clubs

Bristol Bears and Bath Rugby. They can look forward to high quality coaching and a high standard of rugby at Chew Valley.

Recognised by the RFU as one of the top ten clubs in the country post Covid, Chew Valley says it owes its success over the last three decades to a succession of committed volunteers and to local businesses that have provided financial support.

The club now provides a form of rugby for all ages, including walking rugby on Tuesdays, with food and drink in the clubhouse afterwards. The poster girl for the group is Wendy Crowley, the former licensee of The Bear and Swan, Chew Magna, which was the social base for the club until the clubhouse was built in 1997.

Somerset Cup and Bristol Combination Cup Rugby will provide continuing entertainment on Saturdays at Lobbingtons until the end of the season.

unite to support 100-mile walking challenge

FORMER Nailsea & Backwell Rugby Club player Tony Perfect has raised more than £5,000 for a sporting charity in memory of a friend who died from cancer.

Originally aiming to raise £1,000, Tony’s three-day walk began at Thornbury RFC and passed 34 other clubs ranging from Dings Crusaders and Keynsham to Yatton, Clevedon and Gordano. Tony arrived at Nailsea & Backwell’s ground in time for their match against Avonmouth OB.

Tony was raising money for Somer Valley-based charity Sporting Family Change, in memory of his friend Cheryl Reed, from Bristol, who died from cancer last year.

He said: “I coached Cheryl and Ian’s son, Joe, and the couple were hugely supporting to our club. Cheryl was a great supporter of Sporting Family Change too, so I wanted to do something in her memory.”

Sporting Family Change uses sport to empower, inspire, and motivate people into making positive long-term lifestyle changes. The charity was set up in 2014 by Jimmy Deane, a former Bath rugby player, and has grown significantly over the past two years, working with individuals and families disproportionately affected by the impact of Covid-19.

Jimmy, who joined Tony for part of the walking challenge, said: “We are really grateful to Tony. As a charity we are privileged to support children, young people and adults. Despite our name, it’s really not about being super sporty or super fit – it’s about bringing people together from all walks of life, having fun, enjoying activities and meeting new people.”

For details, visit: https://sportingfamilychange.co.uk/