Opening the 2026/27 Season

This message contains updates, encouragement and only the lightest of teasers. For the full stories, come along to our Season Launch Reception next Friday, 11 September, from 6.00pm to 9.00pm at Romsey Rugby Club.

And yes, we should mention it: there will be a complimentary welcome drink and nibbles. Apparently rugby news is best served with refreshments.

Welcome

Dear members,

Welcome to a new season at Romsey Rugby Club. Whether you are pulling on a shirt, coaching from the touchline, bringing children to training, volunteering behind the scenes, supporting from the balcony or simply enjoying being part of the club, thank you for being with us.

The start has not been quite as straightforward as any of us would have chosen. The weather has delayed some rugby and required a little patience and flexibility. Nevertheless, there is a real sense of momentum across the club, and plenty to look forward to both on and off the pitch.

One Club, One Direction

As we begin the season, our priorities remain clear: to play more rugby, make the clubhouse our home, maintain solid finances and build a sustainable club for the future. We will do that in the spirit of rugby and through the values we want to see throughout the club: teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship.

Rugby Across the Club

Seniors Update

Coach Berry says: “Great recruitment has lifted standards and put real competition into the squad — exactly what we want. Three preseason wins on the bounce gives us confidence, but the real work starts now. Trojans on the 12th is our first proper marker, and we need to hit the ground running, so please everyone come along and support us. It is also brilliant to see the second team stepping into a league of their own this season: more rugby, more opportunity, and more players pushing each other on.”

Girls & Women’s Update

Leonie Randles writes: “The exciting thing this season is that girls rugby at Romsey is no longer just something we are talking about building — it is happening, and it is starting to bear fruit.

The club has put significant time, energy and resource behind developing a proper girls pathway, with coaching, outreach, fixtures and partnerships all moving in the right direction. We are now seeing the results of that commitment.

Our U12 numbers are looking strong, and the next step is to keep that momentum going by encouraging the current Year 6 girls to come through, try rugby and feel that Romsey is their club.

We are also linking up with WinchLeigh at U12 and U14, which should help us compete well at festivals and give the U14s more game time.

The message is simple: come and give rugby a go. No experience needed — just turn up, join in and be part of a brilliant team environment.”

Youth, Minis and Juniors Update

Youth Chair Matt Hayes says: “Our Minis, Juniors and Youth sections are ready to charge into the new season, backed by healthy numbers, brilliant coaches and an outstanding army of families—many of whom have already mastered the art of locating a missing gumshield 5 minutes before leaving the house on a Sunday morning.

Sundays will once again bring the familiar mix of energy, noise, smiles and the occasional urgent reminder that boot bags, water bottles and children do not magically organise themselves overnight. Across every age group, our aim is simple: help young players enjoy rugby, develop their skills, make friends and grow in confidence—while hopefully returning home with roughly the same number of limbs, socks and possessions they arrived with.

There will be festivals, round robins, fixtures and plenty of chances to test ourselves against other clubs. But the real success is seeing more children playing more rugby, more often, and discovering everything that makes the game special: teamwork, resilience, respect and the odd perfectly timed goose step.

A huge thank you goes to every coach, team manager, first aider and parent volunteer who make it all happen. You are the early-morning organisers, cat herders, sergeant majors, WhatsApp ninjas, wet-weather heroes, lost-property detectives and, most importantly, the heartbeat of the club’s future.”

Chairman’s Update

Weather and the Delayed Start

The extended dry weather has forced the RFU to suspend competitive rugby until at least Saturday 26th September – and this could well move further in to the season. We’ll let you know confirmed fixtures, lunches and other events as soon as we can.

Club Development

This season is not only about the matches immediately ahead of us. We are also continuing the work of strengthening the club for the longer term after our club meeting in the spring: improving the experience of rugby, developing our home at Ganger Farm, supporting our volunteers and building a club in which people want to participate and contribute. Updates will follow during September.

Remembrance Sunday 8th November

Looking ahead to November, we will take the same approach as last year to Remembrance Sunday. That means we encourage everyone to join us in Romsey for the parade as usual, and we will also have rugby training at Ganger Farm.

Clubhouse, Catering and Business Team Update

Neil Preston, who leads our Business and Commercial Team, shares the following update:

“We are delighted to welcome Charlie’s Cafe as our new catering partner. Members receive 10% off, and Charlie’s will donate 10% back to RRFC, so every clubhouse meal helps support the club.

From 11 September, all player meals will be provided through Charlie’s. We will also open the doors this Sunday so members, families and players can walk through, meet Charlie, and get a feel for the refreshed food offer. Charlie will be there to say a quick hello and welcome everyone properly to the club.

On the events side, we have updated our venue rate cards and are ready to support more private functions, club events, sponsor activity and community bookings. For any enquiries, please contact Happy, who will be pleased to help with details, availability and follow-up calls where needed.

Matchday lunches remain an important part of our club offer, and we are looking for young players aged 15 and above who would like training, experience and the chance to support the club on matchdays. If that sounds of interest, please get in touch with Neil directly.

Our clubhouse should feel like the home of the whole club. Please use it, support the catering and bar operation, and encourage friends and family to join us there.”

Dates for your Diary

All our events can be booked directly from the website

Date	Event	Who is it for?	Action
Friday 11  September	Season Launch Reception	The whole club, families, friends, sponsors and partners	Come along. Complimentary welcome drink and nibbles.
Saturday 12 September	Romsey Show	Everyone	Come see us on the RRFC stall.
Friday 18 September	Beer Train to Salisbury	18+	Meet at Romsey Station on the day.
Saturday 3 October	Matchday Lunch	Everyone	Book your ticket.
Wednesday 7 October	Placeholder: Cocky Anchor RIB Charter to IOW	18+	Contact Tristan
Friday 30 October	Tobies on Tour	VPs, Sponsors & Club Members	Tickets on sale soon.

Volunteers Make the Club Possible

Romsey Rugby Club is built by people who give their time, experience and enthusiasm. Some help every week; others lend a hand at a single event or take on one clearly defined task. All of it matters.

Current vacancies – contact enquiries@romseyrugby.club:

You do not need to join a committee or commit every weekend. If you can offer an occasional hour, support one event or bring a useful skill, we would still be delighted to hear from you.

Partner with the Club: 2026/27 Player Sponsorship Packages Now Live

Support your favourite squad members this season while boosting your business’s visibility. Our 2026/27 Player Sponsorship packages are officially open, offering a direct way to back the team and gain high-impact promotional exposure across the club.

Package Highlights & Pricing

Sponsorships are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Secure your player for the 2026/27 season today by contacting either Paul Finney – sponsorship@romseyrugby.club or Neil Prowse – treasurer@romseyrugby.club

Thank you

Thank you to our coaches, team managers, safeguarding and first-aid volunteers, grounds and facilities teams, Business Team, bar and catering teams, matchday helpers, sponsors, community partners, parents and supporters. The club only functions because so many people choose to contribute.

See you Next Friday

The best way to hear the full stories, meet the people behind them and help launch the season properly is to join us at Romsey Rugby Club next Friday, 11 September, from 6.00pm to 9.00pm. Attendance is open to everyone connected with the club, and children and whole families are warmly encouraged to attend.

There will be a complimentary welcome drink and nibbles, an opportunity to hear what is happening across the club and, most importantly, a chance to begin the season together.

I look forward to seeing you there and to sharing another season of rugby at the heart of Romsey.

Tristan Pattison
Chair, Romsey Rugby Club