rugby

Swaffham RUFC’s Freddie Steward Fundraiser

BOTR 2026-03-09 Tales from Clubland Bottom of the Ruck, club rugby, Freddie Steward, Fundraiser, grassroots rugby, keep rugby grassy, rugby, Swaffham RUFC, Tales from Clubland

Swaffham RUFC’s Freddie Steward fundraiser

From minis to England: The power of grassroots rugby

Every rugby player remembers where their journey started.

For England international Freddie Steward, that journey began at Swaffham Rugby Union Football Club. Located in Norfolk County, England and founded in 1981, the club prides itself on community.

Now the Leicester Tigers and England fullback is helping give something back to the club where it all began. Swaffham RUFC has launched a prize draw fundraiser centered around a unique piece of rugby memorabilia: a signed pair of Freddie Steward’s England rugby boots.

For rugby supporters, collectors, and club members alike, it’s a chance to win something special while directly supporting the club that helped shape many lives over the years.

Like most things in grassroots rugby, the story goes deeper than a pair of boots.

A Full Circle Moment

Seeing a former youth player reach the highest level of the sport is something every grassroots club dreams about. For Swaffham RUFC, Freddie Steward’s rise through the rugby ranks has become a source of pride and inspiration throughout the club.

Club Chair Brian Armitage says the connection between Steward and the club remains incredibly strong.

“Freddie is an inspiration to our Minis and Youth players,” Armitage explained. “When his parents Ben and Jane came along with Freddie and his brother Guy to our Minis and Youth Christmas Party the atmosphere on the pitch and in the clubhouse afterwards was electric.”

According to Armitage, the entire Steward family spent time speaking with young players, posing for photos, and sharing in the excitement of the day.

“The whole family took time to talk to everyone and take selfies with the kids,” he said. “Of course the coaches, volunteers and parents got involved too.”

Moments like that carry enormous weight in grassroots sport. When young players see someone who once wore the same club jersey now representing their country, it turns the dream into something tangible.

“Today’s age grade players are tomorrow’s senior players and the future of our game,” Armitage said. “Freddie is the perfect example of how important grassroots clubs are to the national team.”

The Fundraiser

The current prize draw gives supporters the opportunity to win a signed pair of Steward’s England rugby boots — a unique piece of memorabilia tied directly to both the player and the club.

Entries cost £5, with the draw closing on March 16, 2025.

Additional prizes have been added to the fundraiser as well, including:

Two tickets to Leicester Tigers vs Newcastle Falcons at Welford Road
A LEGO set worth over £100 donated by Swaffham Toys
A £50 voucher from rugby kit supplier VX3

While the prizes certainly add excitement, the goal behind the fundraiser is simple: supporting the continued growth and sustainability of the club.

Like most grassroots organizations around the world, Swaffham RUFC relies heavily on fundraising efforts to keep rugby accessible to the local community.

“Like many grassroots clubs, we are reliant on our own fundraising to continue offering opportunities for people of all ages in the Swaffham community to experience our sport,” Armitage explained.

Funds raised through the draw will go directly toward improving training environments, purchasing equipment, maintaining club facilities, and ensuring the volunteers who keep the club running have the resources they need.

In short, it helps keep the doors open and the rugby flowing.

More Than Just a Rugby Club

While rugby is the heart of the club, Swaffham RUFC’s role in the local community stretches well beyond the pitch.

The club serves as a hub where sport, community, and social life intersect.

“We are an inclusive, family-friendly club open to all genders and abilities,” Armitage said. “What takes place off the pitch is as much a part of what we offer as what takes place on it.”

That commitment shows up in a variety of ways throughout the year.

Recently the club hosted a charity lunch that raised over £1,000 for two charitable causes. The club also supports community initiatives such as hosting the local Swaffham Men’s Shed group on its grounds.

Beyond that, the club organizes major community events including an annual Bonfire and Fireworks celebration and a Family Fun Day, both of which bring large numbers of local families together.

Even the clubhouse itself serves the wider community, regularly being used for events and gatherings.

“It’s not just about rugby,” Armitage said. “It’s about being part of something bigger.”

Reaching New Supporters

One of the motivations behind launching the prize draw is expanding the club’s fundraising reach.

For many grassroots clubs, fundraising often relies on the same group of dedicated supporters and volunteers time and time again. While those individuals are invaluable, finding ways to broaden the supporter base is key to long-term sustainability.

This is a familiar theme in the grassroots as clubs rely heavily on a small group of dedicated members that donate at every fundraising event. Expanding that group to find new donors and supporters can be a difficult task for clubs.

“Our aim with this prize draw is to give a wider group of people the opportunity to donate to the club rather than always going back to the same people,” Armitage explained.

And the connection with the Steward family continues to help open doors.

Freddie’s parents originally brought their three sons to Swaffham to begin their rugby journeys. That relationship has since grown into a deeper partnership that continues to benefit the club.

Through those connections, Swaffham RUFC has begun developing ties with Leicester Tigers, one of England’s most storied professional clubs.

Earlier this season, Swaffham’s Minis and Youth players even had the chance to serve as a Guard of Honour at Welford Road during Leicester’s home match against Harlequins.

The Tigers also donated the match tickets now included as a prize in the fundraiser.

For young players, experiences like that are unforgettable and they reinforce the powerful bridge that needs to be built between grassroots rugby and the professional game. As we’ve said many times before on Bottom of the Ruck… No Grassroots, No Rugby.

Links like the one being built between Swaffham RUFC and Leicester Tigers are equally important to both clubs.

The Grassroots Engine of the Game

At its core, this fundraiser represents something bigger than a raffle or a fundraising campaign.

It highlights the role grassroots clubs play in the broader rugby ecosystem.

Players like Freddie Steward may go on to represent their country, but the journey always begins somewhere smaller such as muddy training fields, under flickering floodlights, guided by volunteer coaches and supported by local communities.

Clubs like Swaffham RUFC are where that journey begins.

They are the places where young players first learn how to pass a ball, where friendships are built in muddy boots, and where volunteers quietly give thousands of hours to keep the sport alive.

The signed boots may represent England caps and international rugby, but the real story behind them is a grassroots club that helped build the foundation.

And now, through a simple prize draw, that club is inviting the wider rugby community to be part of the next chapter.

Because if there’s one thing grassroots rugby understands better than anyone, it’s this:

The future of the game always starts at the bottom of the ruck.

Swaffham has set a modest goal to raise £2500 with this fundraiser. They have six days left in the fundraiser and they have raised just over £1000. Their goal is still well within reach, but they need to reach an expanded audience.

If you believe in the power of grassroots rugby, this is a simple way to help. Every £5 entry supports Swaffham RUFC’s players, volunteers, and community programs while giving you a chance to win a signed pair of Freddie Steward’s England boots among other great prizes.

Enter the fundraiser here:
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/win-signed-freddie-steward-boots

Beating the Algorithm without a Marketing Department

BOTR 2026-03-05 The Boardroom Club Ops 101, club rugby, grassroots rugby, keep rugby grassy, rugby, Social Media, The Boardroom, Volunteers

Beating the Algorithm without a marketing department

BOTR: Club ops 101 series

Editor’s Note — Behind the Scenes of Clubland

This article marks the third article in our Club Ops 101 series taking an honest look at the off the field realities of running a grassroots rugby club. The series aims to pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to run a rugby club. The goal isn’t to criticize or overwhelm, but to share lessons learned, spark better conversations, and help clubs build systems that are sustainable for the long haul.

Most grassroots rugby clubs don’t have the luxury of a marketing department. We don’t have interns scheduling posts in the content calendar, advertising agencies testing engagement funnels, and we definitely don’t have budgets to “boost” every post that falls flat.

What we have is a cracked clubhouse door, beat up equipment, a muddy pitch, and a 19-year-old winger who somehow knows exactly what song is trending this week.

And that’s enough.

Here’s the truth that no one tells us. Social media algorithms aren’t built for us. It’s built for brands, influencers, and professional teams with media crews.

Fortunately, grassroots rugby has something the algorithm can’t manufacture. We have authenticity along with a heavy dose of personality, a little chaos, and a community that loves all of it.

Hacking the system is possible. There are clubs out there absolutely killing it while pulling millions of views. I’m telling you that it isn’t as far-fetched as you may think. It won’t happen overnight, but with consistency and the right approach it can happen.

So, instead of burning up your limited marketing funds trying to buy engagement, make use of your strengths.

Here’s how.

1. Hand the Mic to the Young Players

If your social media is being run by the same three committee members who’ve been running it since 2014… we need to talk.

You don’t need to give up control, but you do need to give up some space. Provide some clear direction so that your club messaging is consistent with your mission. After that, let go.

Find two or three younger players who:

Already create content – most of them are already doing on their personal accounts
Understand trends before you do
Aren’t afraid to be on camera and genuine

Make them your “content captains.”

Let them:

Film matchday arrival clips
Post locker room (appropriate, of course) moments
Jump on trending sounds
Run post-match Instagram stories

The algorithm rewards familiarity with platform behavior. Your 20-year-olds live there. Let them cook.

2. Stop Posting Like a Press Release

I’ll be the first to say that I am 100% guilty of this. I have been writing match reports since before social media existed. Even my text messages have the correct punctuation and grammar.

Nobody logs onto Instagram hoping to read a match report. That’s why club websites exist.

Social media needs:

Emotion
Tension
Personality
Humor
Conflict
Community

Instead of reporting the score, show the muddy prop who is covered in mud with smiles all around.

Show your captain’s pre-game speech.

Capture the 2nd XV celebrating a win over a rival like they won a World Cup.

Give some love to your match day chefs cooking up a feast.

Tell genuine stories. Don’t be afraid to show the messy side of grassroots rugby.

3. Short > Perfect

You do not need cinematic drone footage cut like a Michael Bay film.

You need:

7–15 second clips
Raw sideline reactions
Quick try celebrations
One-liner interviews

The algorithm loves:

Reels
Vertical videos
Native platform editing
Captions burned into the screen

There has been a significant shift towards short form video, reels, etc. in the last year or so. They are where it is at. Well, at least for the time being.

Heck, even the number of followers you have doesn’t have the same impact as it did in the past. Almost 75% of the views for the Bottom of the Ruck social Instagram comes from non-followers. The bulk of those come through short videos.

4. Build Club Characters

Every club has them.

A 50-year-old front rower who refuses to retire, but never refuses a pint
An ambitious new player
The club mom who keeps everyone in line

Turn them into recurring characters.

Give them:

Weekly features
Running jokes
Spotlight posts

Algorithms reward familiarity. People like to follow real and genuine people, not logos.

5. Use “Us vs The World” Energy

Grassroots rugby already lives in this mindset. Our governing bodies aren’t throwing money at us. We’re used to making things work on a budget.

Be proud of the resiliency and ingenuity of your clubs. Lean right into it and show it off. Some of my favorite club accounts are doing just that all with a tongue in cheek style that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Examples:

“No cameras, No contracts, Just us.”
“Built by volunteers.”
“This is what real rugby looks like.”
“Still here. Still muddy.”

Tribal energy drives engagement. Club pride drives shares. Engagement is the trigger that drives people to your clubs.

6. Post When the Emotion Is Highest

Don’t wait.

Post:

Immediately after the final whistle
During the social
During training when everyone is laughing

Emotion is engagement fuel. Some of my most powerful and highly engaged social media posts have come when I let down my professional facade and spoke from the heart. Messy and real.

By Tuesday night, nobody cares about Saturday’s score. They’ve already moved on. A shaky iPhone clip posted today beats a perfectly edited highlight package posted next Thursday.

Speed wins. There is almost certainly a recency bias when it comes to the human consumption of social media.

7. Make It About the Community, Not Just the Team

The algorithm favors conversation and posts that draw in others. Collaborating with others gets your posts in front of even more people.

Tag:

Opposing clubs
Sponsors
Local businesses
Alumni
Volunteers
Rugby Media sites – like Bottom of the Ruck 😉

Ask questions that provoke conversation and nostalgia. Make use of a call to action to generate engagements.

Comments are currency in the social media world.

8. Consistency Beats Virality

While they are certainly great, you don’t need to have a viral post to break through the barrier.

You need:

3–4 consistent posts per week
Matchday rhythm
Training snippets
Sponsor and Volunteer shoutouts

Algorithms reward accounts that show up consistently. Posting once every month or so won’t get you any traction. This is where having a team approach to social media is a benefit. Instead of one person carrying the load, split it up among 2-3 people.

Content needs to keep rolling in to feed the beast. Aim for 3-4 posts a week and at least one of those being a short video clip. Be consistent and you’ll notice the efforts within a few month.

9. Don’t Chase Every Trend

Yes, use trending audio.

No, you don’t need to copy every dance.

Stay aligned with your club identity. This is massively important. Don’t allow trends to change who you are as a club.

Remember, people want to see the real you. Getting in on a fun trend that aligns with your club values is a great idea. Chasing every single trend may lead to an identity crisis.

If it doesn’t feel like your club, don’t post it.

Authenticity always outperforms imitation in the long run.

10. Remember Why You’re Posting

This isn’t about vanity metrics. Likes, shares, and views eventually need conversion.

It’s about:

Attracting new players
Keeping your members connected
Showing sponsors value
Building club pride
Showing your club off to the community

Look at every post as a recruitment tool. Not just for players, but for volunteers, supporters, and future committee members.

The Bigger Picture

The algorithm will change. It always does. The sooner that we catch onto those shifts, the quicker we can make adjustments.

Grassroots rugby survives because we adapt. We adjust and lean on each other.

We don’t need production crews.All it takes is some passion, personality, and the courage to let our clubs be seen for what they really are.

Messy. Loyal. Volunteer-built

Pelicans Women’s Rugby

BOTR 2026-03-03 Tales from Clubland Bottom of the Ruck, club rugby, grassroots rugby, keep rugby grassy, Pelicans Rugby, Pelicans Womens rugby, rugby, Tales from Clubland, Women's Rugby

Pelicans Women’s rugby

an interview with dom beeck

At Bottom of the Ruck, the goal has never been to simply amplify one perspective on grassroots rugby, even when it is our own. The real strength of Clubland has always come from the shared experiences, debates, frustrations, and perspectives experienced by volunteers, players, administrators, and supporters everywhere.

While our accents, competitions, and geography may differ, rugby clubs across the globe wrestle with many of the same challenges. We all struggle for sustainability, identity, inclusion, and how to grow without sacrificing the core values of rugby. Creating space for those voices to be heard matters here at Bottom of the Ruck.

This guest interview from Mike Farrell is part of that commitment, not just to tell the story of grassroots rugby, but to let the wider community help write it. Mike runs the Rugby Breakfast Club and much like Bottom of the Ruck, his goal is spreading the good word of Rugby as far and wide as possible!

This interview also follows in our celebration of Women’s in Sports Week which is taking place from March 2-8, 2026. Creating welcoming spaces for girls and women to begin their rugby journey is paramount to the success and growth of our sport.

on to the interview

St. Petersburg, Florida is an idyllic, quirky community with a lot of heart. It is home to sports teams like the Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Tampa Bay Sun as well as Pelicans Rugby!

Pelicans men’s rugby was established back in 1977. Pelicans women’s rugby is much more recent, so much growth is needed, and hard to come by.

This is the story faced by several rugby clubs in Florida. Rugby Breakfast Club caught up with Dom Beeck to ask questions about herself, Pelicans Women’s Rugby, and the future.

Here’s how it went:

Rugby Breakfast Club (RBC): Tell us a little bit about yourself and Pelicans women’s rugby!

Dom Beeck (D): My name is Dominique, but most people call me Dom! I started playing rugby my freshman year at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. I played scrum half and was backs captain my junior and senior year. During my last semester at Eckerd, the Sirens rugby team started working with the St. Pete Pelicans men’s team. We would join them at practices and social events. I was approached by several of the men’s coaches about creating a women’s team. Their goal was to expand rugby in Florida, especially women’s rugby. After graduation, I started with creating a St. Pete Women’s Pelicans team for the Beerfoot Sevens tournament on Fort Myers Beach. I thought this would be a perfect introduction for our team and a great experience! The team mostly consisted of current Eckerd Sirens and Eckerd alumni. A month or so after Beerfoot, we began hosting weekly practices and recruiting girls for the club. Our goal is to expand the team and create an inclusive and welcoming community!

RBC: Rugby most likely isn’t the first sport girls/women in Florida pick up. What was that light bulb moment that made you realize this was the sport for you?

D: I definitely agree that most girls/women don’t naturally gravitate towards an aggressive sport like rugby. The light bulb moment that made me realize the sport was for me was my sophomore year at Eckerd when we all returned from summer break. During that summer, I had come home and practiced with the SWFL men’s Hammerhead team (there was no women’s team yet.) I had worked with amazing coaches that took the time to better my skills and actually cared about my growth in the sport. To backtrack a little…When I started playing rugby I struggled a lot with tapping into my aggressive side and I was having a hard time grasping the flow of the game. When I had the opportunity to work with the men’s team in Naples, they were patient and taught me everything I needed to know.

Okay, fast forward to the beginning of sophomore year, our first practice back from summer break and me working with the Hammerheads lol. During Sirens practice we were passing, running lines, and doing drills and I saw the game “click” and had that light bulb moment. It was such a great moment for me because it showed that all of the hard work I had done over the summer practicing had paid off and I could contribute more to the Sirens than I had the year before. I immediately was the starting scrum half, which was crazy because I barely rostered the year before .

RBC: What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about women’s rugby in Florida?

D: I think one of the biggest misconceptions about women’s rugby is that there is a specific body type you need to have to be a good and strong player. People are always shocked to hear I play rugby because I am on the smaller side. What I love about women’s rugby is how inclusive the sport is to all body sizes. Whatever body type you have, you will play an important role on the field. I strongly believe this sport requires variation in body shapes and sizes to function!

RBC: What’s the one thing you wish more people knew about the culture of this team?

D: I wish more people knew that the culture of the St. Pete Pelicans women’s rugby team is extremely inclusive and uplifting, but still has a competitive atmosphere. Everyone is encouraged to be themselves and bring their “weirdness” to practice. We also always want our players to try their best and be their best selves. I love how close our team is, it’s like one big friend group. We spend time with each other outside of practice and attend social events with the men’s team to create a more tight-knit community.

RBC: If you could change one thing to get more local schools or the community involved in rugby, what would it be, and how could someone reading this article help?

D: If I could change one thing to get more local schools or the community involved in rugby, I would encourage more exposure at the youth level. I know the head men’s coach and organizes youth rugby practices in St Pete, where kids and their parents are encouraged to participate. I think that is a great step in exposing rugby to the community of St. Pete. To start, I think someone reading this article could bring their kids to a rugby game and introduce them to the sport. Once kids and parents see how inclusive and uplifting the sport is, I believe the parents would want to introduce their kids to a great community such as ours.

RBC: For a woman in St. Pete who is looking for a new activity, but has never touched a rugby ball. Why should she show up to your next practice?

D: She/they should show up to our next practice because it will change their life!!!! I am in my early twenties and I understand how it can be hard to make friends at this age. As I said earlier, our team is extremely inclusive and welcoming of players at all different ages and skill levels and I can assure you that if you come out to a practice you will leave with a new friend!! I feel strongly that we as people have to step out of our comfort zone to grow as individuals and learn life lessons. I think that anyone who sees this who lives in the St Pete area should come to at least one practice just to see if it is for them! Even if they decide they aren’t the biggest fans of contact sports or can’t commit to many practices, we would LOVE to have some fans cheering us on the sidelines!

grassroots Rugby Matters

Stories like Dom’s are a powerful reminder that the future of rugby is built on training fields, in borrowed spaces, and through the courage of people willing to start something from scratch. The Pelicans Women’s side may be young, but the foundation is unmistakably strong: inclusion, community, opportunity, and a genuine love for the game. That passionate combination has launched countless clubs around the world and it’s exactly how sustainable grassroots programs are born.

If this interview resonated with you, consider supporting the people doing the work on the ground. Follow their journey, share their posts, bring a friend to a match, or lace up your boots and show up to a practice.

That’s how Clubland grows: one connection, one conversation, and one brave first step at a time.

To find Mike Farrell/Rugby Breakfast Club on social media:
Facebook
Instagram

To find Pelicans Women’s Rugby on social media:
Facebook
Instagram

If you have a story that you’d like to share with us, please contact Bottom of the Ruck to get the conversation started.

No grassroots, no rugby.

The Real Win for Rugby

BOTR 2026-02-27 The Ruck club rugby, grassroots rugby, keep rugby grassy, rugby, The Ruck

The real win for rugby:

How Grassroots Rugby Shapes People, Not Just Players

If you judged rugby purely by television contracts, professional salaries, and international trophies, you might think the sport’s entire purpose is to produce elite athletes. Or even more likely, generate revenue. Sadly, that view misses the point entirely.

Around 8.6 million people worldwide are registered rugby participants. Fewer than 0.5% will ever play professionally. Let that reality sink in.

For millions upon millions of people, rugby is about so much more. It has the power to change lives in a positive way forever. The real product of grassroots rugby isn’t professional players.

It’s better people and stronger communities.

My path to rugby was long, surprising, and I never expected to fall in love with it like I did. Sports are a major part of my life, but something was always missing. When I found rugby, that void was filled.

I came for competition and to challenge myself physically. The community is what kept me coming back. It is why I continue to stay involved as my playing days wane.

More Than a Pipeline

A sad evolution of modern times, youth sports systems are often framed as pipelines to the professional game. Success is measured by scholarships, elite academies, select sides, and wins. This completely misses the point of sports which is to build character.

Grassroots rugby needs to resist the pressure and operate differently. Local clubs aren’t factories. They’re ecosystems.

On any given weekend, you’ll find people from different walks of life involved in grassroots rugby. There are teachers carrying tackle bags, healthcare workers marking pitches, parents running the grill or serving food, retirees handling match-day admin, and players of every shape, size, and background pulling on the same jersey.

Like many of us, none of them are there because they expect fame or fortune. Quite the opposite.

People turn up for the feeling of belonging. They want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Every role matters and everyone contributes in some way.

And that lesson sticks long after boots are hung up.

Confidence Forged in Contact

There’s something unique about rugby’s physical honesty. It’s not just about toughness, it needs trust.

You learn to commit fully. To tackle someone bigger than you despite the odds or size difference. Players carry into contact knowing teammates are there in support. Getting back up after being trucked becomes a habit and you make a conscious decision to keep going.

Over time, that physical courage translates into personal confidence and resilience.

Players who once doubted themselves become leaders. Quiet kids find their voice. Adults discover they are capable of more than they ever expected.

Those things that you feared in the past no longer feel so daunting when you’ve faced down a rumbling prop with a head of steam.

Rugby teaches us that failure isn’t final. Miss a tackle? Knock the ball on? You reset and go again. The nature of the sport doesn’t allow for time to dwell upon your mistakes at the moment. There is no choice but to flush it and move onto the next pass, kick, breakdown, or tackle.

That mindset becomes invaluable far beyond sport.

Community You Can Lean On

Grassroots rugby clubs function as extended families. Just like our real families they are sometimes functional, often chaotic, exhausting at times, but always supportive.

They celebrate weddings, help injured players, rally for members in need, show up at funerals, and cheer during life’s magical moments. Your clubmates become a constant in your life through thick and thin.

For many adults, especially after school years end, finding this type of support system and genuine community is difficult. Rugby clubs fill that gap in a way few institutions can.

The club becomes a third place, not home or work, that you’re always welcome. A rare find in a society that is increasingly designed to isolate people.

Unlike many social environments, belonging isn’t based on status, income, or background. While there are hierarchies within the club environment, the belonging is based on shared experience. Where you come from, what you earn, or your socioeconomic status doesn’t matter on the pitch.

Aside from the obvious membership dues that one pays to the club, the real dues are paid through participation. Putting your heart into supporting others on and off of the pitch is the real test.

It’s not hard to find examples of the support that clubs provide to their members and wider communities. A quick look around social media easily reveals daily reminders of the importance of the rugby community. The impact is underestimated and grossly under-reported.

Discipline Without Ego

Rugby demands structure even at the lowest levels. That means training sessions, fitness work, skill development, learning the game, respecting others, and putting team goals ahead of individual glory. However, participation is completely voluntary.

That means discipline comes from within.

Players commit because they care about the game, their teammates, and being part of something bigger than themselves. They learn accountability not because they must, but because others count on them.

This creates a healthy relationship with achievement. Success isn’t only defined by trophies, but by effort, improvement, and contribution.

In a world increasingly focused on individual branding, aura farming, and personal accolades, rugby openly reinforces collective responsibility and accountability.

Resilience That Lasts a Lifetime

Resilience formed in the crucible of rugby carries into careers, relationships, and personal challenges. Workplace resilience is defined as the capacity of an individual to withstand, bounce back from, and work through challenging circumstances or events at work.

Studies show that nearly 80% of the workforce falls into the lower resilience category. Lower levels of resilience leads to higher cases of burnout and vulnerability in the workplace.

Rugby tests your mettle in many ways.

For players, losses and injuries happen. Seasons finish in disappointment. On the admin side weather wrecks plans, volunteers disappear, and funding is an ongoing challenge.

Grassroots rugby lives in the real world, not a controlled bubble of constant ego feeding victories. It has a way of humbling us.

Participants learn to adapt and work in a team setting. They learn to keep going when things don’t go to plan either on the pitch or in the boardroom.

Perspective is also a powerful lesson. A heavy defeat is followed by laughter in the clubhouse. Tough seasons, filled with setbacks overcome, become stories retold for years. Shared hardship strengthens bonds rather than breaking them.

Former players often credit rugby for teaching them how to handle life’s collisions.

I am no different. Rugby is a contributor to my professional development and success. Lessons that I have learned on the pitch have translated into my work. The parallels are there.

The Real Legacy of the Game

When grassroots rugby works at its best, it produces leaders, engaged citizens, mentors, and volunteers. These are the people who carry forward the sport’s values into their communities and workplaces.

Many never stop giving back after their playing days are over. They take their experiences and share them with new generations. The lessons learned through rugby lead them to become coaches, referees, committee members, and volunteers.

The cycle continues not because of professional dreams, but because of gratitude.

Someone invested in them once and now it’s their turn. This is how rugby sustains itself globally. With millions of ordinary people choosing to contribute to the future of the sport.

Professional rugby may sit at the top of the pyramid in the eyes of those that manage the purse strings. They can continue to believe in the illusion, but grassroots rugby is the foundation that holds everything up.

Without it, the structure collapses. No grassroots, no rugby.

If fewer than half a percent of participants become professionals, then measuring rugby’s success by elite output is fundamentally flawed.

Rugby’s greatest achievement isn’t producing stars. It’s shaping character and building community.

Long after the final whistle of your playing days, most participants won’t remember scores, only pieces of games played throughout the years. However, you’ll remember the road trips, post-match meals, shared laughter, and the feeling of being part of something meaningful.

That’s the real win.

Get Involved, Stay in Involved

Grassroots rugby is messy and imperfect. There’s beauty in that. That’s how we get most of our great stories.

The doomsayers are all around us preaching the end of rugby. The realities are certainly there and must be faced. We see clubs fold, matches cancelled, and reports of declining participation that reinforce the negativity.

We collectively have the power to change the narrative and champion all of the positives that come from grassroots rugby. Ignore the professional lens that is being used as the benchmark for success.

Get involved. Every movement starts with small gestures of solidarity. Even if you are no longer able to play, remain involved in your local rugby club. You have no idea how much they need your help.

One simple question is all that is needed to get started.

How can I help?

Preserving the Game’s Memories

BOTR 2026-02-24 Tales from Clubland Bottom of the Ruck, club rugby, grassroots rugby, James Booth, keep rugby grassy, Photography, rugby, Tales from Clubland

Preserving the Game’s memories

through the lens of photographer James Booth

Scroll through any club’s social media account and you’ll see pictures of perfectly timed tackles, muddy grins, team huddles, and all of the emotions of victories as well as defeats. These are moments that would otherwise disappear into memory. The photographers who capture grassroots rugby are everywhere, yet somehow invisible at the same time.

These magicians serve as silent contributors and historians for our great game. Without them, much of clubland’s history would simply fade away into memory. We know their work and we rely on it, but we rarely hear their stories.

Bottom of the Ruck recently caught up with James Booth from James Booth Photography to shine a light on his work. The original plan was to write the entire article formed around his story, but the Q&A session landed so well that I decided to publish it as is.

What first sparked your interest in photography and how did that eventually lead you to shooting rugby?

I had always wanted to get into photography, with DSLR’s not phones, but the cost was out of my league until I was gifted the money to buy my first camera body and lens through a birthday present. I started out taking local sports pics at football and cricket and was approached by a local grass roots company, YourSportSwindon, who took me on and got me out and about. They covered Swindon RFC and my love for Rugby was born. From there I became a club photographer with Royal Wooten Bassett RFC and also shoot for Rugby for Heroes and Dorset and Wiltshire Senior Women.

What is your personal rugby background and how has that shaped the way you capture the game through your lens?

Here’s the weird thing I guess, I have never played or been interested in Rugby until I picked up a camera. I was a round ball man at heart, yeah I know how dare I lol. I am not sure but I think this shapes my photography work more as not having a playing background I had to learn what to see and when, the plays, the calls and the players look knowing what is going to happen and when (I still miss it now after all these years). As a good friend of mine will tell you regularly, Happiness is Eggshaped, and I am very happy with rugby now.

You’ve photographed matches from grassroots clubs all the way to elite competitions. What differences stand out to you between those environments, both on and off the field?

I love both if I am being honest, but I honestly prefer the grassroot club level games, as grassroots rugby feels more personal. The higher up you shoot the more expected it is for a photographer to be there, and more than one as well, but at grassroots level you turn up and it’s like wow we have a photographer, best look good today then. You are documenting the club’s history through thick and thin forever, something that only happens at the higher elite levels normally. Post games, I process the images and get them online at the top end games, but at grassroots I can be in the changing room celebrating a big win/promotion with them or in the clubhouse for a beer with the chairman, or watching the players celebrate a beer with their opposite number post-game on the last day of the season.

Grassroots rugby runs on volunteers and community spirit. From your perspective on the sidelines, what makes club rugby special?

Grassroots rugby has this magic that polished, professional environments can’t quite replicate. When you stand on the touchline at a club ground, you’re not just watching a sport — you’re watching a community express itself. No one’s chasing contracts or headlines. Players turn up after long work weeks, coaches give up evenings, and volunteers run everything from the bar to the line flags. That shared choice creates a kind of authenticity you don’t find everywhere. The sidelines are a tapestry of the club’s history from former players who can’t quite stay away to old boys telling stories that get more heroic every season. It’s living heritage, not nostalgia. Grassroots rugby feels special because it’s rugby in its purest form: people coming together to create something bigger than themselves.

Is there a particular moment, match, or photograph that stands out as especially meaningful to you — and why?

Too many come to mind if I am honest, from the promotion game that got us into Region 1 Central, knowing we were going to play teams like London Welsh and Wimbledon, shooting for Dorset and Wiltshire senior Women beat Sussex in the County Championship Gill Burns Division Three final match at Twickenham, to covering the Doddie Weir lads as they cycled their way to Italy to take the match ball for the Italy vs Scotland game. The pictures that these moments produced for me and the clubs are priceless, memories that are recorded forever in games that may never be repeated. And then there are the moments the players take my cameras off me and capture me as part of the celebrations, making sure I am recorded in the club’s history forever as well, now that is the heart of grassroots rugby.

What do you think people outside the game misunderstand about grassroots rugby and what would you want them to see through your photos?

What a question to finish on, wow. I think people outside the game think grassroots is just a hobby or an amateur sport. They miss out on the fact it is commitment, pride, and identity woven into a jersey. I think they believe it is slow, scrappy rugby but in truth is fierce, with rivalries beyond others and fast, fierce rugby with collisions to make you cringe and tactical play that will make you ask yourself what level you are really watching. It’s not watered-down elite rugby, its rugby with the rough edges left on. As for my photos, I hope they show the passion, the energy and the love through muddy faced smiles for each other and the game, or an arm around a team mate post-game. Grassroots rugby isn’t glossy, and that’s exactly why it’s compelling. I hope my images capture the rawness and the grit and the emotion that drives me and everyone else to watch it week on week in any weather, or my fellow photographers that are out there covering some amazing grassroots clubs like me all season long.

Today’s match photos are tomorrow’s club history. They hang in clubhouses, resurface on social media via anniversary posts, and remind former players of a time when their boots were laced and their bodies still cooperated.

The people behind those images are quietly building the visual legacy of grassroots rugby. Don’t let that effort go unnoticed. Make it a habit to thank your photographers every chance you get and if given the opportunity, grab them a drink in the clubhouse after the match.

To see more of James Booth’s work or buy him a coffee, you can find him at the following locations:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

If your club has a grassroots hero, like James, that you’d like to see featured on Bottom of the Ruck, contact us and we’ll get the conversation started!

The Coolest Rugby Tournament in America – Literally

BOTR 2026-02-20 Tales from Clubland club rugby, grassroots rugby, keep rugby grassy, Ken-Ton Misfits Rugby, rugby, Tales from Clubland, USA Rugby, Winter Rugby

the coolest rugby tournament in america

Welcome to the island of misfit 10s

When it comes to the American Rugby scene, it’s like the Wild Wild West. There are disparate differences from region to region. This time of year, many clubs in the USA are enjoying their rugby in warmer temperatures while those in the northern parts of the country can still be buried in the snow.

Some clubs choose to take advantage of the situation and the Ken-Ton Misfits, from Buffalo, New York are one such club. Each year they brave the elements to host a 10s Tournament. The event’s theme is the Island of Misfit 10s, an ode to the classic Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer TV special. One of the highlights of the show being an island filled with toys that no one wanted due to their various odd features.

Sounds a lot like the bands of misfit characters that can be found in any rugby club around the world.

On Valentine’s Day 2026, most of Western New York was digging out from another lake effect snowstorm. Instead, the Ken-Ton Misfits were digging in.

At Lincoln Park in the Town of Tonawanda, just outside Buffalo, college programs and men’s clubs lined up in true winter conditions and played rugby the way it is meant to be played. With cold hands, short breath, steam rising off shoulders, snow flying on every tackle, and fire barrels blazing on the sidelines.

The Island of Misfit 10’s isn’t a beach tournament or a spring invitational, but hearty winter rugby built for players who want something different while having a hell of a lot of fun.

How It Started

The Ken-Ton Misfits have called Tonawanda home since 2011. When the Town’s Winterfest event needed an outdoor event tough enough to survive a Buffalo winter, rugby made perfect sense.

Town Council member Bill Conrad, a lifelong rugby man who founded Kenmore Rugby High School, captained Buffalo Rugby Club, and previously ran winter 7’s tournaments got involved. He understood one simple truth:

Rugby players show up no matter the weather.

The club had already hosted a 10’s tournament inspired by their mascot, Charlie-in-the-Box from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. A club called the Misfits hosting a winter tournament during Winterfest? It was a perfect fit.

In January 2020, the official Winterfest Island of Misfit 10’s was born. A handful of Misfits helped launch it, including Andy Pluff, Keith Fazekas, and Jon “Loaf” Korta, but just like everything in rugby, it takes a full team of volunteers to make it work.

Why 10’s?

Because everyone gets to matter.

Rugby 10’s offers space for backs to run but keeps forwards heavily involved. You still have to win collisions and earn the gain line.

Let’s be perfectly honest, plenty of forwards hate 7’s. This format gives the big men a chance to take over a game. As the club motto says: Ken-Ton Misfits Rugby, Where We All Fit In.

Built for the Cold

Early editions operated out of a tarp wrapped pavilion heated by propane heaters. The scene looked more like a polar expedition camp than a sports venue.

The Misfits have dialed in the setup over the years. They now have a heated building overlooking the pitch, big windows facing the action, and a gas fire pit outside. Players warm their hands inside while watching matches rage through the snow.

That’s winter rugby culture.

What Snow Does to Rugby

Everything.

Speed and footwork mean less when traction disappears. Wide attacks shrink. Territory becomes king.

Forwards who stay square and run hard become devastating. Straight lines beat sidesteps. Gain line dominance wins games.

One veteran offered a tip to a first-timer:

“Breathe out when you get tackled or you’ll inhale a face full of powder.”

In one of their previous years temperatures dropped from 4°F to 2°F — among the coldest rugby conditions ever recorded in the United States.

The Misfits now proudly call it: The coolest rugby tournament in America.

Despite the elements, the rugby standard remains high with surprisingly few knock-ons, real structure, and big collisions. Snow produces moments you simply don’t see elsewhere:

Diving tries into white-out in-goal areas
Try lines carved by foot traffic
A patch of grass slowly revealed at midfield from repeated kickoffs

As the day goes on, the snow compacts, the field speeds up, and the game evolves again.

In Buffalo, winter isn’t an excuse. It’s part of the test.

Standout Moments

This year’s Island of Misfits Toys 10s boasted many highlights.

“One major highlight was the college programs going toe-to-toe with established men’s sides and hold their own.”

Club President RaShawn “Kracken” Chappell summed it up perfectly:

“Snow doesn’t care about your résumé. It rewards effort.”

Social Chair Michael “Pizza Mike” Passafiume noted the old-school atmosphere filled with laughter on the sidelines, opponents helping each other up, trash talk kept friendly, and competition fierce but respectful.

Misfit and referee Justin Brzyski described the scene vividly:

“Some players in shorts and short sleeves, others layered to the hilt, one wearing a vintage Buffalo football jersey as part of his kit. Early drop kicks struggled, but by mid-day a strip of green appeared at midfield.”

By the final match, it became a battle of contrasting styles. Hawaii TRY-O pushed width and speed, while the Bumbles Motley Players hammered straight at the gain line.

In the snow, direct rugby wins championships.

True “Misfit” Rugby

Both finalists embodied the spirit of the event. Neither was a traditional club side and used blended squads of players from across the region.

The Bumbles Motley Players included athletes from Genesee Creamers, Rochester Colonials, Ken-Ton Misfits, and Buffalo State Maddogs. Many of them met for the first time that morning.

Hawaii TRY-O, a consistent Winterfest contender, drew from Buffalo Rugby and the Misfits.

After losing in pool play, the Bumbles regrouped and upset the four-time defending champions in the final. A thrown together team playing in brutal conditions. No excuses.

You can’t script it any better. A fairy tale ending just like when all of the Misfit Toys found homes.

Why It Matters

The Ken-Ton Misfits take enormous pride in hosting this event.

Founded in 2011, the Ken-Ton Misfits are a nonprofit focused on access, opportunity, and community. The way a grassroots rugby club should be formed. While winning is great, the club aims to grow the game while attracting new fans and players.

Western New York is a legitimate rugby stronghold in the USA with one of the highest concentrations of registered players per capita in the country. A strong rugby culture filled with people who love the sport. Something that is rare in the United States.

Tournament Positives:

Brings college and men’s clubs together
Showcases rugby during Winterfest
Strengthens regional relationships
Proves the sport belongs here — even in February

For visiting teams, it’s the kind of experience talked about long after the bruises fade.

Thinking About Next Year?

If you want pristine grass and 80 degree sunshine, this isn’t your tournament. Wait for the summer. By the way, the Ken-Ton Misfits also host a great Summer 7s event!

If you want:

Real 10’s rugby
A genuine physical test in winter weather conditions
A great social with serious food
A boat race for actual hardware
Stories you’ll tell for decades

Then Lincoln Park in February is calling.

Bring your boots, layers, and players who don’t flinch when the weather turns nasty.

Because at the Island of Misfit 10’s, winter doesn’t stop rugby. It proves who truly loves it.

We Want to Hear from Your Club

Grassroots rugby is where the sport actually lives. It is the beating heart of rugby and it doesn’t live in boardrooms or broadcast deals, but on muddy pitches, under patchwork floodlights, and sometimes on a snowy pitch with a fire barrel on the touchline.

Events like the Island of Misfit 10’s don’t just fill a weekend. They build awareness, community, forge friendships across clubs, and give players a reason to keep showing up year after year. It creates stories that last far longer than any scoreline and reminds us why this game sticks with people for life.

That’s how rugby grows, not from the top down, but from the ground up, one player, one tournament, one volunteer, one slightly chaotic social at a time.

If you’d like to see your club featured or if you are hosting something special like a tournament, fundraiser, tour, anniversary match, or community event then Bottom of the Ruck wants to hear about it. Reach out to us via email and let’s get the conversation started. Clubland is full of great stories and yours deserves to be shared.

Our Rugby Club Podcast

BOTR 2026-02-18 The Boardroom Bottom of the Ruck, club rugby, grassroots rugby, keep rugby grassy, Our Rugby Club, Podcast, rugby, Rugby Podcast, The Boardroom

our Rugby club podcast

coming soon

We’d like to introduce you to a new podcast, called Our Rugby Club, coming soon to Clubland. Hosted by Gavin Chase from Advantage: The Ref Cam & The Ref Collective, Our Rugby Club aims to show off the collective heartbeat of grassroots rugby. The people who show up week after week to keep the game alive.

The podcast’s vision is refreshingly simple: bring together voices from across Clubland, from players and coaches to referees, volunteers, committee members, and familiar faces from rugby social media to talk about current events impacting grassroots rugby.

Our Rugby Club shines a light on the realities that every grassroots club knows all too well. The grassroots aren’t glamorous or lucrative. However, it is deeply meaningful, a second home built on connection, belonging, and shared effort.

At the same time, there’s no sugarcoating the challenges. Too often, clubs feel like they’re fighting these battles alone. Much like what we’re doing at Bottom of the Ruck, this channel aims to change that by creating a space where ideas, solutions, and experiences can be shared.

One club’s success story can become another club’s blueprint. This is a conversation worth joining. In fact… don’t be surprised if you see a familiar Bottom of the Ruck voice pop up there before long.

Give the video a watch and stay tuned for more!

Spikers RFC and the Power of Grassroots Rugby in Kenya

BOTR 2026-02-12 Tales from Clubland Africa Rugby, Bottom of the Ruck, club rugby, grassroots rugby, keep rugby grassy, Kenya Rugby, rugby, Tales from Clubland

spikers rfc

And the power of Grassroots rugby in Kenya

There are rugby clubs built on storied histories, endowments and infrastructure.

Then there are clubs built on belief.

Spikers Rugby Club in Ogembo, Kenya falls firmly into the second category.

A grassroots, community-based side, Spikers RFC is committed to providing meaningful, memorable experiences for its players. Their players range in age from 10-25 years old with around 25 players in the club.

Many of their players come from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The club offers local children a subsidized opportunity to play a sport that, for many, becomes far more than just a game.

Head Coach Wilfred Orina puts it simply:

“Spikers Rugby Club is a community-based team here in Kenya, using rugby to create discipline, opportunity, and hope for young players.”

The word hope carries weight.

Because while rugby might look the same on paper everywhere in the world, the reality of delivering it can be very different depending on where you stand.

We often highlight the struggles that are faced in the grassroots of the sport. However, the struggles that many of us face would be welcomed as blessings from other perspectives.

Built on Passion, Not Resources

Spikers RFC continues to compete in local leagues, entering both 15s and 7s competitions. They train. They prepare. They show up.

But they do so without the financial safety net that many clubs take for granted.

“Our club is built on passion rather than resources. What we may lack in funding, we make up for in commitment.”

This is a familiar story across Clubland and even more of a reason for clubs across the world to take notice. We are not so different from each other.

Volunteers stretching budgets. Coaches doubling as administrators. Players sharing kit. Communities rallying around borrowed fields and improvised facilities.

The difference is that the things most clubs take for granted are cherished by clubs like Spikers RFC. Grassy pitches, matching kits, a changing room, and quality training equipment among many other things are minimum expectations for most clubs.

Even transportation creates a barrier for the young men from Spikers RFC. Transport to away fixtures can determine whether the team gets to compete at all. League fees and operational costs weigh heavily. Training equipment is limited. Many players lack proper kits and protective gear.

Player welfare is an ongoing concern for the club. Access to basic first aid, hydration, and nutrition support is minimal.

Yet Strikers RFC persist and push forward despite challenges that would cause others to fold.

Because the mission matters. The community builds people up. Rugby matters.

More Than Matches

Spikers RFC aren’t simply raising funds to win more games. They are raising funds to create and sustain opportunities for current as well as future players.

Their current fundraising efforts aim to provide new playing kits, medical supplies, improved coaching resources, and the logistical support needed to participate in tournaments throughout the season. This includes travel, food, and accommodation expenses.

These are not the glamorous line items of grassroots rugby. The receipts that rarely make highlight reels.

However, without them there is no rugby.

“Supporting Spikers means helping young people build a better future through rugby.”

That’s not hyperbole. It’s reality.

For many of the players, rugby offers discipline, structure, belonging, and exposure to environments beyond their immediate circumstances. It builds resilience. It builds community. It builds confidence.

It builds futures.

The Universal Language of Rugby

Here at Bottom of the Ruck, we often talk about the invisible scaffolding that holds grassroots rugby together. The volunteers, coaches, maintenance staff, and people that perform many other tasks so that others may play.

Spikers RFC reminds us that this scaffolding exists everywhere from Cornwall to Hamilton to Kenya to Iowa.

The accents may change. The weather certainly does. The passion and heartbeat remains the same.

Young players turning up for the love of the game. Coaches investing time they don’t have. Clubs fight to survive not because it is easy, but because it is worth it.

Spikers RFC is asking for support to remain active and growing. To ensure that players can travel safely to matches, train with proper equipment, and have access to basic medical care. All they wish is to step onto the pitch properly prepared.

Because when grassroots rugby works, it does something powerful.

It gives young people a place to belong.

A Call to Clubland

As with every fundraising effort we highlight here at Bottom of the Ruck, the message to Clubland remains the same. Rugby’s greatest strength has never been money. It’s our community.

Across continents, across time zones, across different languages and leagues. We are connected by the same oval ball.

Spikers RFC may be based in Kenya, but their fight is not foreign to any of us. Transport costs. Kit expenses. Medical supplies. Operational fees. These are pressures clubs everywhere understand.

With thousands upon thousands of clubs around the world and millions of players we have strength in numbers. When one club is in need, it’s not their burden alone. It’s a call to the wider rugby family.

A small donation, repeated dozens or hundreds of times across this global community, can create real, tangible impact. No single club needs to carry the weight. Together we can move mountains.

Today it’s Spikers RFC asking for support so their young players can stay on the field and build a better future through rugby.

Tomorrow, it could be any of us.

How You Can Help

If you’re in a position to help, even in the smallest way, this is one of those moments. Let’s show them what the global rugby community looks like when it rallies together.

Spikers RFC are holding an ongoing Go Fund Me campaign to help raise much needed funds to support their club and players.

Anyone wishing to reach out to the club directly, here is how you can reach the club:

Contact Email

Facebook

Bottom of the Ruck is also putting a call out to rugby kit and equipment vendors who may be in a position to help. Spikers RFC is in need of playing kits, training gear, protective equipment, and basic medical supplies. If your company is willing to donate goods or partner in support of this effort, BOTR is open to providing promotional features, sponsored content, and advertising space across our platform in return. This is an opportunity not just to support a deserving grassroots club in Kenya, but to visibly stand behind the global rugby community in a meaningful way.

We have also added a Spikers RFC logo t-shirt to our Bottom of the Ruck shop. All profits from the sale of the shirts are being donated directly to the club. Buy a shirt, wear it with pride, and show your support.

Saving the Stand

BOTR 2026-02-10 Tales from Clubland Bottom of the Ruck, club rugby, grassroots rugby, keep rugby grassy, Penryn RFC, rugby

saving the stand

PENRYN rfc’s battle against time and mother nature

There are plenty of battles in grassroots rugby. Tough opponents. Tight budgets. Mud. Frigid weather. While the battles on the pitch create legendary tales, the toughest battles are the ones that take place quietly behind the scene. One of the most dangerous to a club is dealing with aging facilities. The slow, relentless wear of time and weather that threaten the structures that hold a club together.

At Penryn Rugby Football Club, that battle has become very real.

Founded in 1872, Penryn RFC proudly holds the title of Cornwall’s first rugby club. Known affectionately as “The Borough”, a nod to Penryn’s ancient town charter dating back to 1236, the club has been a cornerstone of its community for over 150 years. Today, that history isn’t just something found in old photographs or dusty trophy cabinets. It lives on through packed match days, a bustling youth section, and a volunteer base that refuses to let the club fade quietly.

But history alone doesn’t keep roofs standing.

Penryn’s current crowdfunding campaign, SOS – Save Our Stand, has a simple but urgent goal to protect and refurbish the club’s covered stand. In Cornwall, where sideways rain and coastal winds are more rule than exception, that stand is more than a luxury. It’s a lifeline.

On match days, Penryn RFC regularly welcomes between 500 and 1,000 supporters. For older fans and those with mobility challenges the covered stand is the only comfortable way to watch the game, soak up the atmosphere, and stay connected to the club they love.

Unfortunately, years of Cornish weather has taken a toll on the facility. Volunteers have already rolled up their sleeves and begun the work, but goodwill alone doesn’t buy steel purlins, scaffolding, rust sealant, or paint.

The club has set a £5,000 target. With just under a month to go, they’re sitting around the 20% mark. Progress has been made, but there is still plenty of room to cover. No pun intended.

Penryn RFC is a textbook example of what “One Club” really means. They type of club that provides rugby for players and supporters of all ages. The club fields teams across every age grade, including boys, girls, men’s, and women’s sides. More than 200 youth players pass through the gates each week, alongside over 100 senior players.

It doesn’t stop there.

The Borough is a genuine community hub. Local groups use the facilities regularly, youth match days can see 400 people cycling through the clubhouse, and the ground serves as a shared space well beyond rugby itself. Maintaining that space by making it accessible, safe, and welcoming is central to Penryn RFC’s long term vision.

That’s why this campaign goes beyond just saving a stand.

Once the stand is secured and safe for the future, The club plans to turn attention to other long overdue upgrades around their facility. The club hopes to refurbish their toilets, changing rooms, and the clubhouse to make it more welcoming. These aren’t cosmetic vanity projects. They’re vital to the future of the club.

Grassroots clubs everywhere face the same challenge. It’s not enough to simply keep the doors open. Facilities must evolve to support modern participation, inclusive, and safeguarding expectations. These tasks are increasingly challenging for clubs being run almost entirely by volunteers.

Penryn’s vision is to be a leading amateur club in Cornwall, built around “The Borough Way,” where everyone is welcome and supported. That includes making facilities accessible for people with physical and learning disabilities and ensuring the club remains a place families want to spend their weekends.

Like so many grassroots clubs, Penryn RFC is run and maintained by a small army of dedicated volunteers. They donate their time, energy, and skills not because it’s easy, but because the club matters.

This Crowdfunder is about backing those people as much as it is funding club improvements. Volunteers keep clubs held together with paper clips, smoke, and mirrors. Rarely are they given the support and funding needed, but somehow they still make things happen.

How Can You Help?

Penryn RFC has laid out four simple ways to get involved:

Donate to their Crowdfunding Campaign if you can
Share the campaign to widen its reach
Contribute rewards as a local business
Run your own fundraiser in support of the cause.

It’s a familiar story heard around Clubland. A historic club. Weathered buildings. Volunteers doing everything they can. What often makes the difference is whether the wider rugby family steps in to help carry the load.

Saving the stand at Penryn RFC isn’t just about steel and scaffolding. It’s about protecting access, preserving history, and ensuring that future generations can gather under cover, cheer their teams on, and feel part of something bigger.

That’s a cause worth backing.

As with other fundraising efforts highlighted on Bottom of the Ruck, the message is the same for those out in Clubland. The strength in rugby is its community. There is nothing like it. I know for a fact that there are a lot of generous and loving members of that community out there.

With thousands upon thousands of clubs across the world, we have strength in numbers. A club in need is a call to all of us in Clubland. Even the smallest donation, replicated hundreds of times, can make a massive difference. We have the ability to lift each other up without impacting any single, one club’s budget negatively.

I challenge Clubland to step up whenever the opportunity arises. This time Penryn RFC is in need of help, the next time it could be your own club. Pay it forward. Even if it comes in small increments.

Selkirk U14s Bound for United World Games

BOTR 2026-02-04 Tales from Clubland Bottom of the Ruck, club rugby, grassroots rugby, keep rugby grassy, rugby, Tales from Clubland, United World Games, Youth Rugby

Selkirk U14s Bound for United World games

A Borders dream headed for austria

There are lots of moments in grassroots rugby that create memories that last a lifetime. These memories are bigger than a single result, season, or any one individual. These moments remind us why community clubs exist, why volunteers give countless hours, and why young players pull on a jersey week after week with pride.

For Selkirk Rugby Football Club’s U14 squad, one of those moments has arrived.

The Selkirk U14s have been invited to represent the East of Scotland and the Scottish Borders at the United World Games in Austria. Taking place this coming June, the United World Games are an international multi-sport event that brings together youth teams from across the globe. The event covers eleven different sports with teams coming from 30 different nations.

It is an extraordinary opportunity for a group of young players, many of whom are still in the early stages of their rugby journey, to step onto an international stage wearing Selkirk colours.

For the players, the meaning is simple and profound.

“It’s a huge honour,” said Kieran Westlake, Selkirk U14 Head Coach and Tour Organiser. “It recognises the hard work, commitment, and discipline they’ve shown throughout the season and gives them a rare chance to test themselves against teams from different countries and cultures.”

Formed in 1907 Selkirk RFC sits at the heart of the Borders, a region steeped in rugby history and identity. Generations of players have pulled on the Selkirk jersey, and the town’s relationship with the game runs deep. This invitation is a chance to showcase this talented group of young athletes, but also show off the strength of grassroots rugby in the Borders. It also highlights the massively positive role clubs play in developing young people both on and off the pitch.

“Wearing the Selkirk kit in Austria means representing our communities, families, coaches, and volunteers who support us week in, week out,” Westlake added. “It’s about pride, responsibility, and inspiring the next generation of players from the East of Scotland and the Borders to aim high and believe that opportunities like this are possible.”

An Invitation That Sparked a Dream

Unlike traditional qualification pathways, the journey to Austria began with a simple but powerful moment: an email.

The squad received an invitation from Richard De Jager of RAM Rugby, who also serves as Rugby Director for the United World Games. Based on that invitation, Selkirk’s U14 squad was confirmed and selected to represent the region at the tournament.

When the news broke, the reaction was immediate.

“When the boys found out, it was a real mix of excitement, pride, and disbelief,” said Westlake. “For many of them it will be their first opportunity to travel abroad and compete in an international tournament, which makes it even more special.”

Families shared that emotion. Parents and carers expressed pride in seeing the players rewarded for their commitment and enthusiasm.

“The response from families has been incredible,” Westlake said. “They’re delighted to see the boys rewarded for their hard work and are fully behind the squad as they prepare to represent both the club and the East of Scotland and Borders in Austria.”

More Than Just Matches

Ask the squad what they are most looking forward to, and you quickly realise this trip goes far beyond rugby.

On the pitch, the appeal is obvious. For the United World Games, the Selkirk U14s will be playing 4-6 games at the event. They’ll also enjoy learning from specialist coaches from South Africa and Europe. The trip also gives the side an opportunity to see and test themselves against players that come from different countries.

Off the pitch, the excitement might be even greater. The tour is the quintessential rugby experience. You’re on the road, experiencing new cultures, playing rugby, and doing it with your friends.

“Travelling abroad together, experiencing a new country and culture, and creating memories as a team is massive for them,” Westlake explained. “Some of the boys don’t even have passports yet, and for a number of them this will be their first time travelling outside of the Scottish Borders, which makes the experience even more special.”

Those experiences shape young people in lasting ways.

“We hope to bring back more than just rugby experience,” Westlake said. “The aim is to return with greater confidence, stronger bonds, and a renewed sense of pride in representing the club and the Borders. Those lessons will be passed on to younger players within the club, helping to strengthen Selkirk Rugby and inspire the next generation both on and off the pitch.”

The Financial Reality

As with most grassroots success stories, there is a practical challenge sitting underneath the excitement. Touring is not cheap. The total cost of the tour is £26,000, covering travel, accommodation, kit, and essential logistics. For a youth squad, that figure is significant.

Rather than allowing that number to become a barrier, the Selkirk community has gone to work.

“We’ve already made a strong start towards our £26,000 target through a wide range of community led fundraising activities,” said Westlake. “These have included local events, bag-packing days, online fundraising through GoFundMe, and generous donations from local businesses, organisations, and individuals.”

Beyond direct fundraising, they’ve also received something equally powerful: encouragement.

“We’ve been hugely encouraged by the support shown online, with a number of well known sportspeople and celebrities sending video messages of encouragement,” Westlake said. “We’ve been sharing those on our social media platforms and they’ve been a real boost for the players while also helping raise awareness of what we’re trying to achieve.”

Next up on the fundraising calendar are a race night, a farmers’ market stall, a car boot sale, and other community led events.

“We’ll continue to post and share the video messages of support as they come in,” Westlake added. “They really motivate the boys and help maintain momentum around the campaign.”

Still, a gap remains.

“And at this stage, the kind of support that would make the biggest difference is wider exposure and financial backing,” Westlake said. “We would love to secure national media coverage to help raise awareness, alongside continued support from businesses, sponsors, and community organisations. Every donation, no matter the size, helps move us closer to our goal and ensures that no player misses out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

A Boost from Rugby’s Biggest Names

The squad has received messages of support from a who’s who of Scottish Rugby greats including Greig Laidlaw, Gavin Hastings, Duhan van der Merwe, Pierre Schoeman and other well known rugby and non-rugby personalities. The messages of support have left a lasting impression.

“For the boys, many of whom have grown up watching and admiring these figures, it’s been incredibly special,” said Westlake. “It’s a huge confidence boost and a moment they will never forget. Knowing that people who have represented Scottish rugby at the highest level are taking the time to encourage them makes the opportunity feel even more real and meaningful.”

The impact goes beyond morale.

“The messages have lifted spirits, strengthened belief, and reinforced the idea that hard work and commitment can open doors to amazing opportunities,” Westlake said. “They’ve brought the team even closer together and continue to motivate the boys in both their rugby and their fundraising.”

A Call to Clubland

To local supporters, businesses, and former Selkirk players who may be considering helping, the message from the squad is heartfelt and direct.

“By donating, you’re not just helping fund a rugby tour, you’re investing in young people, in the future of Selkirk Rugby Club, and in the wider Borders rugby community,” said Westlake. “This opportunity gives the players a chance to represent their town and region on an international stage, build confidence, resilience, and teamwork, and create memories that will stay with them for life.”

“For local businesses and former Selkirk players in particular, this is a chance to give something back to a club and community that has given so much to so many,” he added. “Your support helps remove financial barriers and ensures every player can take part, regardless of background. With your help, we can make this once-in-a-lifetime experience possible and inspire the next generation to continue the proud Selkirk rugby tradition.”

These types of opportunities don’t come often. As with other fundraising efforts highlighted on Bottom of the Ruck, the message is the same for those out in Clubland. The strength in rugby is its community. There is nothing like it. I know for a fact that there are a lot of generous and loving members of that community out there.

I challenge Clubland to step up whenever the opportunity arises. This time Selkirk RFC lights the beacon, the next time it could be your own club. Pay it forward. Even if it comes in small increments.

To donate to the Selkirk U14s tour, you can follow this link to go to their Go Fund Me which is already close to reaching its goal.

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