club history
Whitehall Rugby Club was founded on the 11th May 1931, and the coming season 2010/2011 see us enjoy the Club's 80th Anniversery.The original chairman was Mr A Hamlin, the games teacher at Whitehall School. The majority of the players at this time were 16 years of age and the club was originally called Whitehall Old Boys, but this was later changed to Whitehall Rugby Club. The school no longer exists it was demolished by make way for houses in the 1980's.
In the early days of the club, games were played at Gordon Road. The Club approached the council to build a clubhouse there, as they had been using local pubs as their meeting place. They were offered an alternative site, a filled in quarry site at Foundry Lane. This is the current position of the clubhouse as we know it today and this was built in the early eighties. The Clubhouse was officially opened on 22 October 1984.
The Club is proud to have had players who have come up through the juniors and seniors to go on to play for Bristol Rugby Club. These include Mark Tomlin,Darryl Hickey, Ralph Knibbs, and more recently Craig Short, who was a member of Whitehall RFC from the age of 11.
With the inauguration of the RFU National Leagues, the Club found themselves in the Gloucester/Somerset League more recently renamed Western Counties North, until the end of the 2005/06, where they were relegated to the Gloucester Premier League. Four years on this is where the club find themselves. Whilst there has been a recent trend of numbers in the Rugby community decreasing, this year for the first time in twelve years saw the club re-establish a fourth XV, the difficulty being finding opposition. The seconds, thirds & fourths have been entered into the new structured Gloucestershire Reserve Leagues for the season 2010/2011, which will replace the Merit Tables.
The Junior section at present run five age groups, Colts, U17's, U15's U13's & U9's, and it is hoped to create an U11's by the start of the 2010/11 season. It is a vibrant and integral part of Whitehall RFC and endeavours to teach youngsters how to play skilful rugby in a competitive and sporting atmosphere, with the emphasis on enjoyment. Our clubs ethos is 'lead by example', whereby our senior players encourage our juniors by actively supporting the junior coaches and players during training sessions.
Whitehall RFC Junior Section is a well-administered, growing and successful part of the club. We have a commitment to fun and good rugby provided in a friendly, family orientated environment. We fully endorse the RFU's philosophy of fun first, results second. The success of the club is its inclusiveness and its warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Our training staff are committed, enthusiastic and have a well-developed understanding of the needs of children and how best to communicate with them. Each member has been vetted by the Police Criminal Records Bureau and is committed to Child Protection. The Club are very proud to have been awarded the RFU Seal Of Approval, and this further enhances the care and attention given to the Junior Section ensuring that all regulations and requirements are met.
The senior teams train on Monday evenings and Thursday evenings and the Juniors train on Wednesday evenings.
For more information regarding training, please contact Seniors; Wayne Millard 07881804543 or Juniors: Mrs Bev Colton 07988156075Iain Pring Chairman