Our first team currently plays in RFU League London 1 South at RFU level 6, our second team play in the Invicta Leagues run by Kent County RFU as do our third and fourth fifteens who play in current mid Kent leagues, Mid Kent B and C respectively. Our Veterans side play annually in the Evergreen Cup and also play in Veterans Tournaments as well as play some friendly fixtures.
Training this season begins on Tuesday 29th June and continues every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 30pm at our St Marks Ground from then until the end of the season in April 2011. A pre season warm up game has been organized against Aylesford Bulls RFC on the 24TH August in the evening and we have drawn Sidcup RFC in the first round of the Shepherd Neame Kent Cup which has to be played on or before the 28th/29th of August. Our league campaign will open on the 4th September when our opponents are Cobham RFC KO 3 00pm at St Marks.
Our coaching and training will be managed by Jim Scully who graduates from this role with the 2nd team in 2009/10. He will be assisted by Paul Miles and a range of other experts including a fitness coach. Ex club player and England and lions Captain Martin Corry will also be involved in a Consultancy role and in the coaching area. All of the playing aspects in the club will be coordinated by Jimmy Hendley as Chairman of the Playing Committee
The Club currently have four pitches on a ground of some 23 acres, perched on top of a Wealden Ridge overlooking Frant in Sussex, and despite being a member of the Kent County RFU the Kent Sussex border runs through the middle of the 1st XV pitch with two of our pitches also being entirely in Sussex!
The club have a two storey brick built clubhouse and this has been enhanced during the close season with a doubling of the groundfloor area with new changing and showering facilities, treatment room, official’s facilities, gym and storage. This has been achieved in large part through the provision of a grant from the Rugby Football Union for which the Club is extremely grateful. In addition we hope very shortly to add to our existing bar, catering facilities, and Conference facilities on the first floor as well as see the installation of a lift for disabled access.
The “Wells” also possess a floodlit training area as well as available Sports Hall facilities and access to athletics training facilities off site. In addition an overflow pitch has been provided in case of poor weather to extend the available area to our substantial Youth section.
Four thriving age ranges operate within the Tunbridge Wells RFC umbrella and include a Veteran’s over 35 team which plays in the Evergreen Cup, four Senior sides which play in the Leagues mentioned above from 18 years of age upwards, Juniors 13-18, and a Mini Midi section for those from 5 to 12 years of age. In 2009/10 over 400 young people were registered with the club. We also currently offer a link for those below the age of five with the Tunbridge Wells section of the Rugger Bugs which meet every Saturday during the season at the Skinners Kent Academy (formerlyTunbridge Wells High School) and caters for children from 18months to 5 years.
We therefore warmly welcome players of all ages and standards, social members, supportersand visitors at St Marks throughout the season, and look forward to meeting you there.
On an historical note the club has produced some 10 Internationals in it’s 79 year history including 2 at Senior level in Colin Smart, Newport and England and Martin Corry Leicester and England and in Martin’s case of course a Captain of England, Captain of the Barbarians and a Lion. Martin retired from the playing side of the game in May 2009 but remains a great club friend being our Guest Speaker at the Club Awards Dinner in May of this year and also part of the expertise available to our Coaching team.
Our latest player to achieve International status is Luke Baldwin who represented the England Counties XV this season, having played on loan from Saracens RFC to Blackheath FC and last played for the Wells 1st XV in 2007/08. JJ Redman a current junior member has also achieved representative status in the being part of the Saracens Development Squad for his age group and also being selected for the England National Elite Academy.
Our U 17’s reached the semi –final of the English Clubs Plate Competition ultimately going down to Painswick a strong Gloucestershire side at Henley.
Rugby is not, however, all about the elite elements important as that is and we look forward at the Wells to welcoming all those who enjoy good company, social rugby, good food and drink, touring, good humour, relaxation and friendship which are all to be found in good measure. This season is no exception in seeing our thriving Vice President’s section under Alan Skinner organize the normal range of Curry lunches, Mini Beer Festivals, Wine Tastings, Ladies Day as well as the traditional Beacon, Royal Wells Inn and Spa Hotel lunches. Steve Daly becomes Chairman of the Social committee and along with Mark Goff, Fran Colangelo, Neil Bagwell and Andy hill will be helping to ensure we are not just a good club to play at but also have an excellent social life as we strive to raise the funds to complete a top class clubhouse.
Simon Parsons and a range of Vice presidents will continue to welcome you to the bar on a Saturday with one of the best ranges of Real Ales in Kent or Sussex as well as lagers, ciders, wines and a range of soft drinks, which are also available on Sunday lunchtimes through Graham Withers the chairman of youth and Tim McCabe the Chairman of the Mini Midi Section and their rota teams as they entertain opponents and the parents/relatives of the close to 400 Minis and Juniors that play under Tunbridge Wells colours every Sunday.
Anyone who is interested in whatever capacity in joining the club as player, social member, sponsor or commercial supporter then please contact me hereand our Committee will be delighted to help you further whatever your requirements
Roger Clarke
Chairman
Tunbridge Wells Rugby Football Club
