A quick look around the Berkshire Clubs to give you an insight into the initiatives clubs and members are involved in. #onecounty #berkshirerugby
THATCHAM RFC
40th SEASON CELEBRATIONS
Thatcham will start their 40th anniversary in September and are preparing some innovative campaigns.
ANNIVERSARY RUGBY KIT CUSHIONS
Firstly have been innovative and have produced some 40th anniversary club shirt cushions. There are only and will be sold via a silent auction. great initiative guys! Sounds like for all Berkshire teams to raise some much needed funds and provide some keepsakes for players and supported alike.
NEW SHIRT DESIGN COMPETITION
Thatcham will be celebrating their 40th Anniversary Season starting in September by holding a competition to design a ‘retro’ style kit to celebrate in style. Their plan is to have two sets of new shirts, one to be worn by the senior players next season. The winner will receive their own shirt.
WINDSOR RFC
WINDSOR RFC PAY TRIBUTE TO PATRON HRH PRINCE PHILIP
Windsor RFC representatives Chair Helen Crick, 1ST XV captain Chris Emmett and Mike Crawshaw, paid the club’s respects to HRH Prince Philip, at WIndsor Castle, attaching the WRFC Club and Postminder Ties to the railings. Great gesture by Windsor RFC.
RAMS RFC
NEW STAND COMPLETE
During the past three months a new 300-seater stand, floodlights suitable for Championship rugby, a viewing area for better access for the disabled and an upgraded food and drink shack outside the clubhouse have all been installed, meaning fans should benefit from a greater matchday experience when they are allowed to return.
FIRST FIXTURES ANNOUNCED
Rams have also announced their first fixtures of 2020/21 season with two friendlies against fellow Nat 1 side Chinnor in May. This will be their first match in over a year!
Subject to the Government moving to the third stage of the roadmap out of lockdown on May 17, it is hoped that they will be able to have some supporters at the games. More details on this will be available in due course from the Rams RFC website.
NEWBURY RFC
WOMENS RUGBY CELEBRATION
Congratulations to Newbury Women’s 1st XV Vice Captain, Becky Wilson, on being selected for the Harlequins Squad in the Women’s Premiership! Becky is planning to be dual registered with Newbury Ladies as well as the Harlequins, so l hopefully still be able to get in blue from time to time. Once a Blue, always a Blue
NEW BAR
Newbury RFC have been busy during lockdown ensuring that they have options in place and have created an outside “Kickers bar and patio container Bar”. The patio container bar is currently being fitted-out with a target opening for mid-April. This will open up the patio area with a dedicated serving point (fingers crossed weatherwise!!!).
VACANCIES
They also have a couple of vacancies if you want to come and join the team:
Part-time chef – to Level 3 catering standard (up to 15 hours per week)
Part-Time Reception Cover (up to 20 hours per week)
Please contact the club directly for further details
WINTER GRANT SUCCESS
Adam Prickett (Newbury RFC Treasurer) has some great news having applied for the RFU winter grant. This was made available via the Government to help clubs struggling with the lack of income over the last six months. A complicated form but patient approach from Adam has resulted in the full grant of £50k being received. This has to be used in a strictly controlled way but is a huge benefit to the club. WELL DONE NEWBURY.
FOOD PARCELS FOR THE HOMELESS – THEY ARE STILL COLLECTING!
Newbury sent thanks to Gerry Winston for another incredibly generous donation of food and drink which the club will distribute to various local homeless charities. They still want to keep the donations coming as it’s important not to forget there are still many individuals and families struggling. Newbury RFC are not just about playing rugby but playing its role in the community too. Every little bit helps someone somewhere in need. Keep up the great work.
READING RFC
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH – This month they have awarded the VoM to Mike Wickson.
Many across Berkshire will know Mike as the driving force behind initiating “Walking Rugby” and over many years for his work on match days running the line for first team games. In his 45 years as a member of RRFC he’s held a number of roles , currently fixtures secretary, ensuring that Reading players have the opportunity to take to the field. Also, when some players are asked to leave the field earlier than expected by the referee, he represents us at RFU disciplinary hearings.
Mike is his own mini-industry that keeps many important activates running smoothly front of house and behind the scenes at RRFC. He is so selfless and even took time out of a holiday (when they were allowed) to not only fill his case but take some rugby kit to a needy school in St Lucia. True gent!
BIG RETURN
Reading RFC returned to rugby last week and were able to share that almost 500 players across their Minis, Juniors, Women’s, Walking, Vets and Men’s teams took to the training pitches. A great return and one that we are sure are being replicated across the county #onecounty #rugbyisback
CLUBHOUSE REOPENING
LATEST NEWS: Reading RFC like several other clubs (To Be Announced) are re-opening their club at the weekend so the celebration and #returntorugby can continue. (Government strict guidelines to be followed_
TADLEY TIGERS
Tadley also returned to rugby last week and over 250 players across their Minis, Juniors and Men’s teams took to the training pitches. #greatwork #onecounty #rugbyisback
READING ABBEY RFC
Reading Abbey RFC celebrated their return to rugby with their women’s team having 45 players turn up for their first session. They also announced that Allan Greene has joined the coaching team as first team forwards Coach. Alan brings a wealth of experience, both as a player and as a Coach and I know he will bring a level of professionalism that all at Reading Abbey can learn from. So looks like may clubs are gearing themselves up to kickstart the new season.
ABBEY SPIRIT
Reading Abbey RFC new DoR (Gareth) has taken no time in creating a new ethos for the club dubbed “THE ABBEY SPIRIT”
S Sportsmanship Win with dignity, lose with grace
P Performance Be the best we can be (train hard, play hard )
I Integrity Be Honest with one another
R Role Models Act as a positive Role model at all times & promote the club positively in all you do
I Inspirational Engaging the next generation
T Team work One team, one club
MAIDENHEAD RFC
Maidenhead like several other clubs across the county are making sure that they can provide refreshments to the hundreds of players and parents during the current lockdown and have provided an outside/external option. Known as the “horsebox” they are located on the AGP and serving alongside teas and coffees pastries and baguettes.
BRACKNELL RFC
COACH RECRUITMENT
As clubs start to prepare for the new season Bracknell have put out a call for New Head coaches for both their Women’s and Colts teams. See Social media and website for job descriptions and application dates.
https://www.bracknellrugbyclub.com/news/could-you-see-yourself-as-a-coach-2607694.html
CLUBHOUSE REOPENING
Bracknell have also announced the re-opening of their clubhouse bar from April 16th following the governments strict guidelines. More details on the Bracknell website.
OUTDOOR CINEMA
Bracknell are still offering tickets their outdoor cinema event. On Friday 4th June the club will be hosting The Greatest Showman in an outdoor Cinema Experience.
With the evening meeting social distancing as well as minimal contact it is sure to be a great night for all that attend, and what’s better if the weather on the day does change for the worse the event will not cancel but be moved so your ticket will still be valid!
BERKSHIRE UNICORNS RFC
Berkshire Unicorns (based at Maidenhead RFC) have announced a NEW 10’s tournament for November this year. We will provide more details as we move closer to the event.
HUNGERFORD RFC
Hungerford RFC have resumed training and are even starting a regularly Saturday “Cobra Kai” 10’s to keep up the fitness and momentum. All are welcome. Check out their website and social media for more details.
CROWTHORNE RFC
The ladies section of Crowthorne were making some inroads in their first training sessions. They are also on the lookout for more players so if you fancy working on your fitness and meeting new friends now is the time to get along to their Wed sessions at 7pm. More details on their website.
ALL CLUBS ARE LOOKING FOR NEW AND RETURNING PLAYERS SO IF YOU HAVE NOT PLAYED FOR A WHILE AND WANT TO JUST GET BACK INVOLVED WITH SOME EXERCISE THEY ARE ALL VERY WELCOMING, WHATEVER YOUR STANDARD OR LEVEL.
IF YOU HAVE STORIES TO TELL OR SIMPLY SHARE JUST TAG US ON SOCIAL MEDIA, TAG US ON #BERKSHIRERUGBY OR DROP US AN EMAIL MESSAGE TO BERKSHIRERFU@GMAIL.COM
