www.southmeadrfc.co.uk the official website for Southmead RFC Ltd

CLUB HISTORY

 
Southmead RFC was started 22 years ago in 1986 with the establishment of a Club Junior Side. This was the brain child of local man Lee Gardiner along with several local parents. The formation of the junior side was in response to the need for local activities for children living in Southmead. Southmead RFC was formally dissolved in April 2008. Southmead Rugby Football Club Limited was formed in May 2008 and now occupies the site and provides all sporting activities. Southmead RFC history is preserved below as recognition and full acknowledgement of the tremendous efforts of those who first brought rugby to the area.

 
As well as establishing an adult side in 1987 following the initial success of the juniors the club continued to run the junior section offering rugby to young people aged from 6 to16. However, for a number of reasons the club found it hard to sustain junior rugby and the club did not offer rugby to young people for a number of years. Close work with the community and many other like-minded people and organisations allowed the continued delivery of tag Rugby which culminated in schools festivals each year held at Southmead RFC. Hard work from a few club members has enabled the junior section to be re-launched in 2006 and SRFC Ltd now plans to continue to expand rugby opportunities within the primary schools of Southmead. From a strategic viewpoint, SRFC Ltd club will continue to train local people as coaches, equipping them with the skills and resources necessary to run a safe, effective and child friendly club. Southmead RFC was recognised for the tremendous work it had done and duly acknowledged by HM The Queen with a national award in the year 1992.
The first team squad is currently riding high after winning 3 trophies in a row, the Bristol Combination Plate, Combination 7’s Plate and the Ashley Down Pre-Season Tournament. Currently in Highbridge Jewellers Gloucester Premier League the club were promoted after newly formed Hartpury College left all other teams in the League in their wake with in excess of 1000 points scored.
Southmead RFC 2nd and 3rd teams consistently fielded sides over the last few years and rarely called off games through lack of players. There are now moves to start a 4th team. In the interim the club has often loaned players to other teams. The commitment of players and supporters is obvious when playing at home and away when the side line is full of cheering well wishers. Where appropriate, players rotate positions, normally at half time in order to give everyone a game. In previous seasons, the third team has finished first in the merit table and all players received awards. Players in all teams pay a match fee but often contribute more through fund raising initiatives. Students and unemployed members are only expected to contribute reduced rates
All these developments have enabled Southmead RFC Ltd to help build upon and consolidate the club which is at the centre of the local community. In an area with approximately 5000 council properties and a well documented history of poverty and deprivation, the Southmead FRC Ltd will go from strength to strength as an extremely effective deterrent to crime, drug use and other unhealthy activities that can affect vulnerable young people especially The club house is well managed and successfully run and is used by a number of local groups leading to the club being highly regarded by members of the community. The social aspect of the club has been built on hard work of members to convert the old school building into a sizeable hall which is hired out for parties. Other sports make use of the facilities including a long running darts team for both men and women and a skittles team.
Since restarting the Junior Section in the 2006 – 2007 Season, the club has worked hard to bring youth members and their families into the club. From 6 dedicated children, the membership has grown to 3 teams, under 14’s team, under 11’s and under 8’s. Currently the under 14’s team is the only squad without girls playing. There has been interest in starting all girls and women’s sides and efforts are ongoing to recruit enough members to make this viable. Single sex changing rooms are therefore a must for this to happen.
The club runs many fun activities where all members can join in. In addition to children’s parties, fun days and trips out we also support each other as a club. In the event of a major match being played anywhere we hire a coach and the whole club attends. This creates a feeling of family and a desire to belong. Junior retention takes a similar form but with added financial dedication from the senior side of the club and local sponsorship. Junior members pay a £1.00 membership fee which also provides them with shorts, socks and rugby shorts. They also pay match fees of only £1.00. Last year the juniors had their annual dinner at no cost to them or their invited families. Every child was awarded a medal for their contribution to the club and every week a junior player receives either the man of the match trophy or the player of the week trophy. Parents of the children are welcomed into the club and several parents are now helping out with the running of the sides. Southmead Rugby Football Club Limited is fully committed to the promotion of Rugby Union, currently running 3 senior sides, 1 Veterans side and 6 junior sides. Senior training sessions are held at the ground every Tuesday and Thursday at 7.00 p.m., with junior training sessions at 10.00 a.m. on Sundays. Anyone interested in rugby, both members and non-members, is invited to attend. The club ethos is to promote a family atmosphere and provide activities in the local and wider community.

CLUB INFORMATION

Following an evaluation in 2008 a number of key recommendations have been acted upon including developments to the infrastructure, financial management communication, fund raising and community liaison. The club house lounge, with kitchen facilities and a licensed bar, is available free of charge during normal hours to all paid up members for birthdays, weddings, receptions family and works functions. These facilities are also available at a modest charge, and on a limited number of occasions, to non-members. The club also endeavours to involve other sports to promote all round participation including 3 darts teams, 2 skittle teams and a local girl’s football team. Throughout the months of May to August, a Sunday Sports activity programme is run by club coaches including sports such as Aussie Rules Football, Football, Cricket and Rounder’s. Approximately 50 children attend each session which is an admirable effort considering the level of resources.

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