History 2 of 2

2. History 2


Youth History

In 2008 the Old Willies embarked on a new chapter and set up the Youth Section of the Old Williamsonians RFC.

Beginning on a cold September morning Chris Norris and Dan Harrison began with just 6 boys. This slowly rose in numbers and by the end of the season the club were able to take part in the Kent Festival.

The plan was to create a new U12 side each year so that the senior section would eventually be supported by the upcoming youngsters after a period of 6 years.

Our second season did not pan out too well and we only managed to field half a team at U12 level which then disbanded. The original squad (Now U13) went from strength to strength and in their third year (U14) reached the Semi finals of the Kent Festival and had a greater win ratio over the season than previously recorded.

We also managed to field an U12 side in the third year and they reached the finals of the Shield at the Kent Festival finishing as Runners Up.

We begin to go into our fourth season (2011/12) with an U15 and U13 squad and look to create a new U12 outfit. We now have over 40 boys representing the club and we will continue to provide this opportunity to the local boys in the hope that they will be the future of this club.

Season 2012/13 saw the disbandment of the U14s but the U16s remained together until the end of the season. We also set our sights at the lower age bands and set up a tag rugby academy for U6s to U11s.

Season 2013/14 sees the U16s join the senior ranks with training and as they hit 17 years of age with parental permission we hope to see those original boys from 2008 put on a senior jersey!
We also hope to see an expansion of the tag rugby academy and ultimately play matches by the end of the season.

Season 2014/15 saw 7 of the original 2008 squad represent the senior section of the O.W.R.F.C. Unfortunately the Tag Academy did not work as planned and with the last throw of the dice an U6/U7s side is hoped for start up next season.