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Beckenham ready for next 100 years of rugby
Beckenham offers rugby across the full spectrum of age and ability groups from 6 years old to 'as old as you think you are' for boys, girls, men and women. The clubhouse was completely redeveloped in 2003 and has the flexibility to fully utilize its 4 pitches with 8 team changing rooms and 2 changing rooms for officials, all with integral showers as well as a new clubroom and bars, 'wet' and 'dry' area toilets including facilities for people with disabilities and baby changing.
The First XV, the club's `flagship team, has successfully sustained its position in the highly competitive London 1 South league and is only 1 rung on the ladder away from the National League structure. Coach Dan Leek has his eyes set firmly on promotion to National League 3 London & SE within the next 3 to 4 years. The club consistently fields its 5 or 6 senior men's sides throughout the season. They all play in competitive merit table or cup competitions and we want to see them all achieving a 75% win ratio. The club is committed to providing quality coaching with up to date and well maintained equipment and to encouraging coaching excellence across the club.
Beckenham has a strong tradition of youth rugby. The club has nearly 200 mini rugby players (under 7 to under 12) and about 130 juniors and teams in every age group from under 13 to under 18 and the `colts'. Youth rugby was established at Beckenham in 1982 and is supported by a committed team of coaches and helpers. The club has introduced literally thousands of youngsters to Rugby Union in the intervening period and is very proud of the fact that about 40% of the clubs senior teams are made up of players who joined as minis or juniors.
Rugby for girls and women has been introduced in recent years and the Beckenham women's team now boasts a squad of about 30 ladies and is competing in league rugby. The club has squads of under 18 and under 15 girls to add strength and continuity to women's rugby at Beckenham and two of the club's girls were selected for England under 16's trials.
"The club is open to all comers and always has been" says President, Chris Stevens, "and we have members from all walks of life including a number with disabilities". "We are delighted that two of our members with hearing difficulties represented their country".
Beckenham has a thriving social scene with some 300 non playing members supporting the players from the touchline and in the club's famous rugby bar which has been faithfully recreated in the new clubhouse. "We want to see the club used and enjoyed by the local community as well as the members" said Chris Stevens
"This club has fantastic spirit" says Chris"and whilst we are proud of our heritage it's all about the future now". "We want to see our First XV promoted to National 3 and for the club to consistently field 5 or 6 senior men's teams each week. We want more of our players selected for county and national representation, and I would like to see us putting out two women's teams and have an even stronger squad of younger girls in the years to come". "After concentrating on upgrading our facilities in recent years, we are now putting the spotlight on developing rugby, and raising our profile in both the rugby and local communities" he continued. "We would like to see the club evolve into a centre of excellence, particularly for young people and the award of the RFU's Seal of Approval represents a significant step in that direction". A further step has been the recent formation of an Academy focussed on the development of 17 and 18 year old age groups. "I believe this really is the beginning of a new era for club" he said "and we intend to remain one of the strongest and most successful clubs in the area. Above all" he added "we want all our members, supporters and friends and their families to enjoy the rugby and the thriving social scene at Beckenham during the club's second century". "Don't miss out" he said "come and join us".
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