History
The club was founded as Old Redingensians in 1924 by former pupils of Reading School The first game was a 26-8 victory away to Newbury Grammar School on October 4.
Matches were played at Morgan Road and Liebenrood Road in Reading for a couple of seasons until a ground was rented at Gosbrook Road, Caversham.
Meanwhile plans were being made for a more permanent home at Emmer Green, where a new ground was opened on October 1 1927 by FH Stokes, the first England rugby captain.
The nineteen-and-a half acres provided two pitches, a cricket square plus grazing for cattle and by the following season ORs were fielding three sides on a regular basis.
Fixtures resumed after the war and the Reading Borough Council purchased the Emmer Green ground for development in 1948 for around £5000.
A switch was made to the present Old Bath Road, Sonning site - future RFU president Dennis Easby, among others, being instrumental in the purchase.
With a lack of former pupils joining from Reading School, there were difficulties in fielding three XVs and the club became open in 1968. The following year "Old" was dropped from the title.
A milestone in the club's history came in October 1973 when a new £22,000 clubhouse was opened at the Sonning ground by RFU president Mickey Steele-Bodger.
Initially the introduction of the league system in 1987 helped Redingensians and they won promotion from the Southern Counties League in their inaugural season but the spell in South West 2 was short-lived.
A slide down the leagues to Berks Dorset & Wilts 1 ensued, followed by promotion to Southern Counties South (1997-8) and South West 2 East (2000-1) where the stay lasted just one season. Then there was a distinct change of fortunes thanks to players coming through from a flourishing junior section.
A young side gained promotion from Southern Counties North and South West 2 East in successive seasons (2005-6) and (2006-7).
This meant the club reached South West 1, now National 3 South West, the highest level in their history, and they have maintained this status with some degree of comfort, finishing a record-breaking 2011-2 season in a best ever third place. A highest league score was amassed at Bridgwater (85-0) and Rob Stapley broke the club try mark with a total of 27.
Redingensians run five adult teams and the youth section is the biggest and most successful in the area with approximately 400 boys and girls playing on Sundays. The club fields sides at every age group from Under 6 to Under 19s.
Gensians is also the first rugby club in Berkshire to be awarded the RFU Seal of Approval, reflecting the commitment to community sport and sport for all.
Matches were played at Morgan Road and Liebenrood Road in Reading for a couple of seasons until a ground was rented at Gosbrook Road, Caversham.
Meanwhile plans were being made for a more permanent home at Emmer Green, where a new ground was opened on October 1 1927 by FH Stokes, the first England rugby captain.
The nineteen-and-a half acres provided two pitches, a cricket square plus grazing for cattle and by the following season ORs were fielding three sides on a regular basis.
Fixtures resumed after the war and the Reading Borough Council purchased the Emmer Green ground for development in 1948 for around £5000.
A switch was made to the present Old Bath Road, Sonning site - future RFU president Dennis Easby, among others, being instrumental in the purchase.
With a lack of former pupils joining from Reading School, there were difficulties in fielding three XVs and the club became open in 1968. The following year "Old" was dropped from the title.
A milestone in the club's history came in October 1973 when a new £22,000 clubhouse was opened at the Sonning ground by RFU president Mickey Steele-Bodger.
Initially the introduction of the league system in 1987 helped Redingensians and they won promotion from the Southern Counties League in their inaugural season but the spell in South West 2 was short-lived.
A slide down the leagues to Berks Dorset & Wilts 1 ensued, followed by promotion to Southern Counties South (1997-8) and South West 2 East (2000-1) where the stay lasted just one season. Then there was a distinct change of fortunes thanks to players coming through from a flourishing junior section.
A young side gained promotion from Southern Counties North and South West 2 East in successive seasons (2005-6) and (2006-7).
This meant the club reached South West 1, now National 3 South West, the highest level in their history, and they have maintained this status with some degree of comfort, finishing a record-breaking 2011-2 season in a best ever third place. A highest league score was amassed at Bridgwater (85-0) and Rob Stapley broke the club try mark with a total of 27.
Redingensians run five adult teams and the youth section is the biggest and most successful in the area with approximately 400 boys and girls playing on Sundays. The club fields sides at every age group from Under 6 to Under 19s.
Gensians is also the first rugby club in Berkshire to be awarded the RFU Seal of Approval, reflecting the commitment to community sport and sport for all.
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