Welcome everyone to the July edition
As we move into the height of summer, it’s a pleasure to reflect on what has already been a vibrant and successful period for Harlow Rugby Club. Off the pitch, recent events have brought our community together in fantastic fashion, reinforcing what makes this club so special. With July fast approaching, there is plenty to look forward to, pre-season preparations and social gatherings, we start to see teams getting together and team building. I encourage everyone to stay involved and make the most of what promises to be an exciting month ahead.
The New Season Begins
Well GMS it does!
On Wednesday 1st July all players (or parents) will receive an email from the RFU about registering for the new season in GMS. When you see this message, please could you take the action requested which will allow you (or your son/daughter) to play this coming season. Subject to your membership being up to date.
If you don’t get the email, please go into GMS https://gms.rfu.com/GMS/Account/Login (switch to the player’s profile, not your own, if needed) click the green box in the middle of the page, follow the instructions/answer the questions.
If you can do this without being chased, you will save our managers and coaches a heap load of admin time, they may even stay sain and continue to volunteer and help our club. Thank you so much!
AGM
We held our AGM on Monday 29th June. with a number of members present we discussed our financial position which shows a having a small surplus in 2024/25. although our accountants need to formally close the year, in 2025/26 we are again on track to create a small surplus.
We then discussed a look back as what was achieved in the 2025/26 season along with our direction moving forward, but commercially and on the rugby side as we move from the Survive Phase to the Recover phase our our strategy. This aligned four key principles: Playing Structure, Pay Back to Rugby, Setting up our People for Success and Modernising to a variety of projects we are seeking funding at support to implement.
Playing: Offering Quality Coaching, Maintaining a Coaching Curriculum, Sustainable Schools Program
Pay back to Rugby: Improve drainage and barrier around pitch 1, Convert beyond pitch 4 to playing space, Increase Car Parking, Flood Flights Repair, All Weather/Flood Lights Pitch 2. Improve Utility Efficiency, Rentals – 7 days a week, Sustainable Financial Management, Improve Marketing
Set our people up for success: Train our Employees, Train our volunteers
Modernise: Change model to allow separate 1st XV, Update our constitution, Data management systems for all club information, Improve our internal email system.
Membership fees will remain largely unchanged, however we the expectation that the 3rd XV will play less rugby next year we have reduced the membership, we have introduced a free volunteers membership for those who are volunteering but are not members, and introduced a new category for Vets/Social players of just £5 a month and £10 a game match fee.
More details including costings and the support we need to deliver, have been published for Members in our Facebook Supporters Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/harlowrugbyclub
Next chance to ask any questions will be our next Ask the Chair on Thursday 20th August at 9pm prior to the next season.
1st XV 2026/27 Leagues Fixtures
The Men’s 1st XV will play at Level 6 for the fourth consecutive season. Congratulations to Cheshunt, Thurrock, Finchley and Bury St. Edmunds who have been promoted to Regional Anglia 2 whilst we renew battles with Braintree, Chelmsford Brentwood, Rochford, Wanstead and Wymondham.
The fixtures are now available first up, we travel to Brentwood on Saturday 12th September. We will be putting on our fantastic lunches, more details to follow, drop into your calendars Saturday 26th September for our first get together. Could you help us theme our lunches for the coming season, some of the ideas include: Curtain raisers with mini and youth games, Ex-Players (Christmas and at the season end), Princeps St Clare’s, Ladies Day, 1st XV Friends and Family. What ideas do you have? If you can help us make these a reality, please let Alan Price and I know.
The Rams participate in the top merit league in the county. An exciting year for a young group of players who will be bolstered by the return of several players who will bring valued experience to the group. Our 3rd XV will be training with the 1st XV and Rams this season and we are eagerly awaiting Essex to release more details of the Barbarians league.
Pre-season starts on 7th July… LETS GO!
New Ladies coach – Aaron Squire
In the off season we have appointed a new coach to our ladies team. Aaron joins us with experience coaching women’s teams and as a Level 3 Coach. During interview impressed us with his foresight, approach to session planning and awareness of the differences coaching a women’s team.
Pictured here with England Ladies World Cup winning coach John Mitchell. We hope he picked up some tips.
Summer Touch Rugby for all!
We are running summer touch rugby for all players from mini to colts, boys and girls each Wednesday’s to 29th July at the club.
We are running as we have in previous summers on Wednesday evenings 7:30pm until approximately 8:30pm. There will be mixed teams which will be divided on the night, even representation from all those who come along in a round robin format no result will be recorded and we will have a new set of teams the following week.
It’s just a bit of fun and a chance to throw the ball around. Older and more experienced players will be encouraged to help the younger players as much as possible. Tries by players in the minis will count double. Parents/guardians of minis players should be in attendance, and any parents can join in if they would like to. These evenings will finish as training starts for youth teams on Wednesdays. I will bring along bibs and balls.
These games have been very successful at very successful at bring people together across the teams promoting our #OneClub approach, providing players from across the age grades to get to know each other and have a bit of fun. Please share this with your friends. Let’s play rugby!!
Looking back over June
Tilly’s Tens – Saturday 6th June
It rained, do you remember that? We made the best of it!! The ladies’ rugby is kicked off in style, It was a fantastic day at the club! with exciting rugby, plenty of stalls to browse, catering and drinks to enjoy,
Players brought along their families to soak up the festive atmosphere, support the rugby, and enjoy a brilliant day at Tilly’s 10s. More Tilly’s 10s photos in our Facebook Supporters Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/harlowrugbyclub
Harlow Colour Run Charity 5k Fun Run – Sunday 7th June
Colour Run was a fun, messy and memorable day out with family and friends. Together runners dashed through their 5k rainbow route with each station you pass leaving you covered in colour! It was a fantastic morning with St. Clair’s are starting their 5k A brilliant community effort, with participants coming together to raise money for the amazing St. Clare Hospice, supporting the vital care and support they provide every day
You can see more on their website and sign up to support there fabulous work: https://stclarehospice.org.uk/
Credit James Bauer for the fabulous photo
JOCA supported Men’s Health Week 
In June we celebrated Men’s Health week, 15th-21st, targeting how men often go undiagnosed for both physical and mental health. Everyone has the chance to help a mate seek the help they need. Scan the QR code or visit https://www.matesinmind.org/ for more information.
June was also PTSD awareness month. There are several organisations and resources to help those who suffer from PTSD, but if you just need someone to talk to, JOCA is always here
Harlow U10s Rugby Tour: North Walsham Festival 2026
Have you seen the report from our Under 10s Tour to Great Yarmouth? It’s a great read, take a look
https://harlowrugby.club/harlow-u10s-rugby-tour-north-walsham-festival-2026/
Learning Disabilities Festival
We were proud to support and promote this fantastic community event celebrating the Essex Social Care Learning Disabilities Awareness Week 2026 on Friday 19th June 2026. From 11am to 3pm we hosted a free day packed with, live music, performances, fun activities, information stalls and delicious food from local vendors. It was a a wonderful opportunity to come together, celebrate inclusion, make connections and enjoy a fun-filled day for all ages.
Coming soon in July…
You have got to love a wedding! We are closed the first two Saturdays in July for private weddings as you know our events are a significant revenue stream, generating income during periods without rugby and providing additional support when matches are held. All the money we raise is put back into running our club and providing facilities for rugby.
You are our biggest sales force, please promote and support our events, bringing your friends and family to Latton Park along with you.
Colts Season Preparations
The Colts have started there pre-season preparations with a fresh approach. Bringing two teams together and build cohesion is never easy but getting on the same page early will really help them as the season progresses. Firstly they held a psychology session with Tyler our in house psychologist. This helps get the team on the same page. The players defined their own Golden Rules:
- Arrive early/on time as notified on Spond
- Communicate availability on Spond
- Teamwork – socials/outside of Rugby
- Maintain Mutual Respect to Everyone. No talking back, cleaning the pitch, remember the badge
- 100% Effort to each action
These will complement the “Minimum Standards – Player Expectations” they have agreed to.
It’s not all talk, they also had a team building event at Lea Valley White Water Centre, it was a lot of fun and we would thoroughly recommend it to other teams building for the coming season.
Pre-season starts for them on Thursday 2nd July, 7:30pm at Latton Park
Volunteers Day is Back!
If you’re able to attend on Sunday, 26th July, please email clubsupervisorhrufc@gmail.com to let us know.
If you have any tools that may be useful, please bring them along.
As a thank you for your help, there will be a drink of your choice and a buffet waiting for you at the end of the day.
We hope to see you there!
World Cup – Watch Parties!
Come along and watch the World Cup at Harlow Rugby Club. We are showing many of the World Cup Games, for updates keep an eye on the facebook page “Harlow Rugby Club Functions & Events” https://www.facebook.com/lattonpark
18th July – Kevin & Perry, Ibiza Themed Bottomless Brunch
Unlimited Fizz/Cocktail for 90 mins
Live Singer & DJ until 10pm
Chicken Burger & Chips & Chocolate Brownie & Ice Cream (Dietary requirements needed at time of booking)
When: Saturday 18th July 2pm at Latton Park
Book here: https://harlowrugby.club/events/kevin-perry-ibiza-themed-bottomless-brunch/
Harlow Rock ‘n’ Roll : All Dayer
Outdoor Event
- The Jets, The Firebirds, Good Rockin Tonight, Rocking The Joint, The Rockets, plus DJ Steve Hammond
Bar & Food Stalls
Clothes Stalls
Early Bird Tickets available until 22nd August 2026
Book here: https://harlowrugby.club/events/harlow-rock-n-roll-all-dayer/
300 Club
June’s winners will be announced shortly. Will you win this month?
We have noticed that participation in our 300 Club has dropped. Do you know what the 300 Club is? The “300 Club” is a form of fundraising for HRUFC whereby each member is allocated a permanent number, from 1 to 300, and entered in a monthly draw. Members and Non-Members aged 16 and over, pay £5 per number monthly by direct debit and can select as many numbers as desired.
The monthly draw will take place each month. Each month three numbers will be selected at random to win monetary prizes. More info & sign up here: 300 Club Sign Up
Open & Urgent Roles
- Help Leafleting – We have been notified that several people across the town don’t realise that we have a rugby club at the heart of Harlow. To raise our profile over the summer we plan to deliver leaflets to several of the newer areas in Harlow as well as some of the areas around our club if you are willing to help deliver these leaflets please get in touch and we can assign an area to you.
- Grants Manager – Can you help us research and apply for grants? We have some key strategic projects where grant funding will be the difference between making these come alive or they remain ideas. There are resources available, but we need someone to coordinate applications. If you’re interested, you’ll have plenty of support from the Executive. As examples,
- Grants are available for us to take opportunities hosting community events where the funding can be split across organisation, an event leader and facility rental.
- Facility upgrades, in some cases grants are available for us to improve our facilities, this often involves matched funding.
Urgent: Rugby Management Roles
We are currently seeking a Chair of Rugby, but this role can be split into manageable parts. Could you help in one of these areas? If so, please get in touch with me.
- Coaching Co-ordinator – Ensure all our players have a positive experience at Harlow, following a curriculum supported by appropriate training.
- Schools Co-ordinator – Help us develop a vibrant schools programme, secure funding, and oversee its operation.
- Walking Rugby Co-ordinator – Could you help us re-launch walking rugby for the club?
- Under 16s Head Coach – Our side folded in 2025/26 and we are looking resurrect the side like a phoenix being reborn. We have a core group of players that need a head coach to give them direction and help them grow participation and recruit new members from schools and the local community.
- Chair of Rugby – Oversee the above roles and help shape the future of rugby at Harlow. I am happy to mentor you or even share the responsibilities as you settle in.
Personal note
I love seeing teams planning now for end of season tours. I have always enjoyed a tour and have a real appreciation of how they bring people together, there are stories to be told but you have to be there to create them. Make sure your team is thinking ahead and making plans now if they aren’t please step up, get involved and make it happen. Congratulation to the Under 15 boys and Under 12s for starting early, I have to say I’m less keen the teams I pulled out in the World Cup Sweep Stake, enjoy the Football World Cup but more so the tour and memories you will create.
It’s our club if you want to make something happen for your team, section, group, please consider this your invite to make something happen and make a positive contribution. If you need some help, please ask and we can help point you in the right direction.
I look forward to seeing you around the club soon.
Paul Eynon
Chair, Interim Chair of Rugby, Coaching Co-Ordinator, Colts Coach
