Newent RFC
| Full name | Newent Rugby Football Club |
|---|---|
| Union | Gloucestershire RFU |
| Founded | 1970 |
| Location | Newent, Gloucestershire |
| Ground(s) | Recreation Ground |
| Chairman | Dave Webb |
| President | Paul Dando |
| League(s) | Regional 2 Midlands West |
| 2024–25 | 1st (Promoted to Regional 1 Midlands) |
| Official website | |
| www | |
Newent Rugby Club is an English rugby union club based in Newent, Gloucestershire. The first XV currently play in Regional 1 Midlands, having been promoted from Regional 2 Midlands West at the end of the 2024–25 season.[1] Regional 1 Midlands is level five in the English rugby union league system.
Club history
[edit]Early days
[edit]Newent RFC were re-formed in the 1970s. There is evidence to show that Newent originally began playing as a team in the early 1900s.
In Spring 1970, a meeting was organised by Mike Poole and Dickie Harris to discuss starting a rugby club in Newent Town. Mike previously played for Hereford RFC and Dickie, a former landlord of The Yew Tree Inn at Cliffords Mesne, played for Harlequins RFC in the 1950s. A rugby club was duly formed with a nucleus of players and ran its operation from The Red Lion in Newent Town centre.The club logo was chosen as a phoenix rising from the ashes to symbolise the club's rebirth.
A highlight of those early days was getting to the Gloucester Combination Junior Cup Final at Kingsholm, only to draw 3–3 with Gordon League II, a very strong club in those days. A replay was held and Newent narrowly lost.
The first tour was organised, to Parc de Prince in Paris to watch the France-England International and than play a French team.
In the late 1970s a decision was taken to lease the redundant Newent Grammar School woodwork & metalwork building to provide a clubhouse, with bar, kitchen and function room. A team of dedicated volunteers, mainly players (led by Keith Laken), completely renovated the building which opened in September 1980 ready for the 1980/81 Season.[2]
Rise & fall
[edit]The 1980s saw the heyday of Newent RFC in its own clubhouse, then managed by a Board of Directors as Limited Company and regularly running 3 senior teams and sometimes even a 4th XV. Annual tours were organised to places such as Penzance, Redruth, Newcastle Hemlyn, Bournemouth. Functions, race nights & discos were held in the clubhouse and were generally very well supported. For many years Tim Beard and wife Fran were stewards of the Clubhouse and voluntarily spent many, many hours behind the bar.
Regrettably, the good times came to an end.
The League structure was introduced and many of the club's players decided that their future lay with other local clubs who were playing in more senior Leagues than Newent. They could not be blamed for wanting to play a better standard but lack of support and ever-rising running costs meant that the clubhouse was no longer viable and closed in the Summer of 1995. It is now a Scouts Hut.[3]
More recent years
[edit]The late 90's was a lean time for Newent RFC. The club moved to the George Hotel and then back to The Red Lion, where it all started in 1970.
This was a period when Newent struggled but did manage to win the Forest of Dean Combination Minor Cup (1999) beating Cinderford 4th XV at Berry Hill.
However the club's longstanding President, Mike Poole, was determined that it should not disappear and began encouraging kids & youth teams to play. Junior sides were formed and the First XV was made up of many or the Under 17's from that period who have matured & continue to perform well for the current Newent teams.[4]
Present day
[edit]In the 2009/10 Season, Newent RFC had its finest period to date. The First XV topped the South West Division Gloucestershire 3 league table, winning promotion by playing fast and exciting rugby. To cap the season, the team went on to win the Forest of Dean Combination Minor Cup, beating Cinderford 3rd XV comprehensively in the Final which was held at Bream RFC's ground.
2010/11 saw the 1st XV head the Gloucestershire Div 2 table, gaining promotion to Gloucestershire Div 1 by playing great rugby against some strong opposition.
Again in 2011/12 Newent RFC had a magnificent season. For the latter part, Andy Addis left Ledbury RFC to join Newent as Head Coach and his impact was almost immediate. The 1st XV narrowly missed promotion to the Gloucestershire Premier Division. However, 1st XV skipper Tristan Veale lifted the Forest of Dean Combination Junior Cup for the second time in 3 seasons after his team defeated Cinderford Stags at Regentsholme by 20–10.[5]
Honours
[edit]Men's 1st XV
[edit]- Forest of Dean Combination Senior Cup Winners (1st XV): 2015–16, 2016–17
- Forest of Dean Seven's Cup Winners: 2014–15
- Gloucestershire Premier Div champions: 2013–14
- RFU Senior Vase Winners (1st XV): 2013–14
- Gloucestershire Div 1 champions: 2012–13
- RFU Junior Vase Winners (1st XV): 2012–13
- Forest of Dean Combination Junior Cup Winners: 2011–12, 2012–13
- Gloucestershire Div 2 Champions: 2010–11
- Gloucestershire Div 3 Champions: 2009–10
- Forest of Dean Combination Minor Cup Winners: 2009-10[6]
Women's 1st XV
[edit]- League Winners: 2015-16[7]
Men's 2nd XV
[edit]- Gloucestershire Premier Reserve League Winners (2nd XV): 2014–15
- Forest of Dean Combination Minor Cup Winners: 2011-12[8]
References
[edit]- ^ https://www.theforester.co.uk/sport/rugby/newent-rfc-promoted-after-title-winning-season-confirmed-792867
- ^ https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/newentrfc/a/history-7653.html?page=1
- ^ https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/newentrfc/a/history-7653.html?page=2
- ^ https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/newentrfc/a/history-7653.html?page=3
- ^ https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/newentrfc/a/history-7653.html?page=4
- ^ https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/newentrfc/a/honours-10907.html?page=2
- ^ https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/newentrfc/a/honours-10907.html?page=2
- ^ https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/newentrfc/a/honours-10907.html?page=2
External links
[edit]Main links
Social media
