Dorking R.F.C.
 | |
| Full name | Dorking Rugby Football Club |
|---|---|
| Union | Surrey RFU |
| Founded | 1921 |
| Location | Brockham, Surrey, England |
| Ground(s) | The Big Field (Capacity: (1,000+) all standing) |
| Chairman | Shaun Hammond |
| President | Humfrey Malins |
| Coach(es) | Armand Roux |
| Captain(s) | James Catton |
| League(s) | London & South East Premier |
| 2019–20 | 5th |
| Official website | |
| www | |
Dorking Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union football club, originally based in Dorking, Surrey and play in the nearby village of Brockham. The club currently play in the fifth tier (London & South East Premier) of English club rugby.
About
With over 700 active registered players, the club runs four senior sides and is a home-club to many internationals such as Elliot Daly, George Kruis,[1] and Kay Wilson; a ladies team,[2] and a large youth section aged between 5 and 18.[3]
History
Dorking RFC was founded in 1921 with a single team; a second team followed in 1928. The club ceased to play in 1940 due to the demands of World War II. It was re-established in 1946, initially with a single team, but grew rapidly as 2nd (1947), 3rd (1948) and 4th (1954) teams were formed.[4]
The club moved to The Big Field in Brockham in 1972 when it was granted a 50-year lease by the National Trust. This was extended with another 50-year lease in 2011.[4]
The first youth team – Dorking Schoolboys XV – was formed in 1951 with a single team of 13- to 18-year-olds. By 1965 this had grown to the point of splitting into three age banded teams. A mini section (for girls and boys aged 6–12) followed in 1980 and the first ladies team in 1988.[4] Dorking youth teams have twice triumphed in the National under-17 cup, winning the main competition in 2007 and the Shield in 20012.
The 1st XV was promoted to the RFU National Leagues (National League 3 London & SE) in 2009 and at the end of the 2013–14 season won promotion to National League 2 South, finishing fourth in 2014–15, their highest league position to date.[4] However the 2015–2016 season saw the club lose many key stars such as hooker Ross Grimstone to Richmond F.C. & scrum half Will Crow to Rosslyn Park F.C. who represented the England Counties side in a game against Romania in the summer prior to the end of 2014–15[clarification needed].
After the disappointing injury led 2015–16 season, the club had an major restructure resulting with the departure of director of rugby Richie Andrews and the appointment of the former 1st XV captain Armand Roux.
John Douglas Youth Development Fund
The official launch of the John Douglas Youth Development Fund took place on Wednesday 15 March 2017. Joined by members of John's family and his former colleagues from Surrey RFU, it was a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much to DRFC and the wider rugby community over many years and whose enormous passion for the sport has benefited so many of our players. The primary aim of the JDYDF is to "fund or part fund specific projects or initiatives in the support of obtaining the highest possible standard and engagement of rugby through Dorking Rugby Club with particular emphasis on Youth Development".
Honours
- London 2 South champions: 1989–90
- London Division 4 South West champions: 2005–06
- London 2 (south-east v south-west) promotion playoff winners: 2006–07
- Powergen Junior Vase: 2006[4]
- London 1 (north v south) promotion playoff winners: 2008–09
- Surrey Cup winners (3): 2010, 2014, 2017
- National League 3 London & SE champions: 2013–14
Current standings
Template:2015–16 National League 2 South
References
- ^ "Senior Team Home". Dorking RFC. Archived from the original on 29 August 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
- ^ "Ladies". Dorking RFC. Archived from the original on 20 December 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
- ^ "Youth Section (Minis and Juniors)". Dorking RFC. Archived from the original on 29 August 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "History". Dorking RFC. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
