Welcome to East Grinstead Rugby Round Up. If you are reading this on the website, or via Facebook, please sign up to receive this Newsletter via email, which contains loads of pictures and other content, please email m.marriott@btconnect.com and we will add you to the list.

SENIOR RUGBY
With the club Christmas Jumper Lunch in lively action before the visit of Old Haileyburyians, we were all desperately in need of some festive cheer at Saint Hill on Saturday. Could the boys serve up another Christmas feast? Read the report here to find out: Match report

To view Bens pics, click here: Match pics

Meanwhile, the 2’s were up against it away, against a very strong Barns Green side. it was a tough match for our young travelling side, who put up a great fight in losing 27 - 0.

Next weekend sees our last matches of the year as our 1’s and 2’s travel to face local rivals Haywards Heath. A huge game for our 1XV as Heath sit just below us in the league. A win would give us a bit of breathing space as we take a well earned break into the new year.

Let’s hope both our senior mens sides can snatch victory, before returning for the club Christmas party. The event is for everyone, players, parents, coaches, managers, supporters and physios!!! If you haven’t yet booked your ticket, follow the link in the article below!!

AGE GROUP RUGBY
On Sunday, we hosted the last junior rugby session at HQ with a festive bonanza. With Xmas tunes in the air, both players and parents arrived in festive dress. It was great to witness a sea of Santa hats on the touchlines.

Most age groups ran more relaxed fun sessions with a festive theme and the kids had a ball.

After the sessions, the clubhouse was buzzing with the delivery of selection boxes to all the players and the eagerly anticipated Christmas Prize draw. There was a great selection of goodies to be won. There was fun all round as the prizes were drawn with U11's coach Pete ‘Bingo’ Barlow winning 3 prizes, much to the dismay of his fellow coaches! Pete even scooped the top prize of a family day at Clip 'n' Climb to add to his other stash!

My thanks to club president Derek Hughes for organising everything. I'd also like to thank Lucy Goldsworthy and Ivy Tristram for helping to make the draw happen.

It was heartwarming to see so many of you enjoying the day. Please don’t make it a once a year occasion!

The club would like to thank all who so generously donated a prize/s and of course, all who entered the draw. We raised around £300 which will help to fund new equipment.

Despite what seems to have been never ending rain since September, with the odd storm thrown into the mix, we have managed to only cancel 1 session so far this year. A huge thanks to our ground staff for making this possible and to both parents and players for coming along every week. It doesn't happen without you.

On behalf of the club, we wish you all a very happy Christmas and new year! Please all enjoy your break.
Junior rugby returns on Sunday 5th of Jan 2025.

Our Inters had a good day too, with the U13’s travelling to Heathfield and claiming the spoils in a 20 - 50 victory, while our U15’s made the long drive to Old Reigatians and were irresistable in a 0 - 53 win.

MENS SENIOR CHRISTMAS SOCIAL
The EGRFC Christmas Nativity Social was a festive evening that celebrated the holiday season with a unique rugby twist on the traditional nativity story. Players embodied classic Christmas character, from Baby Jesus to the Grinch, all navigating a world of mischievous challenges, chaotic rules, and plenty of festive drinks.

Blending humour and tradition created a successfully evening enjoyed in the combined spirt of Rugby and Christmas, leaving attendees eager for next year’s celebration.

EGRFC CHRISTMAS PARTY
This will be a cracking evening at the club for all our members across our wonderful club. Click here for all the details: Christmas tickets

QUINS & G’s
You may have read the article in RRU a couple of weeks ago, where we announced that we are looking to strengthen our ties with Harlequins over the next few seasons. As part of this relationship, they have offered us over 70 tickets at discounted prices to their Big Summer Kick Off against Gloucester on 10th May at Twickenham stadium. We promised to publish the link to these tickets as soon as they were available and that time has come!!

We have 72 seats in L11 held for EGRFC, for Quins celebration of community end of season match against Gloucester Rugby on the 10th May at the Allianz (Twickenham) Stadium.

This offer will run till 12 noon on the 3rd March 2025. While this is early to place forward, Quins feel this match will be massively popular like last season, hence getting the information out to parents before the Christmas break (could be the ideal Christmas gift) was important.

Ticket prices have been specifically developed to enable us to attend and make this an affordable day for all, and for members of the club to sit together close to the action.

Great value: Adult tickets are £33 and Under 18’s just £22 (full price will be £48 & £30!)

Great seats: Our seats are close to the action – Category 2 seats for Category 3 prices

The best value: Our seats are the cheapest in the stadium – you cannot buy cheaper anywhere else

Sit together: We can sit together as a group

No booking fee: Harlequins will pay the booking fee to provide further savings

Why not have a word with your manager or coach and grab a bulk booking? To access East Grinstead’s exclusive ticket portal, please click here: Quins tickets

RFU REGISTRATION
The RFU have contacted us to remind us about our player registration. Will all senior players and parents of our age grade players please check their registration is complete as the Rugby Football Union is concerned that registration levels are low. The RFU writes:

“Regulation 15.1.4 requires that:
All Age Grade Players must be registered annually on the RFU's online registration platform.
New Age Grade Players at a Club, must be registered within 45 days of them first joining the Club.
Existing Age Grade Players at a Club must be registered within 45 days of them starting the new season at the Club.
The following link will take you to Regulation 15.1.4: RFU Registration

The following link will take you to some YouTube videos that provide guidance on how to register players: Registration help

Can all managers and coaches please push this again. East Grinstead RFC have also noticed that so many senior and age grade emails are incorrect or missing, making the entry void. It is vitally important that you check your registration details carefully and update and missing or out of date information.

WALKING RUGBY
Ever heard of Walking Rugby? Well, even the Princess of Wales has tried it, so please read on!!!
We have received this communication from Sarah Khan, Sussex RFU walking rugby manager. 

“I’m reaching out as the Sussex RFU manager for Walking Rugby, and wanted to share some exciting news RE Walking Rugby in Sussex.

There are currently, a few clubs within Sussex who have been creating teams and participating in Walking Rugby over the past few years, playing in tournaments and festivals across the UK, including Twickenham, and most recently in Calais in the first Walking Rugby event in Europe. 

In order to progress Walking Rugby, increase awareness and participation, and with the support of Sussex RFU; the first Walking Rugby League will be created in Sussex, to start in April 2025.

Walking Rugby is available for all abilities and is a mixed gender version of the sport. It was created to provide a pathway into rugby for those new to the sport, and a way for those injured or retired from contact versions of the game, to continue playing. 
 
Regards,
Sarah Khan”

EGRFC would certainly consider entering a team in this league if interest is good enough. If this is something that would interest you, please email operations@egrfc.com to register your interest. There will be a launch night to welcome clubs on Friday 21.02.2025 on the APG at Horsham Rugby Club.  This will be an ideal opportunity to come down and give it a try and train with other clubs.

UNMISSABLE RED ROSES ACTION
Watch England's Red Roses take on France at Allianz Stadium, on Saturday 26 April 2025, in the final round of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations!

Secure your place today from £25 for adults, and £5 for juniors. Just click here for your tickets: RR tickets

HAPPY CHRISTMAS
With no RRU next week, it just leaves us to wish all our readers a merry Christmas and a very happy New Year!

See you all in 2025!

OTHER NEWS
If you have any news about any aspect of our rugby family here at East Grinstead, get involved and email m.marriott@btconnect.com. See you next week!!