Growing Rugby in Primary Schools Across Portsmouth, Gosport and Havant

As schools continue to prioritise physical literacy, wellbeing, and character development, rugby offers a powerful vehicle to support all three. Across Portsmouth, Gosport and Havant, there is a significant opportunity for senior leadership teams to embed rugby as a meaningful and sustainable part of school life. This is not about producing elite athletes; it is about developing confident, resilient, and respectful young people.

Below are four key themes to support growth in schools.

1. Interschool Festivals and Competitions

Regular festivals and competitions provide purpose and excitement for pupils while strengthening school identity. A well structured calendar of inclusive, development focused events ensures that rugby is accessible to all, not just the most able.

These festivals emphasise participation, teamwork, and enjoyment, aligning with broader school priorities around inclusion and engagement. They also create natural milestones for pupils and teachers, building momentum and sustained interest throughout the year. Already this academic year, over 400 boys and girls representing 40 local schools have participated in rugby events primarily hosted at Havant, Portsmouth and Trojans rugby clubs.

2. Training Staff to Deliver Rugby in Schools

One of the most common barriers to rugby delivery in primary schools is staff confidence. Investing in staff development is therefore critical.

Primary level training opportunities at no cost are available in your school, delivered by your local school rugby manager luke.worthington@tkat.org. England Rugby also provides a no cost primary school coaching qualification, with courses regularly run in our area. Typically, these CPD sessions are one to three hours and equip staff with the skills and confidence to deliver safe, engaging sessions. Importantly, this creates long term sustainability, with rugby becoming embedded within the PE curriculum rather than dependent on external provision. For example, following a 60 minute session delivered by Luke Worthington, Front Lawn Primary Academy has established a lunchtime rugby club run by their external PE providers for Years 5 and 6.

3. Rugby values as a vehicle to enhance behaviours

For rugby to thrive, it must align with whole school priorities. The core values of rugby are summarised as TREDS (Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline, Sportsmanship) and map directly onto the personal development and behaviour frameworks that schools are already striving to deliver.

By positioning rugby as a tool for character education, SLTs (senior leadership teams) can confidently support its inclusion. It becomes more than a sport; it becomes a vehicle for developing leadership, resilience, and positive behaviour across the school.

4. Collaboration with SGOs and Local Rugby Clubs

Sustainable provision is built on strong partnerships. School Games Organisers and local rugby clubs play a vital role in supporting schools with expertise, resources, and pathways.

Collaboration can unlock access to qualified coaches and delivery support, clear transition routes from school to community sport, shared facilities and joint events, and increased opportunities for pupils beyond the school environment. This joined up approach ensures continuity and strengthens the local sporting ecosystem.

Suggested Next Steps for Schools:

  • Review your current PE and sport offer to identify where rugby can complement existing provision.
  • Engage with your local SGO to explore upcoming festivals, competitions, and training opportunities.
  • Identify school staff champions who can lead rugby within schools and support their development.
  • Connect with local rugby clubs to establish partnerships and enrichment opportunities.
  • Pilot a school rugby festival trip to build initial momentum and gather pupil voice.

Rugby has the potential to make a lasting impact on pupils, not just physically but socially and emotionally. With the right structures and partnerships in place, schools across Portsmouth, Gosport and Havant can create inclusive, values driven rugby experiences that benefit every child.

 

Moving the Game Forward: Why Hampshire RFU Supports GRR2 & The RFU SGM Resolutions

Hampshire RFU would like to clearly set out its position on the upcoming Special General Meeting (SGM) and the Governance and Representation Review (GRR2), based on both our experience through the process and ongoing engagement with our clubs.

Supporting Clubs in a Challenging Landscape

Our role as a Constituent Body (CB) is to support our clubs to govern, deliver, and grow the game. Across Hampshire, over 40 clubs are currently managing significant pressures, both shared and unique, while approaching the end of a long season.

Throughout this period, our focus has been to help clubs understand GRR2 and encourage informed participation in the upcoming RFU SGM vote, ensuring their voices are heard.

Why We Opposed GRR1

Hampshire RFU opposed GRR1 not out of resistance to change, but because it did not go far enough.

Specifically, GRR1 failed to address the deeper structural issues within the governance of the game, most notably:

  • The role and effectiveness of the Community Game Board (CGB)
  • The relationship between the community game and the RFU Executive
  • Accountability and representation across the system

We believed then, and still believe, that meaningful reform must address how decisions are made and who makes them, not just the processes around them.

How GRR2 Addresses These Concerns

GRR2 represents a significant step forward and directly responds to many of the concerns raised during GRR1.

The proposed changes to the Community Game Board are a key example. The CGB will have 12 members:

  • An independent Chair drawn from the Community Game – the very best rugby can get
  • RFU Director of Rugby Development
  • At least 5 members will come from the RFU Council
  • The remainder will either come from the RFU Council or will be selected from the Community Game to specifically offer more diverse insights or different skills from Council Member

This creates a Board that is both representative and accountable to the community game.

It is worth reflecting on this: what greater level of control and accountability could clubs reasonably expect than having the vast majority of decision-makers drawn directly from the game, either Council Members or selected from within it?

The Role of Council – A Time for Evolution

We must also be honest about the current Council structure.

Hampshire RFU has been fortunate to be represented by our Council Member, Terry Burwell, for nine years, who has served the role with distinction. However, it is clear across the wider game that not all Council Members interpret or deliver their roles in the same way.

This raises a fundamental question:
How can one individual realistically represent the views of over 12,000+ players and 2,700+ volunteers across a county such as Hampshire? How can they, even in a 3 year term, effectively engage with every club, coach, volunteer and player across adult and age grade rugby?

GRR2 begins to address this through a more structured and inclusive system of:

  • Communication (sharing information clearly)
  • Engagement (actively listening)
  • Feedback (reviewing and responding to input)

This framework will operate across CBs, Council, and the RFU Executive, enabling clubs, players, coaches, and volunteers to contribute directly to shaping the game in a timely and meaningful way.

Moving from Reactive to Proactive Governance

Historically, Council has often operated in a reactive capacity, reviewing, challenging, or approving decisions that are already well underway. In many cases, this intervention comes too late to meaningfully shape outcomes.

GRR2 presents an opportunity to shift this dynamic. It enables Council Members to become more proactive, engaging earlier, influencing direction, and representing their clubs in a more impactful way.

Addressing Concerns Around Power and Influence

There has been concern expressed in some quarters about a perceived loss of power or voting influence under GRR2.

Hampshire RFU does not share this view.

The proposed changes do not remove influence, they reshape it. Council Members retain a vital role, but one that is more focused on early engagement, representation, and shaping decisions before they are finalised.

In this sense, the debate risks becoming overly focused on a single issue, rather than recognising the broader opportunity to improve how the game is governed.

A Step Forward – Built on Trust and Opportunity

As with our own governance transformation within Hampshire RFU, we recognise that change always involves an element of trust.

Are we 100% certain that, as a result of these reforms, the views and the opinions of our clubs will always be better heard and acted upon? No.

But we are confident that GRR2 creates a more progressive and more direct opportunity for this to happen.

It provides a structure where the voices of the game, clubs, players, coaches, and volunteers, can be heard more clearly and more consistently, rather than being filtered through a single representative route.

If that opportunity is embraced, by the RFU, by Council, and by CBs, then this has the potential to significantly improve how the game listens, responds, and evolves.

Hampshire RFU will be at the forefront of ensuring this happens on behalf of our clubs.

And if we achieve that, we believe this represents a genuine step forward for the game.

Call to Action

We fully respect the rights of clubs to determine their own approach to this decision but on balance Hampshire RFU supports the principles of GRR2 and the resolutions being voted on.

What is certain is whatever the views of your club and members, we would encourage you to exercise your democratic right to vote.

Club Honorary Secretaries can pre vote now or nominate Terry or Hampshire RFU as their proxy.

If you would like to discuss GRR2 and the RFU SGM further, we encourage you to speak directly with Terry Burwell or Tim Dancer, who will be happy to answer questions and hear your views.

Your voice matters, please take the time to engage and vote.

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

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