Welcome to the new season, although with the Swans Whites’ cup victory, the Lions series and the Women’s World Cup, it seems to me that there was never really a break from rugby. However, as they say, you can’t have too much of a good thing!

The 2024/25 league finishing positions reflected the commitment and talent across our senior teams…1st XV - 3rd, 2nd XV - 4th, Swans Greens - 3rd, Swans Whites - 1st. Building on this, the Black Pens (Swans 3rd XV) have a full fixture list next season and look out for the relaunch of the Cavaliers, a series of fixtures for them is being worked on now.

Last October, the new changing rooms were formally opened by the RFU. Funded by a combination of club funds, donations, an RFU grant specifically for women’s changing facilities under Impact '25, the legacy programme associated with the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, and an RFU loan. Overall, our £50k mission raised a creditable £38,300, which with additional grants and donations, meant the Chairman’s Challenge was fully met.

The contribution that VPs make to the club both financially and as supporters of our teams and our events is much valued, so the decision to adjust the VP subscription to £85, was not taken lightly by the committee. Unfortunately we’ve seen high inflationary increases in pretty much every aspect of operating expenses and, as individuals, I think we’re all conscious of significant increases in essentials like food and utilities.

In your fixture card and you’ll see that league action kicks off on the 6th September. However, there’s much on at the club this month both on and off the pitch, as follows:

16th Aug: Swans Whites v Loughborough Lightning (home friendly)
21st Aug: 1st XV v Towcester (away friendly)
22nd Aug: England v USA on the big screen (WRWC)
30th Aug: 1st XV v Brackley (home friendly)
England v Samoa on the big screen (WRWC)
31st Aug: Swans Whites v Reading Abbey (away friendly)

Also shown are the lunches, all of which were hugely successful last season. Make diary notes now and book early, tickets are already on sale for the first three on the calendar.

13th Sep: Sponsors’ & VPs’ Brunch – 1st XV v High Wycombe, Swans v Kenilworth
11th Oct: Chairman’s Lunch – 1st XV v Gosford All Blacks
6th Dec: Supporters’ & VPs’ Christmas Lunch – 1st XV v Bicester
28th Feb: President’s Lunch – 1st XV v Wallingford
11th Apr: Vice Presidents’ Lunch – 1st XV v Bletchley

Ladies’ Lunch – date TBA, please look out for my email.

To get that email and regular news of fixtures, international tickets and events, your email address needs to be in my mailing list. If that’s not the case, please let me know.

The 300 Club also raises valuable funds for the club and it’s open to members, friends and family. It’s £5 monthly, but provides the opportunity to win one of two prizes each month, sometimes as much as £500. Sign up and full details are available on our web site – please consider joining if you haven’t already.

We look forward to another great season of rugby, to continued success and to many enjoyable social occasions. Thanks again for your support.

Yours,

Will Landon
VP and 300 Club Secretary