We wish all past players and parents a big welcome back to the new season at Wimbledon RFC. An especially warm welcome is extended to all those who have moved into the area as well as those who are trying us out for the first time.

Rugby re-starts at 10am on Sunday 3rd September for most of the age groups. Some of the older youth teams start a little later. We are reverting to our traditional start time of 10am so we can all enjoy a catch up over a cup of tea, coffee or beer and a bite to eat after training - made even better with our new Members Card (gives you 10% off at the bar!).

The season continues until the end of April 2024 and there's a full schedule of at-home training, fixtures, festivals, cups and tournaments to keep everyone entertained.

All the info you need to register and pay your membership fees are updated on our How to Join page, here

A pitch plan will be added here soon.

From this season all parental communications have been centralised through Spond. Your age group managers will give you the code to get added. A major update about the plans for the new season was sent to all parents who have signed up to their age group Spond groups. The headlines of that message were:

• The new start time for the majority of age groups is 10am
• All coaches (not just head coaches) and team managers pre-season meeting at 7.30pm, Thursday 31st August at the clubhouse
• Information for all parents about the new tackle height laws
• Notice of the club's AGM on Wednesday 6 September 2023 at 8pm
• Need for volunteers to step-up
• Reminder that your annual membership fees are now due
• National League rugby returns to Wimbledon RFC, Saturday 2 September, 3pm KO
• New season BBQ after training on Sunday 17th September
• The Wimbledon RFC City Lunch, Thursday 16th November, 2023

If you are not yet signed up to Spond then please get in touch with your age group manager - https://wmrfc.co.uk/contacts

Wishing you all a most enjoyable season - especially as it is a Rugby World Cup season!

On Sunday 14th May, the majority of the parents and kids with the minis section of Wimbledon RFC came down to the club to celebrate everyone's hard work and successes.

We were lucky enough to secure England legend Brian Moore to hand out the prizes and it was great to see so many smiles from all the players happy to see their mates once again.

It was also a day to thank our many volunteers. We have over 150 coaches and team managers at the club and we are very grateful for all their hard work through the long season.

And we owe a huge thanks to those that made our end-of-season celebration so special:

• Geoff Bouchier, Nick Jacques and the U9s who did all the organisation
• Belinda Moore for the idea for the day and helping with background info. Also for bringing Brian to give out the prizes. Huge thanks to both of you
• Steve Novak and his team for all the graft on the BBQ and music. Also to Steve for his brilliant MC-work on making the awards such fun
• Manu and his crew behind the bar. The sunshine put extra pressure on the bar that's for sure!

See you all back for the new season of rugby on 3rd September - 9.30am prompt!

U10's head coach Jar O'Brien receiving his thank you gift from Brian Moore

It has been fantastic to have had a 'normal' season without any health dramas or significant cancellations due to weather. A big congrats to all the boys and girls who have worn the Wimbledon Rugby colours with pride. From 18 months old to 60 and beyond over 700 people have made this a season to remember.

The minis will celebrate their season on 14 May with a big BBQ and party. Make sure your managers know you'll be coming so we can make plans.

We start the new season at 9.30am on Sunday 3 September 2023. Wishing you all a happy summer break.

Pitch plan for Sunday

There are just two weeks left of the season and this Sunday the minis are all away at Dorking for a festival. For those at home (and a big welcome to Guildfordians and Old Cranelighans) the pitch plan is below.

Remember: the minis end of season party is on Sunday 14 May 2023. The fun kicks off at 1pm.

Pitch plan for Sunday

After a week's break we are back for the final 3 Sundays of the season. Sad times indeed (the new season starts on Sunday 3rd September 2023).

We have a couple of the youth teams away on tour this weekend and some of the older groups have ended the season already. Everyone else is at home.

Next Sunday (23rd) the minis are at Dorking for a festival, then everyone is at home for training on 30th April (the final weekend of the season).

The minis end of season party is on Sunday 14 May 2023. The fun kicks off at 12 noon. Details to follow soon.

Pitch plan for Sunday

We are proud to host this year's end-of-season Surrey Rugby U10s festival at Wimbledon RFC. Over 550 kids and their parents from 20 clubs will be in attendance. A big welcome to all.

45 teams from across South West London and North Surrey will be playing this Sunday.

We'll be open from 8.30am with bacon butties and coffees to kick-start your day. Referee briefings take place at the control tent at 9.30am and matches kick-off at 10am sharp. Please arrive early as we must start on time!

Parking

In short, you'll need to be an early-arriver to park in one of the two club carparks. A few permits have been issued for Inclusive Rugby players and visiting head coaches (only - and once the spaces are gone, they're gone, sorry). If you have a blue badge there will also be parking at the club, please show yours to the marshalls at the junction of Copse Hill and Barham Road.

Once the club's carparks are full you will need to park on the public roads (marked green on the map). The later you arrive the longer your walk will be to the club. When walking you might find Google Maps helpful to navigate your way to the clubhouse (type in Wimbledon Rugby Club or postcode SW20 0ET).

There will be parent volunteers in hi-viz to help make the parking as stress-free as possible. Please listen to any parking instructions you are given - and respect that everyone marshalling the parking are parent volunteers. Wimbledon RFC is situated in the middle of a residential area with some of the roads being private roads so if you are asked not to park somewhere, please listen. The same goes with cones, if you see a street with cones on, don't park there.

Anyone blocking access to homes or restricting ambulance access will be reported to the police.

If you need directions to Wimbledon Rugby Football Club click here

The programme for Sunday can be downloaded here. We are using Tournify for fixtures and they are available here.
Note: fixtures are subject to change up until the start of the festival so keep checking for any updates.

There's a Tournify app which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store here or from the Google Play Store here. In the Tournify app search for Surrey Rugby U10 End of Season Festival @ Wimbledon RFC.

Here's the pitch plan - note: a larger copy of the pitch plan is in the programme, downloadable above.

Huge thanks to our programme sponsors

The festival has been made possible thanks to the generosity of our programme sponsors. Please support them if at all possible.
Reigate Grammar School, Harlem NYIT restaurant, Whitgift, Kroll, Nuffield Health | Parkside Hospital, Direct Dental, Reston Waste, Tiro Partners, The Bleu Group, Rugger Rascals, Morning Star, Robert Holmes & Co.

A key message from Sophie Castle, Wimbledon's child safeguarding officer

Remember, everyone (parents, coaches and players alike) must observe the RFU rules and spirit of play...namely

1. Support positively and applaud good play (even if it's not your team!)
2. Respect officials and opposition players
3. Remember that children are playing to have fun
4. Behave as good role models on the touchline
5. Congratulate the opposition and make their supporters welcome.

Bad behaviour by players will not be tolerated
The London Society of Rugby Football Union Referees has announced a zero-tolerance approach to backchat and appealing from players during matches. This approach is wholly endorsed by Wimbledon RFC and all players should expect to be warned and then penalised for instances of arm waiving and backchat/challenging refereeing decisions during games.

Bad behaviour by parents will not be tolerated. I like this quote from Brian Moore
[Children] do not always recognise a general expression of disappointment and believe it is directed at them. Head shaking, rolling of the eyes, looking away, kicking the ground – any of these can discourage children, and exhortations like “come on” and “sort it out” are as practically useless from the touchline as they are on the pitch. Full article is here

Hope you enjoy the festival and remember TREDS

Teamwork • Respect • Enjoyment • Discipline • Sportsmanship

Well done to everyone involved in last weekend's successes. As well as the hugely successful minis festival the Men's 1st XV cemented their promotion and won the Surrey Cup, the Men's 2nd XV won their league handsomely, the Women's XV continued their unbeaten streak in 2023, and a host of youth teams had great results in the Quins cups.

This Sunday we welcome Chiswick and London Welsh. Next Sunday (26th March) we are hosting the Surrey Rugby U10s Festival where 21 clubs, and over 600 kids, will be in attendance.

Pitch plan for Sunday

This Sunday we are expecting 1,400 kids at this year's Wimbledon RFC Spring Minis Rugby Festival. Welcome all!

IMPORTANT: There is no parking on the pitches due to the recent weather so please arrive early and follow the parking instructions that you have been sent by your clubs.

150 teams from across South West London and North Surrey will be playing this Sunday; another record.

We'll be open from 8.30am with bacon butties and coffees to kick-start your day. Referee briefings take pace by the relevant age group control tents at 9.30am and matches kick-off at 10am sharp. Please arrive early as we must start on time!

Parking

In short, you'll need to be an early-arriver to park in one of the two club carparks. A few permits have been issued for Inclusive Rugby players and visiting head coaches (only - and once the spaces are gone, they're gone, sorry). If you have a blue badge there will also be parking at the club, please show yours to the marshalls at the junction of Copse Hill and Barham Road.

Once the club's carparks are full you will need to park on the public roads (marked green on the map). The later you arrive the longer your walk will be to the club. When walking you might find Google Maps helpful to navigate your way to the clubhouse (type in Wimbledon Rugby Club or postcode SW20 0ET).

There will be parent volunteers in hi-viz to help make the parking as stress-free as possible. Please listen to any parking instructions you are given - and respect that everyone marshalling the parking are parent volunteers. Wimbledon RFC is situated in the middle of a residential area with some of the roads being private roads so if you are asked not to park somewhere, please listen. The same goes with cones, if you see a street with cones on, don't park there.

Anyone blocking access to homes or restricting ambulance access will be reported to the police.

If you need directions to Wimbledon Rugby Football Club click here

The programme for Sunday can be downloaded here. We are using Tournify for fixtures and they are available here.
Note: fixtures are subject to change up until the start of the festival so keep checking for any updates.

There's a Tournify app which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store here or from the Google Play Store here . In the Tournify app search for Wimbledon Minis Rugby Festival.

Here's the pitch plan - note: a larger copy of the pitch plan is in the programme, downloadable above.

Huge thanks to our programme sponsors

The festival has been made possible thanks to the generosity of our programme sponsors. Please support them if at all possible.
Trinity School, Chucs Restaurants, Langhans Brasserie, Harlem NYIT restaurant, Whitgift, Kroll, Nuffield Health | Parkside Hospital, Direct Dental, Homefield Prep School, Reston Waste, Tiro Partners, The Bleu Group, Rugger Rascals, Morning Star, Robert Holmes & Co.

A key message from Sophie Castle, Wimbledon's child safeguarding officer

Remember, everyone (parents, coaches and players alike) must observe the RFU rules and spirit of play...namely

1. Support positively and applaud good play (even if it's not your team!)
2. Respect officials and opposition players
3. Remember that children are playing to have fun
4. Behave as good role models on the touchline
5. Congratulate the opposition and make their supporters welcome.

Bad behaviour by players will not be tolerated
The London Society of Rugby Football Union Referees has announced a zero-tolerance approach to backchat and appealing from players during matches. This approach is wholly endorsed by Wimbledon RFC and all players should expect to be warned and then penalised for instances of arm waiving and backchat/challenging refereeing decisions during games.

Bad behaviour by parents will not be tolerated. I like this quote from Brian Moore
[Children] do not always recognise a general expression of disappointment and believe it is directed at them. Head shaking, rolling of the eyes, looking away, kicking the ground – any of these can discourage children, and exhortations like “come on” and “sort it out” are as practically useless from the touchline as they are on the pitch. Full article is here

Hope you enjoy the festival and remember TREDS

Teamwork • Respect • Enjoyment • Discipline • Sportsmanship

A very busy Sunday is on the cards. The weather looks like it'll play ball so we welcome under 8s and under 10s from Wimbledon Warriors, Old Emmanuel and Kingston; our "odds" (u7, u9 and u11) are all away at Kingston (226 Hook Rd, Chessington KT9 1PL).

Whist a good number of our youth teams are playing matches away we welcome London Welsh, Quins Amateurs, Old Ruts, Dorking and the U16 Girls are holding a development session.

The hard ground has meant we have called off ALL MINIS training on Sunday (u5-u11s + younger girls-only and inclusive). We hope/expect to be back next Sunday (29th).

Look out for information about YOUTH games.