Tunbridge Wells RFC
| File:Tunbridge Wells RFC logo.png | |
| Full name | Tunbridge Wells Rugby Football Club |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Wells |
| Founded | 1931 (as Old Skinners) |
| Location | Royal Tunbridge Wells, England |
| Ground(s) | St Marks Recreation Ground (Capacity: 3,000 [1]) |
| Chairman | Graham Withers |
| President | Roger Clarke |
| Coach(es) | Alex Nicholson, Matt Cook, Mike Whatman, Charlie Harding. |
| Captain(s) | Sean O'Connor |
| League(s) | London 1 South |
| 2015-16 | 1st (Champions) |
| Official website | |
| www |
|
Tunbridge Wells RFC is an English Rugby union club that plays in London 2 South East from Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England.
History
Tunbridge Wells RFC was officially formed as Old Skinners RFC in 1931 as a rugby union club for former pupils of The Skinners' School. In 1970, membership of the club became open to non-Skinners pupils with Old Skinners being renamed as Tunbridge Wells RFC in 1973.[2] Despite becoming an open club, Tunbridge Wells retain their links with The Skinners' School, specifically by not selecting Skinners pupils who represent Skinners while they are competing in the Daily Mail Cup to assist them.[3] In 1985, Tunbridge Wells had a new clubhouse constructed, which was opened by Princess Anne.[2]
Since the creation of league rugby in 1987, Tunbridge Wells played mainly in London 1 South where they also played league matches against future RFU Championship side, Jersey R.F.C.[4] and regularly attempted to enter National League 3 London & SE.[5] In 2011, Tunbridge Wells were relegated to London 2 South East.[6] The following season they were relegated again to London 3 South East.[7] The club managed to reverse the trend and win promotion back to the London 2 South East league after finishing in the runner up position in the London 3 South East league in the 2012/2013 season.[8]
They also compete in Kent cup competitions.[9]
In addition to the 1st XV the club regularly fields three other adult sides (2nd, 3rd and 4th XVs) competing in various Kent RFU league competitions. In the 2012/2013 season the 2nd XV won the Invicta 1 league.[10]
In 2012, Tunbridge Wells set up a scheme where players from their youth teams would act as ambassadors to local schools for the club to assist with coaching and participation in rugby. This innovative plan was praised by the Rugby Football Union as "a great idea" as a number of other rugby clubs also set up similar schemes following on from Tunbridge Wells'.[11] Tunbridge Wells are also affiliated to English Premiership team, Harlequins.[12]
Club Honours
- London 2 South East champions (3): 2000-01, 2005-06, 2015-16
- RFU Intermediate Cup winners: 2015-16[13]
Notable Players
Colin Smart - England
Bill Hayward - USA Eagles[14]- Martin Corry[15] - England Captain, Lions Captain, Leicester Tigers Captain, Barbarians Captain
Matthew Cook - Spain
Robert Greig Norway National Rugby Union Team
References
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- ↑ http://www.rfulondon.com/
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- ↑ http://www.kent-rugby.org/5_invicta_tables.html
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