Withycombe Rugby Club (WRFC) is delighted to be opening the gates again this Saturday (17th April), inviting members old and new to their freshly refurbished outdoor hospitality and beer garden.

A new look
Over the past 12 months, the doors have mostly been shut but the work has continued at WRFC. The club has been blessed with volunteers and members dedicating their time and effort to give the club a fresh new look - including a refurbished bar, loos, club house and outdoor space ready to host COVID-safe events.

Diversity at the club
Started in 1924 as a traditional community based sports club with one men’s team, Raleigh Park is now proudly home to 13 successful teams of all ages, genders and abilities, and is continuing to diversify with plans for regular walking rugby and mixed-gender touch rugby events. The clubhouse also serves the community by hosting events from playgroups to Zumba, and everything in between.

Plans for the future - Vision 2024
On the pitch, the club’s recent growth has meant that the community needs for the space have outgrown the available facilities at Raleigh Park. Plans are afoot to double our changing facilities so that we can mark our centenary year with a statement of our intent to keep growing and supporting rugby in our community.

Planning permission has already been received for the works and the club has a dedicated fundraising team in place to deal with raising the necessary finance. Community events, grant funding and member contributions are all part of the fundraising plan.

The fundraising project has so far been approved by local MP, Simon Jupp, who has endorsed the new plans: “I was absolutely delighted to visit Withycombe RFC. The club has a fantastic spirit and provides a great focus for rugby in the community. The club’s plans to extend their facilities to provide yet more services to the people of Exmouth is something I fully support. I wish them well in their fundraising efforts and look forward
to helping out.”

If you are an individual or business owner who would like to support the ongoing community impact of our club, your contribution would be most welcome. In the meantime, come and see our new bar and beer garden for yourself! New members are always welcome.

It’s been a tough year. We’re looking forward to seeing you.