Can I extend the warmest of welcomes to our website and to Blaydon Rugby Club.
It is both an honour and a privilege to be elected as President of such a prestigious club. I have been involved with our fine Club for over forty years and I’ve had the pleasure to watch many outstanding players, some of whom have gone on to distinguish themselves in the higher professional and amateur ranks. This includes international level and the latest of whom is our very own Trevor Davison, a huge supporter of the club. What is significant about all those that have gone on to achieve at a higher level is that they have all been forwards. In that knowledge you couldn’t be blamed for expecting a forward dominated game today. I hope you will be proved wrong. The Blaydon team of today play fast, open, exciting and entertaining fifteen man Rugby.
We are a Community Club in every sense of the word providing rugby playing opportunities for both men and women, boys and girls, of all age groups (6 to18 years). We even have a thriving ‘Walking Rugby’ team. Something for everyone, so why not get involved?
Our senior men’s team play in Regional1 North East, the 5th tier of English Rugby. Following the departure of Sam Stuart at the end of last season, our coaching team will be led this year by Ralph Appleby who did a great job last year in supporting Sam. He will be assisted by Junior Suluga who has a vast experience and knowledge of national league rugby. We also welcome back Frazer Wilson after his spell as DOR at Consett RFC and we are delighted to have the services of Lee Hogarth again for another season.
Our senior women’s Red Kites teams play in the Women’s NC1 and the Women’s NC3 North(North) leagues respectively. Both teams go from strength to strength. Indeed last season the 1st team reached the Papa Johns Women’s Intermediate National Plate Final at Sixways Stadium, Worcester, as well as sending a beach rugby squad out to Majorca at the same time. Chris Morton and his team are doing a fine job in developing this section of the club. We look forward to future successes.
We are also now seeing the benefit of the hard work of all of our youth coaches under the guidance of Damien Ameer-Beg and the youth committee, bringing forward talented youngsters to move into our senior teams. We have one of the strongest youth sections in the north-east with the number of young people playing rugby at Blaydon in excess of 250 and as well as this, we have a good youth presence at county and falcons academy level as well.
We remain committed to providing rugby opportunities for all in line with the RFU core values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship.
All of this rugby activity wouldn’t happen if it weren’t for our fantastic bunch of volunteers giving up their time to bring enjoyment to players young and old.
We are blessed with a magnificent clubhouse and grounds and as a result we play host to a range of community and social events from business meetings and weddings to ‘Family Fun Days’, circuses and food festivals, as well as our very own successful ‘Bonfire Night’. Unfortunately, with having such a large building and extensive grounds there is a downside to all this. With the ongoing cost of living and energy price rises our club, like many others is really suffering financially.
We need the help of all our members and our whole community to meet the challenges we face. As a consequence of this we are constantly on the lookout for new sponsors and supporters. If you’re interested in being part of ‘Team Blaydon’, please get in touch at contact@blaydonrfc.co.uk
Finally can I express a huge personal thank you to our loyal team of volunteers and our sponsors, your efforts and your financial support is very much recognised and appreciated.
For many years Blaydon has been at the forefront of rugby in the north-east and beyond, long may it continue. We are all part of ‘One Team Blaydon’ and together we will share in the success of all of our players and all of our teams.
Howie Gilfillan
President