Hampshire RFU Adult Male Competitions – 2025 Season Update

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The fixtures for the 2025 Hampshire Premiership are now complete and available – click Hampshire RFU Premiership Fixtures 2025 to see them.
As well as being on our website, they will also shortly be accessible via GMS and England Rugby. 

Fixture Adjustments

As in previous seasons, club Fixture Secretaries are welcome to reverse or amend fixture dates with the agreement of the opposition and approval from the League Secretary, Zoe Jones.
  • Minor adjustments (e.g., moving to a Wednesday-Sunday evening or changing kick-off times) are permitted up to the Tuesday before the scheduled match, again with agreement from:
    • The opposition club
    • The Referees’ Society
    • Zoe Jones
Potential Addition: Guernsey 3
We are currently exploring the inclusion of Guernsey 3 in Premiership North. If confirmed, they would take the final slot in the eight-team league.
  • If Guernsey 3 does not join, the club has been granted full flight funding to host up to 10 visiting teams, helping to ensure regular and meaningful fixtures in their calendar.
End-of-Season Playoffs
A promotion playoff series will take place across four weekends:
The format:
  • The top two teams from each Premiership conference will qualify.
  • Each qualifying team will play the top two from the opposite conference.
  • Two promotion places will be awarded based on the final standings at the end of the playoff series.
Engagement with Other Teams

For clubs not involved in the promotion playoffs, Zoe Jones and I will work closely with team representatives during the first half of the season via the Hampshire Premiership WhatsApp group to agree the most suitable post-season format for their squads.

Chris Budden
Adult Male Competition Lead

Hampshire RFU Delivers Rugby Fun at Hampshire School Games 2025

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Hampshire School Games 2025

Hampshire RFU was proud to support the Hampshire School Games Sport & Physical Activity Festival 2025, held at Winchester Sport & Leisure Park and surrounding venues on Thursday 26th June.

In a huge celebration of inclusive sport, 130 children from 13 different schools from across Hampshire & IOW enjoyed an exciting introduction to rugby, with sessions delivered by a team of enthusiastic and aspiring young coaches from Barton Peveril College, Bitterne Park Sixth Form and King Edwards School. The event was a non-competitive, positive experience focused on encouraging less active children in Years 4–6 to get involved in new sports and physical activity.

The Hampshire RFU team was delighted to be part of this county-wide showcase alongside over 40 different activities, helping to inspire the next generation of players through fun, engaging rugby experiences.

As the young coaches delivered an exciting carousel of rugby activities, including Rugby Rounders, Rugby Relays and Tag Chaos, conversations with the schools teachers took place, exploring the state of rugby in schools, discussing T1 Rugby and building connections for the future.

We are proud to have contributed to such a fantastic festival and to play our part in making rugby accessible and enjoyable for all.

A special thank you to the amazing leaders who created such wonderful memories for all those who attended.

Groundforce Day 2025 at Ellingham & Ringwood RFC

Groundforce Day 2025

Ellingham members from across ERRFC teamed up on Saturday 14th June to get the club ready for the new season. A huge thank you to Hampshire RFU for providing funds to re-point the paving stones, fix some of our fencing and spruce up our physio room.

We have a huge project underway this summer to prepare the club for the Women’s RWC and the superhuman efforts of our people, from 8-80 years old will make all the difference.

 

Adult Male Competition Update – 2025 Season

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Adult Male Competition Update – 2025 Season

Following a brief delay caused by issues higher up the league structure, the RFU league fixtures, originally scheduled for release on 14th June, are now confirmed. They will shortly be available on GMS and the England Rugby website.

The Merit League fixtures will be released soon after.

We’re delighted to report that the Merit Leagues have continued to grow, building on the fantastic volume of rugby played across Hampshire last season. A huge thank you to all the clubs, volunteers, and players who made that possible!

This season, the Merit Leagues will be structured into three geographic divisions of eight teams each, designed to minimise travel—a key factor in last season’s number of walkovers. In addition, a playoff series will take place in weeks 15 to 18 of the standard 10-team structured season.

As of this season, two promotion places to Counties 4 will be available.

We also plan to run a full programme of County Cup competitions. Final details will be confirmed once the RFU releases its schedule for the National Cup and Regional League Playoffs. We expect to announce these by early July.

Click here to view all the league fixtures for season 2025.

Keep Your Golden Roles up to Date in GMS

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Keep Your Golden Roles up to Date in GMS

As we move through AGM season, there may be some reshuffles in your clubs’ or CB’s volunteer roles. This makes it especially important that your Golden Roles in GMS reflect your current team — ensuring you get the right information and support for your clubs.

The Game Management System (GMS) is the primary source of information for the RFU and CBs when contacting clubs. Making sure these details are accurate — and that the appropriate GMS Access is set for each person — helps keep communication clear and effective.

Additionally, Hampshire RFU’s new website uses this information to keep clubs up to date with relevant and tailored messages — whether that’s related to facilities, coaching, safeguarding, or other key aspects of community rugby.

If you’re unsure how to make these updates, please see the guides below:

Should you need further assistance, please reach out to Community Rugby Help or raise a ticket directly with the GMS Help Desk through the Feedback tile.

Thank you in advance for keeping your Golden Roles up to date — this guarantees we’re able to reach the right people with the right information at the right time. If you have any specific GMS inquiries, please feel free to get in touch with us – admin@hampshirerfu.com

 

Hampshire RFU Appoints New Board to Lead County Rugby into the Future

Hampshire RFU has taken a significant step forward in its modernisation journey with the appointment of a new Management Board, following an open and inclusive recruitment process completed in May 2025.

The restructure, underpinned by new governance rules approved earlier this year, reflects Hampshire RFU’s ambition to become a more agile, strategic, and responsive governing body for the county’s clubs, nearly 2,000 volunteers and 11,700+ players.

The recruitment process began in early 2025, with public advertisements and open applications for all Board roles. Shortlisted candidates were interviewed by a panel of senior HRFU officials. This new Board, under the transitional provisions of the newly adopted rules, will start to plan for the new season, and will be formally ratified by member clubs at the Annual General Meeting on July 16, 2025.

Meet the New Hampshire RFU Board
• President: Gary Self

• Chair: Neil McRoberts

• Director of Finance, Audit & Risk: Stefan Hargrave

• Director of Compliance: Sarah Whatmore

• Director of People: Hannah Avoth

• Director of Adult Rugby: Rob Matthews

• Director of Youth Rugby: Laura Self

• Director of Club Investment: George Winch

• Club Representatives: Nick Whittle and Wayne Hausen

• RFU Council Rep: Terry Burwell

The new Directors bring a blend of rugby experience, governance capability, and professional expertise from sectors such as finance, safeguarding, HR, education, and community sport. The process also presented an opportunity for Youth Rugby to be supported by a Deputy Director, Sarah Jane-Brown, who will work closely with Laura Self in overseeing and developing the 8,000 registered youth players across Hampshire.

Strategic Focus for 2025/26
The newly appointed Board is now developing high-level strategic plans for the 2025/26 season. Each Director will present their vision and priorities at the AGM in July, ensuring transparency and alignment across all areas of the game, from youth, transition, adult retention, to safeguarding, volunteer development, and club funding.

Incoming Chair Neil McRoberts commented:
“This marks a fresh chapter for Hampshire Rugby. We have assembled a highly capable team who are ready to listen, lead, and work with our clubs to shape a thriving future for rugby in this county. Our goal is clear: to support participation, strengthen community clubs, and uphold the values of the game we all love.”

What’s Next?
Hampshire RFU’s AGM will be held on Wednesday 16th July 2025, where member clubs will ratify the Board and review plans for the year ahead. Further communications and directorate updates will follow in the lead-up to the 2025/26 season.

 

Hampshire Coaching Conference 2025

Hampshire RFU are delighted to announce that bookings are now open for the County Coaching Conference 2025 on July 6th at Totton College.

Full details of the event, including booking for yourself or club, can be found here.

Joining our conference headliner, Simon Middleton, will be Bath Rugby! As Hampshire’s PDG pathway for boys rugby, Bath PDG coaches will be delivering an afternoon session on conditioned games to support player development, with plenty of opportunities for delegates to question and take away ideas for their own sessions, whatever the age group they coach!

We are also pleased to confirm that a workshop for SEND in rugby is also planned – supporting coaches to adapt to the ever growing needs of our players.

Don’t forget, Hampshire clubs can get 5% off per bookings of 5-9 coaches or 10% per booking for 10+ coaches – payment must be received by 15th June 2025.

 

Hampshire Rugby Fundraising for MNDA – Join Us!

The power of rugby beyond the pitch: Cycle, run, walk, drive to any or all of the 34 Hampshire rugby clubs between 14 – 22 June 2025.

Take a photo and tag on social media using #HampshireRugby4MND

Why?

Each year on 21 June the MND Association joins with the wider MND community around the world to mark Global MND Awareness Day.

On Global MND Awareness Day, the MND Association, our branches, groups, volunteers, supporters and staff join forces with our peers across the world to honour our remarkable community. We acknowledge people living with MND and their carers, and remember those who have died from the disease.

For MND carers every day is the longest day.

I’m happy to chat through fundraising ideas—please reach out if you’d like to discuss. So far, suggestions have included hikes, beer buses, cycle rides, horse rides, and using the event’s visibility to launch a walking rugby programme. No idea is a bad idea! We’re currently working on a plan (for 15th June) where four clubs will hike to Winchester RFC and celebrate with some well-earned refreshment in the city’s fantastic hostelries.

Looking forward to seeing how we can make this a big success together.

Best regards,
Tristan
Chair, Romsey RFC

 

Impact 25 Connecting Communities: WI Opportunity

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As we count down to the Women’s Rugby World Cup later this year, we’re offering a fresh opportunity for your club to engage with the WI’s in your area and welcome more women into your community.

The Impact25 Connecting Communities Programme is all about creating opportunities for women to connect, get active, and feel part of their local rugby club, even if they’re not ready to take up the game. The WI Federation in your area is keen to work with local Rugby Clubs, offering an opportunity for you to open your doors to a whole new audience and showcase your club as a hub for community activity.

We know not everyone is ready to jump straight into Walking Rugby or fitness sessions, that’s why the programme encourages clubs to develop activities in partnership with WI members. Across the country, clubs have been hosting:

  • Film Club nights
  • Gardening projects in the grounds
  • Social events – coffee mornings, quiz nights, and virtual meetups to bring people together.
  • Training – via the WI Learning Hub and joining Club members for joint sessions

These activities attract a diverse range of women, including WI members, and offer a great way to introduce them to the welcoming environment of your club. Of course, we are also encouraging WI’s to consider outdoor activities too – check out this video of how the community have come together at Amesbury Rugby Club: https://youtu.be/QqQgPBcDjQg

If you are interested in developing an activity tailored to women in your local community, you can contact your Local WI Federation representative directly, or the dedicated NFWI Project Coordinator – details of each are copied below and into this email for ease.

Hampshire Federation – Barbara George – barbarageorge@hampshirewi.org.uk

NFWI Project Coordinator = Rachel Richards – wirugby@nfwi.org.uk Tel. 0161 5230614

If you have any questions, please do get in touch with Rachel at the NFWI.

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