Hampshire Hosts Red Roses Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour

Hampshire RFU was proud to support the recent visit of the Community Rugby Trophy Tour – the Red Roses Rugby World Cup trophy, which visited a number of clubs and events across the county this last week.

The tour provided a special opportunity to engage players, clubs and schools, while highlighting the continued development of the women and girls’ game in Hampshire.

The trophy’s first stop was at Alton RFC, where it featured at the U11 County Festival. The event welcomed 240 girls and boys, offering young players the chance to take part in a brilliant day of rugby.

It then moved to Trojans FC, which hosted the U7, U8 and U9 County Festival, which saw more than 700 children taking part. The visit also coincided with the final women’s fixture of the season between Trojans Women and Bath Ladies, providing a strong example of the senior women’s game in action.

At Havant RFC, the focus was on schools rugby, with over 130 girls from local primary and secondary schools participating in a T1 festival. The event reflected the increasing levels of engagement in the girls’ game at school level, supported by the work of the Schools Rugby Manager.

The tour concluded at Ellingham & Ringwood RFC, where an open girls’ session was delivered, supporting both new and existing players to play and enjoy rugby together.

Across all venues, the visit of the trophy was warmly welcomed and provided a wonderful opportunity to promote the game and recognise the progress being made locally.

Hampshire RFU has seen continued growth in participation this season, with a 3% increase in the women’s game and an 18% increase in girls’ rugby. This equates to over 200 new women and girls playing the game across the county!

The trophy tour was a fitting way to acknowledge this progress and to reinforce the county’s ongoing commitment to developing rugby at all levels across Hampshire.

Hampshire U18 Leagues Complete for 25/26 Season

Hampshire U18 Leagues 25/26 – Season Complete

The Hampshire U18 leagues for the 25/26 season are now complete, marking the end of the first year under the new competition structure.

This format brought together 24 clubs from across the county, with the aim of creating balanced leagues, meaningful competition, and regular rugby for all sides. Across the divisions, that has delivered. Matches remained competitive throughout, with league positions and outcomes still in play right up to the final round.

There has been clear progression across squads, strong commitment from players and management teams, and a consistent effort from clubs to get fixtures played despite the usual challenges around availability and bad weather.

Final League Standings

  • Division 1 Winners: Winchester Academy 1st XV
  • Division 1 Runners-Up: Trojan Eagles
  • Division 2 Winners: Portsmouth Colts
  • Division 2 Runners-Up: Overton Colts
  • Division 3 Winners: Petersfield Colts
  • Division 3 Runners-Up: Vectis Colts
  • Division 4 Winners: Tottonians Colts
  • Division 4 Runners-Up: Winchester Academy 2nd XV

Congratulations to all league winners and runners-up, and to every club involved in making the season work.

Attention now turns to the knockout competitions. Teams will move into the Cup, Plate, Bowl, and Shield, with quarter-finals scheduled for Sunday 22 March 2026.

A strong league phase sets up what should be a competitive, well-contested knockout stage to close out the season, with all finals held at Winchester on the 26th of April.

Ian ‘H’ Wells
Hampshire Under 18 League Organiser 25/26 season

 

Hampshire Girls U16 PDG Shine in Dual Victory Away at Essex

Hampshire’s Girls U16 England PDG delivered an impressive performance on the road this weekend as the county’s teams travelled to face Essex in their third playing opportunity of the programme.

Both Hampshire sides secured victories, but the focus of the day extended beyond the results. Players were encouraged to put their recent training into practice, showing creativity, confidence and a willingness to try new skills in a match environment. The progress made by both squads reflected the hard work and commitment shown during recent coaching blocks.

In a memorable end to the day, Essex provided a special surprise for the players by bringing out the Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy, giving the girls a rare opportunity to take photos with one of the sport’s most iconic prizes.

The squad now moves into coaching block five this week as preparations continue for the final fixture of the programme against Gloucester in April.

Hampshire RFU would like to thank the volunteers and parents whose support makes these opportunities possible, along with programme sponsors Bridge Beauty and Sports Physio for their continued backing of the girls’ development group.

Most importantly, congratulations to the players for their enthusiasm, effort and commitment throughout the day.

Early Successes from the Hampshire RFU Revenue Generation Pilot

The second month of the revenue generation pilot, funded by the RFU, has already delivered tangible commercial improvements across participating Hampshire RFU pilot clubs. Through hands-on engagement, supplier consolidation, and enhancement of key offers (bar and hot beverage), early results are showing stronger gross margins, reduced input costs, and increased operational confidence among club volunteers.

Headline outcomes:

  • Average supplier savings of 7.5–23.4%, improving gross margins by approximately 10%.
  • New or upgraded hot beverage offers explored, with the potential to generate up to £150 per week in incremental sales.
  • Early bar enhancements delivering +£4.20 spend per head on average at weekend fixtures.

Club Engagement & Collaboration

During February, Shane, the Revenue Generation Consultant, worked closely with the selected pilot clubs of New Milton, Basingstoke, Farnborough, and Romsey. Each visit focused on understanding the individual club’s commercial model and identifying site-specific growth opportunities.

At New Milton, for example, adjustments to purchasing practices and range rationalisation are projected to deliver a 7–10% uplift in monthly bar margin.

Supplier Partnerships & Cost Reduction

A key goal of the pilot has been to strengthen collective club buying power.

Through negotiations with preferred and new suppliers, and by consolidating orders across participating clubs, the initiative has achieved:

  • Average purchasing cost reductions of 7.5–23.4%, equating to £4,400–£7,700 annual savings per club.
  • Introduction of alternative, high-quality products that maintain member satisfaction while improving margin.
  • Shared supply routes for key consumables, leveraging economies of scale.

These measures are already delivering cost savings that directly enhance club profitability.

Hot Beverage Solutions

To diversify income beyond bar hours, Shane identified and implemented hot beverage solutions suitable for low-capital environments. These initiatives have enabled:

  • New incremental income streams averaging £125 per week.
  • Zero capital investment required by clubs.
  • Enhanced family and community engagement during matchdays and training sessions.

Elevating the Bar Offering

Bar operations across the pilot clubs have been reviewed to strengthen member experience and increase spend per head.

Key actions include:

  • Introducing premium and higher-margin drinks, including local craft options.
  • Improving presentation and merchandising at serving points.
  • Implementing an alternative soft drink solution expected to reduce waste disposal by 25%.
  • Rolling out a revised pricing strategy to protect margins.

At Farnborough RFC, these changes are expected to increase average transaction values, with early member feedback highlighting improved perception of value and choice.

Early indicators show:

  • Improved profitability across participating clubs.
  • Enhanced volunteer confidence in commercial decision-making.
  • Creation of replicable frameworks for supplier collaboration and revenue generation.

Next Steps (March–April):

  • Introduce supplier savings and bar optimisation tools to all pilot clubs.
  • Monitor margin performance monthly using standardised templates.
  • Develop a shared dashboard to track total revenue impact across the pilot group.

Visit the Revenue Generation webpage or contact Shane Castle for more information.

Match Report: Hampshire U18 Girls 10 – 12 Surrey U18 Girls

CB Representative Programme – Game 3 | 15th January 2026 | Petersfield RFC

The Hampshire U18 Girls concluded their CB Representative Programme with a spirited performance against Surrey U18 Girls on Sunday, 15th February, at Petersfield RFC. Despite earlier concerns about the weather and pitch conditions, the game went ahead thanks to the outstanding efforts of the host club — whose preparation and management ensured the fixture could be played safely. Hampshire extends sincere thanks to everyone involved in making that possible.

With several players unavailable through injury and other commitments, Hampshire fielded a smaller squad but showed exceptional resilience, teamwork, and determination throughout a hard-fought encounter that ended in a narrow 12–10 defeat.

Persistent rain made for challenging conditions, but both sides adapted admirably. Surrey struck first and led 7–0 at half-time. The opening period was shortened by five minutes following an injury to the Surrey captain — Hampshire sends best wishes for a swift and full recovery — and the second half was extended to maintain a full contest.

Hampshire came out firing after the break, with Jess S crossing the line to close the gap. As the rain intensified, the home side continued to apply pressure, and Lola finished a well-constructed attacking phase to give Hampshire a 10–7 lead in the final quarter. Surrey, however, responded quickly with a decisive try to edge ahead 12–10, which proved enough to secure the win.

There were impressive performances across the Hampshire squad.

  • Forward of the Match: Co-captain Beattie
  • Back of the Match: Co-captain Emma
  • Players’ Player: Jess S, for her relentless work rate and impact.

A special mention goes to Amelia (United Services Portsmouth RFC), who made her Hampshire debut in tough conditions and rose to the challenge with composure and commitment.

Hampshire RFU Ex-President Ed Neville and team sponsor Steve Prest were on hand to present Amelia with her debut pin — a memorable moment that capped off a proud day for the squad. The team also sends its best wishes to those recovering from knocks sustained during the match.

A huge thank-you once again to Petersfield RFC for their hospitality, and congratulations to all the players and staff for their hard work throughout the representative programme.

Report by: Alison Denmead

Girls Rugby 2026

Read more

Maintaining Standards and Respect Across the Game

As we enter the final stages of the season—with rearranged fixtures, weather-affected pitches, and cup competitions placing extra demands on clubs and volunteers, Hampshire RFU wishes to acknowledge the tremendous effort being made across the county to keep rugby being played.

However, alongside these pressures, we have also seen an increase in incidents of unauthorised individuals entering the playing enclosure and other instances of poor pitch-side behaviour.

In line with Rugby Football Union regulations, only match officials, players, and physios / first aiders are permitted within the field-of-play and in-goal areas during a match. These restrictions exist for safety reasons and to protect the integrity and management of the game.

To help ensure rugby remains safe, fair, and enjoyable for all, the following behaviours are not permitted under RFU Regulations and Game-Management Protocols:

  • Entry to the playing enclosure by spectators, non-playing coaches, or replacements not formally called onto the field
  • Coaching staff leaving the designated technical area or walking the touchline during play
  • Verbal abuse, dissent, or confrontation directed at match officials
  • Derogatory, negative, or abusive comments towards players, coaches, or officials
  • Use of offensive, intimidating, or inappropriate language
  • Direct or indirect confrontation with match officials
  • Raising concerns outside of official club channels

Everyone involved; players, coaches, volunteers, and spectators, shares responsibility for upholding the RFU Core Values (Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline, Sportsmanship).

While the closing stages of the season naturally bring intensity and emotion, there is no excuse for behaviour that undermines respect or safety. Rugby’s strength lies in the Values we live by and demonstrate, and we must ensure these remain visible at every level of the game.

Spectators and club members who witness inappropriate behaviour are encouraged, where appropriate, to report it to a club official so it can be addressed in accordance with RFU policy.

All reported incidents will be reviewed by the Hampshire RFU Disciplinary Committee, and sanctions will be applied where necessary.

Let’s finish the season positively, with teamwork, respect, and enjoyment at the heart of every match.

Hampshire RFU & HRR

Powder Monkey Brewing joins Hampshire RFU as sponsor of the Board and Lead Volunteers

Hampshire RFU is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with Powder Monkey Brewing, who will become the official sponsor of the Hampshire RFU Board and our Lead Volunteers. This partnership brings together two organisations united by shared values of community, commitment, and continuous improvement.

Powder Monkey Brewing, based in Gosport, is built on a deep respect for craftsmanship, collaboration, and local pride, principles that mirror the dedication and spirit of rugby in Hampshire. From their historic naval site, the Powder Monkey team have reimagined tradition to create something modern, energetic, and community-focused, just as Hampshire RFU works to build an inclusive, dynamic future for rugby across our county.

This partnership directly supports Hampshire RFU’s mission to enhance the playing experience, increase club investment, and optimise the time and impact of our volunteers. Through their sponsorship, Powder Monkey Brewing recognises the tireless efforts of the volunteers who drive the delivery, growth, and governance of rugby in Hampshire. These individuals are the lifeblood of our game, ensuring players, coaches, and clubs continue to thrive.

Neil McRoberts, Chair of Hampshire RFU said,

“We’re thrilled to partner with Powder Monkey Brewing, a local company whose values and energy align so strongly with our own. Our volunteers are the heartbeat of Hampshire rugby, and this partnership celebrates their passion, commitment, and contribution to the sport we all love.”

Andy Burdon CEO of Powder Monkey Group commented,

‘This partnership reinforces our position in terms of support for sport and our locality.

As a company we are passionate about working with likeminded organisations such as Hampshire RFU; sport plays such an important part in our communities.’

Together, Hampshire RFU and Powder Monkey Brewing are raising a glass to the people who make rugby possible, and to a partnership that will continue to strengthen the game throughout Hampshire.

A Weekend to Remember: Hampshire Girls’ Rugby Shines from Grassroots to England Pathway

An amazing weekend of rugby, smiles, and muddy fun showcased the incredible depth and spirit of girls’ rugby across Hampshire, from the newest and youngest players at the Love Rugby Festival to the talented U16s Girls on the England Pathway.

At Basingstoke RFC, over 40 U8–U11 girls from Hampshire, Berkshire, and Surrey came together for a morning full of energy, teamwork, and inspiration. Funded and administered by the RFU and delivered in partnership with Hampshire RFU, the festival marked a major milestone, with Hampshire RFU taking the lead as a delivery partner for the first time, strengthening the bridge between grassroots and pathway rugby.

The day kicked off with a lively mass warm-up before players rotated through skill-building zones designed to boost confidence and enjoyment of the game. Contact challenges, laughter, and plenty of muddy moments followed, all underpinned by the infectious enthusiasm of the Hampshire Girls U16 Player Development Group (PDG), who played a key role in planning and delivering the event.

Eight of the PDG players; Lilly, Sari, Alice, Bella, Scarlett, Bo-Louise, Evie, and Bonita, brought real energy and empathy, inspiring the next generation and proving the power of role models within the pathway. Their encouragement even sparked three young attendees to declare they now “wanted to join their local club!”

The next day, the coaches and girls of the Hampshire Girls U16 PDG, were back in action, this time for a playing opportunity against Kent Rugby, hosted at King Edward VI School’s Wellington Sports Ground. Over 100 girls applied their skills in a day of high-quality, competitive rugby. Hampshire impressed with their strong defensive structure and ruthless attacking play,  a reflection of the growing quality within the county’s development system.

Huge thanks go to Trojans FC, King Edward VI School, and volunteer referees Jason Kehoe and Lee Foster for their superb contribution to the day’s success.

Together, these events represent more than just festivals or matches, they are milestones in the continued growth of girls’ rugby in Hampshire. With a 12% increase in age-grade girls playing across the county, the momentum behind the game has never been stronger.

From the first smiles at the Love Rugby Festival to the fierce competition of the England Pathway, the future of girls’ rugby in Hampshire is looking brighter than ever.

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