At last I can write to you after the most difficult and challenging 18 months, (that I can certainly remember), which I know has brought great personal sadness to many Old Willies and your families. I offer my personal sympathies to all who have been affected and take the opportunity to thank our NHS and all key workers for their undivided efforts in keeping us all going and helping us achieve a form of normality.

Such progress has gladly enabled sport to recently progress to a position of welcoming crowds back to stadia, the Olympics being held and a British Lions tour to South Africa. The latter a disappointment, but on a positive, we can confirm that lower league rugby union is returning for the 2021/22 season. After a disappointing 2019/20 season in London South East 3 resulting in relegation, the Old Willies are preparing to storm Kent League 1 this season. With a restructure of the league system due in 2022/23 season, we do not know exactly what a league winning season will lead to, but our goal is to achieve our maximum potential, whilst obviously maintaining the enjoyment and camaraderie that this club is renowned for.

Over Covid lockdown, we have recruited a new coach and continued to train on Tuesdays and Thursdays (meeting all government/rfu guidelines) and there is an excitement amongst us all to get back to playing. New players are always welcome and we also encourage ex players, school leavers and anyone who just wants to get out the house for a couple of hours to come and join us.

I have included the 1st XV 2021/22 fixture list, below (or use web address https://rfulondon.com/2021fix/ke1.pdf ) and look forward to welcoming you, and your families, to join our merry band of supporters on the sidelines. We may not be the Lions, but we all have the passion, commitment and heart of a lion when it comes to the OWRFC.

A schedule of pre season friendlies will be posted on the OWRFC website and social media asap.

I would like to offer a few thankyou’s, firstly to our all our sponsors whom without we would not have a club to play for and support and following our recent AGM, all for the support of all members of the OWRFC committee, but notably to Dan Routledge and Callum Bowie, who have stepped down from club secretary and club captain after many years in their roles, due to outside commitments, but remain as integral parts of the playing squad. I am also glad to welcome (back) Dan Harrison as club secretary and Jack Johnston as club captain.

We have a packed social calendar, but a few dates for your diaries:

Friday 10th September 2021 – OWRFC Annual Golf Day – Cobtree Manor GC
(please contact Chris Foot OWRFC Social Sec for details – 07900533774)-

25th September 2021 – Welcome back to Rugby - Club Day – 2nd XV vs Ashford Barbarians - Family BBQ

12th March 2022 – OWRFC VP Lunch – 1st XV vs Brockleians (Kent League 1)
I for one am looking forward to watching some exciting rugby, and hoping for a triumphant season.

My best regards, as always

UTW!

Ian ‘Floyd’ Pettman
Chairman OWRFC

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2021/2022 Chairman’s Pre Season Update

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