Introducing Our New Hampshire RFU Girls’ Programme Sponsors!

Hampshire RFU are delighted to introduce two fantastic organisations who are supporting the U16 Girls Player Development Programme this season — Sports Physio and Bridge Beauty. Their generosity has helped us provide high-quality kit bundles for our players, and we’re excited to have them on board as part of the Hampshire rugby family.

 

Sports Physio

Led by Rob, an ex-county player and long-standing coach within the girls’ and boys’ game, Sports Physio brings 20 years of elite experience, including work with Premiership football referees, Olympic athletes, and professional sailors. With clinics in Swanwick and Eastleigh, Rob is passionate about helping young athletes develop safely and confidently.
Find out more: www.sports-physio.co.uk

 

Bridge Beauty

Based in the heart of Chandler’s Ford for 17 years, Bridge Beauty is known for high-quality treatments and a welcoming community feel. Owner Hannah was inspired by the opportunities within the girls’ programme and wanted to play her part in helping the next generation thrive.
Find out more: Bridge Beauty
Instagram: @bridgebeauty_
Facebook: Bridge Beauty

 

Please join us in welcoming both sponsors and thanking them for supporting the pathway for girls’ rugby in Hampshire. Give them a follow, pay them a visit, and help us celebrate the partners who are investing in rugby in Hampshire.

KS3 Girls Shine Through the Storm at Schools Festival

Driving rain and thick mud weren’t enough to dampen the spirit of more than 250 girls who took to the pitches on Friday 14th November at Trojans FC for the KS3 Girls Rugby Festival, part of the Hampshire Schools RFU (HSRFU) programme and proudly supported by Hampshire RFU.

Sixteen schools from across the county braved the conditions to take part in the Year 7, 8, and 9 festival, transforming a sodden Friday into a celebration of energy, determination, and muddy smiles. While attendance was slightly down on last year, unsurprising given the weather, those who made it contributed to a vibrant, spirited day of rugby development.

The festival was supported by the new Schools Rugby Manager (SRM), who made an immediate and positive impression on staff, volunteers, and participants alike.

Despite the challenging weather, a dedicated group of volunteers delivered the entire festival with remarkable resilience. Among them were two young female volunteers who had completed their Ready2Ref course just a week earlier, and then spent the whole day refereeing in the rain. Their commitment and enthusiasm were singled out as standout contributions.

Though the festival was a clear success, the day also highlighted an ongoing need: events of this scale and importance require sustained support, not only from the RFU, but increasingly from the schools themselves to ensure long-term sustainability and growth.

Hampshire RFU once again played a key role, providing vital support in planning and delivering the festival, helping ensure that every participant left with confidence, experience, and, inevitably, half the Trojans mud on their kit.

Stefan Hargrave, HSRFU Schools Girls Lead joked, “I pity the minibus carpets and washing machines, but what a day!”

 

World Cup winning Red Roses visit Hampshire rugby club

World Cup winning Red Roses players will be continuing their celebrations at Trojans Rugby Club in Hampshire as part of a national festival of the women’s game.

Following England clinching the World Cup with a convincing victory over Canada, the Eastleigh based club has been selected to host a visit by Abby Dow and Lucy Packer.

The event is part of the RugbyFest initiative, a nationwide celebration of rugby designed to inspire the next generation of players by building on the national team’s success.

With over 140 girls across four age groups and a further two senior women’s teams, Trojans is proud to be one of the largest and most inclusive female rugby sections in the region.

Girls from the club will be joining the England players for some craft activities, a mass warm up before taking part in a festival at the Stoneham Lane ground on Saturday, 4 October.

Chair Stefan Hargrave said:

“The Red Roses haven’t just inspired young players—they’ve inspired a nation and we can’t wait to host Abby and Lucy at our RugyFest this weekend.

“Many of our girls were among the crowds cheering them on through their World Cup winning campaign, so to have these players come to the club they play for will be beyond exciting for them.

“It will be a day to remember for our club and an inspiring experience for the next generation of Red Roses!”.

School Rugby Manager Update – September 2025

Early successes and building new relationships.

It has been just three weeks since I began my role as School Rugby Manager, but already it has been a rewarding and energetic start.
I have helped to launch new T1 and contact rugby programmes at both Bridgemary School in Gosport and Miltoncross School in Portsmouth, giving more young people the chance to experience the game. I have also started engaging with the youth leadership teams at local clubs, including Gosport and Fareham, and with the leadership at CM Sports, who are working to expand girls’ rugby opportunities across primary schools in the region.

Collaboration has also begun with local School Games Organisers to explore ways of identifying ‘champion’ primary schools in each area and to ensure school staff can access the latest rugby coaching CPD opportunities. On 17th September, I attended the national SRM induction day at Sixways Stadium, where I took part in T1 orientation training with England Rugby.

Looking further ahead, I am excited to be working with the Hampshire RFU executive team on the concept for a new county-wide T1 rugby tournament, scheduled to take place in Summer Term 2026.

Over the coming weeks, I am looking forward to continuing to support schools and clubs by delivering T1 orientation training for staff and coaches. Building on the momentum of the Red Roses, I am also preparing to support an exciting programme of girls’ rugby festivals in October, hosted at Havant RFC and Trojans RFC.

Find out more about my work on our School Rugby page.

Luke Worthington
School Rugby Manager for Portsmouth, Gosport and Havant

 

Hampshire RFU Celebrates Selection of the 2025 England Rugby U16 Girls PDG Squad

Hampshire RFU is proud to announce the 43 players selected for the 2025 England Rugby U16 Girls Player Development Group (PDG). Nominations were openly offered to all clubs to share with parents, and we were delighted to see nearly every girls’ section across the county engage with us. This reflects the continuing growth of the game and the strength of club support behind it.

The PDG programme offers a full season of development aligned to the RFU Girls’ Curriculum and delivered by Hampshire’s coaching team. The purpose of the programme is to develop players holistically; technically, physically, and mentally,  while opportunities remain open through mid-season reviews and assessments to ensure standards remain high.

Club Representation

Players in this year’s squad come from across Hampshire’s rugby community, including:

  • Basingstoke RFC
  • Eastleigh RFC
  • Ellingham & Ringwood RFC
  • Farnham RFC
  • Fawley RFC
  • Havant RFC
  • Petersfield RFC
  • Portsmouth RFC
  • Trojans FC
  • Alton RFC (dual registered)
  • Winchester RFC

This county-wide spread demonstrates the growing strength of the girls’ game, inspired in no small part by the ongoing success of the Red Roses.

Stefan Hargrave, Hampshire RFU Girls’ Lead, said:

“The level of commitment and athleticism this year has been outstanding. What excites us most is the potential for growth as the season progresses. With the balance of returners and new players, plus mid-season reviews, the squad will continue to be challenged, and opportunities will remain for others to step in and impress.”

Hampshire RFU looks forward to supporting the U16 Girls PDG squad through a season of development and progress, confident that the pathway will continue to raise standards and create future Red Roses.

Hampshire’s Young Leaders Inspired by Red Roses as part of Rugby World Cup 2025

The Women’s RWC inspiring the next generation.

Three of Hampshire’s young rugby leaders were given a unique opportunity this week when they attended a Red Roses training session in Brighton as part of preparations for the Rugby World Cup 2025.

Jasmine Knight, Ruby Rees-Stoner and Rosie Wragg – all young coaches and referees who are already giving back to the game – spent the day watching England’s stars up close, seeing first-hand the standards and values that underpin the world’s number one women’s rugby team. They were accompanied by the new Hampshire Girls PDG Lead Stefan Hargrave (mainly as the photographer!).

Girls Inspiring Girls

The experience was designed not only to showcase the Red Roses’ preparations but also to inspire Hampshire’s next generation of coaches and match officials as they begin assisting with the Girls Player Development Group (PDG) and county representative programmes for women and girls.

Stefan Hargrave, Girls PDG Lead for Hampshire RFU, said;
“These young women are already leaders in their own right. Watching the Red Roses has energised them for the season ahead, and they’ll now take that inspiration back into Hampshire’s PDG and county environments. It’s a brilliant example of how the Women’s Rugby World Cup is impacting the game beyond the host venues.”

Carrying the Torch Forward

For Jasmine, Ruby, and Rosie, the chance to stand just metres away from their England heroes was about more than just rugby. It was a reminder of what’s possible when hard work meets opportunity – and a spark to carry into their own leadership journeys.

With the Rugby World Cup 2025 being the biggest celebration of women’s rugby ever held in England and proving to be hugely popular, Hampshire’s commitment to developing coaches, referees, and role models for girls has never been stronger.

Find out more or get involved:

  • Hampshire RFU Girls Pathway and Representative Rugby here
  • Young Match Officials here
  • Coaching in Hampshire here

Launch your season with RugbyFest

RugbyFest is a nationwide celebration of rugby, taking place from Friday 3 to Monday 6 October 2025. It follows the conclusion of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England and is a chance for communities to come together and celebrate the tournament.

Supported by the Red Roses, clubs, schools, colleges, universities and community organisations are invited to run their own local events, such as taster sessions, family fun days or mini festivals, to celebrate the sport, welcome new faces and mark the start of the season.

Why Run a RugbyFest Event?
Running a RugbyFest event helps your club:

  • Celebrate rugby union at all levels
  • Attract new players, supporters and volunteers
  • Engage families and promote inclusion
  • Inspire the next generation especially girls and young women
  • Be part of a national movement, celebrating off the back of the Red Roses’ journey in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

By registering your RugbyFest event, your club could:

  • Be in with a chance to host a visit from a Red Rose
  • Be one of the first 200 clubs to register and claim either a women and girls rugby event pack or a T1 Rugby equipment pack
  • Enter a competition to SuperCharge your RugbyFest with a game-changing prize

How to get involved
1. Read the Terms and Conditions here
2. Register your event by completing our form to host a RugbyFest event between 3 and 6 October 2025 here
3. Plan, Promote, Celebrate!

The clubs below have already signed up for the event and it would be great if you could join them:

• Havant RFC
• Trojans RFC
• Alton RFC
• Eastleigh RFC

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Alex Roe (RFU Club Developer) via email – alexroe@rfu.com

 

New Investment Secured for Hampshire Clubs

Hampshire RFU joins a new and innovative 18-month pilot project aimed at helping grassroots rugby clubs become more financially resilient and sustainable.

Supported by the RFU, the pilot will see the appointment of a specialist contractor working on behalf of Hampshire RFU to support a cluster of community clubs from across the county. By bringing clubs together to share services, as well as ideas and good practice of successful activities, the initiative will focus on unlocking new revenue opportunities from existing club facilities, such as bars, function rooms, car parks, and pitches – while also identifying cost savings across key operational areas.

Working closely with each participating club, the appointed contractor will provide tailored, hands-on support to explore commercial opportunities and improve operational efficiency.

Steve Grainger, Executive Director of Rugby Development of RFU said:

“Community clubs are the heartbeat of rugby union, and we understand the financial challenges many of them face. This pilot project reflects our commitment to supporting clubs beyond the game itself – helping them become more sustainable, more resilient, and more able to thrive in the years ahead.”

Neil McRoberts, Chair of Hampshire RFU, added:

“This is an exciting moment for Hampshire rugby. Being chosen to join this pilot can be attributed to the hard work we’ve put in over the past year to reposition and restructure our Constituent Body. It’s also proof of our commitment to bringing new ideas and fresh investment into our clubs. We’re proud to be involved and see huge potential for this project to help build stronger, more financially sustainable rugby communities across the county.”

The role of the specialist contractor is currently open for applications. To find out more about the role, view the full scope of work and apply, visit the Hampshire RFU Vacancies Page.

The intended outcome for this role will be to prove its financial worth, with all the learnings used to inform future support models across the rugby landscape.

When it comes to first aid supplies, are you ready?

To help you get prepared ahead of gameday, our partner, Physique Management, is running their are ‘You Ready’ campaign this summer to help you out with what you need.

There’s some great content coming up including videos from professionals, guides with handy tips, competitions and much more.

Make sure you give them a follow on socials so you don’t miss out (@PhysiqueMgmt)

You can find all the details here:

https://www.physique.co.uk/Buyers-Guides/AreYouReady?pp=hampshirerfu

 

Hampshire RFU AGM & Awards: A night of progress, recognition and celebration

Hampshire RFU welcomed representatives from 25 of its 34 clubs to a successful Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday, marking a pivotal moment for rugby governance in the county. The evening, hosted at Trojans FC, was a celebration of both the business of rugby and the people who make it thrive.

New Board Appointed to Lead Hampshire Rugby

At the heart of the AGM was the appointment of a new Hampshire RFU Board, tasked with steering the county into the future. The new board reflects a blend of continuity and fresh leadership, aiming to develop a vibrant, safe, and inclusive rugby environment across Hampshire. This was just one part of a fantastic season, more details of which can be found in the 2024 Annual Report here.

New President, Gary Self, formally took over from outgoing President Ed Neville, paying tribute to his dedication. A special mention was also given to Richard Showan, a stalwart of Hampshire RFU and Hampshire Referees.

The restructured board brings together a team with a broad range of skills, all committed to growing the game at every level, from grassroots to representative rugby.
(For full details of the new board appointment, visit: Hampshire RFU appoints new board)

Celebrating Rugby’s Unsung Heroes at the Hampshire RFU Awards

Following the AGM, the evening transitioned into the Hampshire RFU Awards 2025, recognising the players, volunteers, clubs, and officials who embody the spirit of rugby in Hampshire.

Representative Rugby Awards

  • Senior Men’s Player of the Year (FMT Bunney Trophy)
    Winner: Fraser Bruce (Worthing RFC / Club Hampshire 1XV)
    Recognised for his leadership and commitment in the Bill Beaumont County Championship.
  • Senior Women’s Player of the Year (Gill Burns Trophy)
    Winner: Natasha Bullock
    Celebrated for her outstanding performances and leadership during this year’s campaign.
  • Brian Short Memorial Trophy
    Winner: Chase Thomas (Hampshire U17s)
    Awarded to a young player who epitomises team spirit and selfless effort.
  • Robbie Keast U16 Award
    Winner: Beattie Markby Brans (Ellingham & Ringwood RFC / Hampshire Girls U16 PDG)
  • Robbie Keast U18 Award
    Winner: Rosie Wragg (Trojans FC / Hampshire U18 Girls)
  • John Sneezum U20 Captains Tankard
    Winner: Luigi Forconi (Winchester RFC)

Club League Champions 2024-2025

  • Counties 1 Hampshire – Havant II (22 wins from 22) – NEWS Challenge Trophy
  • Counties 2 Hampshire – Millbrook RFC (16 wins from 16) – ECHO Cup
  • Counties 3 Hampshire – Andover II (16 wins from 16) – PINNOCK Cup
  • Counties 4 Hampshire – Alton RFC
  • Hampshire Premiership South – Millbrook II
  • Hampshire Premiership North – Basingstoke II

County Badges for Outstanding Service

  • Sandra Coffin – For contributions to girls’ rugby and safeguarding.
  • Amie Boyes – For long-term commitment to U16 Girls DPP rugby.
  • Adam Leal – For services to Hampshire Referees and international officiating.
  • Matt Davis – For dedication to the County Women’s team.

Special Volunteer Awards

  • Administrator of the Year – Mel Chiwera (Aldershot & Fleet RFC)
    For exceptional leadership in rebuilding the club’s mini and junior section.
  • Fundraisers of the Year – Tristan Pattison & Nick Smith (Romsey RFC)
    For the inspirational Rugby4MND campaign, raising nearly £7,000 for Motor Neurone Disease research.
  • Unsung Hero – Alison Edmonston (Trojans FC)
    For tireless work in girls’ rugby and safeguarding initiatives.
  • Young Volunteer of the Year – Alfie James (Hampshire Rugby Referees)
    Recognised for his commitment to officiating and developing as a Young Match Official.

Club of the Year

This year’s Club of the Year Award was jointly awarded to Havant RFC and Trojans FC, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the rugby community. Both clubs have hosted numerous county events, festivals, and training opportunities, going above and beyond to support rugby at all levels.

As the baton passes to a new leadership team, Hampshire RFU looks forward to a season of growth, collaboration, and innovation to support the game across the county.

Latest News

Events

Vacancies