This weekend would have been the Countryside Kent Sevens at TWRFC but with the current lock-down in place the event was postponed.

“The Kent Sevens is a major event in the club calendar both for the teams that come from all over the county to play in the mens and ladies competitions, but also the families that come to enjoy the rugby and community spirit of the event” said Mike Rigby, Chairman of TWRFC. “Of course it’s a shame we’ve had to postpone the event but we are looking at options to stage an invitational competition early next season as we get guidance from the RFU and our colleagues at Kent RFU”

Simon Hughes, Head of Commercial said “We really want to thank our sponsors, in particular our headline sponsor Countryside Properties, for their on-going support in these unprecedented times. We are working closely with all our sponsors on re-organising the competition and look forward to a weekend of showing casing Kent rugby.”

Watch out for news of new event here and on the clubs social media:

Facebook: @twrfc

Instagram: @tunbridge_wells_rfc

Twitter: @tunwellsrfc

#oneTWRFC

In what turned out to be the last social event of the season the club held a charity “Brave the Shave” event in March in aid of the Lewis Moody Foundation, a charity that supports people of all ages battling brain tumours. The event was organised after first team player, Chris Brown’s 19 month old son, William, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer in the form of a brain tumour.

“The Club wanted to come together to support Chris and his family” said Stuart Nicholls, a fellow first team player who helped organise the event. “Chris and his wife Faye asked for any funds raised to go to the Lewis Moody foundation, a charity run by the ex-England and Leicester Tiger player”

 25 brave souls took on the challenge to have their heads shaved – the team from Gallery Hair & Beauty, in Southborough, manned the clippers. Once all the heads were shaved, the evening continued with a quiz, raffle and some excellent food supplied by The Raj Pavillion.

The event was given an additional boost courtesy of Tonbridge Juddians. Earlier in the day TJs had run their own charity match that TWRFC players and supporters attended. When TJs heard about the Brave the Shave they held and extra collection that raised over £750 – a great example of how rugby is a real community sport.

Donations continued to come in after the event and we can now confirm the event raised over £2500 for the Foundation, with a donation also made to the family to help with William’s on-going care.

A huge thank you to the team that organised the event, those that attended and everyone that donated #oneTWRFC!

• 

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Jim Scully has stepped down from the role of Director of Rugby at Tunbridge Wells RFC.

As a club we would like to take this opportunity to thank Jim for everything he’s done for the club. The 2019/20 season has been a challenging one, impacted by the British weather and COVID; despite this, and due in no small part to Jim’s efforts, the Wells continues to thrive both on and off the pitch. The first team finish 6th in the London & South East Premier league, having played 21, won 10 and drew 2. Youth membership has once again grown, and we now boast a youth membership of 621 children; and (after a rocky start) the Academy has has a particularly successful season, winning all 7 of their matches, with a number of players graduating to senior rugby. The academy Alumni now includes 3 internationals and a Sarries U 18’s player plus 3 other Kent U 18’s.

Jim will replaced in the interim by Stuart Montgomery who will be taking on the role of DoR on in addition to his existing role on the TWRFC board, I’d like to thank Stuart for stepping up, and am sure he will shortly be looking for volunteers as his gets to grips with his expanded role.  Simon Whatling extends his role and will continue as head-coach for 2020-2021 season, and, following this year’s success, Andy Child continues to manage the Academy.

Mike
TWRFC Chairman

Well done to those of you who participated in the various passing video challenges. I know a few are still to publish and I’ll add there here as they are shared…

• Vets
• Ladies (private group)

This week – we’re setting a new challenge which should help get us all ready for the world-rugby global law trials, one of which is to be trialed in England next season. Specifically the permitted forward pass. For more details – read the World rugby announcement below. Teams will be allowed once pass per phase, provided the receiving player catches it in the 22 (some age grade variations apply).

In the video below, Martin provides a little guidance on how to do this – as well as setting the video challenge.

[embedyt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm1yCJDcbDw[/embedyt]

World Rugby approves law trials to further injury prevention

Injury-prevention focused law change has taken another significant step forward with World Rugby’s Executive Committee approving a package of law amendments for trial in London.

Following a comprehensive evaluation by the expert Law Review Group, the Committee approved six law trial proposals submitted by unions and developed at the ground-breaking player welfare and laws symposium in Marcoussis, Paris, in March. 

The package of trials will be rolled out as designated closed trials in competitions around the world and if successful, would be recommended for global trial within the next Rugby World Cup cycle, meaning Rugby World Cup 2023 could be the first global showpiece to feature law amendments fully aimed at reducing injury risk. Full announcement ,details of the law trials (including impact on Reg 15)

As I relayed in my note earlier in the week it is with great regret that we cancelled the Youth Ball that was planned for this weekend. I know that many of you were really looking forward to getting together and having a good time with friends from the club.

Having to cancel the event is also a financial blow for the club, The youth ball is our biggest event of the year and our largest fundraiser! In fact it was destined to have over 200 people attending on the night.

We have reserved a couple of dates at the High Rocks in September and October for the bigger and better (postponed) event to happen and we hope you will be able to join us then.

In the meantime the club is sat on your monies and I wanted to give you three options with regard to the £50 per head you have paid:

• roll over your monies to the new date of the event in the Autumn (if you can’t make the new date further down the line we can offer a refund then);

• request a refund of the monies to your account now;

• or to donate the monies to the club.

I will ask our organiser and all round superstar volunteer Sarah Raine to reach out to the table captains and ask for your replies.

In the meantime thank you for your continued support for the club and hopefully see you back at St Mark’s soon.

Mike

is is a real shame as it our biggest event of the year and our largest fundraiser!

Important message for all club members and visitors

Dear Members and Visitors,

The Government and the RFU have now issued more prescriptive guidance on how we should all be reacting to the Coronavirus (links below). In response to this guidance we have made the following decisions:

Senior Rugby

• All training and matches postponed until 14th April. Your Head coach or Director of Rugby will be in touch shorty with suggested individual training plans.
• We will provide an update on the TWRFC Countryside 7’s tournament in the next few days.

Youth and Mini Rugby

• All youth training and matches postponed until 14th April.
• The Head coach of your age group will advise you when (or if) we are able to recommence training. They may also set you individual rugby goals or challenges to keep you entertained.
• We are conscious that there are a number of outgoing tours and that these are at risk of being impacted. Each tour organiser is working to understand the impact and will communicate when they have any information.

Social gatherings

The Government has advised to avoid social contact, hence……

• The Youth Ball that is planned for next weekend will be postponed. Further details on the postponement will follow tomorrow.
• The End of Season awards dinner will be postponed to the beginning of next season.
• The Clubhouse will be closed until further notice.

This is very disappointing, but hopefully in the circumstances, entirely understandable news. Let’s hope the virus is short lived and less impactful than the Government is planning for. Rugby is important but the health of the nation and our friends/family is way more important. 

If anyone in our community needs any help or assistance over the coming weeks or months then please do get in touch with me or any member of the club and let us know. We know we are a valuable part of our local community and times like this we would will stand tall to support you. #OneTWRFC.

• Link to today’s announcement from UK government
• RFU announcement

Stay safe and healthy.

Regards
Mike

Mike Rigby
Chair TWRFC

This weeks 1XV fixture against CS Stags will take place on Friday 6th March at the Boys Grammar 3G pitch – KO 20:15

Location: By the Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre, St Johns Road, TN4 9TX

Parking: Please park in the Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar School carpark which is next door to the Sports Centre.

TWRFC Fashion Fit Hoodie | Navy/Pink/White

Can now be ordered online until Fri March-13.

PRE-ORDER | Tunbridge Wells RFC | Fashion Fit Hoodie | Navy/Pink/White

Small-print: Delivery could be as long as 22nd May (not quite Amazon prime); Orders accepted subject to TWRFC meeting min. order-qty of 10 tops

On the 14th March, members of Tunbridge Wells RFC will be ‘braving the shave’ to raise money and awareness for the Brain Tumour Charity (Lewis Moody Foundation).

On the 11th December 2019, our fellow team mate Chris Brown and his wife Faye, discovered their 1 year old son, William, had an aggressive and rare form of cancer, combined with a brain tumour. William has been getting the best care possible at Kings College Hospital and after several successful operations, he is showing the courage and determination of a champion.

After hearing the devastating news, the club want to come together and hold a fundraising event for William and the Brain Tumour Charity (Lewis Moody Foundation). Chris and Faye have asked all the proceedings goes towards the charity, which helps people of all age battle brain tumours.

The ‘Brave The Shave’ evening will kick off at 7pm and will also inlcude a quiz night hosted by our very own Tim McCabe and a raffle. Quiz teams can be up to eight people and entry is £15 pp including a curry from our friends at The Raj!

To book your team please contact Stu Nicholls on 07717 383 668

If you would like to make a donation please to go:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/twrfc-brave-the-shave

#oneTWRFC