Message from the Chair: Paul Eynon (February)

Hello everyone,

Welcome to February, the shortest month of the year, as we rapidly approach the end of the season. Despite the swift passage of time, there is still plenty of rugby to be played right through to late April and even into May.

Highlights from January

Girls Pitch Up and Play (PuP) Day at Harlow

Did you catch it? We hosted an exceptionally successful Girls Pitch Up and Play (PuP) Day at Harlow on Sunday, 18th January. The event generated a real buzz on social media, as we welcomed over 150 girls to play, more than twice our usual attendance, making it the most successful PuP to date! A massive thank you to Kelly Smith and the Girls Coaching and Management Teams, whose dedication made this achievement possible. Your efforts are a credit to Harlow Rugby Club. Your Harlow

Princeps – St. Clare’s Day

For several years, we have proudly supported St. Clare’s Hospice, generously backed by our sponsors Princeps. Thank you to Dan Hughes of Princeps, and to everyone who attended, supporting both St. Clare’s and our 1st XV as they faced Wymondham. We raised over £5800 on the day!

Rugby Teams Meeting

A big thank you to Becca Middleton for hosting the meeting for all our rugby teams on Wednesday 28th January and for helping clarify RFU expectations regarding RugbySafe, Proactive First Aid, Safeguarding, and Membership requirements. Thank you as well to Mel White, Nichola Shambrook, and Linda Eynon for supporting the session and presenting on these vital areas.

Looking Ahead: What’s On in February

Our Sunday carvery is re-launching soon – watch this space for details!
We’re excited to host our very first Comedy Night at Latton Park on Friday, 27th February. Be sure to book your tickets early! https://harlowrugby.club/events/comedy-night/
Our 1st XV will play their only home match of the month against Braintree on Saturday, 28th February. As home games become fewer, now’s the time to gather your friends and book a lunch table with Alan Price president@harlowrugby.club
Have you joined our Match Day WhatsApp Group? Receive the match programme and live updates (home and away) straight to your phone – don’t miss out! Sign up here

Meet the Chair

Thank you to everyone who attended my last ‘Meet the Chair’ session on Tuesday, 27th January 30. Your engagement was greatly appreciated as we discussed:

Youth teams playing on Friday evenings, please get in touch if you want to arrange something.
The food after matches and what membership subscriptions cover, how we can work together to improve our connections with schools and recruitment of players (senior, youth and minis)
The unfortunate folding of our under 15s this season – what is in place now and plans moving forward how we can avoid similar situations arising in the future.
The reasons for preparing a draft availability and selection policy for senior teams.

The next session will be on Wednesday 25^th March. I look forward to seeing many of you there.

Discipline at the Club

Discipline is important not just on the pitch, but also on the side-lines and throughout our club. Unfortunately, we have recently received several reports of inappropriate behaviour directed at our staff and volunteers, some involving sexual references. Such actions make others feel uncomfortable and can discourage them from working or volunteering with us, which is unacceptable. We must address this behaviour whenever we see it, and the club will respond appropriately. To make our expectations clear, we will soon release a Code of Conduct for everyone at Latton Park, including both members and visitors.

Club Secretary Appointment

We want to thank Ken Potter, who has now stepped down as Honorary Club Secretary, for his invaluable service. Paul Adams will be taking on the role, with support from David Eynon. Ken will continue as Discipline Secretary for the time being, as we seek a suitable successor – ideally a recent ex-player – to organise disciplinary meetings in the longer term. Paul and David have both been confirmed as members of the Executive Committee, with Paul as Club Secretary and David as a Co-opted Member.

A brief introduction to our new Executive members:

Paul Adams brings experience from his work in council licensing and environmental health, currently serving in Thurrock, Basildon, and Brentwood, with previous experience at Harlow Council. His expertise and connections will undoubtedly benefit the club.
David Eynon is a retired district court judge and former solicitor with over 30 years’ experience. He previously served as Club Secretary in the late 1990s and now chairs our Discipline Committee. His legal knowledge will be a significant asset.

Together, Paul and David will oversee several key areas:

Compliance – Licensing, Insurance, RFU Compliance (Paul)
Constitution – Updating and reflecting current operations (David)
Contracts – Managing purchasing and income generation (Paul & David)
Meeting Organisation – AGMs and SGMs (Paul)

Celebrate Our Volunteers – Nominate Your Volunteer of the Year

We have been invited to submit nominations for Volunteer of the Year. If you know someone who goes above and beyond to make rugby happen at Harlow, please let Stephen Foreman and me know. We would love to support your nomination and ensure their contributions are recognised throughout the club. Online application

Open and Urgent Roles

Grants Manager – Can you help us research and apply for grants? 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 contact me.

Coaching Co-ordinator – Ensure all our players have a positive experience at Harlow, following a curriculum supported by appropriate training.
Fixtures Co-ordinator – Assist in organising the 2026/27 season and managing schedule changes. There are many opportunities to gain experience before stepping fully into the role.
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?
Colts Head Coach – We are looking to transition our under 16s into the Colts side for 2026/27. We have lots of support available including Veo video support and support from existing coaches.
Under 15s Head Coach (under 16s 2026/27)– Our under 15s side folded in 2025/26 and we are looking resurrect the side link 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.

RFU – Plan 2030: More Than a Game

England Rugby has launched its new strategy for the next four years, setting out a clear, ambitious, and realistic plan to grow the game, enrich lives and ensure rugby continues to thrive at every level across the country.

Built around four connected goals – Play, Perform, Follow and Fund – the strategy reflects rugby’s unique values, its deep community roots, and world in which the sport now operates.

RFU – The England Rugby Survey

Rugby Union in England is shaped by the people who take to the pitch across the season – and we want to hear about your experience as a player.

The England Rugby Survey gives you the chance to share your experience of the community game and help us to improve rugby union for players at every level.

Thank you for being part of the game – and for using your voice. Share here

A Final Thank You

None of this would be possible without the dedication of our volunteers and staff. Whether your contribution is large or small, you play a vital role in delivering rugby and ensuring the continued success of Harlow Rugby Club. Thank you, sincerely, for all that you do.

I look forward to seeing you around the club soon.

Paul Eynon

Chair, Interim Chair of Rugby

Harlow Rugby Club