Welcome everyone to the September edition
Welcome to our September message, and welcome back to rugby at Latton Park. After a summer that reminded us just how much our club depends on people looking out for one another, it is brilliant to see the pitches coming alive again and a full month of rugby, events and community activity ahead of us. This edition is about getting ready for the season together: celebrating our players, volunteers, sponsors and new Player Pathway; making sure registrations and memberships are in order; setting the standards of discipline that represent Harlow Rugby Club at its best; and looking ahead to ten years at Latton Park in 2027. There is a great deal happening, and every member has a part to play. So bring your family and friends, support our teams and events, and let’s make September the start of a season we can all be proud of. Let’s play rugby!
Sponsors & Advertisers
We are really excited to welcome back our sponsors and introduce a few new faces for the 2026/27 season. Take a look below at just how many are supporting us, could you support them?
| Sponsor | What do they do? | Website |
| GSQ Brickwork | Contractors specialising in New Build Housing Project | https://gsqbrickwork.co.uk/ |
| Oil Brokerage | Global force in the oil brokerage | https://www.oilbrokerage.com/ |
| RB Whitbread | Civil engineering, plant hire, haulage and recycling. | https://rbwhitbreadplanthire.co.uk/ |
| Silverhook Ltd | Automotive oils, lubricants, & chemical products | https://www.silverhook.co.uk/ |
| Whiskers | Solicitors | https://www.whiskers.co.uk/ |
| Princeps Electronics Ltd | Electronic parts distribution | https://www.princeps.co.uk/ |
| Ladybird | Voice Solutions | https://www.lvsl.co.uk/ |
| First Choice | Drainage Solutions | https://fcdrainage.com/ |
| Affinia | Accountants & Business Advisors | https://www.affinia.co.uk/ |
| The Hill Group | House Builders | https://www.hill.co.uk/ |
| David Lloyd | Health, Fitness & Wellness | https://www.davidlloyd.co.uk/ |
| Chas Berger | Building Solutions | https://chasberger.co.uk/ |
| IPT Schools Ltd | Printing Solutions | https://www.iptschools.com/ |
| Mullucks & H&B Lettings | Estate Agents | https://www.mullucks.co.uk/ |
| Eden London | Construction Contractor | edenlondon.co.uk |
| Robert Stuart | Aerospace Surface Treatments | https://www.robert-stuart.co.uk/ |
| Ajax Air Conditioning | Air Conditioning | https://www.facebook.com/AJAX.Air.Conditioning/ |
| Essex Electrical Contractors Ltd | Electrical Contractors | Contact through Pete King |
| Gottschalk Plant Hire Ltd | Plant Machinery Hire | https://www.minidiggerhireharlow.co.uk/ |
| GRK Properties Ltd | ||
| Mercedes-Benz of Loughton | Automotive | https://www.sytner.co.uk/mercedes-benz/dealerships/loughton |
| The Source FM | Facilities
& Maintenance |
https://thesourcefm.com/ |
| D A Gas Heating & plumbing Ltd | Heating & Plumbing | https://dagas.co.uk/ |
| Attwaters | Solicitors | https://attwaters.co.uk/ |
| Jarvis Carpentry | Construction & Development | https://www.jarvisbuildingcontractorsltd.co.uk/ |
| Smiles Montessori | Pre-School | https://www.smilespreschool.co.uk/ |
We quite simply could not do what we do without their support. I encourage you to support these businesses as they support us wherever
We also announced a new partnership with Utility Warehouse, they can help you lower your boring everyday household bills.
Take a look here for more info: https://harlowrugby.club/new-partnership-announcement-utility-warehouse/
Is your GMS updated? You can’t play if not
Two things to make sure you do:
- Register on GMS https://gms.rfu.com/GMS/Account/Login
- On your profile when you login the green section in the middle “Registration” click “Register” follow the instructions on screen
- Ensure your membership is up to date
- Is your membership active?
- Change your payment type. The RFU have changed the system, you need to pay by a “Saved Card” as the direct debit payment has been discontinued. You can do this by signing into GMS https://gms.rfu.com/GMS/Account/Login
- Login
- Top right, click your picture, select “Saved Cards” at the bottom of the menu
- Note you may need to repeat this for each member of the family.
- Top right click “Update”
- Enter your card details.
Introducing Our New Pathway at Harlow Rugby Club
We’re very excited to launch a new player pathway at HRUFC, driven by Age-Grade coaches Kev Harman and Mark Harman, commencing from the start of the 2026-2027 season. The pathway will grow over the coming seasons, creating clear, connected stages of development from mini’s (U12s) through to senior rugby, helping players build skills progressively, stay engaged, and see a genuine route towards senior rugby.
The pathway is designed to work alongside external opportunities such as Saracens PDG and County Honours, complementing rather than competing with these routes so players can make the most of every opportunity available to them.
As part of this, we’re soft-launching a new U23 initiative, giving older age-grade players a further step on their journey and a stronger bridge into senior rugby.
This isn’t just about performance. It’s about making sure every player, whatever their ability, gets the coaching, game time, and support they need to keep improving and enjoying the sport.
Kev and Mark will be arranging meetings with the relevant coaches over the coming weeks, so that they can take you through the pathway in more detail and explain what it means for your age-group.
This is an exciting initiative for the club and we’re proud to be building a stronger foundation for the future of HRUFC, one player at a time.
While Kev and Mark will focus on player pathways, Darryl Brooks and Simon Vanbeck will focus on a role we have been looking to fill for some time. Darryl and Simon will take on the Coaching Co-ordinator role to ensure all our players have a positive experience through the coaching at Harlow. This will involve updating our coaching curriculum which is supported by the appropriate training with the RFU, other providers and in-house sessions. We wish them the best of luck with the roles and look forward to everyone’s support as we continue to build on the rugby experience for all at Harlow Rugby Club.
2027 marks 10 Years at Latton Park
How has time passed so quickly? We are looking to mark our 10th Anniversary of moving to Latton Park with a series of events to commemorate the occasion. Some of the initial ideas include hosting a special lunch, special invites, special/guest speakers. But we could do more? Do you have ideas you could help us pull together? If you do, please let me know and we can get a group of people together to make it a year of celebration!
Discipline
Please see this message from the Chair of Discipline at Essex. https://harlowrugby.club/discipline-update-and-reminders-for-clubs/
It’s a reminder, we finished last season on a low point having to go to represent our club in front of Essex and explain a poor discipline record. Of course we are keen to avoid this for the coming season! My ask: Please talk to your players, supporters, parents & each other about their and your discipline. The impact is far reaching and hurts our club. Our focus on discipline needs to continue to avoid a points deduction, or worse, for this season.
What has been happening in August?
The weather has been against us, for once to hot. We had a scary time when the field next to the club caught light. When I visited the club the following day I went into the field, where the Fire Brigade is still working to extinguish the remaining areas of the fire, which were continuing to smoulder. I thanked the firefighters on site for their efforts in bringing the fire under control and protecting our club from damage.
Fire Safety Reminder
During exceptionally dry conditions, rubbish, glass, bottles and similar items can catch the sun in a way that causes fire to start very easily. Please share this message with your teams and, when training, ensure that:
- All rubbish is picked up promptly.
- Waste is placed in the bins provided around the club.
- Everyone remains alert to potential fire risks while the dry conditions continue.
Our thanks and appreciation
My thanks go to our staff and volunteers who were on site while the fire was burning and dealt with the situation calmly and professionally.
We are truly grateful that, thanks to the work of the Fire Service and Emergency Services, our club remains in the same condition as it was on Thursday morning. Without their efforts, today could have been a very different and difficult day for the club. We count our blessings.
Congratulations
At the end of last season a few of our u13’s attending a 7’s tournament for Harlow. During the tournament two of the boys Archie Welch and Rafie Perrin were scouted by the national sevens Academy to represent them for the upcoming season.
As part of the academy, they will attend a four day residential in the midlands and will continue to attend sessions throughout this season. We are very proud of them both and their achievement and wish them all the success for this upcoming season in representing Harlow along this journey. We wish them the best of luck.
Dan Ricketts manages our referees at Harlow as well as having the chance to to coach and mentor our young referees. He has just received the great news he has been promoted from level 11 to level 10 for the coming season. He’s gone up a league, congratulations on the promotion Dan.
Fantasy Premier League
For the 2026/27 Fantasy Premier League join Craig Armstrong’s mini-league “IAD estate agents”? (yes it’s Estate Agents, but they aren’t all bad. Joining the league couldn’t be easier. Simply use the link below and you’ll be added automatically after you’ve entered the game. https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/8w3dv6 League Code: 8w3dv6
Meet the Chair
Thank you to all those members who came to the Ask the Chair session on Thursday 20th August. It is always good to see people engaged and attending these sessions and talk about the great work we are doing together. We covered the following topics: pitch maintenance and white lines, the recent web site hack, our income streams, the water pumps we have repaired and still need to repair, the coming season and how our senior squad it looks for the coming season.
My next session will be 8pm on Wednesday 21st October.
Our first games
We hosted a triangular fixture with Billericay and Finchley travelling to Latton Park. Congratulations to: George Starling and Tom Sandles for making their senior debuts. Harlow 1st XV Debuts for Alex Cole, Charlie Kettle and Jayden Kempthorne.
The Rams lost 12-10 to Billericay 1st XV in a great game showing how much our Rams have improved
1st XV beat Finchley 19-14 after a cracking 1st 20 mins when Finchley pushed back.
All played on a great summer’s day at Latton Park.
Pre-season games:
- Friday 4th September @ 8pm Rams v Millwall
- Saturday 5th September from midday: Charity Rugby Matches for Prostate Cancer, more info: https://harlowrugby.club/events/charity-rugby-matches-for-prostate-cancer/
- Thursday 10th September @ 8pm 1st XV Epping Upper Clapton Away
- Saturday 19th September @ 3pm 1st XV Colchester Away
- Sunday 13th September @ 12:30 Colts v Burleigh
League games start:
- Saturday 26th September @3pm 1st XV v Thurrock
- Saturday 26th September @3pm 1st XV v Thurrock (Merit Table)
- Sunday 27th September @2pm Ladies v East London Vixens
Coming Events at Our Club
Friday 4th September – Curry Night – All You Can Eat Curry Club
Join us at Harlow Rugby Club on Friday 4th September for our All You Can Eat Curry Club, alongside an evening of live rugby.
Enjoy a selection of freshly prepared curries and accompaniments, with as much as you can eat for £18.50 per person, available from 6pm.
Then at 7.30pm, the Harlow Rams take on Millwall in a live home fixture.
Whether you’re joining us for the curry, the rugby, or both, it’s the perfect way to spend your Friday evening at the club.
Curry Club from 6pm
Rams vs Millwall – Kick-off 7.30pm
£18.50 per person
Booking for Curry Club is essential and advance reservations are recommended. Book here: https://harlowrugby.club/events/curry-club-september/
Saturday 5th September – Free Prostate Cancer Screening
Free Prostate Cancer Screening available at our club. Tests are now full, however there is more information available here… https://harlowrugby.club/events/free-prostate-cancer-screening/
Friday 11th September – Live Music: Repertoire Dogs – LIVE MUSIC IS BACK!
Get ready for an incredible night with Repertoire Dogs at Harlow Rugby Club!
If you’ve seen them before, you’ll know why the place is always packed. If you haven’t, you’re in for a brilliant night of live music, great atmosphere and a dancefloor full from start to finish! More info: https://harlowrugby.club/events/live-music-repertoire-dogs-4/
Friday 25th September – 80s Bingo Party with Fanny Galore
Get ready for a night of outrageous fun as the fabulous Fanny Galore brings her legendary 80s Bingo Party to Harlow Rugby Club! Expect: Hilarious drag entertainment, The biggest 80s anthems, Bingo with a twist, Fantastic prizes, Plenty of laughs, singing and dancing all night long!
Tickets are just £15 per person and are expected to sell quickly, so book early to avoid missing out. Over 18s only. Book here: https://harlowrugby.club/events/80bingoparty/
Regular events
Did you know we host a Weekly Quiz on a Tuesday evening? 7:30-9:30pm Maximum teams of 8 at just £2 per person entry where you can win Cash prizes!! Just Turn up and test your general knowledge.
We regularly host Afternoon Tea, booking is essential with arrival time between 12pm – 4pm. £15 per person, upgrade to Glass of Fizz for £19 per person. Book in here: https://harlowrugby.club/events/
You are our biggest sales force, please promote and support our events, bringing your friends and family to Latton Park along with you.
300 Club
September’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
- 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.
- Walking Rugby Co-ordinator – Could you help us re-launch walking rugby for the club?
- 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
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.
The summer months offer a break from the routine of rugby, it’s great, and then you miss it and I find myself hunting out our rugby. A trip to Marseille, the Nations Championship offered some distraction, but there’s nothing better than seeing it live in your club. Roll on the new season, strap in here it comes, I can’t wait!
I look forward to seeing you around the club soon.
Paul Eynon
Chair, Interim Chair of Rugby, Colts Coach
