It’s hard to believe, but there are now just 28 sleeps until Christmas! This is always one of the busiest and most rewarding periods in our calendar, and I’m delighted to share the latest club news with you.

Festive Spirit at the Club

Our pre-match lunches are already sold out for the visits of Ilkeston on 29 November and Belgrave on 20 December.

A huge thank you to John Miller for once again donating our two Christmas trees. Debs will be decorating them – along with the clubhouse – as we kick off our festive celebrations.

On the Pitch

Our senior teams continue to play fast, open rugby and remain highly competitive.

• Congratulations to our Senior Women’s Team on securing their first victory last weekend. Their hard work, commitment and team spirit have truly paid off. The Inner Warriors also played and won their first game of the season with a cluster of players from Newark, Gainsborough, Lincoln, Southwell, Grimsby and Market Rasen. Interest in the Womens game continues to grow.

• Our Men’s First XV are still searching for their first win of the season and have unfortunately come second by the narrowest of margins multiple times. With just six points separating the bottom five teams, a bonus-point win could see us climb rapidly. There is plenty of rugby still to be played.

• Our Second XV have continued with some very solid performances. A special mention for AB project management for making their away travel so enjoyable.

Thank you to all our members for your unwavering support. Sticking together in challenging times is part of our Newark DNA.

It has also been inspiring to watch our Third Team back in action. Their remarkable fightback against Stamford was a highlight—long may that spirit continue.

This weekend, we send our best wishes to the Colts, who travel to Yorkshire for their rearranged National Cup fixture.

Grounds & Facilities

Despite Storm Claudia causing disruption across much of the UK, our pitches have held up superbly thanks to the extensive work completed over the summer. A huge thank you to David Rhodes, David Pick, and the entire grounds team for their exceptional commitment.

Schools Programme

Last month, I mentioned how proud I am of this initiative — and that pride has only grown. To see nearly 400 children taking part in rugby at the club from 15 different schools is truly inspiring.

I am delighted to confirm that Ben Ennals has been appointed Schools Liaison Officer, working alongside Alan Staines and Richard Byrom. Chef Matt has also received wonderful feedback on his hot dogs, which have been a big hit with the visiting schools.

In addition to Ben’s appointment, I’m also pleased to confirm that Tom Mapp has taken on the role of Coach Developer & Mentor, supporting all of our coaches across the club. Both roles represent significant investment and are key steps in making the club an even better place for our community and members.

Fundraising & Development

Our Christmas Raffle is now underway — a vital part of our annual fundraising. We already have a great selection of prizes, with more being donated each week. Thank you to all our sponsors for their generosity.

On 1 December, we launch the new 250 Lottery, aiming to raise £25,000 towards installing floodlights on Pitch 6, which will give us much-needed capacity for our expanding men’s and women’s squads.

Special Events

We have a fantastic line-up of events as we head into the festive season:

• 10 December – Emily Scarratt at Newark RFC

Emily will be coaching our girls’ and women’s squads before joining us in the clubhouse at 8:15pm for a Q&A. All are welcome.
Emily has been a prominent voice throughout the Autumn Internationals, and we look forward to hearing her insights.

• 20 December – South Notts Men’s Choir

Enjoy Christmas carols from 4:30–5:10pm — a brilliant way to begin Christmas week.

• 26 December – Presidents’ Day

Chef Matt returns with free food for all as we celebrate one of our most cherished club traditions.

This month truly highlights the strength of our club — both on and off the pitch. Thank you for your continued support. Together, we make Newark Rugby Club the vibrant community it is.

Yours in rugby,
David Godfrey
Chairman, Newark Rugby Club