SEASON 2009/10
Tunbridge Wells are very grateful to AXA/PPP Healthcare who are in the second year of their major sponsorship of the club.
Our first team currently play in RFU League London 1 South at RFU level 6, our second team play in the Invicta Leagues run by Kent County RFU as do our third and fourth fifteens who play in current mid Kent leagues, Mid Kent B and C respectively.
Training this season begins on Tuesday 30th June and continues every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 30pm at our St Marks Ground from then until the end of the season in April 2010. Pre season warm up games have been organized with Old Reigatians Away on the 15th August, against Sevenoaks at home on the 22nd August and a mid week fixture vs Aylesford under lights on the 26th August. The first league game being against Beckenham Away on the 5th September and our first home league game against Gravesend on the 12th September at 3:00pm.
Our coaching and training will be Co-ordinated by Director of Coaching Paul Hathaway who will be helped by a team of others including: Paul Miles, Jim Scully, Ollie Rogers and Simon Parsons. Both Hathaway and Rogers being RFU level 3 Coaches and with the other members of the team also gradually qualifying through the RFU system.
The Club currently have four pitches on a ground of some 23 acres, perched on top of a Wealden Ridge overlooking Frant in Sussex, and despite being a member of the Kent County RFU the Kent Sussex border runs through the middle of the 1st XV pitch with two of our pitches also being entirely in Sussex!
The club have a two storey brick built clubhouse and this is about to be substantially modernized and increased in size with new changing rooms, medical and physiotherapy facilities and a gym/weight room. In addition we hope at the same time to add to our existing bar, catering facilities, and Conference facilities on the first floor as well as see the installation of a lift for disabled access. This substantive upgrading will be commenced during the next year and will be executed in modular style to ensure that the clubhouse functions throughout both the Rugby and cricket seasons.
The ‘Wells’ also possess a floodlit training area as well as available Sports Hall facilities and access to athletics training facilities off site.
Four thriving age ranges operate within the Tunbridge Wells RFC umbrella and include a Veteran’s over 35 team which plays in the Evergreen Cup, four Senior sides which play in the Leagues mentioned above from 18 years of age upwards, Juniors 13-18, and a Mini Midi section for those from 5 to 12 years of age. We also currently offer a link for those below the age of five with the Tunbridge Wells section of the Rugger Bugs which meet every Saturday during the season at the The Skinners Kent Academy (ex-Tunbridge Wells High School) and caters for youngsters from 18 months to 5 years of age.
We therefore warmly welcome players of all ages and standards, social members, supporters and visitors at St Marks throughout the season, and look forward to meeting you there.
On an historical note the club has produced some 10 Internationals in it’s 79 year history including 2 at Senior level in Colin Smart, Newport and England and Martin Corry Leicester and England and in Martin’s case of course a Captain of England, Captain of the Barbarians and a Lion.. Martin retired from the playing side of the game in May, but visited us in 2008 when we held a Charity touch Competition and was then our guest of Honour at a Testimonial evening at the club which helped to raise money for special equipment for the son of one of our Physios Peter Williams ex England and Orrell RFC and also raised a significant sum towards the new clubhouse project.
Our latest player to achieve International status is Luke Baldwin who represented England U 19’s this season having played for the Wells 1st XV in 2007/08. Luke has now moved on to play on loan with Westcombe Park at National League 2 level last season and has been signed under contract to Saracens RFC for the 2009/10 season. JJ Redman a current junior member has also achieved representative status in the last year being part of the Saracens Development Squad for his age group and also being selected recently for the England National Elite Academy for U 15’s for the coming season and we wish him well with his pursuit of an England Junior Age Group cap.
Rugby is not,however, all about the elite elements important as that is and we look forward at the Wells to welcoming all those who enjoy good company, social rugby, good food and drink, touring, good humour, relaxation and friendship which are all to be found in good measure. This season is no exception in seeing our thriving Vice president’s section under Alan Skinner organize the normal range of Curry lunches, Mini Beer Festivals, Wine Tastings, Ladies Day as well as the traditional Beacon, Royal Wells Inn and Spa Hotel lunches. Simon Parsons and a range of Vice presidents will continue to welcome you to the bar on a Saturday with one of the best ranges of Real Ales in Kent or Sussex as well as lagers, ciders, wines and a range of soft drinks, which are also available on Sunday lunchtimes through Howard Collins and Tim McCabe and their rota teams as they entertain opponents and the parents/relatives of the close to 400 Minis and Juniors that play under Tunbridge Wells colours every Sunday.
For more information on the above, as well as fixtures, results, match reports and general news, visit our website: WWW.TWRFC.COM
Anyone who is interested in whatever capacity in joining the club as player, social member, sponsor or commercial supporter then please contact me or our Committee and we will be delighted to help you further whatever your requirements.
Roger Clarke
Chairman
Tunbridge Wells Rugby Football Club
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