So we've made it to Christmas! Here's what you need to know for this weekend.

Saturday (16 Dec)

Huge day at the club. We kick off with our youth Christmas party/pre-match lunch. For those with tickets (it's a sell-out) please be at the club for 12 noon (and have the tickets on your phone). Following lunch and light refreshments (!) the main event is the Men's First XV who play Barnes. A local derby and a must-win game for our boys. It kicks off at 2pm. Please try and come down and watch the team play. National League rugby is terrific to watch and there are usually tries a-plenty from both sides.

For those who didn't buy there tickets in time (including me!) there will be a BBQ.

There is a raffle with some terrific prizes - Tickets to watch England at Twickenham, tickets for Peter Kay @ The O2, cases of Signal beer

Sunday (17 Dec)

After training we have our minis and younger youth Christmas party.

Timings are... training ends by 11.30 am - then head to the Club House
Prompt start to the Awards at 11.45am. Each year group coaches to hand out awards
Festivities start in earnest at 12.15 with the full “sing a long” of the 12 days of Xmas and straight into the D.I.S.C.O.
Food will be served during the party
The frivolities will end around 14.15 to 14.30
There is an identical raffle to Saturday with the same terrific prizes - Tickets to watch England at Twickenham, tickets for Peter Kay @ The O2, cases of Signal beer

Training resumes on Sunday 7th January 2024. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

Pitch Plan for Sunday

The minis have joint training with locals Wimbledon Warriors on Sunday; odds at home and evens down the road (143 Coombe Lane, SW20 0QX). Our U14 boys welcome Portsmouth, Effingham & Leatherhead, and Old Ruts for a round robin, and the U18 girls play Guildfordians in the National Cup, so please do go and support them on Sunday if you can.

PARKING: U11s
CAKES: U9s

Some results
U18G v S&E lost 40-7
Colts v Barnes lost 31-10
U16G v London Irish/Harlequins Amateurs/Teddington won 24-15
U14G v Guildfordians lost 43-28

1st XV update
No game last weekend for the Men due to frozen pitches, but the Men's 1st XV are back in action this weekend away at Worthing. Next weekend, 16 December, is the big one with the Men and Women at home to Barnes and a big home crowd would be great (U12s on ball boy and girl duty).

The injury ravaged Women's XV had a tough loss at home to Hampstead Ladies last Sunday and are away at Hackney Ladies this Sunday.

CHRISTMAS PARTIES
The U16 and above youth teams (both boys and girls) have their Christmas lunch on Saturday 16th December. It's a sit down lunch before the Men's First XV game. Buy your tickets here.

The minis and younger youth Christmas Party takes place after training on Sunday 17th December. Adults buy a festive bap and then select how many hot dogs you need for your kids. Buy your tickets here.

The last date for paying is next Tuesday (12th December).

A chance to be famous/the perfect Christmas present
Looking for that unique Christmas present? Something that says you really care? Something for the man or woman that has everything? Then look no further because we have a deal for you.

You will recall that we recently brought a number of picnic benches and a lucky few were able to fund these and have a plaque on the bench honouring their donation. People used this opportunity to make all sorts of statements and messages. These ranged from remembering a lost relative, bigging up their team or themselves or just taking the opportunity to make people smile. Both the benches and the plaques went down very well. They have been extensively used and people do read and comment on the messages on the plaques.

We are pleased to be able to tell you that we are to have a few more of these wonderful picnic benches and that means there is a second opportunity to have your message engraved on a brass plaque that will be seen at the club in perpetuity. In doing so you will also be supporting the club because, as these additional benches have been generously donated by our clubhouse manager, Steve Novak, we will be able to use the money to fund much needed kitchen equipment.

So get thinking, what or who would you like to commemorate ? A much loved coach, a special tour, the best underXs ever, your Aunty Maud, coming third in the World cup, whatever you like.

As before, the benches are going for the bargain price of just £300 - which is less than cost btw - and well worth it for all the joy they will bring. You need to be quick as we don't have that many so get your bids in quick. Drop me a note on email at johnwoods.wrfc@gmail.com

Pitch Plan for Sunday

The under 7 to under 11s are all away at either Cobham, Chobham or Reeds. Look out for info from your age group managers. Remember the first law of rugby in Surrey: Cobham and Chobham may be only separated by one letter but they are many miles apart and there is always one parent who goes to the wrong one. Make sure it's not you!

We do have lots of Girls groups with matches (U18/16/14 Girls all have games). The U12B and U14B also have matches. Lots going on. It’s going to be cold this weekend so wrap up warm. If you are visiting from other clubs please follow our Parking Policy (see top left of this page) and note that the roads around the club are private roads which are patrolled by the local residents who can issue fines.

SOME RESULTS TO SHARE:
Colts v Teddington lost 34-21
U16G A v Farnham won 64-10
U16G Dev v S&E/Farnham won 45-120
U15B A v Battersea Ironsides won 15-10
U15B B v Effingham lost 33-0

MEN'S 1st XV: Thanks to everyone that made it down to Barham Road last Saturday to watch the Men's 1st XV defeat at the hands of Esher (14-34).

Our chairman, Stef D'Anna, has the following to say about the great turn out from the Wimbledon supporters: "After a full weekend of rugby I'm reflecting on just how lucky we are to be part of this great Wimbledon community. I love winning but I also love being part of something, being part of a club, a community, a community that can have a really positive impact on the people within it. The rugby we played proved we belong in the top 80 clubs in England. And with the commitment from the off pitch match day squad behind the bar, on the gate and at the BBQ we made sure the day was a complete success. Everyone had a good experience. I want to thank everyone who contributed to the day, especially the U10 ball boys who were made to feel part of the squad by the first team boys, reinforcing the player pathway we so desperately want to achieve."

Saturday 2 December: The Men's First XV are at home again this Saturday against North Walsham (2pm KO) who are one below WRFC in the league table so this is a must win. The U11 mixed team are providing the ball boys and girls.

Sunday 3 December: The Women's XV are finally back in action at home to Hampstead Ladies on Sunday.

CHRISTMAS PLANS

Saturday 16 December The u16 (boys and girls), u18 girls and the Colts are having a special Christmas feast. Please can as many parents and players join us for lunch before we all watch the Men's First XV play their final home match of the year. Tickets for the lunch are just £20 each and can be bought here.

Sunday 17 December All our minis and younger youth groups are invited to enjoy a real Christmas party at the club following training. Adults pay £10 and get free hotdogs for their kids. Tickets can be bought here.

Pitch Plan for Sunday

Important things to read today - so please do so!

• Christmas party plans for the minis and youth sections at the club; need to book your food asap
• Huge local derby at the club this Saturday. We need your support
• Keep warm with a Wimbledon RFC bobble hat

Saturday 25 November Our Men's First XV take on local rivals Esher with a 2pm kick-off. This is a must-win game and we know Esher will bring a big crowd. In case you didn't know, our men's team play in the National Leagues, the standard of rugby is high and you can get incredibly close to the action. So if you've not watched the team before bring the kids and come down to the club on Saturday. If you have been before, make sure you turn up!

Sunday 26 November Lots of people at home so check the pitch plan below as a few groups are moved around. Please can parents avoid tramping the touchlines to mud. The u8s are on parking and u10s on cakes. Please respect/support them as appropriate.

Bobble hats Will be on sale at the clubhouse for just £20. These are exceptional value (especially when you consider Leicester Tigers charge £45 for theirs!).

CHRISTMAS PLANS

Saturday 16 December The u16 (boys and girls), u18 girls and the Colts are having a special Christmas feast. Please can as many parents and players join us for lunch before we all watch the Men's First XV play their final home match of the year. Tickets for the lunch are just £20 each and can be bought here.

Sunday 17 December All our minis and younger youth groups are invited to enjoy a real Christmas party at the club following training. Adults pay £10 and get free hotdogs for their kids. Tickets can be bought here.

Pitch Plan for Sunday

Lots happening at the club tomorrow. There's no other way to describe it, but parking will be hell tomorrow (in that there is no parking at the club as we have had to sell our spaces to the visitors for tomorrow's festival - see below)! Please don't try and park at the club and don't park on the private roads around the club - you'll likely get a PCN.

One of the enormous benefits of being a club with a well-regarded reputation is that we are asked to host some of the county's major rugby events. So tomorrow we are hosting the Surrey 10s for the U12 Girls and U14 Girls. The Colts are playing London Welsh.

Note the U11s are away tomorrow so there's more room on pitch 5.

Also, final call for the club's London Lunch which takes place on Thursday (16 November). The club takes over a bar off the Strand and hosts our annual celeb-starred lunch. This year we are proud to have England legend Sarah Hunter as our VIP guest. 12 noon until 5pm. Tickets are £100 per head (or why not book at table of 10). Booking information here: events@greyunicorn.com

Pitch Plan for Sunday

Saturday (4th November) Wimbledon RFC fireworks evening. The club fireworks are jointly hosted with our friends from Willington Prep and The Study. Ticket sales have been a tremendous success and we have sold out all 1,000 tickets. Big props to the volunteers in the U10s for this magnificent effort. Thank you.

Sunday (5th November) A fairly busy day with fixtures at home for the Colts (v Rosslyn Park), U12B (v S&E) and U13B (v OEs). All the minis are at home too.

Parking is from the parents of the Girls rugby section and cake baking is by the u8s.

Next Sunday (12th November): We are hosting a Surrey Rugby 10s competition for U12s and U14s girls. To fit everyone in there might be a need to move timings around so look out for details in the coming days.

Pitch Plan for Sunday

Sunday (29th October) Our U10M and U11M are away at the Warlingham festival; U13B have the Warriors visiting. Otherwise, it's business as usual.

Parking is the u6s and cake baking is the u7s.

Next Saturday (4th November) is the Wimbledon RFC fireworks evening: Don't forget to buy your fireworks tickets for Saturday 4 November. You can buy them here: https://bit.ly/wimbledonrfcfireworks2023. Tickets continue to sell quickly so don't miss out.

Note: next Sunday (5th November) - The under 7s to under 11s were due to be away at a festival but, somewhat frustratingly, those plans have fallen through. So training will be at home instead.

Thursday 16 November: London Lunch The club takes over a bar off the Strand and hosts our annual celeb-starred lunch. This year we are proud to have England legend Sarah Hunter as our VIP guest. 12 noon until 5pm. Tickets are £100 per head (or why not book at table of 10). Booking information here: events@greyunicorn.com

Pitch Plan for Sunday

Friday (20th October) - We'll be showing the semi finals at the club. First up it's New Zealand vs Australia, KO is 8pm.

Saturday (21st October) - Then it's England's turn as they take on reigning World Cup holders, South Africa. KO is 8pm once again.

Sunday (22nd October) - There are home fixtures for the U15B (A & B against Farnham and Camberley respectively) and Colts (Rosslyn Park). Our U16G are playing Old Ruts away. The U11s are on parking and U6s are baking cakes. Pitch plan is below.

First Aid Sarah Macmillan has kindly taken on the First Aid organisation duties at the club. It is imperative that we get multiple first aiders trained up in every age group. Sarah has lined up two First Aid courses for parents to get trained to help, the first is on Sunday 3 December (9am-6pm). Let your age group managers know if you want to get on these excellent courses.

Adult rugby update The Men's 1st XV: last Saturday the team faced Bury St Edmunds at home bagging a try bonus point in a 45-31 loss. They have a couple of weeks off now before playing Henley away on 4 November. The Women's XV are back in action this Sunday away at Streatham & Croydon Ladies.

Fireworks Don't forget to buy your fireworks tickets for Saturday 4 November. You can buy them here: https://bit.ly/wimbledonrfcfireworks2023. Tickets are selling quickly so don't miss out.

Thursday 16 November - London Lunch. The club takes over a bar off the Strand and hosts our annual celeb-starred lunch. This year we are proud to have England legend Sarah Hunter as our VIP guest. 12 noon until 5pm. Tickets are £100 per head (or why not book at table of 10). Booking information here: events@greyunicorn.com

Pitch Plan for Sunday

Here are the key pieces of information and dates for your diary for the coming week and beyond.

Sunday Weybridge Vandals minis visiting this Sunday (note change of pitch allocations to accommodate them). The U5/6M can use additional space on the pitches around them. Any coaches using P8 should plan their pitch space carefully and be mindful of the uneven surface in places (work is being done on it). The U14B have a friendly match against London Welsh.

Adult rugby The Men's 1st XV lost 48-29 away at Old Albanians (securing a try bonus point at the death). The Women's XV unbeaten run in 2023 came to a sobering halt with a 96-0 loss at home to Battersea Ironsides Ladies.

Fireworks Don't forget to buy your fireworks tickets for Saturday 4 November. You can buy them here: https://bit.ly/wimbledonrfcfireworks2023

Pitch Plan

A much calmer Sunday this weekend! Most of the minis are away at a festival at Esher (some of the little ones are at the club, for example). The U14 boys are fielding two teams v London Irish and the U15 boys one team v East Grinstead.

Last week's minis festival
The minis festival last Sunday was a roaring success with not only 1,300+ kids playing some terrific rugby but the day was also a serious fundraiser for the club. All sporting clubs need to raise money so the efforts of everyone who volunteered to bake, sell cakes, pitch marshal, flip burgers, run the raffle, staff the pavilion in the middle of the pitches, coach and referee made a massive difference, THANK YOU.

Your club
Wimbledon RFC is a community rugby club. Just about everyone involved in the running of the club from the executive committee all the way through to the minis age groups are volunteers. Recently the club held its AGM, the best attended in living memory which speaks to how popular and vibrant things are at Wimbledon RFC. The minutes from the AGM are linked to below for everyone to read. The following people were appointed as the main executive committee members:

Head of Rugby - Stef D’Anna
Head of Clubhouse - Steve Novak
Head of Grounds - Nick Fuller
Club Treasurer - Scott Roberts
Honorary Secretary - David Jenkinson
Head of Communications - Richard Castle
Head of Commercial - David Kremer

Adult rugby update
The Men’s First XV fell short last Sunday against Guernsey but did pick up a bonus point. They all count!

Netball
A reminder that we are lucky to have a highly successful netball group that trains on Sunday mornings alongside minis rugby coaching. Ideal for your daughters. We have groups at under 10s (9.30am to 10.45am), under 12s (10.45am to midday) and over 12s (midday to 1.15pm). They are expanding and are looking for new players to join the squad. Do pop down and try the sessions out.

Dates for your diary
Saturday 14 October - Club President’s Lunch. As we welcome Bury St Edmunds to play our Men’s First XV everyone is welcome to enjoy a delicious pre-match meal. Just £40 per head, sit down at 1pm. Email ahodgo@hotmail.com if you want to come.

Saturday 4 November - Fireworks. We are hosting our own fireworks night at the club. Put the date in the diary as details for booking will follow in the next week or so.

Thursday 16 November - London Lunch. The club takes over a bar off the Strand and hosts our annual celeb-starred lunch. This year we are proud to have England legend Sarah Hunter as our VIP guest. 12 noon until 5pm. Tickets are £100 per head (or why not book at table of 10). Booking information here: events@greyunicorn.com

Pitch Plan