Lewes RFC

At this year’s AGM, the chairman reflected on what has been another busy, competitive and rewarding year for Lewes Rugby Football Club. The strong finish to last season by the 1^st XV provides a solid platform as we look ahead to next season to build on our strength and consistency. Pulborough were promoted, while Jersey and Crawley were relegated, and we are joined by teams from Burgess Hill, Horsham and Hove in our league next season.

The Lionesses had another strong season with the U16 in particular winning not only the league but also the Sussex Plate and also had a number of girls representing the county in April. The season saw some mixed results for the junior boys, but most of the teams finished with some good results towards the end of the season. Another typical Lewes example of sticking with it and getting the results they deserved.

We do need to actively recruit in some age groups along with addressing the usual challenges of school rugby, but that is something we are very much aware of and hopefully taking steps to improve this. The minis attended a number of festivals throughout the season with some good results, and also had a great attendance at our own festival in April, an event that is always well supported and enjoyed by all.

As always, the success of Lewes RFC rests firmly on the shoulders of our volunteers.

This season we were delighted to formally recognise their contribution during our end-of-season celebrations, held alongside the final home fixture in April. Around thirty coaches, managers and volunteers came together, highlighting the strength of the community that supports our club week in, week out.

Throughout the season, the Stanley Turner Ground has continued to provide a welcoming and vibrant environment on matchdays. Regular home fixtures have been well supported, helping to maintain the strong social and community feel for all age groups is what defines Lewes RFC. The club continues to pride itself on being inclusive, family-oriented and open to players of all abilities, and this remains central to everything we do.

However, you will have seen recently that the RFU has a particular focus on touchline behaviour from all players, subs, coaches and parents. There have been a number of incidents reported throughout Sussex recently where coaches and subs have got involved in incidents on the pitch and this is something that will not be tolerated in the coming season.

With regards to our facilities, the new and improved changing rooms have been well received throughout the season, and we continue to look towards other areas to improve.

We have recently had some funding approved from the Football Foundation for improvement of the pitches.

Looking ahead, while there is always room for improvement on the field, there is much to be positive about:

• A committed and improving senior men’s squad with more interest in vets rugby this year seeing the return to the field of some former players
• Significant steps towards re-forming our women’s section with regular training sessions. This is a long journey, but the experience of other new women’s teams is positive.
• A thriving minis and junior section, in particular in our younger minis age groups’
• A healthy and engaged club community.

Our focus for the coming season will be to build on this foundation—developing consistency in performance, retaining and recruiting players, and continuing to strengthen the club both on and off the pitch. We have also seen in some of our local clubs the reliance on better social media, and we are also taking some significant steps towards changing this in the coming season.

In conclusion, the 2025–26 season has been one of resilience, community spirit and steady progress. Looking to next season, there is lots to look forward and as always plenty of things to do. The club succeeds by the efforts of volunteers and through the support of our sponsors and club members.

I would like to thank you all, but there is always room for more – whether you only have an hour or two on a Sunday morning, or you work in an area where we need support, please let us know. On behalf of the committee, I would like to thank all players, coaches, volunteers, sponsors and supporters for their continued commitment to Lewes RFC.

So finally, thank you all once again, enjoy the rest of the summer break, and hopefully see you all at the start of the 2026/27 Season to continue the successes of Lewes RFC.

This was followed by the Treasurer’s Financial Statement, which revealed a small profit of £2,600, with costs and charges roughly the same as the previous season. The accounts were audited by TCS Knill James, and the Treasurer is actively looking at local authority support via available grants.

The elections for club officers came next Paddy Henshaw (Club Chairman), Paul Nicholl (Club Secretary) and Nick Rawson (non-executive director – finance) were standing again, and Joel Evans, having been co-opted during the season as Club Treasurer, completed the list. There were no other nominations so the meeting approved their election.

Three new Vice Presidents – Nile Pile, Michelle Redshaw and Jean-Pierre Bessonie (a long-standing friend from Blois RFC) - had been put forward by the committee and their elections were confirmed by the meeting.

It was agreed that the membership subscription rates for next season were to be unchanged from the previous season, and, while most payments are made by direct debit on GMS, it was underlined that all other ways of making payments are acceptable to the club.

TCS Knill James were duly appointed reporting accountants.

Discussion during “Any Other Business” included

• Acquiring CCTV outside the clubhouse after the break in a few weeks earlier.
• Putting the results of all our teams in the local newspaper each week.
• Finding volunteers to help at the club shop.
• Purchases from the on-line shop can take a fortnight for garments to be printed.
• Purchasing gazebos for age grade teams to use.
• Keeping the storage areas tidy and installing shelving to facilitate this.