Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2025

It’s almost Christmas and on behalf of everyone at Blues HQ, I would like to thank all of the members, sponsors and supporters of Newbury RFC for making it the stand out community hub that it has become. From toddlers doing music with mummy, to ballet sessions for seniors and something for everyone in between, NRFC has become a valuable asset to our town. Repeat room hire for business use, a popular wedding and party venue as well as extensive demand for our wonderfully kept grounds reflect the work of the proactive, efficient and empathetic Commercial Team that Louise Endean leads.

Of course, rugby is at our core and as well as being the dynamic leader of the youth section, enigmatic Simon Best has also introduced increasingly popular walking rugby on Tuesday evenings. Many of the senior men’s teams have an asterisk next to their name to indicate that they benefitted from the youth system at NRFC, and a similar pattern is emerging with the women’s seniors who now regularly field two teams at the weekend. Over a few seasons, the unsung James McCarthy has stealthily built a regular touch rugby group as well as a crowd pleasing “Friday Night Lights” Bulldogs team for over 35’s. Rugby is buzzing and respective Chairs of senior men’s and women’s rugby, Brian Trott and Lauren Price-Richards time and enthusiasm is crucial. Oversight of all of the rugby section is led by our Chair of Rugby, Sarah Tunstall. Sarah is a person who seems to find 30 hours in a 24 hour day and since taking on the lead role her contribution has been immense. We all owe her a massive ‘thank you’.

Finally, all of this has a cost and raising funds together with careful management of those funds is paramount. Your membership fees are essential, efficient commercial development of our facilities is key, and the wide ranging support of the sponsors nurtured by Robin Varley is not only a financial credit but also a credit to the positive manner in which those sponsors perceive NRFC and its benefit to the wider community. Over recent years, managing our assets has become much more professional and accountable. This is a tribute to the foundations laid down by past incumbents of the Management Board and the scrutiny and tweaking of those foundations by the current Management Board and Trustees. Rob Harris and our Treasurer, Peter Lambert, are the perceptive customer facing custodians of the accounts and their expert and incessant devotion to duty at NRFC cannot be overstated.

So, as its Christmas, if you would like to make a gift to NRFC, our Treasurer would be delighted, and the Good Exchange will even match it. The appeal for our Sustainable Lighting and Floodlights can be found on the Good Exchange.

Please donate by clicking here

Do have a pleasant Christmas and hopefully, a very peaceful 2025. Thank you everyone and I look forward to seeing you cheering on the Blues again in January.

Trevor Coles
President NRFC

PS - Don’t forget we have Boxing Day Rugby at Monk’s Lane versus Hungerford
Club opens at 11am — 12pm KO —- Close 3pm