, can surprise them with the benefits to be had. Getting to know just small details about another person can only help form deeper bonds. Initial

resistance is a usual reaction until the value is realized.

Gaining the smallest pieces of information about another in a friendly open conversation can create a deeper connection between them; whether we both support the same team or both have a dog, it can only add to an existing relationship.

One of my mentors is a guy called John Bates, who used to work for the RFU and whose teachings and philosophy I find very interesting. He has been very helpful in supporting my person-focused coaching style through asking questions about why a person does or thinks in a particular way.

For me, and I probably speak for a lot of the boys, Basildon Rugby Club is a home away from home, a second family. We are pretty much all on the same page. We are at Basildon because we want to be there and because we simply love the game of rugby!

STEVE WILLIS, FORMER PLAYER, VP MEMBER & SPONSOR: WILLIS TEACHING AGENCY

I am a local lad and went to school at Barstable, where I played rugby. Barstable was a feeder school to Basildon RFC, so typically, at age 14, many of my schoolmates and I joined the club, along with our PE teachers, who were also players there. I was always a pack player, positioned at No.8 because I could run, and I played every forward position, ending up as a prop three years ago until I hung up my boots at age 50!

In addition to other tasks I undertake at the club, I manage and organize our vets team, who enjoy a few fixtures each season where I coerce all the old boys out onto the pitch! I get to see many of the 1st, 2nd, and Vets fixtures, all of whom have enjoyed excellent seasons, and attend our VP lunches, which are great fun. Our minis and juniors are doing well, and girls’ and women’s rugby has been a huge bonus for the modern game, not just at Basildon but for rugby in general.

Part of my role these days, having moved away from playing, is to ensure the bar is packed on match days and to offer the best welcoming attitude we can. Basildon RFC and the town have a tough

reputation, and certainly, we were tough boys when we arrived at the club. However, we always push back against this reputation and try to offer an open and friendly environment to everyone who comes to the club. Away teams are often surprised by our hospitality, and how an unintimidating environment it actually is.

Basildon Rugby Club was set up 70 years ago by Welsh PE teachers who settled in Essex post-war, around the 1950s. The first thing they did was to establish rugby clubs at Basildon, Westcliffe, Southend, Rochford, etc. All these clubs in this part of the county came into existence thanks to these great individuals from Wales at the same time when all our schools were built, surrounding us with Welsh Rugby. The foundation of the club was born out of the love of rugby these people had and who essentially took the rough diamonds from the community and polished them!

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In a town that didn’t really exist pre-war, you will regularly hear songs amongst our Welsh Choirs at the club, creating a wonderful atmosphere. A big part of my role now is to foster this great heritage and culture alongside my friends and to maintain its importance so that everyone recognizes how we were first established and how we plan to move forward. If you ever visit our club, you will still find some of these old stalwarts and pioneers around! Our strong group of VPs are also true custodians of Basildon Rugby Club, many of whom venture into local schools to spread the good news! Dusty Hare is one of those who makes a real difference, ensuring we continue to play our part. I’d say we have a very strong group of VPs at Basildon, more so than other clubs, which is really important for doing the behind the scenes work to ensure rugby is played on the weekends. Sadly, less and less rugby is played at schools these days. Being a former teacher myself, I always make sure that when working with local schools, I point them in the direction of Basildon. We always say that the 15 kids who walked into Basildon RFC, in my generation, are still here today, just not playing. Our primary and secondary school links are excellent. Irrespective of whether there are pitches and posts in the school or not, we will still coach rugby. Each year, we know that those 15 players are here in the town but not getting the same access to rugby that we enjoyed in years gone by, so rugby is

what we try to provide. This vocation of sorts is extremely close to our hearts.

I’ve often found that most, if not all, kids don’t need to be taught how to kick a football, but it is often high on the agenda at schools and usually the preference of our teachers. Dusty will go into schools and educate the teachers on rugby, exposing the kids to another option, which they often not only enjoy but thrive in an environment that offers much more than just sport.

Access to rugby is everything, and if anyone were ever to be put up for an award, it would be our Dusty Hare, who has dedicated his life to helping pluck youngsters out of our community and change their lives through rugby!

I am also a sponsor of the club through my teaching business, Willis Teaching Agency, which I enjoy. Giving back to a club that has given me so much. Basildon Rugby Club’s 70th ball, 1954-2024, is this weekend, which is amazing. It will be wonderful to see everyone. There’s a bunch of us old boys who will be there, dedicated to ensuring that rugby will continue to be played at Basildon for many more seasons to come!

TYLER COLYER, FORMER COACH, SUPPORTER & SPONSOR: MORELIGHT

GLASS DESIGN LTD

I was born and bred in Basildon, and my relationship with the Rugby Club started when my son Jamie, who played rugby in senior school, began playing at age 12, around eight years ago. Jamie has since progressed to being a 1st XV player, predominantly in the full-back position. Although I originally had some misgivings, Jamie’s involvement in the sport has turned out to be the best thing he has ever done! I was more into football and martial arts growing up, but as my wife Jo, daughter Sophie and Jamie became more involved, so did I. Unfortunately, I was never introduced to the great sport of rugby growing up, which I suppose is a little bit of a regret.

I’m usually down at the club five days a week and, without fail, have attended every match Jamie has played in. Since Jo stepped up into the Chairman’s role, the club has become a huge part of our lives. My daughter Sophie, a formidable player in her own right usually in either fly-half, wing or fullback positions, is in her 3rd year of Rugby at Basildon and thoroughly enjoying the whole experience.

Last season was probably one of Jamie`s best, scoring over twenty tries with consistent improvement season upon season. The club itself has come on leaps and bounds since my initial involvement and is certainly heading in the right direction, moving up a league this season is testament to all the hard work paying off. Over the past few years, the club has

really evolved and come alive in many ways, which is great to see. I even pulled the boots on and gave it a go myself for the vet’s team. Not being on the larger side but still quite quick, the lads encouraged me, and I really enjoyed myself, so I’m hoping to continue again in the new season. Between the ages of 14-17, I also had the pleasure of helping coach my son’s teams, which was great. I also coached a few of the younger age groups, learning as I went, having never even thrown a rugby ball before.

The lads are collectively looking forward to next season and the challenges it holds. With the addition of a few new players, I feel they can move forward with confidence. My business, Morelight Glass Design Ltd, a bespoke frameless glass company that operates nationally, has been a proud

sponsor of the club and Jamie for the past eight years. Before that, we sponsored his school in various events. It’s been an honour to do this, really as a way to give back what the club has given to myself and my family.

Basildon Rugby Club is an amazing place to be. The social events are second to none, as is the camaraderie, which has also attracted many of my friends and family, and their children, who have experienced the good times I enjoy. You can walk into our club and receive an automatic welcome; everyone will shake your hand. Even the kids are often met by our older members, who reach out their hand to make them feel included. Basildon RFC is just a really good club to be part of!

70 Years Ball

Pictured above is Stacey, who has been a tremendous help to me and Basildon RFC last season, photographed with her partner James Meadows another great club stalwart.

Brockleians RFC

"A Rich History Spanning 100 Years!"

FRASER WOOD

CLUB CAPTAIN

My first memories of rugby were growing up watching my dad play for Thames Poly RFC. The Greenwich Academicals merged with Brockleians RFC in 2000. After playing rugby at school and supporting the clubs as a teenager, it was an easy choice in which team to play for. As we finished our A-levels, my dad and I organized our then-school team to play the club in a summer friendly, still one of our best recruitment events to this day. Fast forward 15 years, and I’m still here as Club Captain of the club’s 100th Season, enjoying it more than ever. My journey at Brockleians RFC has been great, from playing with close friends, making memories on tours, to supporting the club on the committee. I feel privileged to have been in a leadership role for close to a decade. Being lucky enough to be appointed vice-captain early on and club captain for a landmark season. Like most clubs, we’ve had our up

and down seasons. Recently, recruitment has been tough for us, being a smaller club surrounded by a catchment of many larger clubs. Relying mainly on word of mouth to recruit players. With our first XV topping the league prior to COVID, once rugby returned, we were unable to field a second team, becoming briefly a oneclub team for the first time, historically reaching a peak of 6 teams when associated with Brockley County Grammar school. It’s great to have a

2nd team up and running again this year, and we hope to continue recruiting.

Our aim is to attract some younger players to the club to allow those who could qualify for Vets rugby to retire from the 1st XV. Additionally, we would like to see a return of a consistent 2nd XV to the club, ensuring always a home game each weekend, the rebuilding of our Ladies team, The Ravens, and to continue to grow the club and ensure it’s here in another 100 years.

Our current main sponsors

are Amalgamated Lifts, Leaperco, Saber Security, and Wise Insurance, all of whom provide invaluable funds to enable the Club to purchase capital expenditure items, such as the recentlypurchased Tractor to facilitate the cutting of our 3 pitches and outlying areas. All of our Sponsors have shown a long-term commitment to Brockleians RFC, and we regularly see their employees down at the Club to support our incredibly successful 1st XV. We also benefit greatly from our enduring and close relationship with the Old Brockleians Society. Support at our Vice Presidents Lunches has been a real bonus as well. During the Covid-19 Lockdown 3 years ago, Brockleians RFC took full advantage by www.brocksrfc.com www.facebook.com/brocksrfc twitter.com/BrocksRFC www.instagram.com/brockleiansrfc

utilizing an amazing team of Volunteers (including Committee Members and Players alike) to assist with major improvements to the interior of the Clubhouse (whilst managing to maintain Social Distancing!). Such was the support of our Volunteers (too many to name here), that we literally had efforts from Boot Boy to President involved, including all stations in between. Our Club has been remarkably supported by many active participants who were and still are keen to improve our facilities. The amount of money saved by this Voluntary Labour Force runs into tens of thousands of pounds - a fact that has impressed all of our Sponsors. Having such a rich history, it is important that we at Brockleians Rugby Club remind ourselves of our long-standing achievements over the years from having lots of generations still involved at the club, including playing a 7s Tournament at Twickenham in 1974 against well-known clubs like Saracens, Blackheath, and London Welsh & Scottish. We have hosted international teams including Japanese universities and our current Director of Rugby was invited to train with the All Blacks while they were on tour in the UK! The volunteers who are critical to a small club. Brockleians has always been a Family Club, and in the last couple of years, we have seen many newborn babies being brought down on a Saturday to be ‘inducted’ into our way of life - the

future certainly looks rosy as far as that is concerned. We are happy and honoured to report that we are blessed with regular support from many former Players from all levels of rugby who are very enthusiastic in their continued support of the Club. Our coaching philosophy at Brockleians: 1) Grow playing numbers - aim to maintain 2 teams 2) Maintain league position following promotion 3) Continue/aid player development for better skills 4) Develop a playing style that players/club buy into 5) Have fun in taking the club forward We’ve had a real push to reconnect with members for our 100th season. It’s been great to see a lot more people supporting the team. We’ve been pushing hard trying to keep our social media presence up to reconnect with any of our members. We hoped advertising the 100th season would be a great campaign to run this year; however, it’s been overshadowed by the quality of rugby being played. With many recent posts being all about the tries being scored! To quote some of the senior supporters, they think we’re playing some of the best rugby at the club for decades. It’s been the perfect mix of celebrating club history whilst exhibiting a strong future for the players. There is a lot of buzz ready for our Centenary Season. Our most famous club player is Peter Wheeler, who played for the club in the 1960s before going on to an international career which

OLD BROCKLEIANS RFC CENTENARY: SOME SIGNIFICANT PAST EVENTS 1907 Brockley County Grammar School opened by the London County Council. 1910: The Old Brockleians Society was established by A. H. Webber. 1921: W Spikes, who joined the school in 1920, converted the School from association football to rugby that Autumn. 1922: A. J Caws visited W. Spikes and said ‘sir, I’ve decided to form an Old Brockleians Rugger Club’. He replied ‘good for you Caws’ and they got down to work. (Taken from an original note by the latter). The Club was a wandering side until after the war and played at assorted venues. (A Kidbrooke pig farm has been mentioned in the past!). However, it is noted that five sides were being fielded during the 1930s. 1925: The School colours were changed from blue and silver to chocolate brown, emerald green, and old gold. THE CLUB DID NOT OPERATE DURING THE 2ND WORLD WAR (193945). From past fixture cards, we conclude that activities resumed in 1947/48, with three sides. It is understood that about half of the pre-war 1st XV perished during the hostilities. 1949: The Club obtained the lease of the playing field at Eltham Palace Road. (One Frank Cole was a major benefactor). The playing and social facilities consisted of two Nissen huts. 1957: A new clubhouse was opened. Over the years it has been refurbished

and improved. 1964: The Club ran a ‘Best Seven in Kent’ tournament for many years and in 1974 actually emerged victorious. 1965: Peter Wheeler joined the Club and three years later moved on to Leicester RFC. 1974: The Club ‘seven’ won through to the finals of the Middlesex 7s at Twickenham, losing to Rosslyn Park in the first round. 1975: Peter Wheeler commenced his international career against France. He went on to win 41 caps (five as captain) and made 7 appearances for the British Lions. 1977: The Society purchased the ground freehold with the assistance of a grant from the sports council and contributions from members. 1979: The Club visited the USA playing sides in Philadelphia, Nashville, and Charlotte. 1983: Brockley County School closed and was subsumed into Crofton Comprehensive School, a non-rugby playing establishment. 1987: The Club entered the new league structure at London 2 South level. 1993: The Club dropped the ‘Old’ and became open with the expectation of attracting recruits. At the time, this was an emotive issue, but in reality, there was no alternative. School recruitment had dried up, and it had become clear that we needed to compete with neighbouring clubs in an attempt to maintain our playing strength. 1995: The Club won the Kent Plate, beating Blackheath 26pts14pts. 1996: During the early ‘90s’ the Club maintained its level of performance, but the overall playing ability of the side suddenly plummeted following the withdrawal of several stalwarts from 1XV rugby. We were relegated from London 2 (South), and it became clear during the 1997/8 season that we could not compete in London 3 (South East). Therefore, courageously the Committee withdrew from the league structure that season and we reverted to the Kent Leagues thereafter. 2000: Greenwich Academicals joined after an exhaustive search for a hospitable club. This provided a welcome increase in playing membership. Indeed, it was reported that of the 16 players from the Academicals 14 played games for the 1XV. Over the years these members have made a significant contribution both on and off the field. 2003-2005 - Backto-back league winners & promotions. 2013 &14 - Backto-back Kent Salver Winners.

included Lions caps before becoming president of the RFU recently. This season has really gone from strength to strength. During Pre-season our goals were to rebuild the team and didn’t stretch too far into the season. As we won our 15th game in a row (14 league games & a semi-final), I was reminded by one of the newer players that one of my answers to goals of this season was to field a consistent team. How things changed. With each win,

the confidence of everyone grew. Mentality changed and people believed we had every chance and every right to achieve promotion. Historically being a very forward-oriented club, playing a game not many seasons ago with 14 of the 15 players being forwards, including 6 props on the field at once. It was great to have a high-quality back line producing some great tries throughout the season. Even better that we were in a

place to have them recorded towards the end of the season, with thanks to those who sponsored the video equipment and players who ensured we had something good to film! After Christmas, we knew promotion was certainly an option. We, however, took each game as it came, with the goal to add one more Win to the tally. We have also made the Kent Vase Final being hosted at Canterbury late April. So are season has not

finished yet and are looking forward to the opportunity to win a trophy too. It’s been a huge achievement to be promoted this season, and our ambitions are to continue playing the exciting rugby we are now in Kent 3 in 2024/25. A Rich history and reminders of achievements over the years is a major part in making Brockleians such a great club to be part of! Our volunteers past and present have been critical to a small club like ours!

LEAPER, FORMER PLAYER, SUPPORTER & SPONSOR: LEAPER

& CO

Brockleians is a very small club that has been a massive part of my life! I went to Old Brockleians School and subsequently played for the club for far too long ��—from 15 to 55—when injury forced me to hang up my boots. Back in the early days, the club put out six sides, and it was common to graduate from the school into the club. In my prime, I played centre, then fullback for quite a while. As I entered vets’ rugby, I filled in as fly-half, a position they were missing at the time. Thankfully, we had a very good pack, so it was an armchair ride, really!

I also had the great honour of playing with both my boys, Ross (centre) and Jack (scrumhalf), while I played fly-half, for two years. During our matches together, they would just pass between themselves. Both my lads played up in Barnet for a while, and they used to come down to the club, and we would have a few games together, which was one of the highlights of my playing career.

I have sponsored the club for the past 20 years as I head towards retirement, and it’s been great for me to support

the club in this way. Last year, I watched a few games where the lads performed really well, playing very attractive rugby. Although my job lately was to help with the clubhouse and through my sponsorship. I grew up with the club from the age of 15, and although I wouldn’t say I was ever the greatest of players, the club has always meant a lot to me. I made a few appearances for the 1st XV, but running my own business from a young age restricted a fuller commitment to training and playing. However, Brockleians were always my club; I never played for anyone else. The club has always exuded camaraderie. I had the experience of coaching junior rugby, from U7s to Colts, for over 20 years at Barnet. Seeing all these children from different walks of life coming together was just a fantastic thing to experience. Rugby was able to encompass in its ethos something quite special, where we all looked after each other while fostering mutual and self-respect.

When I talk to my wife and friends about Brockleians Rugby Club, having spent so much time there, I often describe it as ` just like going home for me`!

Fareham Heathens Rugby Club

“A Close-Knit Family Atmosphere!”

Much like many other clubs, we were still suffering from the stigma that rugby is dangerous at all levels. The club wasn’t sending out any messages to counter this and to show how much can be gained by playing rugby. Consequently, this led to low numbers across all age groups.

From a senior team point of view, at the end of last season, we had a real lack of players available for game days or training during the week. There was a negative attitude within the club, which meant people didn’t enjoy turning up or sticking around after games and were looking to join other clubs.

We were looking to go into the next season with even fewer players and lower morale. A group of senior players who have been at the club for a number of years got together to tackle this issue and save the club. They love bringing ideas ranging from how to successfully recruit and retain players to what socials to put on during the season to get that feelgood atmosphere back from seasons past.

We’ve had a real turnaround in numbers of players, growing by over double within the season, and with the first team promoted, we have also secured a position for our second team in a league next season. Senior members have taken key roles within the committee, and remaining committee members have also been instrumental in aiding the transition back to a more

The ambition of our club is to continue to grow membership while providing quality rugby for those members and maintaining its close-knit family atmosphere. We’ve recently been working hard to create an indoor tackle centre and gym alongside improving our pitch quality to ensure we can provide facilities for members all year round, regardless of weather conditions. A large ambition of ours is to ensure training and matches can go ahead come rain or shine; a partnership for a 4G pitch would be massive for our club.

We aim to engage everyone in training sessions and have a ‘one club’ mentality. It’s great to see so many senior players coaching the younger age groups alongside those parents who have stepped up but do not play.

The general mood down at the club at the moment is great! This season has come to a close with promotion secured for the 1st XV senior men’s team, and a number of successful social events throughout the season have kept spirits high. The coaching team is much closer, and the seniors have helped to spread a positive attitude across the youth section. Additionally, we have a close affiliation with Harlequins Rugby Club.

Increasing participation was a must, as last season we often didn’t get 15 players on match day from senior through to youth. Now we are taking subs at all ages, allowing better rugby with more smiles on the pitch. Youth numbers have

increased, allowing better sessions to be run.

We’re currently in the regional cup and are looking to secure as many wins as possible here and go all the way. We currently sit three games from a final at Twickenham.

This year, we really wanted to push for women’s rugby to make a return to our club. We currently have a women’s touch team with 18 members since its reintroduction in April. We are using this as a stepping stone to look into the feasibility of a contact senior women’s team in the near future.

The entire youth section at the club is an extremely important part of the club. A large number of the current senior team have grown through this and into the senior squad. This season, we have had a team at all ages apart from colts (16-18), and we’re very excited for next season where we will introduce a colts team. Sunday mornings when the different youth section age groups train are a busy time at the club with a real buzz about. None of that would be possible without the parent volunteers who do a great job organizing the sessions and games. Alongside this, we have had new management take control of the bar who have done a wonderful job in providing more to the parents and kids; they are volunteers and do an amazing job making the club much more welcoming. We also would like to mention the new caterer who has taken charge of the kitchen this season, Braai-B-Q Boys, who have done a great job providing after-match food and delivering a range of great South African BBQ food for events at the clubhouse.

We host mixed-sex touch sessions weekly every Monday for those aged 14+, which currently has 30 members. A number of valued club members come to these sessions and help out with the wider club, showing the real one-club atmosphere. A member of this group has helped us on numerous occasions to pump water from the pitches to ensure senior and youth games can go ahead on the weekends.

Although our local council has supported us relentlessly, we are situated within a football-dominated community and can quite

often be forgotten about. We aim to be a community club opening up more and more to other sports teams and organizations, but this can be difficult as a smaller club that lacks funds for larger projects.

Sponsors are extremely important to us. As a relatively small club, we rely on the generosity of our sponsors to ensure we can provide greater facilities, equipment, and kit. We also have some sponsors who provide us with their services and time for free, which is invaluable.

What makes Fareham Heathens RFC such a great place to be part of is a number of things: its close-knit family atmosphere, oneclub mentality, events to get involved in, and the socials you can only experience at a rugby club.

This year marks our 50th anniversary. It’s going to be great celebrating with members new and old. We have an event planned for the 31st of August where, among many other things, there will be a senior match between current members and those who have left the club and moved elsewhere.

As a club, we’ve been through some really tough times, but we appear to be on our way out the other side helped by those who have stuck around and battled, also aided massively by an influx of new and returning members across all age groups.

successful club once more.

A LITTLE OF OUR HISTORY

Fareham Heathens was founded in 1974 by our late President Jerry Neighbour, originally solely named “Heathens” originating from the fact most of the players came from the Warsash/ Locks Heath area. The name changed to “Fareham Heathens” in the mid-1980s after securing a home ground in the Fareham area. We have been at our current ground in Cams Alders in Fareham since 1979, and currently run a 1st and 2nd XV, a Vets XV, a Ladies Touch team, and a healthy youth section which we started in 2007. Over the years, we have played in the Hampshire Leagues and cup competitions, winning the Hampshire plate 4 times (the most in Hampshire). We have always had strong links to the Navy, being located a stone’s throw from HMS Collingwood, and have current forces personnel playing in our squads now. We pride ourselves on being open to all players of any age or ability, and over the summer months, support a local Australian rules football team and tournaments as they look to grow the 9-a-side game on the South Coast of the UK.

The images we have provided come from our game day photographer who also currently runs our club social media pages on Instagram and Facebook, Luke (@ lwf_photo is his business page on Instagram). His involvement in the club this season has been huge, helping with recruitment, providing members with photos to share, and allowing the local community to feel more connected to the club across all age groups.

The Old Haileyburian RFC

HARRY CLESHAM, CLUB CAPTAIN,”OUR RUGBY CLUB THRIVES ON THE STRENGTH OF ITS PEOPLE, RICH HISTORY, AND ‘ONE CLUB’ ETHOS,” I joined Old Haileyburians RFC in the 2019-2020 season. After meeting club stalwart - Ed Boden - at a New Year’s Eve party, I was invited to play for the ‘Wanderers’ team - a convivial, social 3rd team renowned for its spirited matches and camaraderie. After joining the club officially, I progressed from a newcomer to a regular player in the 1st XV, with a starting position at Openside Flanker. In the fifth season of my tenure, I was privileged to assume the role of club captain for the 20232024 season, an honour that I embraced wholeheartedly and found immensely rewarding.

Later, I discovered a familial link to the club through my grandfather, Michael Clesham. He had played rugby at Haileybury School prior to Britain declaring war on Germany in 1939. Learning of this familial tie further solidified my bond with the club.

Our main challenges have included player turnover due to retirement or relocation,

addressed by proactive recruitment efforts via player networks and enhanced social media presence, along with the in-person distribution of 1000 flyers in South West London by existing players. Balancing a social rugby culture with commitment levels posed another challenge. To improve commitment, we gathered member feedback via a survey, crafted a clear

vision, and implemented communication and accountability enhancements. Finally, we tackled issues with organisational structure and goal-setting by engaging teams in setting achievable objectives.

Our ambitions for the rest of the 2023-2024 season is to win the Papa John’s Cup at Twickenham. Beyond this ambition and looking forward, we aim to maintain

momentum and compete at the top of the table with both our 1st and 2nd XV teams in the 2024-2025 season. Off the pitch, we’ll ensure member engagement through various social events during the off-season. Additionally, we plan to expand fixtures for our 3rd team - The Wanderers - to involve more of club members. Finally, we would like to introduce a significant charity fundraiser,

or volunteering initiative to foster community cohesion and support those in need.

Yes, at our club, we adhere to a unified coaching philosophy centred around the concept of a “One Club” mentality. This philosophy emphasises the interconnectedness of all teams within the club, from the 1st XV to the 2nd XV and the Wanderers. By adopting this approach, we aimed to dissolve any barriers or silos that may exist between teams, fostering a sense of unity and cohesion among all club members. Rather than operating as separate entities, the idea was to tackle challenges and pursue goals collectively as one club. This not only promotes better engagement among club

members but also cultivates a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone is working towards a common purpose.

The general mood at the club is incredibly positive and vibrant. Our players are not only happy but also deeply connected, regularly socialising off the field and fostering a fantastic culture rooted in our ‘One Club’ philosophy. We’ve taken proactive steps to enhance our members’ experiences, including hosting two networking events in the city, providing opportunities for professional growth beyond the rugby pitch. Excitement is palpable as we look forward to an upcoming rugby tour to Montenegro, adding an extra layer of anticipation to the

season. Training sessions have been highly successful, thanks to the dedication of our coaching team, resulting in a strong sense of preparation and confidence among the players. Additionally, we’ve enjoyed several memorable social events, including Ladies Day and the Christmas party, further strengthening the camaraderie within the club. With an impressive record of 21 wins out of 23 matches for the 1st XV, there’s a shared enthusiasm for building upon this winning momentum and achieving even greater success together.

We share our ground with Old Wellingtonians RFC and this season, due to successful recruitment, we’ve had surplus players. As a result, we’ve loaned players to Old Wellingtonians, forming a combined teams on a couple of occasions that internally we called “The Allies.” Additionally, some of their players have joined our 2nd XV fixtures, strengthening our bond and fostering collaboration between our clubs.

We’ve also had successful domestic tours to Stourbridge

RFC in the Midlands, resulting in talented players joining us after relocating to London. These tours have become highlights, strengthening our bond with Stourbridge.

This rugby season has been quite a journey for our teams on the pitch. Thanks to strong recruitment efforts at the beginning of the year, we’ve experienced a significant shift. Initially facing selection challenges due to a shortage of options, we’ve now found ourselves in the enviable position of having an abundance of talent, leading to tough decisions on player selection.

One standout aspect of our performance has been our exceptional defensive efforts. We currently boast the best defense in the league, conceding the fewest points by a considerable margin. This achievement speaks volumes about the dedication and commitment of our players, who consistently put their bodies on the line for the collective success of the team.

Integral to our success has been the cultivation of a robust leadership core. We’ve made a concerted effort to nurture a group of leaders who drive high standards both individually and collectively. This includes the consistent guidance of our coach, the dedication of our captains and vicecaptains, and the invaluable contributions of our senior experienced players. Together, they have played a pivotal role in shaping our team’s ethos and driving us towards our goals on the pitch.

Our ambition for the 1st & 2nd XV was to win their respective leagues and secure promotion. Both teams ended up finishing 2nd in the league, but thankfully did secure promotion to their respective league above - as the top 2 teams went up in each league. Now the 2023-2024 league season has concluded, OHRFC’s new ambition is to go on to win the Papa John’s Cup and to

play in a final at the home of English rugby, Twickenham.

Without a minis set up we do struggle to attract and hold local players, but over the last few years we have seen increased engagement from the local supporters, local players and businesses in being involved in the club.

We hold a pre season “one club” friendly at Ruxley where we encourage all new players to attend/play or pop down on a home game to introduce themselves to our team.

Our sponsors play a crucial role in supporting our club’s activities, providing valuable income that contributes to our success. While we have other sources of income, we deeply appreciate and welcome the support of our sponsors. Their contribution helps us maintain and enhance our operations, ensuring a vibrant and sustainable future for our club.

Our rugby club thrives on the strength of its people, rich history, and ‘one club’ ethos. From dedicated committee members to players, old and new, our community is united by a shared sense of belonging. Supported by excellent facilities and sponsors, we prioritise inclusivity and enjoyment for all members. It’s this blend of tradition, camaraderie, and commitment that makes our club truly special.

OUR HISTORY

An OH Cricket and Rugby Club was formed in 1875. The cricket side seemed to become well established with regular fixtures, but the rugby side struggled to fulfil its fixtures. In 1902, the Club renamed itself The Haileybury Wanderers which seemed appropriate as the Club had no ground of its own. In 1912 the Club became The Old Haileyburian RFC and

its first ground was beside the river Lee at Broxbourne. We changed at a pub called “The Crown”, where bathing conditions were very basic to say the least!

When the WW1 broke out, the Club took the decision immediately to cancel all fixtures and seventy out of the seventy-six playing members joined up. The Great War took a heavy toll of its members as Old Haileyburians answered

the call to serve. Fifty of the playing members of the club made the ultimate sacrifice.

Those who survived the Great War refused to let the Club die and it was revived in 1919. We gave up the ground at Broxbourne in 1919, and shared a ground at Old Southgate for a while with Old Millhillians until our ground at Ruxley Lane was purchased in 1934, with the help of a generous loan from

"Our sponsors play a crucial role in supporting our club’s activities, providing valuable income that contributes to our success.

The Haileybury Society to help build the Clubhouse.

The late 1930’s were something of a Golden Age for the Club. The chief opponents were still Old Merchant Taylors, Old Millhillians, Old Paulines, Old Whitgiftians and so forth but there was also a fixture against Coventry. The captain, Peter Grace, along with Tommy Hall, played for Eastern Counties. P.K. Mayhew was an Oxford Blue and England trialist. The club was considered to be amongst the best Old Boys Clubs at the time. In 1937/38, the last full season before the War, the Club Firsts played 24, winning 21 and losing 3, with a points tally (when tries were worth three points) of 315 for and 105 against. No side scored more than 9 points against us and Harlequins 2nds were defeated 14 – 5!

The Second World War took its toll again of several hundred Haileyburians, including thirty-two young OHRFC members being killed in action. National Service after the war made recruiting new members more difficult, but the club rebuilt its membership to the point where in the 1970s the Club fielded four or five teams! In the early 2000s the Club made the decision to open

"We’ve taken proactive steps to enhance our members’ experiences, including hosting two networking events in the city, providing opportunities for professional growth beyond the rugby pitch.

membership to non-Old Haileyburians and the Club has not looked back.

Over the past 15 years the Club has been promoted through the Leagues to Surrey Counties 2 and in the 2023-2024 season the recent renaissance of the Club under Harry Clesham and his team of officers has resulted in both the 1st XV and the 2nd XV being promoted again. The club is running two senior teams, with an occasional 3rd XV, aptly named The Haileybury Wanderers, now playing more and more friendly matches – there is even talk of The Wanderers joining a League. There are over 100 registered players and in season 2023/2024 we recruited over 30 new players alone! The future looks good!

Wymondham Rugby Club

“A Double senior men’s promotion`s 2023/2024!

PAUL WOOTTON, CHAIR.

“GREAT CLUBS ARE MADE UP OF GREAT PEOPLE!”

I went to school at Wymondham College. The College is a rarity – a State run boarding school where the main sport in the Autumn term is rugby. The Club has long had a strong relationship with the College with many players starting their rugby journeys at the College and others holding teaching positions there. When I was around 17 I was asked if I fancied playing for Wymondham and jumped at the chance playing a few games for the senior teams before I headed to University.

I returned to Norfolk after Law School and immediately found my way back to the Club, playing around 250 senior games until retirement. We used to play at Tuttles Lane – a 10 acres site on the edge of Wymondham which turned into a quagmire for 4 months of the season but many of the older players are very nostalgic about the place. Most of my best friends are old rugby mates – indeed I have just returned from Bordeaux with 21 of them to support England’s women in the Six Nations. Our relationships epitomise for me all that is great about rugby –long-term bonds created on the rugby field.

I stopped playing for the

1st XV when I was about 35 just about the time that my boys started to play mini rugby. I remember popping down to the Club one Sunday morning and to my shame I had absolutely no idea what a fantastically successful minis and youth section we had – it was like a completely new club that I had not known existed! Before I knew it, I had been volunteered to lead the coaching team for the U6s and I did that until Colts. We were very successful in a competitive rugby environment – our own Tommy Freeman is now an England regular but remarkably Freddie Steward and Jack Van Poortvliet (who have also since played for England) were also playing at the same time for other

Norfolk clubs. I was also the Director of Youth Rugby for a short period before I took a break from coaching and sitting on various committees at the Club.

Given the quality of our old pitches and the fact that we were trying to run a huge rugby club on a 10 acres site, the Club spent a long period of time trying to relocate. I was a planning solicitor and for many years provided support, guidance, and advice until we realised our long-term ambition to relocate to a new facility in October 2018. The Club owes a huge debt of gratitude to the Barnard family and Robert Barnard in particular for their huge support and help in making our relocation happen, gifting our current 30 acres site to

us and forward funding our planning and relocation costs. I love the Club and one day did want to be the Chair. I took over in very early 2020. It was an exceptionally challenging time. We had spent a bit too much time focusing on relocating and not enough on our commercial operations which meant we had some financial challenges. I had to restructure our commercial operations which although necessary was difficult for me personally. Having done that, Covid lockdowns commenced. For a year or so it was very hard trying to keep the Club looking forward to when rugby would return. My wife, Charlie, took over on a volunteer basis notionally as Facilities Manager but the role was much bigger than that. I was a partner in a law firm which was an onerous role and without Charlie’s support I am not sure how we would have got through that year as a club. Charlie’s efforts won her the RFU’s Volunteer of the Year Award.

In early 2021, following the start of the vaccination programme, it became increasingly clear that the end of lockdowns was in sight. We went to the market to secure a new General Manager – Liam Browning, a player, was appointed. We got new senior coaching teams in

place. Lockdowns started to be eased and we were up and running again.

Since those dark days in 2020 and 2021, we have not really looked back. With the huge efforts from coaches staying in touch with players and the relaxation of lockdowns we were able to get back to playing rugby and with our huge army of volunteers we quickly bounced back. We had lost a lot of senior men and women players during lockdown, but the men managed to finish 6th in the first season post-Covid and the women have done a brilliant job at stabilising and remaining at the same level in the league structure for the last 3 seasons. We struggled that first season getting a 2nd XV out on occasion but fulfilled almost all our fixtures. In the following season (2022/23) we improved to 3rd with our 2nd XV fulfilling all their fixtures and finishing in the top half of the table.

Given our relocation and fantastic facilities I certainly feel the weight of expectation which comes from the legacy we have been given. My time as Chair has not always been easy but the hard work put in by so many people in those early months and years of my tenure is being repaid in spades by the success all our teams are having on the pitch. I cannot pretend I enjoyed it much in that early period, but I love it now.

Although we have fantastic facilities, the first challenge was to stabilise our finances as without that we could not invest in our rugby activities across all sections of the Club. This comprised looking very closely at our cost basis including employees but also all of our supplier costs. We also had to ensure we secured all the grants, particularly Covid related, to which we were entitled. Without a sound financial basis, any investment in our rugby activities would have been impossible. It is the same for every club regardless of the level they play at or their ambitions. Books have to balance!

We have over the last few years reviewed all of the events we hold including our fireworks night, Beer Festival and Annual Dinner. We are at the heart of our community, but we wanted to achieve two things: a) make these events the best they can be and attract as many people from our local community to them; and b) maximise profit to make the huge effort that employees and volunteers put in worthwhile. This has been an ongoing process.

Liam and his team have worked hard to grow our room hire business including food to support it. We are regular hosts of parties, work functions and wedding receptions.

We have a Social Committee and dedicated facilities team who work closely developing the events we run at the Club. This year we added a Colour Run to the events we host and last year our first May Fun Day. We will also hold our first 7s Tournament this July. The Social Committee also leads our volunteering initiatives which are critical to the hosting of large-scale events.

Finally, no financial analysis would be complete without mentioning our superb sponsors many of whom have been dedicated to the Club for many years. Almost all have come on board for the next 3 years and we have added others to our stable. We strive to provide value for money and maximise the publicity and profile they get

from being associated with the Club through use of social media, shirt branding and low-tech brand awareness around the Club.

In 2021 our old Director of Rugby and senior coaching teams had gone and needed to be replaced. Collectively the old Management Committee wanted Tom Armes to return. Tom thought he had got away from coaching when he stepped down at the end of season 2019/20. He took a bit of persuading but after I begged and begged and bombarded him with calls and emails, eventually he said “yes”. We also went through a competitive process to recruit Katie Cane to coach the Wasps (the senior women) and for the first time, and not before time, we made that a paid role. Tom and Katie were instrumental in stabilising our senior playing base, a number of whom had retired or were

thinking of doing so or had left to go to other so called bigger clubs. I know Tom made 100s of calls to persuade players back to training. The work they put in to keeping decent senior squads together was, with the benefit of hindsight, critical to where we are now. It gave us a stable platform from which to build.

I also believe it is really important to have a clear set of strategic objectives across the Club. We have put a strategy in place and annually I sit down with Tom and agree objectives for the following season. We also publish them – we want all our members and other players and clubs to see them. We want everyone to know about our ambition but also that it is deliverable, affordable and we have the resources to do what we say we will do. This helps drive player recruitment and retention but also helps to get buy in from the wider Club.

As we developed our strategy, we also recognised that our senior squads are the shop window of the Club. They need to be playing at levels which attract and retain rugby talent. For years we have had hugely successful minis and youth sections winning disproportionate numbers of festivals and Norfolk Youth Cups. However, too many of our best youth players went to so called bigger local clubs which consistently got in the way of progressing our senior teams, so we quickly identified that the success of the Club had to be driven by the success of our senior teams. However, this is hard to do in Norfolk as it is generally with diminishing senior player numbers and with other clubs in our part of the world regularly leaving to join other clubs. In short, to realise our ambitions we had to get our senior squads playing at higher levels as this was the single best way of retaining our rugby talent.

It was clear from conversations I had with many players and coaches that many of the players did not feel particularly valued. Over the years we have initiated a number of things to attract and retain our best players across all sections of the Club including:

1. Dedicated and paid coaching teams for both senior men and women with financial support to

the Colts coaching team.

2. A new Director of Rugby, Tom, appointed in 2023. This has been instrumental

TOM ARMES DIRECTOR OF RUGBY

In our rugby philosophy, we prioritise creativity, adaptability, and enjoyment in playing the game. We believe in empowering players to express themselves freely on the field. Our brand of rugby is characterised by fluid movement, intelligent decision-making, and a commitment to entertaining both spectators and participants alike. We value teamwork, but also celebrate individual flair and spontaneity. Ultimately, our goal is to create an environment where players feel liberated to showcase their skills.”

The mood in the camp is electric following a remarkable season of success. The double senior men’s promotions have injected a sense of pride and achievement into the Club, fuelling excitement and anticipation for the challenges ahead. With a growing membership base, there’s a sense of unity and camaraderie among players, coaches, and supporters alike.”

Looking forward to next season, there’s an air of confidence and determination. Players are eager to showcase their skills on the grand stage, fuelled by the opportunity

in providing support to all sections of the Club and which had been missing since the financial pressures we faced in early 2020. It freed Tom up from his senior rugby commitments and enabled us to bring in a new coaching team headed by Max Dominy.

3. Continuing to prioritise our fantastic minis and youth sections – they are key to fulfilling our senior rugby ambitions as they give us a sustainable source of playing talent. Tom has introduced a transition day to which all U16s and Colts are invited, the key purpose of which is to facilitate the transition of youth players into senior rugby. We have had 7 regular starters in our senior 1st XVs this year who were in Colts or U18 girls last year.

4. We introduced a Back to Wymondham day on New Years’ Eve which includes a game involving former youth players who are at university or have moved elsewhere. This keeps these players in touch with the Club and increases the chance of them coming back to us when their studies are finished. We now have a minis’ dads versus youth dads’ game

to etch their names into the Club’s history books.

Off the field, the clubhouse buzzes with excitement as members come together to celebrate the Club’s success. This season, Wymondham has achieved something historical and is going to be competing at its highest-level next season. The achievements of the season serve as a rallying cry for continued dedication and commitment to the Club’s values of teamwork, respect, and passion for the game.

At Wymondham Rugby Club, youth and minis rugby plays a crucial role in shaping the future of our senior teams. Our commitment to nurturing young talent through structured training

which the dads have loved! We hope to expand this in future years to encompass women’s games.

5. A stash package for senior players paid for by donations from Club members.

6. Coach and/or minibus travel to away games.

7. Meals for players on Thursday night.

8. Dedicated strength and conditioning support and a gym on site with free access to senior youth and senior players.

9. Pre- and post-match snacks and drinks.

10. Senior team managers who do fantastic jobs at looking after squads including ensuring kit is laid out ahead of games.

11. Working really hard to get more support to both home and away games to ensure the matchday experience is really special.

12. Working to improve culture through Players’ Agreements which are reviewed annually.

13. We have worked very hard on developing our social media presence. When I took over it was hardly ever used. We now have dedicated Facebook and Instagram accounts with thousands of followers and many

programmes not only cultivates a love for the game but also instils the core values of teamwork, respect, and discipline from a young age. As these players progress through the ranks, they bring with them a wealth of skills and passion that seamlessly integrates into our senior teams. We identified the importance of the youth to senior bridge many years ago and as a club are continually looking at ways in which we can improve this. The senior men’s sides are currently shaped by 70+% Wymondham homegrown talent, which we are extremely proud of as a club. This continuous pathway ensures a steady influx of talented players season after

posts every week together with regular match reporting, communication with members and most recently a new WhatsApp channel for Club members. All these tools have been critical to engagement with our wider community but also our membership.

We don’t pay players but short of that we do everything we can to make the playing experience the best it can be. Since introducing these

season, maintaining the competitive edge of our senior teams while fostering a strong sense of community and tradition within the Club.”

The success of Wymondham’s touch rugby and walking rugby programmes has been transformative, making rugby more accessible and inclusive within the Club and the broader community. These initiatives have opened doors for individuals of all ages and abilities to engage with the sport in a fun, social, and non-contact setting. From newcomers looking to dip their toes into rugby or the seasoned veterans seeking a more relaxed way to stay active, touch rugby and walking rugby have provided avenues for everyone to participate and enjoy the game.

The popularity of these programmes has not only expanded the Club’s membership base but also strengthened its ties to the local community. By offering opportunities for people of all backgrounds and fitness levels to come together and enjoy rugby in a welcoming environment, with a new touch community engagement programme being led by Andy Verney.”

changes over the last few years, we have lost just one senior male player to another club, and he came back so we must be doing something right! We have also attracted more players from other clubs, but this is a difficult thing to get right. We want the success of our club to be driven by our hugely successful youth section and we undermine that if our senior squads are made up primarily of players from other clubs. We also recognise better than other local clubs that the game needs to be strong for us to be strong. We never target minis and youth players. At the moment, we believe that we are striking the right balance between attracting players and prioritising players from our youth section.”

We currently have 4 players with professional contracts with Premiership clubs. Tommy Freeman is the best known –he has been a Northampton Saints regular for 4 seasons and is now a regular for England. In addition, Will Evans, a former Wymondham College schoolboy, is plying his trade at Harlequins having previously come through the Tigers system. Young prop Will Hobson is also at Harlequins and Jake Garside plays at Northampton Saints.

Norfolk is not a rugby hot bed. There tends to be a lot of competition for a dwindling senior player base and that is the key reason why we invest so much in all our rugby activities as it helps to differentiate us from competitors. One of the things we have done recently is seek to formalise our relationship with Wymondham College to provide dedicated strategic and hands on coaching support. We also have a tie up with Anglian Vipers Rugby

League Club who have used the Club for the last couple of years for games. We think they will grow significantly in the future and there are clear opportunities for player recruitment and development. As indicated, we have a clear strategy and review and publish on our website all of our measurable rugby ambitions for each season. I think it is so important to agree, record and publish them – getting alignment throughout the Club cannot be achieved unless all our members know what it is we are trying to achieve. We review them on a regular basis at Board meetings and I sit down with Tom so that we can identify areas where some focus is needed. For this season, we have satisfied almost all our objectives in relation to the following areas:

1. Safeguarding and player welfare is at the heart of all we do.

2. The 1st XV and 2nd XV senior men both promoted. It was not a specific objective for this season but the momentum generated from great league seasons led to both our 1st and 2nd XVs contesting finals at the Norfolk Big Rugby Weekend. Our 2nd XV won in the Intermediate Cup but our 1st XV lost to Norwich who have played at the level above this season. This illustrates how much work we have to do when we move up to level 6 next season.

3. The Wasps have retained their league status and competed in their own finals at the Big Rugby Weekend 4. Our objective was 1650 members by season end –we have just hit 1750.

5. We have initiated all our

player retention and recruitment objectives.

6. Prioritising our youth section for both boys and girls and developing a clear pathway into senior rugby. Our Colts won the Eastern Counties Shield our U14s won and U15s finished runners up in the finals of the Norfolk Cup.

7. Developing our schools’ programme which

LIAM

BROWNING

GENERAL MANAGER

Community is at the heart of everything we do at Wymondham Rugby Club.

We host and support local businesses and charities in various ways from training days, fundraising, gatherings and team parties. We put on events for Wymondham and the wider community (Fireworks Night, May Family Funday, Beer Festival). We visit schools through our schools’ programme and host regular schools and touch tournaments. We have a number of sporting partnerships with other clubs who use our facilities including Anglian Vipers Rugby League Club, Wymondham Archery Club and Iceni. We also host local football clubs who like to use the facility given our floodlights. Many of our social events are attended by nonClub members which we love. We are Wymondham, We Support Local.

We are a family here at Wymondham Rugby Club and everyone who is associated with the “Red & Black Army” sings from the same hymn sheet. A real community club with aspirations to improve and adapt in everything we do to ensure we are part of the bedrock of our local community.

generates new players all the time and we are looking to expand so that we have more presence in the secondary sector.

8. Supporting Iceni one of the very few all-inclusive rugby clubs in the country.

Although we have a fantastic clubhouse and pitches with 4 senior pitches and 2 pitches for every mini age group, we recognise that we cannot stay still in terms of providing rugby infrastructure. Stable finances ensure that we can make short and long-term investment decisions.

We have identified a series of capital projects which we review at our Board meetings and prioritise them in terms of delivery. In the last year or so we have added a covered area next to the clubhouse, added energy storage to the roof of the clubhouse, paved the area next to our main pitch and added a 4G area next to the dug outs on the main pitch as that area suffered particularly during winter. We now have a container gym on the site providing free gym membership to senior youth and senior players. We have just started work to floodlight a third pitch which will be completed later this month – our success brings huge pitch pressure which we need to alleviate. In the next year or so we are likely to deliver a project to enable us to harvest rainwater to irrigate our pitches. Of course, this costs money, but we always look for short-term returns on the investments we make.

Great clubs are made up of great people. Most of my best friends are people I played rugby with. They have been friends for decades. I make new friends all the time at the Wymondham Rugby Club. The passion, enthusiasm and energy shown by countless volunteers is something which I just don’t see in other environments. It is infectious and drives our success on and off the field.

MAX DOMINY

SENIOR MEN’S HEAD COACH

This season has seen a lot of change within the senior men’s section of the Club. It has been my first year as Head Coach, and there has been a new coaching team and many new players come into the group. The whole group have been fantastic at buying into our new playing philosophy and changes we have made to our game model. It did take some time to ‘click’ but throughout the whole season there was a feeling that it will come together, and when it does it will be an enjoyable brand of rugby to play, spectate and

support. I have been very pleased to see the continual growth in the quality of our performances, and very pleased for the players to get their tangible reward of two promotions (with two cup finals pending on May 4th).

As a group we have a fouryear objective, and the success of this season has put us in a really good position to make that a reality. I am excited to get back into pre-season already so we can continue our growth, enjoyment and success being part of this brilliant, ambitious and familyfocussed rugby club.

Once our league promotions were confirmed, I began our season review.

Within this review I have identified what our points of strengths are, and where I believe we still have room for development. This is coupled with the tools we will need to be competitive within the new leagues we are entering. There will be some changes within the group with regards to new players and coaches joining us. There will also be some tactical changes we will make to our game model going into the new season. This is something I am looking forward to putting into practice in our pre-season games against some very competitive opposition.

ROBERT BARNARD, FORMER PLAYER, SUPPORTER & SPONSOR: GLEN LODGE

BAWBURGH LTD

I formerly lived next to Wymondham Rugby Club where our farmland was, and now I live only a few miles away. I started playing for the club in ‘79, for 10 years without missing many games, except when a knee injury hampered me. Ultimately, a dreaded cruciate ligament injury meant I had to hang up my boots at 45 years old.

My favoured position was No. 7, but being willing to play wherever required, I also played all forward positions over my career, including turning out in the backs as an 11 or 14 at times for good measure! Not being big enough for the pack, certainly in today’s game, flanker suited me best, weighing only eleven and a half stone.

After drifting away from rugby for a while, finding it difficult to watch after being a player for so long, I eventually returned to the club in the nineties when I was asked to become chairman. I served three years as Chairman, followed by two starts as Club President.

These days, feeling I’ve done my stint, I go down to the club purely for enjoyment as a supporter, attending the VP lunches-around half a dozen over the course of the

season-while taking in the odd away game.

Last season was outstanding for our senior teams, particularly with the high standard of rugby, which picked up even more as we approached the end of the season. My hope is that we can maintain the momentum, recruitment, and energy required for the next big step up. The club definitely has the right people in charge with Paul Wootton, Tom Armes, and Liam Browning, all having done a tremendous job alongside head coach Max Dominy and his team. The next steps will be forward-focused towards the 2024/2025 campaign as we look to settle in and acclimatize to the higher division.

My company, Glen Lodge Bawburgh Ltd., has been a long-standing sponsor of the club for more than 10 years with our golf club and driving range, as well as offering our services for other occasions and functions.

Over the past few years, it’s been great to see how the different sections of Wymondham RFC have all integrated together as one club. The lunces and social offerings are open to everybody, including supporters, all teams, as well as youth and mini parents touch players, etc. I’m hoping my own grandchildrern (without pushing them of course) will one day be part of this great club!

Images ©Kerry Lake

LUKE BEALES: FORMER PLAYER, 1ST TEAM MANAGER, AND SPONSOR:

KBP PLANT HIRE

My father, Keith Beales, played in the first-ever Wymondham RFC match. He was a formidable second and back row player, competing in the 1972 season when the club was first formed. My own rugby journey also began at Wymondham, and I went on to play semi-professionally, mostly as a loose-head, alongside Tom Armes at Leicester and for some other clubs. Graham Rowntree, former Leicester and England Legend, a loose-head himself, once told me when describing his playing position, “Your head’s either for it or it isn’t!”

There was only one club for me to return to when I stopped playing— Wymondham. I arrived as we moved to the club’s new facilities in 2018, which was great for continuing my journey just as the club was embedding itself at Barnards Fields and into its excellent new facility. Unfortunately, I had to end my career around Christmas due to a recurring hernia injury. With a business to run, I needed to accept the inevitable- in the sport I’ve always loved and at the age of just 33. However, I took on the 1st team manager role at the start of this year as other roles within the club shifted which I have fully embraced and thoroughly enjoyed.

Last season, I only missed attending one game, and it was fantastic to witness the boys’ success, culminating in a historic campaign that took us to our highest ever level. The team showed real grit in the tougher fixtures, even in the few defeats that they experienced, they got to showcase how we wanted to play as a real force and team. This season stands us in good stead as we enter the Regional 2 Anglia league for the 2024/2025 campaign. There’s a

real sense of excitement, for all the right reasons, as we head towards the new challenge. The lads feel prepared to enter the unknown with full awareness of the commitment required to be successful in the task ahead.

Unfortunately, I never got the chance to play alongside my dad. However, I did have the honour of playing alongside two of my three brothers, Calvin and Bradley, in a Christmas match. My other brother, Matthew, had to hang up his boots early due to injury. I also have a sister, Alison, who is a runner and an avid fan of Wymondham Rugby who regularly can be seen supporting the lads!.

My company is also a proud sponsor of the club. We have been able to help out with floodlighting requirements and seating amongst other things. We absolutely love working with the club and helping in any way we can.

What makes Wymondham RFC such a great club is that they are not just about us rugby guys but open their doors fully to the community. Anyone who wants to be part of their fabulous culture is welcomed with open arms. There’s always something going on at the club, whether it’s Foody Friday or a full array of sports being televised—rugby, football, or cricket! Our club is blessed with many great people who put their heart and soul into making Wymondham such a great place to spend time. Liam Browning, in particular, has performed miracles in connecting our club with the local community.

If you visit our club, you will surely experience a great atmosphere and see many smiles as we all look forward to another exciting season, entering the next exciting chapter in Wymondham Rugby Club’s history!

BEN SAGGERS, PLAYER, SUPPORTER, COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR & SPONSOR: STRAND DEVELOPMENT

I’m originally from North Norfolk and played for Wymondham for a couple of seasons in my early 20`s, usually in the no.8 position, coming back to the fold around three years ago. On my return I literally just popped down to the club as a spectator, and as expected, was welcomed with open arms.

Shortly after my time on the touchlines I was soon to become the clubs Commercial Director and now sit on the board of trustees which is a great honour for me personally. More recently I have put my name in the hat for 3rd team captain role, so there is a strong possibility I’ll be running that next season We`ll see what happens!

As an avid fan, I saw pretty much all the senior fixtures last season, which led to my company, Strand Development, becoming sponsors. Strand development are main contractors building for private clients and social housing providers alike, we are property developers ourselves covering all of Norfolk and the Suffolk borders.

There is without a doubt some brilliant talent in our teams presently, and over the course of last season, you could see the cohesion grow as the players gelled. This was demonstrated in many excellent results towards the season’s end when everything started to come together on the pitch. The coaches’ influence and feedback to players were also apparent

as each game was dissected for the benefit of the next performance, where you could see momentum being gained.

The 3rds have gained momentum over the past few seasons and will offer a buffer for our Colts coming through and hopefully make that transition a little easier for the lads. Youth retention is a big part of our ethos at Wymondham which only helps to make the overall club stronger. Providing food for the players for example on Tuesdays and Thursdays after training has been received well by everyone “Eat, play, and train together” is a simple but effective philosophy we have introduced at the club and a fantastic way of bringing our players and members together.

For me, Wymondham Rugby Club is a great community that has been given a superb facility. Before they moved to their current location, they were already a proper old-fashioned, family orientated and grassroots rugby club offering a fabulous example to any new members choosing to join us. As a club, they have certainly maintained that own special identity. So, to have all of that in a brand-new shiny clubhouse is brilliant.

The opportunity for continued growth is apparent, and I just want to be part of the next chapter in this great club’s journey. Wymondham is a rare gem that has really drawn me to them, and I hope it will continue to attract and inspire other young people into rugby and into this great club.

Strand Development offers a range of services to fit to our clients individual requirements. From private clients to national developers and everything in-between we can provide a main contract or sub-contract service catering to your needs.

TURNKEY BUILDING

Working together we can guide you and the design team through the whole process from conception to sales with everything in-between.

BRICKWORK

We have our own in-house brickwork division allowing us full control over the masonry quality for our developments and our clients alike.

SITE INVESTIGATION

We offer a range of services for site investigation to ensure that your project gets up and running with the minimum of unexpected issues.

LAND

We’re always on the lookout for land, and to develop relationships with landowners and help them realise the potential of their existing land.

GROUNDWORKS

We have our own in-house groundworks division, working for a range of clients from national housebuilders to local developers.

DESIGN & SALES

Our design team can help produce 3D models of your visions and our expert technical design team are on hand to make sure you get the best value out of your project.

Accredited by

“Delighted to be associated with the success of Wymondham RFC!”

SECTION 278 HIGHWAYS WORKS/OFFSITE WORKS

Strand Development is fully accredited to work on the public highway with an accordingly qualified workforce.

Burnham On Crouch RUFC

“Commitment, Family, Team, Passion!“

Burnham On Crouch RUFC is a community club located in the centre of the Town with easy access for its members, players, volunteers and supporters.

Established in 1966 it had various homes including the local secondary school till it moved to its current Millfield site in 1972 which it shares with the Cricket and Croquet clubs.

From its humble beginnings it has grown to be a significant part of the Burnham landscape and has in recent years enjoyed growing success due in part to its player retention, Youth and Colt programmes and close liaison with local schools. Our current first and second squads have a large proportion of home-grown ex youth players which not only provides an ongoing source of new talent but cements this club’s social credibility with players being close both on and off the field.

The club has been promoted for the last 3 years and will play in Essex 1 with our second team in the Essex Merit table for 2024/2025 season starting in September.

The present off season is a particularly exciting and

challenging time for the club as we move into new leagues with new players and continue our commitment to build a new Clubhouse and changing facilities to ensure we can grow both our playing and as importantly our social offerings.

Club President Robert Blunden who has been leading the team on the clubhouse build says this has been a long and challenging road but we are at last seeing

positive steps including the “Breaking of Ground” ceremony which was done recently at the ground on our final weekend which included a Members lunch and both 1st and 2nd games at home. The next phase to get the funds to finish the project is now underway and will include all members, sponsors and the local community to ensure our targets are met and we can start to use the new clubhouse from January 2025.

SALLY RUSO, PREVIOUSLY TUSON, CLUB COACH AND ENGLAND EX RED ROSE. “WHAT A CLUB TO BE PART OF”

My journey to Burnham On Crouch Rugby Club started with a new young family move to the area in 2021. We thought we would visit our local rugby club after being part of Thurrock RFC for several years. In the 22/23 season, I joined as a supporter when my

husband joined the team from Thurrock and subsequently started coaching in the 23/24 season. From the moment we stepped foot in the club to watch a Six Nations game, we were welcomed with open arms and had such a great experience we haven’t looked back since.

I guess our main challenges have been the small catchment area and its effect on the growth of rugby in the Dengie. However, because of our success, we are attracting more and more players all the time.

My pre-season plans for 2023/2024 season have in the main been achieved and included, Winning the league of course and being finalists in the Essex Presidents shield.

Getting to know the team individuals’ strengths and weaknesses while creating a cohesive senior squad, fulfilling every fixture and being approachable to all players so they feel they are able to question and challenge my decisions. This extends to selection, game structure, and training plans.

Providing as many opportunities as possible to showcase what Burnham is all about. I have spent a

large amount of time with the squad to help create a positive and rewarding environment while always following a “Player centered” approach.

It is also important to me to produce both enjoyable and challenging training sessions and have 2 competitive senior sides. I will continue to push myself as a coach to be the best I can be.

In the medium term, we want to compete well and aim for top 3 at level 7 in Essex 1 and produce a competitive development side aiming for top 3 in their merit tables whilst retaining and recruiting new players. Our long-term goals include Burnham achieving Level 6 rugby, transitioning colts to senior rugby, and having 3 adult male teams. We are looking to be one of the top teams in Essex - with models of best practice both on the field and off it that we can share with the wider game.

We agreed in our players’ meeting at the start of the season that a “playercentred” approach is our coaching philosophy, and we also agreed on our Core Values that we live by and are at the forefront of everything we do: Commitment, Family, Team and Passion!

The mood at our club at the moment is extremely high – there’s a real buzz on and off the pitch! So far, this season has been phenomenal for us. We started our journey on the 27th of June pre-season; the men worked through a new game plan and structure I set out and since then, they have stepped up, taken accountability, and lived and breathed our core values.

What they have achieved this season is nothing short of amazing. Promotion to counties 1 and level 7 in their first year back in the RFU

leagues, consistently putting out 2 competitive senior sides on a weekly basis, reaching the Essex presidents shield final and now competing in the Championship of the Papa Johns cup which involves the best 16 Counties

TEAMS AND SUCCESS’S

Burnham currently run a variety of Teams for Mini, Youth, Colts, Ladies and Men.

With O2 summer league Touch and with some players representing England in their age groups. Walking rugby enters its second season with a growing band of older players coming back to the game and club which further supports our ongoing need for more volunteers.

We have provided players through the Saracens academy and a number of England Internationals through our ranks and currently enjoy being coached by an Ex England-Rose.

2 teams across the country.

M&J rugby is naturally crucial for us. To keep Age Grade players in the game, our club does the following: We run Touch throughout the summer, this brings all age groups and genders together

and ensures that when those players transition into adult rugby they already know some of the players which helps to put them at ease.

During Pre-Season training, we gradually mix colts into the session for non-contact activity to make them feel part of the team. We include our colts at our home games, and they are involved in match day preparations, such as being involved in water, ball boy, and running touch. They are also part of our end of game huddles to make them part of the team.

We also do the same for them on their home games. Colts players are encouraged to attend our video analysis and game plan and strategy meetings to ensure that there is nothing new to them when they make the transition.

One of the senior 1st team players (Charlie Woods)whose role is to be the “Colts liaison leader” ensuring all are welcomed and made to feel part of the team. They are also there to support the colts through the transition into adult rugby. I and our senior leadership team (voted in by the current senior players at the start of the season) have facilitated some of the training sessions alongside the current colts coaches. Senior players also assist coaching the youth/ colts on game days. The Senior Leadership group is voted in at the start of the season by all players- players are asked to nominate themselves and the rest of the squad vote anonymously. The leadership group are tasked with supporting all players on and off the pitch.

Every year we run a club family fun day for the whole club and local community; this includes different events throughout the day which are available to all. Dinner & Dance include the youth parents and are an opportunity for the senior squad to integrate with the wider club.

This season 23/24, we have had 6 colts transition into our adult 1st team rugby and in total we have seen 9 transitions into the senior squad 1 and 2s. Senior players have also supported some of our current colts that are involved in player pathways such as Essex County rugby, Saracens academy, and England Touch. Being in a small community, transition is crucial to our long-term success and sustainability. So, we are always looking for new ways to encourage Age Grade players to stay apart of Burnham-OnCrouch Rugby club.

Burnham On Crouch is absolutely a community club - all adult male players were tasked with reaching out to local businesses at the start of the season to gain player sponsorship, both engaging in the local community and spreading the word about how great Burnham Rugby Club is. This also generating a substantial amount of money for the club.

Our sponsors are vitally important and offer us sustainability and the opportunity to keep growing and become a club at the heart of the community. Burnham On Crouch Rugby Club is an extremely special place for all - absolute inclusivity, a way of creating a support network and an extra family. We had 4 old boys turning up just to mow the pitches the other week to ensure we could have a game- this says it all really. What a club to be a part of!

REBECCA DISS (SPECKS)

LADIES PLAYER, COACH AND CLUB CAPTAIN

I have been a player and coach for many years involved in the committee and youth section. The mood around the club is very high at the moment having had an outstanding season.

As a club we have had successful player connections that have come through or played for the club over the years including OG, Harry, Samantha Cook, Jamie Bache. Currently we have a mix of age groups, with girls in the following age groups that play within their own grades at mixed rugby at U7s, U8s, U9s, U10s.

It is incredible that we have girls across all these age grades and just leaves U11s. We have been lucky enough to be supported by Sally Russo and ran a Princess Pizza Day for girls only which generated new players across the age groups. Currently those girls over age 10 and above that wish to just play with girl’s train with the Ladies and older girls, we manage to get a mixture of age groups with several being in under 16s. We are aware that we

My eldest child had a friend having fun in the U6s team and he was invited to join him. They have been playing together now for over 11 years and play in the colts together. My younger son soon joined in the fun. Rather than stand on the side line I offered to help, assisting with the U6’s when my younger son joined, then coaching the team from U7s; they are now U16’s. Both my sons will play together next year in the colts. Covid and the effect on player numbers, moving

need more promotions to keep this going. The Ladies/ older girls take part in o2 rugby as well and we offer them all the Pitch up and Play experiences. Two of our ladies play for Essex Vets.

With Touch rugby we are part of the 02 summer league and last season saw us with players representing England in their age groups for Touch Rugby. Our coaches and volunteers are all community people with involvements in Sailing Clubs, Cricket club, Brownies, Guides, etc.

I have to say Burnham on Crouch RUFC is the best club in Essex! As Club Captain I cannot even begin to describe how proud I am to be part of this amazing Club. The Club speaks for itself, if you come down on any training night you will see a plethora of boys, girls, women, men doing what they love best – playing rugby. Chris Kelly has recently been running inter school tag tournaments at the club and from this the Women’s section have managed to recruit four new players, all because Burnham Rugby Club make people feel special and take time to talk to individuals, not just the team.

onto 15 a side games just after the pandemic, and not having enough numbers, was an issue which was resolved by speaking to other local clubs who all had the same challenges. With the help of other local Essex clubs we manged to join three of the local sides together Burnam, Woodham and Witham. I look forward to watching my sons play together in the same team, and the progression of the colts into the senior side. We are trying to move to a more joined up approach for the U16s and colts transitioning into

ANDREW COURTS CURRENT YOUTH CHAIR

the senior side, this is very exciting for the future of the club. We also have a link to Essex and Saracens rugby. Three players in the U14s can be nominated to train in the Essex DPP (Development Player Program) which Saracens run with exceptional players progressing to the PDG (player Development Group) then Saracens can choose to advance players into the Academy. We have in recent years had players progress to the PDG and play for Essex. One of our Colts is Currently in the Saracens U17s Academy. This season has been very good for the senior side winning the league with mixed results in the different youth age groups. Being a small town numbers for youth sides can be an issue. Currently we are preparing our under 16s for colt’s rugby. Mini and junior rugby is very important, many of the current senior team players have progressed form youth rugby. Walking Rugby has recently been introduced and is progressing well. Touch has been played at the club for several years over the summer. It is very useful to stay connected with the players over the summer and a good way of mixing the seniors, juniors and ladies’ teams all training together. We often join with Woodham to attend touch festivals. Success has come our way in touch with several players selected for the Midlands side in the last two years. We are lucky that the Midlands sides have won the under 17 category for the last two years and our players have been in the undefeated gold medal winning team. One of our U16s last year, and a colt this year, was selected to play for England in the Atlantic Cup in 2023. We are hoping to have players represent England again at this year’s European Junior Touch Championship.

Burnham has players who are now grandparents whose grandchildren play for the club. To get our pitches ready following the weeks of rain we have pensioners who played for the club bring their own mowers down to help cut the grass as the club’s mower was stolen! When two of our colt’s school side played at Twickenham this year many of the senior members of the club took time out to travel to Twickenham to watch them play. Many more watch live on NextGenXV https:// nextgenxv.com/and I know many of the pupils at the local school where allowed to watch at school. Even the local Vicar mentioned to me that she had watched the game.

DARREN FITZSIMONS.

MINI CHAIR, YOUTH

COACH

AND PARENT

My son joined the U6s team at 4 years old, and attending every session with him I began helping the then coach Hazel set up the pitch, and clear up, gradually I began assisting within sessions, and ended up becoming the teams coach during their U7s season, along with some very dedicated and committed other parent coaches and assistants who give up their time for the sport they and their children love so much. It’s a privilege to be coaching this young generation of future players at Burnham, and it’s very exciting seeing the talent develop, the future is incredibly bright for this community club.

Player numbers and maintaining the flow of new players across age groups can be a challenge for a rural club such as ours, whilst our catchment area is modest, it’s difficult to compete with cities like Chelmsford for player numbers, especially with other sports clubs such as football and cricket

also attracting players from the same catchment. We as a club are however strengthening our presence in local schools, with our very own Chris Kelly running school tag rugby tournaments for youth ages to give children a taste of the sport and a very competent management committee and club structure in place to welcome players from all ages into our community club should they decide they want to join.

I have a personal ambition to share the field with my nephew, just joining the colts next season, and my son in under a decade, and playing some development squad games with them as team mates, this is a very personal ambition.

Across the club as a whole, we promote TREDS, and a huge aspect of this is enjoyment, we want all players to enjoy their rugby with us at Burnham, and to look back on their time with the club with a smile and feel proud they wore the badge, contributed to the clubs success, and have a wider family as a result of the relationships formed across the club.

There is presently an energy growing within the club as a whole, driven not only by the commitment and success of the 1st team squad, who have been exceptional in the last few seasons and are inspiring younger players coming through, but also from the youth squads themselves. Our players are playing freely, with genuine excitement and enjoyment, cultivating their art with a coaching team who contribute so much, and the rewards are beyond titles and trophies, the youth teams will wear the Burnham badge with pride throughout their time here, and will make an incredible senior squad when they progress. Personally,

HORNETT BROTHERS

& CO

We decided to sponsor Burnham on Crouch as there has been a long association with the club, with my son’s and grandson’s playing for the club, and actively involved off-the pitch as well.

The club reflects the values we have as an organisation in teamwork, inclusion and enjoyment. We like that the club has anchored itself into the community and that it promotes not just the sporting elements of rugby, but also the family and social side. It’s work in the community cannot be overlooked, and it is actively involved with Farleigh Hospice and the Santa Sleigh Run which tours the Dengie over a week and has raised funds for charities such as the Stroke Association.

I feel the excitement and potential and can’t help but smile at what’s happening at Burnham and what’s to come.

It cannot be understated how important mini and junior rugby system within the club is to the future of Burnham rugby, as noted many of the first team players are former youth players at the club. The 7-, 8-, and 9-year-olds you see training each weekend will be the same 17, 18, 19-year-olds in a decade walking out as the first team, representing this club. They will have over a decade of relationships on the pitch in most cases, and will have grown up with their brothers in rugby, know their team mates behaviour as well as their own, that knowledge and history can only benefit a team, knowing your support is on your shoulder before you’ve even looked, this doesn’t happen by accident, and where being a smaller rural club can have its challenges at times, the bond these players cultivate and the volume of youth players making it to senior rugby, makes this bond one of the advantages the club has over bigger rugby clubs in my humble opinion.

Burnham Rugby Club is the most welcoming club I’ve ever been involved with, from fellow parents, to players, coaches to management committee, you can see the love for the sport oozing from these people, the contribution of the volunteers is immense, and worth every minute invested when you see the kids enjoying their rugby and forging those relationships with their team mates.

ROBERT CARRINGTON

YOUTH CHAIR DESIGNATE

I played for the club since I was around 16 years old to date. When my children were old enough, I got involved with the U6s coaching team and have stayed on leading the coaching for my eldest child’s team who are now U12s. I am also currently a club Director, Club Coaching Co-ordinator, formerly the clubs Governance Chair and soon to become the Youth Chairman next season.

Our challenges for the youth teams are mainly keeping the playing numbers up and participation in the teams to ensure that there are enough players for matches. We are a small club with plenty of sports being played and other local rugby clubs, so we do quite well to manage this.

The club is currently starting an extension to our clubhouse and the senior teams have fielded a second team this season which hasn’t happened for a number of years.

We follow the RFU guidelines for all of our coaching and with Sally Tuson (RFU level 3 coach) coaching the Men’s senior 1st team we are lucky enough to get Sally`s advice directly too.

From my point of view the club have had a successful season with the 1st team winning their league and it feels like an exciting time with the build starting imminently.

Overall, the club have had a successful season throughout all age groups, especially with the 1st team only losing one game all season in the league and unfortunately losing the final

for the Presidents Shield, but the weather has given us some challenges with pitch maintenance and matches/ training being called off.

We have women and girls play at the club in various age groups and have multiple female coaches and even a female referee going through the ranks with the RFU. Specks who is our main women’s rugby ambassador is the most passionate person you could wish for.

Specks is our current Club Captain and runs the women’s/girl’s rugby for the club. Our 1st team wouldn’t be where it is at the moment without our mini and junior rugby section. We currently have around 80-90% (my best guess for a figure) of our 1st team have come through the age groups to now play

for the men’s teams. Mini’s rugby is just the start of the journey for young boys and girls to start to play rugby and aim for the senior teams.

Our small club ‘punches above its weight’ in regard to its performances on the pitch. We have multiple other rugby clubs local to us let alone other sports and we have managed to keep nearly all age groups running in the mini youth age groups and fielding two senior teams this season.

With players, coaches, supporters and committee members all pitching in throughout the season

Burnham On Crouch Rugby Club is a great community club and for me is an absolute privilege to be part of!

Bargoed RFC

“Double winners and History Makers!”

JEREMY ROGERS, DIRECTOR OF RUGBY.

Bargoed RFC has just completed the 2024-2025 season, and for the first time in their 141-year history, they have achieved the double.

The Rhymney Valley-based club plays in the third tier of Welsh Rugby. They won the National Championship Cup Final against Ystrad Rhondda at the Principality Stadium

and clinched the National Championship East League title.

The 1st XV had a memorable season, but the foundations for this remarkable double came from adversity. Bargoed lost at the start of the season to Ystrad Rhondda and then lost to Newbridge in November after defeating them in the cup two weeks earlier.

Bargoed responded well after the initial defeat and

really picked up momentum after the loss to Newbridge, going on a run that saw them win the next 16 games to clinch the double and remain unbeaten at home all season.

There were some great battles along the way, with impressive rugby played by both Bargoed and their opponents. This included tight away wins at Beddau, St Peter’s, and Rumney. There

were also two excellent games against Cardiff Met, who were runners-up in the league.

Bargoed saved their best performance for the final at the stadium, where they played superbly, defeating a strong Ystrad Rhondda side 65-12 in an unexpected result. Incredibly, wing Ashley Norton scored four tries in the final in a great team performance.

This has been one of the most cohesive playing and coaching groups seen in Bargoed for many years.

The coaching team, led by Head Coach Jack Condy and ably supported by Gareth Richards, Vinny Lott, and Darren Humphries, along with the Warriors coaching duo of Lee Pearson and Phil Osbourne, were the architects of Bargoed’s success. The team returned to playing the ‘Bargoed Way,’ focusing on a high-tempo, attacking style.

The coaching staff empowered the players, and Bargoed reaped the rewards of the hard work put in by both players and coaches this season. Captain James Leadbeater has been excellent, leading by example and setting high standards. He was well supported by Vice-Captains Josh Prosser and Kieron Brown, who both had fine seasons. Prosser played his 200th game for Bargoed in the last match of the season.

Bargoed is a community club with a thriving mini and junior section and a youth section alongside the 2nd

XV Warriors, who will enter the National Leagues next season. This will be a historic season, with two Bargoed RFC teams playing in the leagues for the first time. The 1st XV will play in the Community Premiership, and the Warriors will compete in Division 6 East.

The youth team also had a great season under Head Coach Steve ‘Spud’ Rose and Assistant Coaches Daniel Davies, Gavin Jones, and Ryan Gifford. They played in the National Plate Final at the Principality Stadium, losing to Carmarthen Athletic, and in the Dragons Plate Final against Ebbw Vale, narrowly missing out. Despite these final defeats, they had a fine season under Captain Taylor Meades, whose father Leigh captained the club for many years as a highly skilled and combative hooker.

This season, eleven players transitioned from youth to senior rugby, with a couple already having made their senior debut. The development pathway at Bargoed RFC is thriving, allowing players to progress from Tiny Tots to senior rugby alongside their friends in the National Leagues. This bodes well for the club’s future.

Bargoed RFC is looking forward to the latest group of recruits transitioning into senior rugby, training in the summer with other senior players, and learning from that experience. The coaching team for next season is in place, with ex-players Gareth Richards, Vinny Lott, and Darren Humphries continuing. However, Head Coach Jack Condy is stepping down due to work commitments, having been appointed as the Dragons Academy Senior Coach. Bargoed RFC wishes Jack all the best and acknowledges the significant

impact he made at the club.

The Warriors coaching team has been finalized, with Steve Lewis joining Phil Osbourne and Player-Coach Ian Jenkins. They will develop a young but talented group of players in their first season of senior rugby in the National Leagues.

Two ex-club captains remain in key positions: Jeremy Rogers continues as Director of Rugby, and Brett Wakefield as the 1st XV Team Manager. Bargoed 1st XV will compete next season in a hotly contested Community Premiership, renewing old rivalries with Pontypridd, Cross Keys, Newbridge, Ystrad Rhondda, and Cardiff Met, alongside clubs from further afield such as Narberth and Newcastle Emlyn from the west.

Bargoed would also like to thank the hard-working committee and volunteers led by Chairman Neil Carter and supported by Huw Evans (Club Secretary) and John Williams (Club Treasurer).

Finally, we must thank the fantastic supporters who are most certainly part of the team behind the team. Thank you.

Northallerton RUFC

Counties 3 Yorkshire Champions!

ZANDER METCALFE, VICECHAIRMAN.”AT ITS HEART, NORTHALLERTON RUGBY CLUB IS A FRIENDLY, WELCOMING COMMUNITY - RUGBY, CAMARADERIE, LOYALTY, AND BEERS!”

I was first introduced to Northallerton RUFC as a teenager by my uncle, who played for the first XV at the time. Northallerton did not have a junior section then, so I played for several other local clubs until I was brought down to a training session with the men. My father and grandfather had both played for many years, so it was always my intention to join the club when I could. I played for approximately ten years until my knees decided it was time to retire. Now, I involve myself by helping wherever I can as ViceChairman of the club.

The challenges have been varied because of the differing circumstances of each team. In recent years, it is no understatement to say that Covid slashed the club’s membership numbers significantly during the pandemic. However, the journey to rebuilding has

been steady and productive.

For our junior teams, the main challenge has been, and will continue to be for the near future, increasing the numbers across all age grades. Since the pandemic, the depth of each team is growing year-on-year, and there is no shortage of talent coming through. The ladies’ section has been in existence since 1991 and in recent times has seen a surge in membership with a significant proportion of arrivals completely new to the sport. This is an encouraging sign for our club and rugby generally. Integrating large numbers of brand-new players whilst developing experienced players has undoubtedly been a lovely challenge to have.

For the two senior men’s teams, the big challenges came at the start of the season. Facing the reality of relegation in the previous campaign and having no designated coaches either meant that morale was low heading into pre-season training. Thankfully, two of the club’s former players volunteered themselves and

have done a terrific job with all the players. We also have an irregular third XV who play mostly away at invitational fixtures. Their main challenge, when they do have a game, is maintaining sobriety long enough to play the fixture!

At its heart, Northallerton Rugby Club is a friendly, welcoming community. Maintaining this ethos and spirit is the main ambition of everyone; it allows all players and supporters to enjoy the game, and it’s only with this attitude that clubs like ours can continue to grow. On the pitch, it has been a successful season for the club, and keeping this momentum rolling into next year would be great as it has brought so much enthusiasm from everyone. Bringing through younger players from our junior to the senior teams in both the men’s and women’s game is a milestone that everyone involved would like to see. It will be a few years until our fledgling Under 12 girls’ team are ready to take the leap, but we have our first group of boys who have come through the age grades looking to try senior rugby

next season.

No matter what your age, teaching people to not only play the game but also to enjoy it forms a large part of the ethos within the club. Fundamentally, the purpose of the club is to allow people to play the game they love. Learning how to do that takes time and patience, and that is what we aim to teach. That being said, I’m not sure how much love and enjoyment is had when the big tyres come out for flipping in training!

I may have alluded to it a few times now, but the vibe around the club is infectiously positive at the moment. With the successes enjoyed by all teams on the pitch, there is a thriving social scene after matches. The involvement of so many former players, partners, families, and friends within the club is bringing an optimistic feel to the club. Undoubtedly, this season has been a successful one on the pitch for all teams right across the club. The men’s first XV won their league and are in a cup run with the potential to return to Twickenham again (third time lucky!). The second XV finished second in their league and, equally importantly, fielded a largely consistent side across the majority of games which paves the way for another good season next year. The ladies’ squad finished second in their league and put in many great performances. Introducing a lot of new players to the game whilst maintaining their core of players has to be seen a major success. The numbers in the squad even reached a level where a women’s second XV is in consideration for next season. The juniors (and in particular the under 15s) have had a very productive season playing an entertaining brand of rugby, winning the majority of their games and learning a lot from their defeats. It’s not often at a rugby club that all the teams have a great season, and we certainly appreciate how these things often go in peaks and troughs. It is nice to enjoy the peaks when they happen though! The main focus now is reaching Twickenham in the Papa John’s Cup with the men’s first XV. To return for a third time in eight years would be a remarkable achievement for a club of our size. To win there as well at the third time of asking would be the highlight of many careers. There has been a women’s team at Northallerton for quite a number of years albeit in several guises. The current form it has taken began around ten years ago,

and for a while, it existed as a tightly knit core of women playing friendly fixtures against whoever they could play. Over the course of time, this has grown and developed due to the hard work and dedication of many coaches and players. To have a current squad of around 30 players and 5 coaches at any one training session casts into deep memory the years where 5 women would turn up on a dark November night to train in the mud. It really has been a tremendous turn around in fortunes for a part of the club that is bringing so many benefits to all involved. Not content with having just the adults playing, a couple of the women’s players decided they would work with our junior coaches to set up an Under 12 girl’s team. This is the first year we’ve been able to do this and so it is definitely a work in progress, but to be able to offer rugby from anyone and everyone from the ages of 7 to 70 would be an incredible ambition for the club.

It is difficult to understate quite how important it is to any club to have a thriving junior section. They are the future of any club, and Northallerton is no different. Learning how to enjoy the game stands people in as much good stead as it does to learn how to play the game. Having a junior squad that can integrate with the senior squad seems to help deliver this ethos. To that

end, we have many of the senior players coming down to help with training on a Sunday despite their frequent hangover! After the Covid pandemic, membership of our junior section fell by 60%, and we were on the brink of folding several age groups. Thanks to the hard work of all the volunteers and parents involved it has now surpassed the levels of pre-pandemic days and continues to go from strength to strength. A few weeks after the end of the regular season, we host a summer six-a-side touch rugby tournament, open to club members and nonmembers alike. It began a few years ago as a way to reintroduce people to the club when lockdown rules were lifted and has continued each summer. We ran ten teams last year, including six franchises from within the club, all of whom bid for players at an auction to raise funds for the club. We also invited four teams from nearby clubs and military bases. Weather permitting, it will run for around seven weeks and will bring around 100 people down to the club each time. It is a great occasion and something that has become a highlight in the calendar for everyone. It has been particularly useful as a way to get people who have never played the game before onto a pitch with a ball in their hands. We just need some sunshine now to make it great! Without our

A BIT OF OUR HISTORY

local community, there would be no club, it’s as simple as that. The whole club is run by volunteers, players, former players, regular spectators, and partners. Everyone mucks in to keep the place running. Having been in the town for over 140 years, there are many multi-generational family players within the club, and this shows the depth of the connection we have to our community. Often, people who have grown up playing at the club have gone on to develop businesses and after retiring from the game have continued to support the club in other ways. As much as it is the players who represent the club on the field, it is the quality of our sponsors who showcase the quality of the club off it. We are so grateful for the continuing support of all of our sponsors, many of whom, as I mentioned previously, have grown up through the club. Some are new to the club but have gone on to have a great impact in helping to shape it into what it is today. We host several sponsors’ lunches

There has been a rugby club in Northallerton since 1882. Moving between several locations over the years, the club settled at its current home of Brompton Lodge in 1973. In previous times, the club would turn out four men’s teams each weekend. This has been tempered to two regular men’s teams in more recent years, albeit boosted by having a ladies’ first XV and potentially a ladies’ second XV if the squad continues to grow as it has done. Northallerton’s men’s team have stayed around the Yorkshire leagues since their conception, moving up and down through promotions, relegations, and reshuffles over the years. In 2015, we experienced the biggest landmark for the club when we reached the National Junior Vase final played at Twickenham. Coming out second best that day was no blight on a huge achievement for our club. This sparked a series of successes as three years later the men’s side won promotion to the Yorkshire 2 league and won the Yorkshire Vase in an undefeated run that spanned 34 games over three seasons. This high brought us to another cup final in the 2019 National Senior Vase which saw the club return to Twickenham and again come out a very narrow second. The highs reached in these seasons took their toll on the club and saw us suffer with player numbers and financial constraints off the field. Thankfully, the togetherness, welcoming spirit, and sheer determination of all the club’s members have seen us come through and put the club in the positive position it is in today. The introduction of the ladies’ section over thirty years ago was a landmark moment for the club and one that has brought tremendous benefits to everyone involved. The incorporation of the junior section ten years ago has only helped to bolster the strengths of the club.

each season which are always filled by business people from local areas, all of whom come together to enjoy the camaraderie of rugby.

Leeds Tykes RUFC

ANGELA RIMMINGTON

BROWN, MEDIA & PR, ”WE HAVE VERY COMMITTED SUPPORTERS AT ALL LEVELS WHO ARE BACKING OUR RESURGENCE AND ENJOYING THE BRAND OF RUGBY WE ARE PLAYING.”

CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME HOW YOU FIRST BECAME INVOLVED WITH THE CLUB AND WHAT YOUR JOURNEY AND CONNECTION HAS BEEN LIKE TO DATE?

My husband and I moved to his native Leeds in 2001. We went to our first Tykes match at the start of the 2002/03 season. Watched them beat Leicester and I became a supporter. After the club was reset in September 2020, I volunteered my 20+ years of corporate media and PR experience to connect the club with its fans and help build our brand and fan base.

CAN YOU LET ME KNOW ABOUT ANY AMBITIONS OR DEVELOPMENT PLANS ON AND OFF THE PITCH? We continue to develop and

WHAT WERE THE MAIN CHALLENGES FACED IN NAVIGATING YOUR TEAM INTO THE POSITION THEY ARE IN TODAY?

After a turbulent couple of seasons and then the disappointment of relegation from National 1 last season, we needed to get the club back on an even keel. The 1st goal, was to stop the downward spiral and be safe. We achieved this by Christmas, the next goal, was to see how far we could take it, to drop only 9 points all season is probably unheard of in rugby terms, we were unlucky that Rotherham went 2 better and only dropped 7.

strengthen our partnerships with the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University, both important player pathways for Tykes and National League rugby. We also want to strengthen our community links with local clubs, where we can provide player development opportunities and coaching. At some stage in the near future, we are interested in creating a competitive Tykes development squad/2nd Team and a Women’s Team.

DO YOU HAVE A COACHING PHILOSOPHY AT THE CLUB?

Create a challenging environment where players and staff aren’t in their comfort zone. We look to build a learning block into each session. We also have created a good, strong management team, who challenge each other, which then helps raise the standards.

COULD YOU PROVIDE A POTTED HISTORY OF YOUR CLUB?

Leeds Tykes has a proud and long heritage stretching

as far back as 1878 and the formation of Headingley FC, who merged with Roundhay RUFC to form Leeds RUFC.

The club has had seven eras:

• 1878 – 1992 Headingley FC

• 1924 – 1992 Roundhay RUFC

• 1992 – 1998 Leeds RUFC

• 1998 – 2007 Leeds Tykes

• 2007 – 2014 Leeds Carnegie

• 2014 – 2020 Yorkshire Carnegie

• 2020 – Leeds Tykes

Leeds Tykes were part of a historic world first dual-code rugby partnership alongside sister club Leeds Rhinos that ran from 1998 to 2007. It was the first time that one business had owned both a professional Rugby League and Rugby Union club with the sides using joint training facilities at Kirkstall and playing out of Headingley Stadium.

In January 2020, Phil Davies, who led the Tykes into the Premiership in 2001 and saw them lift the Powergen Cup at Twickenham in 2005, returned to the club. In September 2020, the RFU agreed to the request to change our playing title back to Leeds Tykes. Our longstanding arrangement with Leeds Rhinos officially ended. For 25 years we shared the Leeds Rugby Academy facilities at Kirkstall with the Super League club and have played home matches at Rhinos’ Headingley Stadium but that ceased.

Our home is at West Park Leeds in Bramhope where we share the impressive facilities of the Counties League 3 Yorkshire club for training and hosting home games.

In the curtailed 2020/21

HOW’S THE GENERAL MOOD DOWN AT THE CLUB AT THE MOMENT?

The general feeling down at the club right now is one of excitement, anticipation and a sprinkling of disappointment. The disappointment feeling being there because we have just finished the season and have missed promotion by 2 league points after it was in our hands for the majority of the year. As was said in a players meeting recently ‘we have earnt the right to be disappointed’ by performing brilliantly for most of the year exceeding most people’s expectations. This is what leads us to the other two words to describe the mood, excitement and anticipation about what comes next for the club.

season we were relegated from the Championship into National League 1. At the end of the 2022/23 season, we were further relegated to National League 2 North.

COULD YOU TELL ME ABOUT ANY SUCCESSFUL PLAYER CONNECTIONS THAT HAVE COME THROUGH ORPLAYED FOR THE CLUB OVER THE YEARS? DO YOU HAVE LINKS WITH OTHER CLUBS?

100 players have gained full international caps and played for the club, representing 18 countries. Many came through the club’s academy.

Pete Lucock is a graduate of Leeds Tykes mini-rugby club and he is the only player to have come through all the ranks to play for the first team. Pete’s made 178 appearances during his career with the club, the most of any

back in our history. He was voted Player Of The Season for the 2014-15 campaign and as Inside Centre in the 2018/19 Championship Dream Team.

Pete moved to Doncaster Knights for the 2019-20 season and moved up to the Premiership Rugby with Newcastle Falcons on a three-year deal for the 202021 season.

The 31-year-old returned as Assistant Coach/player at the start of the 2023/24 season, supporting the day-to-day rugby business and assisting with the backs’ attack and defence coaching. He made 14 appearances this season too. Pete is also a coach at Leeds Beckett University.

Mike Aspinall also joined Leeds Tykes for the 2023/24 season as Head Coach, Focusing on attack, Mike, who played for Leeds Tykes between 2006 and 2008, has also been Assistant Backs Coach and Assistant Coach

WHAT ARE YOUR AMBITIONS FOR NEXT SEASON?

I expect with the way this season has gone that people will be already putting the favourites tag on our head. But from my point of view there’s a lot of work to do and again, the 1st goal is safety. Once we have hopefully achieved that, then we can readdress our situation.

There will also be more intense rivalry with Harrogate joining National 2 north, makes it an even more competitive league than it was last season.

WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURS TO BE A COMMUNITY CLUB AND IF YES HOW DO YOU ENGAGE WITH LOCAL PEOPLE/BUSINESSES ETC?

Leeds Tykes have a community programme that has been running since the Spring of 2021. The aim of the programme is to promote rugby to all in the Leeds area, increasing participation and involvement in the game, promoting the values of rugby and creating a link with community clubs and schools to Leeds Tykes.

During the 2023/24 season, we partnered with the Leeds Children’s Hospital Charity and teamed with local charity, Sunshine and Smiles, Leeds Down syndrome network, to raise awareness of World Down Syndrome Day.

rugby, with no financial support from the RFU, is a constant round of sponsor and membership targeting and the more ambitious you are as a club, the more the cost rises and the required dependency of committed sponsors. We could not do without them.

PLEASE FINISH OFF BY TELLING ME WHAT MAKES YOUR CLUB SUCH A GREAT PLACE TO BE PART OF?

for the club.

Mike was recently presented with The Keith Howard Spirit of the Tykes award at the club’s end of season awards evening.

The club has a rugby union pathway partnership with Leeds Beckett University and University of Leeds giving players who want to combine their studies the opportunity to play National League Rugby. We’re not just looking at university pathways, we’re looking at different clubs, forging links with the Yorkshire Academy and with the school system.

Many of the current squad joined from the universities and live within a five-mile radius of the club. Director of Rugby, Pete Seabourne is also Head of Rugby at the University of Leeds.

HOW WOULD YOU SAY THIS SEASON HAS GONE SO FAR FOR YOUR TEAMS ON THE PITCH?

This season has far outweighed expectations. We have been top for most of the season, which none of us saw coming, but we just fell at the final hurdle, which, although disappointing to finish 2nd, with the best points scoring record in the division (1111) is still a fantastic achievement by this still young squad.

HOW IMPORTANT AND VALUABLE ARE YOUR SPONSORS TO YOUR CLUB?

Our main sponsors and our membership sponsors are crucial to the development of Leeds Tykes. They have stuck with us through difficult times and we are enormously grateful to the support we have had. Semi-professional

We have a proud history, stretching back over a 100 years with Headingley and Roundhay; we are an ambitious club with superb university and community links; we have excellent facilities and links with Headingley Stadium and Leeds Rhinos; and as the last few years have shown, we have very committed supporters at all levels who are backing our resurgence and enjoying the brand of rugby we are playing.

ADD ANYTHING ELSE YOU WISH TO MENTION AND REMEMBER THE ABOVE QUESTIONS ARE ONLY A GUIDE SO PLEASE INCLUDE ANY OTHER COMMENTS YOU FEEL WILL GIVE THOSE READING YOUR TRIBUTE INSIGHTS INTO THE HEART AND SOUL OF YOUR CLUB. We have had a fantastic season and one that has brought back momentum to Leeds Tykes. At some stage soon, Yorkshire will have a Premiership side again. We have some great clubs in our region with long histories who may aspire to that. We hope one day it could be Leeds Tykes again.

Thanks to Wilbert Walsh and Joe Cotton for this season’s photos.

We fund life-changing projects across the UK and Ireland, using the power of rugby to support children with disabilities or facing disadvantage

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