As we reach the end of another fantastic season, I wanted to take a belated moment to reflect on everything we've achieved together — on the pitch, in the community and behind the scenes. This, our tenth Chairman's update of the season, is a celebration of what makes Newark RFC such a special club.

Season End

What a season it has been. From the first whistle to the last, our players, coaches, and supporters have given everything. As we close the chapter on another memorable year, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has played a part — however large or small.

First off – our youth teams – U13s, U15s and U16s all triumphed in their NLD finals against gnarly opposition provided by traditional bugbears Ashbourne, Stamford and Ilkeston. Congratulations to you all, and commiserations to our U14s who couldn’t quite make it past the semi-finals – next time lads!

Congratulations too to our doughty Senior Women who improved steadily through a tough season against formidable opposition from the likes of Mansfield, Hull Ionians and Scunthorpe. We look forward to watching them build on this next season.

And so to our Senior Men, who endured another injury-strewn season and yet still managed to thrill the crowds with some top-flight performances. A huge thank you to Richard Byrom who played several full games himself and managed to hold together what was often a short-numbered 2nd Team squad and bring them in at a very creditable 7th place in the league. Also to Martin Towndrow and the 3rds who won all four of their fixtures – quality if not quantity! We are working behind the scenes to build on this next season, so watch this space…

For our 1st team squad, who showed real development and potential after a difficult start, it was a roller-coaster ride for players and supporters, culminating in a nail-biting relegation play-off match at Old Salts. Whilst we ultimately lost – in the final minute and by one point – it was a display of huge courage, grit and determination which will serve them well in the future and I look forward to following their progress next season as they take on the likes of Southwell, Market Rasen and Lincoln.

Player Awards Night & End of Season Presentations

Our end of season celebrations are always a highlight of the Newark RFC calendar, and this year was no different. Our Player Awards Night once again brought together our senior squads to recognise outstanding contributions across the season — from the players of the year to unsung heroes who have given so much week after week.
Across our age groups, presentations have taken place to mark the achievements of our junior section, celebrating the development, dedication and team spirit shown by our young players throughout the season. Congratulations to all our award winners — you are the future of this club.

Mini and Youth Tours

Our Minis section headed to Matlock for their annual tour — always a brilliant experience for our youngest players and a weekend the whole section looks forward to – and other age groups went as far afield as Wales and France. These tours are more than just rugby; they build friendships, confidence and a love of the game that will last a lifetime. A huge thank you to the coaches, parents and volunteers who make it all possible.

Minis Festival — 3rd May

Our Minis Festival took place on 3rd May and, as always, it was a superb occasion. Young players from clubs across the region came together at Kelham Road for a wonderful day of rugby in the right spirit. Events like this are the lifeblood of grassroots rugby and a reminder of why the work our Mini and Junior section does is so important. A fantastic effort from all involved.

RugbyExplorers & Young Leaders Programme

I am delighted to report that Ben is currently making excellent progress with the implementation of the RugbyExplorers and Young Leaders Programme within local primary schools. This initiative is introducing the game to a new generation of young people, building skills, confidence and teamwork — both on and off the pitch.
This is exactly the kind of community work that defines what Newark RFC stands for, and we are incredibly proud of what Ben is achieving. We look forward to welcoming some of those young players through our gates in the seasons ahead.

Notts Show — Thank You to Our Volunteers

A special thank you must go to all 110 of our volunteers who gave up their time to support the Notts Show. It’s a big ask to give up the time at the end of the season when everyone is a bit rugbyed-out, but everyone responded with the cheerful politeness towards show visitors which is so valued by the Show Ground team. As well as raising money for the club - £8,750 this time - events such as this are vital for raising the profile of the club and fostering strong links with the wider community. It just would not happen without the dedication of so many of our members and your efforts are enormously appreciated.

Ping Golf Day

One of the highlights of our off-pitch calendar this season was our PING Golf Day — an extraordinary event that saw 32 teams enjoy what can only be described as an unrivalled experience at PING's UK home golf course.
The day was a brilliant success, bringing together members, sponsors and friends of the club in a fantastic setting. Events like this play a crucial role in supporting the club financially and, just as importantly, in building the relationships that make Newark RFC such a vibrant and connected community.
I would like to extend a very special and sincere thank you to John Clark, whose efforts in organising and driving the day forward were outstanding. John, we are hugely grateful — it was by all accounts a memorable occasion and one we hope to build on in the years ahead.

Community & Partnerships

The Park — Partnership Renewal

I am very pleased to confirm that our partnership with The Park has been successfully renewed for the coming season. As part of this renewal, The Park are continuing to offer an exclusive 10% discount to all Newark RFC members for self-pay procedures — a real benefit that I'd encourage everyone to consider.
I’d also like to highlight the brilliant sponsorship they have provided to our players which has meant that when injuries occur, they are assessed rapidly and treated swiftly.
This partnership is invaluable to the club, and we are hugely grateful for The Park's ongoing support and commitment to our rugby community.

YCDS Open Day for Year 11s — 29th May

Newark RFC will be represented at the YCDS Open Day for Year 11 students on 29th May. This is a brilliant opportunity to engage with young people at an important crossroads in their lives and to showcase what our club has to offer — whether that be joining our student playing package, volunteering, or simply being part of a fantastic club.
If you know any Year 11 students who might benefit from finding out more about Newark RFC, please encourage them to come along.

Looking ahead to next season

While the current season draws to a close, planning for 2025/26 is already well underway. I want to give you a brief overview of some key areas we'll be focusing on in the months ahead:

• Sponsorship — We are actively developing our sponsorship offer for next season and are keen to grow our partner base. If you have connections or ideas, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
• Pre-Season — Preparations for pre-season training are being finalised. Further details will be shared in due course, but we are looking forward to welcoming both familiar faces and new arrivals back to Kelham Road.
• New Recruits — Player recruitment for 2026/27 is ongoing. We are always looking for players of all abilities across our senior squads and junior sections. Spread the word — Newark RFC is a club on the rise.
The strength of this club lies in its people — the players, the coaches, the volunteers, the sponsors and every single member who turns up week after week and gives something of themselves to Newark RFC. This has been a season to be proud of, and I have no doubt that next season will be even better.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

David Godfrey
Chairman, Newark Rugby Union Football Club