A huge thank you to all of the players, coaches, sponsors, supporters and volunteers who have been part of a very busy and successful 2025/26 season at NRFC. The mini/junior section has had record numbers enjoying Sunday rugby, the youth section included the Berkshire champions and several Colts age group players progressed to senior rugby. The men’s 1st XV finished in a promotion play off position, the women’s 1st XV were second in their league and the mighty women’s 2nd XV were crowned champions and promoted. Players are represented by a tireless Rugby Committee!

All of this has been possible because of the sound foundations managed by skilled and dedicated members. The Trustee/Management group are guardians of major decision making processes that generate the income needed to run NRFC. Membership fees, sponsorship, investments and commercial activities are guided and scrutinised by key individuals who deserve a massive round of applause. I am the only President to have seen a profit at Monks Lane. Indeed, 3 consecutive years of positive end of year accounts. Unheard of and none of it down to me! We currently have an impressive behind the scenes team.

A sound financial base has allowed NRFC to update toilets, renew flooring, replace windows, doors, heating systems, create an outdoor patio/bar area with a sail tent and invest in solar panels. The tired guttering and facias are due for replacement and the needs of mixed rugby and safeguarding issues have put reconfigured changing facilities high on the wanted list.

Our outdoor spaces are envied by all of our visitors. They are expensive to maintain and good grounds management is another volunteer led achievement. It is an essential and key ingredient of the rugby provision that we are here for. The wider community also benefit and we provide a range of sporting and event opportunities that are not otherwise available in Newbury. The information, bookings and organisation of these are managed by our committed and professional Commercial team.

NRFC was founded in 1928, so an important anniversary is just around the corner. Another good reason to renew your membership and for long standing members to have a peep in the attic. Do you have any memorabilia, programmes, cuttings, etc that you could share? To celebrate our history we are keen to produce a worthy record of NRFC’s past, but the available data is very patchy. Any snippet of information or box full of records will be appreciated. Do get in touch if you can help!

After 3 excellent years I will be stepping back from the honour of being President at NRFC. As matches have taken place I have greatly enjoyed meeting old friends, touchline mums and dads and our hardy band of home and away supporters. You are a credit to the Blues family and I look forward to seeing you all again next season.

Enjoy the summer!

Best wishes.

Trevor Coles
President NRFC.