A big thanks to the U11s and all other volunteers for their hard work in making last Sunday's minis festival such a success.

There was a lot of youth rugby on offer as well:

U15 Boys A beat Chobham 15-5
U15 Girls lost to Guildfordians 22-5
U15 Girls 10s lost to Twickenham & London Irish 12-40

U14 lost to Richmond 33-26

U13 Girls beat Dorking 55-10
U13 Boys B lost to Cobham 6-0 (tries)

U12 lost to Weybridge Vandals 6-5 (tries)

ADULT RUGBY: A tough loss for the first XV men away at Sevenoaks last Saturday (36-5). They have the weekend off before back-to-back home games against North Walsham (26 March) and Tunbridge Wells (2 April). Ball boys and girls coming from the U10s (26 March) and U9s (2 April) for those two games. Massive local derby for the Women’s XV this Saturday against Sutton & Epsom.

WOMEN’S SUPPORTERS DAY: After the success of the Supporter's Lunch on 2nd March for the Men's 1st XV fixture against Sutton & Epsom, the Club is, once again, supporting the delivery of a Supporters' Lunch prior to the Women's XV fixture against Sutton & Epsom this Saturday. The price of this lunch has been slashed down from £17 to £10 which will include a full buffet curry, all the trimmings and a complementary glass of fizz. Children's options are available. Lunch will be served from 12pm with the Women's game kicking off at 1.30pm.

Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3hQ4J5z

Pitch plan

We're very excited to welcome over 1,200 kids to Wimbledon Rugby Football Club for our minis rugby festival this Sunday. What's particularly pleasing is that we are hosting nine teams of u11 girls-only matches. Huge congrats to Luciana for arranging these.

A big welcome to the 121 (!) teams playing this Sunday. I seem to say this every time but this is another record-breaker.

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 and the fixtures for Sunday are here.
Note: inevitably there will be some changes to the fixtures on the day, the pitch marshalls will have the latest information.

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

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

Home cup games for the U13A Boys (against London Irish), U14s (against Battersea Ironsides), and Colts (against Richmond). The U12s have friendlies at home against Old Cranleighans, and the U15 Boys A and B have cup games away at London Irish and Old Cranleighans respectively.

Good to report a terrific win for the U16s last Sunday who beat Old Cranleighans 28-14. The U15s were away on tour and recorded two wins out of three: beating Leicester Vipers 34-10, and Towcester 21-10; losing to Northampton Casuals 28-5.

LAST KIT SALE: The final Second Hand Kit sale will be this Sunday. Please bring your unwanted kit. There will be Akuma sample sizes to try on if you want to be organised and order new Akuma kit for next season.

ADULT RUGBY: The Women’s XV had a tough game away at Hammersmith & Fulham Ladies going down 43-5. This Sunday they are back at home against Teddington Antlers Ladies (2.45pm ko). After a week off the Men are back in action at home in the big local derby against Sutton & Epsom (3pm kick off). U11s providing the ball boys and girls.

Pitch plan

Most of the minis are at home this weekend and Barnes and Chipstead are visiting the U12s. We are also hosting Surrey U20s who are playing Essex U20’s in the afternoon.

DOGS
As most of you will know, we have an on-going issue with dogs at the club. Our groundsman was attacked this week (not for the first time) and this is being escalated with the Council. Please ask parents to support our efforts by keeping dogs on leads when at the club and off the playing pitches at all times and to clean up after them.

ADULT RUGBY NEWS
1st XV: the Men had a good win (20-10) on the south coast away at Brighton and have this weekend off. The next game is at home against Sutton & Epsom on 5 March (3pm kick off), let’s get as many people down as possible. Our U11s are providing the ball boys and girls.
Women’s XV: lost 17-7 at Hackney Ladies and are away again this Sunday at Hammersmith & Fulham Ladies.

Pitch plan

The minis have a triangular training session on Sunday with Weybridge Vandals and Effingham & Leatherhead joining our U8s and U10s (the U7, U9 and U11 all away). Would all visitors please take heed of our parking policy please.

The U14 Boys squad are away on tour (look out for the Wimbledon jerseys at the Rec on Saturday), and the U18 Girls team have a friendly away at Quins Amateurs.

One result from last Sunday... Under 14 Boys beat Chobham 47-0.

Adult Rugby
Mens 1st XV: Tough loss at home for the Men last Saturday 34-7 against Sidcup. For those fancying a trip to the seaside, they play Brighton away this Saturday (2.30pm kick off).
Women’s XVL: Are in action away at Hackney Ladies on Sunday (also a 2.30pm kick off).

For those looking for some live rugby action on Saturday, the Strollers (4th XV) play at home against local rivals Battersea Ironsides.

Pitch plan

Let's kick off with some youth results from the weekend

U12 A beat Camberley 35-5 (Waterfall Cup)
U12 B lost to Old Ruts/KCS 40-10 (friendly)

U13 Boys A lost to Guildford 15-10 (Waterfall Cup)

U14 lost to London Irish 12-10 (Waterfall Cup)

U15 Boys A beat Farnham 23-7 (Quins Cup)
U15 Boys B beat Old Reigatians 24-10 (Quins Cup)

U15 Girls lost to Farnham 27-19 (friendly)

U16 lost to Cranleigh 34-29 (Quins Cup)

Adult rugby results
1st XV: Back to winning ways for the Men last Saturday, with a good win away at Maidenhead 32-15. They are back at home this Saturday with a game against Sidcup (kick off 2.30pm) with the u12s providing the ball boys.
The Women’s XV: Went down 27-10 last Sunday away at Hampstead Ladies. No game this weekend, but they have a trip to Hackney Ladies the week after.

U7s are on cakes and U9s are on parking

Pitch plan

This weekend the Mini’s welcome Cobham (evens at home, odds away); the U15A and U15B play Quins Cup matches at home against Farnham and Old Reigatians respectively, the U13 play Guildford in the Waterfall Cup and the U15G have a home friendly against Farnham.

YOUTH RESULTS - from last Sunday

U15A lost to Warriors 25-12
U15B lost to Old Emanuel 26-14
U15G lost to Sutton & Epsom 43-5

Colts beat Dorking 38-7

ADULT RUGBY NEWS
1st XV: went down 30-17 away at Havant and are on the road again this weekend at Maidenhead. Next home game is against Sidcup on 12 February (u12s providing the ball boys).
Women’s XV: had a good win at home 43-22 against Medway Ladies and look to back up the win on Saturday with a trip to Hampstead Ladies.

WINE TASTING AT THE CLUB - FRIDAY 11TH FEBRUARY 2022
Our in-house booze expert, Ruth, is hosting a wine tasting evening. There are a few places left so do get in touch to book your slot.

PITCH PLAN

A slightly calmer day at the club this Sunday and we welcome Old Wimbledonians Warriors for joint training with the U7, U9 and U11s.

PARKING: U13G
CAKES: U11

YOUTH RESULTS
U13A lost to Esher
U13B lost to Harlequins Amateurs
U13 Girls lost to Guildford & Camberley 8-3 (tries)

U14 beat Old Reigatians 39-5
U15 Girls beat Old Ruts 36-5
U16 beat Battersea Ironsides 22-20
U18 Girls beat Old Reigatians 15-14

ADULT RUGBY
The 1st XV: Back to winning ways for the 1st XV who beat CS Stags 40-0 on Saturday. They are back on the road at Havant this weekend (who sit one below us in the league). Next home game is against Sidcup on 12 February (2.30pm kick off) when the U12s will be on ball boy duties.
The Women’s XV: Play Medway Ladies at home on Sunday (2pm kick off).

The final First XV home games are 12 February vs Sidcup, 5 March vs Sutton & Epsom, 26 March vs N. Walsham, 2 April vs Tunbridge Wells and 23 April vs Tring

QUIZ Reminder that the next Quiz is being held on Friday, 25 February, and there are a few tables remaining – please get your teams in (up to 8 at £17.50 pp including curry and prizes).

Pitch plan

A busy Sunday ahead with all the Minis back at home and six competitive home Youth fixtures (U13, U13G, U14, U15G, U16 and U18G).

PARKING: U6 (note that with six visiting sides parking is likely to be very busy so please do car share or take public transport where possible).

CAKES: U8

QUIZ: Reminder that the next quiz is on Friday, 25 February (7.30pm start, teams of up to 8, £17.50 pp including curry and cash prizes).

Pitch plan

A big welcome to Esher Rugby and Old Ruts who are joining our minis for training today.

Please note that we have moved a few age groups around to accommodate our visitors. As the grounds are wet - parents - please don't trample the touchlines into an even bigger mess!

WALKING RUGBY: Starts again on Sunday, 2pm. All over 50s welcome to join this well-supported group.

TREASURER: We are on the lookout for a new treasurer for the Minis & Youth section. Nick Wright will be stepping down from the role at the end of the season (a year after his own son stopped playing). Accountancy training not required, but some numeracy would help. The task takes a couple of hours each month and Nick will provide a fantastic hand over (having absolutely nailed the job over the past few years). Please help if you can - contact chair@wmrfc.co.uk if you can help.

1st XV: The men lost to 2nd placed Hertford 5-13 last Sunday in tough conditions. They are on the road this Saturday at Westcombe Park. Next home game is the week after on 22 January against CS Stags 1863 (2pm), our U13s providing the ball boys. The Women’s game was cancelled last weekend, so their first game in 2022 will be away at Beckenham Ladies on Saturday.

The U12s are on parking duties and U9s are providing the cakes. Please support both.

Pitch plan