Category: Rugby News

Supporting Our Local Food Bank This December

This December, Bournemouth Rugby is proud to support the Food Bank. While the festive season is a time of joy for many, it can also be a difficult time for those in need. Together, as a rugby family, we can help make a difference.

We’re encouraging everyone to donate just one item from the Reverse Advent Calendar. Even a single contribution can have a big impact on someone’s life.

The items needed include:

  • Tinned meat, fish, and vegetables
  • Rice pudding, custard, and pasta sauce
  • Breakfast cereal, tea bags, and coffee
  • Toiletries like shampoo, deodorant, and toothpaste
  • Household essentials such as toilet rolls, washing-up liquid, and UHT milk

📅 How to Donate:

  1. Bring your donation to Chapel Gate during any home game, training or event throughout December.
  2. Drop it off at the collection points, and we’ll ensure it reaches the food bank.

Every single item donated makes a huge difference and helps brighten the season for someone in our community.

Let’s show the power of kindness and come together to support this amazing cause.

Bournemouth Rugby Supports Movember!

This November, the Bournemouth Rugby players came together to support a cause close to all our hearts – Movember. Sporting their finest (and sometimes funniest!) moustaches, the team raised an incredible £256 to help fund research and awareness for men’s health issues, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health.

Movember is about more than just growing a moustache – it’s about starting conversations, raising awareness, and making a difference in men’s lives. The commitment and camaraderie shown by the players throughout the month have been truly inspiring, and we are so proud of their efforts.

There’s still time to donate and help us make an even bigger impact! Every penny counts, and your contribution could save a life. Visit our Movember team page to donate: Click Here to Donate.

A huge thank you to everyone who has already supported us, whether through donations or simply cheering us on. Together, we’re helping to change the face of men’s health.

#Movember #BournemouthRugby #ChangingTheFaceOfMensHealth #ThankYou

U13s Player of the Month: Congratulations to Leo!

We are thrilled to announce that the U13s Player of the Month is Leo! 🎉

Leo is a relatively new addition to the squad, but his dedication and hard work in training sessions have truly set him apart. His commitment to learning and improving has paid off, with his recent development on full display.

Not only is Leo highly motivated, but he also brings a positive attitude that inspires his teammates. His peers value him as an integral squad member, and his team spirit is evident both on and off the field.

In recent games, Leo has impressed with his pace, ability to break tackles, and dynamic contributions in the backs. When asked to step out of his comfort zone and play in the back row, he rose to the challenge and has flourished in this new role.

The U13s have enjoyed a successful season so far, progressing to the Quarter Finals of the Hampshire Cup, and Leo has been a key part of that journey.

We’d also like to extend a huge thank you to our U13 team sponsors, whose support helps make this success possible:

Dalton & Ealing Brickwork
Third Wave Identity
Up Top Roofing
Up Top Scaffolding
MEC Electrical
Haroys
Steve Collins Surfacing


Your commitment to the team is invaluable, and we’re so grateful for your support!

A massive congratulations once again to Leo on this well-deserved award! 🏆👏

Bournemouth Rugby coach on creating the environment for success

Since returning earlier this year, Bournemouth Rugby’s director of rugby Will Croker has transformed the team’s fortunes on the pitch.

Having most recently guided the club to a record breaking 2018/19 season by winning the South West Premier, the popular coach is now riding high but several leagues lower in the Regional 2 South Central.

“When I returned in May, the club wasn’t in a great state both financially, commercially and from a rugby perspective. There was a number of players leaving and retiring. The local competition had also gotten stronger.” says Will Croker, director of rugby.

Experience has been critical in the dressing room with many battle-hardened former players pulling on the red and black shirt again.

“We had Sam Hardcastle, Luca Firetto and Joe Rees all coming out of retirement and then bringing in a couple of experienced players like Matt Hall and Callum Mackenzie. It means that we’ve got a nice blend of that youth and experience. It’s been cathartic to see the way that they’ve all knitted together.” added Will.

There have been big changes off the field too with investment from new ownership at the club, which has allowed Will and his team to make strong plans.

“Firstly, I think the players appreciate the measures that everybody’s put in. It’s the first time they’ve been paid, and we have comprehensive insurance policies in place should they get injured. We’ve also muscled up with our medical provision in terms of bringing in a bigger physiotherapy and sports therapy team with all the latest technology to make sure that we give them the best chance of getting fit. It’s these sorts of environmental changes that I think makes the players feel valued.”

Will believes that the coaching and technical team have also played a huge part in Bournemouth Rugby’s strong start to the season.

“It’s not just me, the whole coaching team have been fantastic. Bringing in Kevin Cottrell as the defence coach was a masterstroke. He’s a complete outsider and so he’s taking a completely fresh approach. Then there’s the return of John Sanchez who was my number two all the way through my last tenure at the club, which has brought an air of familiarity. Dan Connolly has also stayed on as attack coach, so I think the players like this mix.”

The future looks bright, as Will Croker and his team look focused on returning Bournemouth Rugby back to successful ways.

“Coming back felt like an itch I had to scratch. It’s unfinished business and to see all the work that we put in to get to Level 4 come undone. We might be back playing at Level 6, but it feels absolutely the right time to roll my sleeves up and get stuck into it. Bournemouth Rugby has a vision and a far more sustainable financial footing than previously. So, success for us this year is creating the environment where we don’t want to lose and putting the foundations in place to be able to push on over the next few years.”

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Youth and Mini Player of the Month: Charlie from the U12s

Bournemouth Rugby is thrilled to announce our Youth and Mini Player of the Month for November: Charlie from the U12s!

Charlie joined our club from another local team after a break from rugby, but you’d never know he’d been away. Since joining Bournemouth RFC, Charlie has become a vital part of the U12s squad, stepping into his stride this season with impressive determination.

Known for his tireless efforts, Charlie excels in defence, consistently delivering tackle after tackle with his trademark “drive for five” technique. On the attack, his rapid turn of pace is a game-changer, leaving opposition defenders scrambling to catch him.

Beyond his on-pitch talents, Charlie embodies what it means to be a team player. Humble and respectful, he lets his rugby do the talking, earning admiration from coaches and teammates alike.

The coaching team had this to say:
“We are grateful that you joined us, Charlie, and are incredibly proud of your achievements. Congratulations!”

We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our U12s sponsors: South Deep, Fortitudo Ltd, RockReef UK, Anders Roberts Cheer Architecture, and the Poole Property Club. Your continued support plays a vital role in helping our young players thrive.

U12s: Growing and Welcoming New Players

The U12 squad has been developing brilliantly as a team this season, bringing the skills they’ve honed in training to the pitch each week. Their commitment and teamwork are clear in every game, and it’s exciting to see their hard work paying off.

We’ve also been delighted to welcome new players to the squad this season, who have slotted in seamlessly and contributed to the team’s fantastic spirit. Bournemouth Rugby always welcomes new players, so if you’re interested in joining the U12s, we’d love to hear from you!

For more information, please contact Belinda Merritt at belinda.merritt@bournemouth-rugby.co.uk or Jemma Wallis at jemma.wallis@bournemouth-rugby.co.uk. Come and be part of the Bournemouth Rugby family—we’d love to have you in our Pride!

A Weekend to Remember at Chapel Gate

This past weekend at Chapel Gate was one to celebrate as Bournemouth Rugby delivered a day filled with community spirit, exceptional rugby, and a sold-out pre-match lunch. With Chapel Gate buzzing, the Lions roared to a stunning 66-19 victory over Chichester, making it a day to remember.

Match Sponsor: Look Storage

We extend a special thank you to Look Storage, our match sponsor for the day. Your support is invaluable to the club and played a key role in creating such a fantastic club and matchday experience.

Celebrating Our Player of the Month

During the pre-match lunch, we were proud to present Charlie from the U12s with the Youth and Mini Player of the Month award. Charlie’s incredible performances, both in defence and attack, along with his unassuming attitude, have made him a standout player in the U12s squad. It was wonderful to celebrate his achievements in front of a packed audience of supporters.

Conker Gin Raffle Winner

At the pre-match lunch, Liam Wyatt from Lansdown Woodward was the lucky winner of the Conker Gin raffle, taking home a bottle of locally crafted gin. Congratulations, Liam, and thank you for your continued support of the club!

Lions’ Scorers

The Lions put on a spectacular display on the pitch, running in 10 tries to secure a dominant victory over Chichester. Here’s how the scoreboard unfolded for the Lions :

  • Try – Ben Meaden
  • Try – Ryan Morrell Sponsored by New Forest Fires (converted by Grant Hancox sponsored by Barker)
  • Try – Mav Goodchild Sponsored by AJC Group (converted by Grant Hancox sponsored by Barker)
  • Try – Conrad Carkeet Sponsored by Leyey Construction (converted by Grant Hancox sponsored by Barker)
  • Try – Matt Horne Sponsored by Fortitudo (converted by Grant Hancox sponsored by Barker)
  • Try – Ryan Morrell Sponsored by New Forest Fires (converted by Grant Hancox sponsored by Barker)
  • Try – Josh Wickens sponsored by I2R
  • Try – Mav Goodchild Sponsored by AJC Group (converted by Grant Hancox sponsored by Barker)
  • Try – Ryan Morrell Sponsored by New Forest Fires (converted by Grant Hancox sponsored by Barker)
  • Try – Ben Goodall Sponsored by NFU Mutual (converted by Grant Hancox sponsored by Barker)

With Grant delivering an outstanding kicking performance, the Lions finished with an emphatic 66-19 victory.

Conker Gin Man of the Match

The Man of the Match award was presented to Ryan Morrell for his outstanding contribution on the pitch, which included scoring multiple tries and leading the team with skill and determination. Ryan was awarded a bottle of locally crafted Conker Gin, thanks to our Man of the Match sponsor, Conker Spirit. Congratulations, Ryan, on a well-deserved accolade!

Thank You

We want to thank everyone who attended the pre-match lunch and supported the team throughout the day. Your energy and enthusiasm were vital in creating such an incredible atmosphere at Chapel Gate.

If you’d like to join us for our next pre-match lunch or matchday experience, keep an eye on our website and social media for updates. With performances like these, there’s no better time to be part of the Bournemouth Rugby family!

Up the Lions!

Bournemouth Rugby Under 7 Player of the Month: Joseph

Head Coach Jo Burns has shared heartfelt words about our Under 7 Player of the Month, Joseph, and it’s a recognition that carries special significance. Joseph is a proud graduate of the Lion Cubs from the 2021/22 season, and his journey through rugby has been filled with dedication, joy, and passion for the game.

Joseph is a consistent and enthusiastic presence within the Under 7s squad. He’s often one of the first to arrive at training and one of the last to leave, perhaps helped by the fact that his dad, Richard, is also one of our valued coaches. As the child of a coach, Joseph doesn’t usually get the spotlight, which makes this Player of the Month award even more special. It’s a well-deserved moment of recognition for a young player who gives his all week after week.

Joseph’s love for playing rugby with his friends shines through at every training session. His boundless energy, constant smile, and evident team spirit make him a joy to coach. His work ethic is outstanding, and his enthusiasm is contagious — if you look around the field, you’ll likely see him running around with a ball, enjoying every moment.

Not only is Joseph a promising rugby player, but he also exemplifies our core TREDS values: Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline, and Sportsmanship. At Bournemouth Rugby, these values are the foundation of everything we do. Joseph is excelling in all these areas, embodying the true spirit of rugby both on and off the pitch. As Jo Burns said, “Joseph is doing a great job on both fronts. He’s got a great name too.”

Joseph’s recent highlight was joining us at the last pre-match lunch, where he had the honor of leading the players out onto the pitch. It was a memorable moment for Joseph and the team, showcasing his love and excitement for the game.

Congratulations, Joseph! Your positive energy and dedication to rugby have not gone unnoticed, and we’re so proud to have you in our squad.

A special thank you goes out to our Under 7 team sponsors: VPEG, Ecomec, RDS MME, VentureEP, Nutech, Peter Day, and Fylde. Your support makes a huge difference, helping our young players grow, learn, and thrive in the sport they love.

Young scrum-half Ollie Byrne makes an impact on debut season

Youth and experience have been a winning formula for Bournemouth Rugby this season. Breaking into the squad last month was new scrum-half Ollie Byrne.

The 19-year-old made his debut by scoring in a win against Newbury and now looks to be a regular feature.

Born and raised in Poole, he was first introduced to the sport during a six-year stint whilst living in Spain, where he played for Club de Rugby del Estrecho. Upon returning to the UK, Ollie moved to Bath and became a key member of the Bath Academy from U14 to U18.

He has also represented Somerset at county level and was selected for the Irish Rugby Football Union’s IQ Player Pathway at U18/19.

His ambition is to follow in the footsteps of his family members, who have a history of international rugby representation for Ireland.

Currently, Ollie is studying for a degree in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Exeter and concentrating on his playing career at Bournemouth Rugby.

“Joining Bournemouth Rugby has given me a taste of senior club rugby and the opportunity to express myself, whilst developing my game further,” says Ollie Byrne.

Ollie’s passion for rugby, coupled with his athleticism and tactical awareness, make him a promising player with the potential to make a significant impact at the highest level.

His recent match debut came as a starting appearance due to one of Bournemouth Rugby’s most experienced players Sam Hardcastle being unavailable to play.

“Sam’s got 400 caps and it’s great to have those players in and around the squad, as they’ve they got a lot of experience. I ended up starting and had a good game. I felt like I fit in there nicely and all the lads were welcoming. I’m now planning to stay there for this season and get as much game time as I possibly can,” added Ollie.

The player believes that Bournemouth Rugby has a big future and one where youth talent is allowed to flourish.

“Bournemouth Rugby are going places, and they’ve got big aspirations. The new coaching staff are welcoming and giving young players an opportunity. There is a lot of potential here.”

This blend of youth and experience has been fundamental to the successful start to the season on the pitch.

“Ollie is someone we are delighted to have signed. He comes with a great pedigree and a terrific skill set, as is often the case with academy graduates. However, it’s his maturity, feel for the game and how it should be managed that sets him apart as a young scrum-half. We are so lucky to have Sam Hardcastle as a shining light, but Ollie coming through also gives us great continuity,” says director of rugby, Will Croker.

Ollie Byrne is a name to watch and will likely play a bigger role as Bournemouth Rugby push for promotion this season.

Will Croker adds: “He’s settled in very well, the boys like his ambition and feistiness too. We’re looking for him to continue playing with control and tempo, which so far has been impressive.”

Lions show their strength under new leadership this season

With new owners and senior leadership announced at the start of this season, Bournemouth Rugby are now enjoying the success of these changes.

On the pitch, the team have secured five consecutive wins in the Regional 2 South Central league already this season.

“I think we’re getting onto the crest of a wave now. The atmosphere around the club is buoyant and it feels like a good place to be. There’s a real feeling of growth and expansion going forwards,” believes David Dunn, head of rugby operations.

Following the conclusion of a significant new investment deal in August, it was announced that long-time supporters Richard Carr and Drew Mellor would unite with fellow businessman Matthew Barker in acquiring the membership interests of Bournemouth Rugby Club.

“Two of our youth team parents Drew Mellor and Richard Carr decided that they wanted to join forces with long time sponsor Matthew Barker. They’ve totally changed the landscape in such a short period of time and the difference is phenomenal. To come in and manage the situation this well means that the club is now going from strength to strength,” adds David Dunn.

The club’s fortunes have also been significantly helped by the support and goodwill of many local business sponsors.

“The commercial arm of the club has worked absolute wonders. Suddenly, the town is getting behind us again.”

This success has allowed Bournemouth Rugby to bring the positive benefits of the sport to the wider community and increase diversity in the game.

In partnership with Rippa Rugby, the club now provides experienced and creative rugby coaching into 18 schools across the region reaching between 600-700 children per week.

“The community programme is up and running again. We’re delivering rugby in the schools and players into the club from schools that wouldn’t normally get access to rugby. We’ve also got rugby camps going on at half-term, so our community initiative is going well.”

Most importantly, it’s the results on the pitch that have been pleasing David and supporters of the club.

“A new coaching team came into the senior end of the club. What they’ve done is brought players back in who had left the club. All of a sudden, we’re in a position where the first team are pushing at the top end of the table. The second team have stabilised and comfortably mid-table and looking to push on from there.”

David believes the additional funds now available to the club will allow for better investment in the players.

“We recognised from the outset that growing our own future players is important, which is why we’ve set up the fully funded Bournemouth Academy. We’re giving the under 18 players the same experience and benefits as the senior players would have. The kit, the food after games and top medical care and insurance policies to look after them. We’re looking after the players as they deserve, because of the commitment they make.”

As for the future and the rapid rise to success, David puts it down to the determination of everyone involved at Bournemouth Rugby to make it a success.

“Once you’re on a roll, winning becomes a habit. That’s the desire we have to keep that winning habit at the club. The players are feeling loved and they’re committed. Everyone is determined to make this project successful.”

Bournemouth Rugby captain earns landmark 200th cap

After 10 years of donning the iconic red, black and yellow shirt for Bournemouth Rugby, skipper Grant Hancox earned his 200th cap this month after their Regional 2 South Central clash against Winchester.

The playmaking fly-half now joins an exclusive group of players who have all earned more than 200 caps for the 1XV team.

Hancox’s rugby days started in the Midlands when he was seven years old. Shortly after moving to Dorset in 2014, Grant got his first call up to the Lions senior squad aged 23 for an away match against Brixham.

Coming off the bench as a full-back, the step into the senior team wasn’t quite as he expected.

“I remember my first cap well. I’d always played as a scrum half, but when I came to Bournemouth that position was taken by club legend Sam Hardcastle. So, I ended up making my debut away to Brixham as full-back. That first couple of years I became a utility player and developed a few strings to my bow, which gives you more positional options,” recalls Grant.

Since debuting for Bournemouth Rugby, the 33-year-old has gone on to earn 199 more caps.

“Our president Doug Warren is the club statistician and kept me up to date with my points and appearances. As a result, I ended up keeping tabs on it myself over the last few years. Being a self-confessed stat nerd, especially around the goal kicking and appearances. I was aware of it at the start of the season and it was special to reach it at Chapel Gate with a thrilling home game win,” added Grant.

The Bournemouth captain has created many special memories along the way.

“The 2018/19 season is a standout memory, where we won the South West Premier by a record points margin. That was fantastic to be a part of and playing in the same team as lads that I’ll be friends for life with.”

Grant feels like the club are riding a new high this season.

“It’s the most positive that I’ve experienced in the last two to three years. There’s also lot of young talent coming through.”

While Grant is proud of his milestone achievement, the captain has got his eyes firmly on the prize with a competitive season still to go in the Regional 2 South Central league.

“We’re trying to build momentum and show that we can compete with the top teams.”