Dorking vs Old Albanians

The View from the Chair

Shaun Hammond

I would like to extend a warm welcome to our good friends, Old Albanians RFC to today’s match at the Big Field.

Both teams arrive after confidence-boosting wins last week at home to the struggling Worthing for OA’s, and away for the Dorks at the always difficult Guernsey, so much to look forward to in this encounter. Although Esher have a lead at the top of the division, both ourselves and the chasing pack are keen to make it competitive until the final game with the prospect of our highest ever league position in our sights.

Hopefully, you will have already heard about the fantastic performance of our Colts team in beating Rosslyn Park to progress to the Semi Finals of the National U18 Cup. It really is a magnificent achievement, with the next match being played at the Big Field on Sunday 31st March, please make every effort to ensure we have one of the largest attendance ever to cheer on the Colts.

So much of the support structure that enables the Colts (and the whole Club!) to achieve is only possible due to the continued support of our Sponsors. Today, I am delighted to welcome Veloce, who have been invaluable to us over the last few years. It has been a delight to get to know such a young, diverse and successful group of people driving their company, we are a good match!! Thank you for your continued, essential support.

Finally, please support all players and officials respectfully and enjoy what promises to be a great game.

Best regards,

Shaun Hammond Chairman, Dorking Rugby Club

A Word from the DoR...

Armand Roux

Welcome back to the Big Field.

After all the teams being away last weekend it’s a most welcome return to get back home.

Special welcome to Old Albanians RFC supporters, players and management. I hope you all have a good day here with us at Dorking today. OA’s recorded a good win against Worthing at home last weekend by scoring some cracking tries in the process and I, for one, have a lot of respect for OA’s and the way they try to play so I’m looking forward to the game today.

Last weekend saw the Dorking 1st team record a fantastic win over Guernsey away from home with some amazing support in the crowd. Special big thank you from me to all the faithful Dorking supporters who made the journey. It genuinely makes our job easier knowing we have got such a great group of supporters win or lose.

The twos headed over to Richmond for another cracking battle against a strong Saxons side, coming out very close losers by 7 points. Another great indication of the strength of the men’s squad today and the continued evolution of this incredibly young squad. It will be great to see how they got on against OA’s second team who have also made the journey.

I would also like to welcome some of the ex-players at today’s lunch who I had the privilege to play with. None of the stories they will tell you about me is true and it’s really great seeing their faces down here today. I hope you enjoy the lunch and the rugby, chaps.

Have a good day one and all and see you in the bar after.

All the best,

Armand Roux Director of Rugby, Dorking Rugby Club #WACOMB

You don’t need to be reminded that there’s been a huge uptake in women’s grassroots sports, with a rise in adult women playing rugby e pected to e ceed 100,000 by 2027. While England’s woman are storming the global stage in both Rugby and Football, there’s still a long way to go to inspire confidence off the pitch. Sophie udson, arketing supremo at A shares her thoughts.

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DRFC CHARITY GOLF DAY

THURSDAY 23RD MAY, BETCHWORTH PARK

GOLF CLUB

Four-balls are booking fast for the DRFC Charity Golf Day. Don’t miss the chance to take part - please contact scottyrich14@gmail.com to book you place.

A TASTE OF WHAT’S IN STORE…

WE’VE GOT SOME CRACKING SPECIAL EVENTS AND CLUB SOCIALS LINED UP THIS SEASON.

Scan this code for news and booking information, including Rugby World Cup screenings and a whole season of delicious pre-match lunches.You can pre-book match day tickets too at special club member rates.

Here are some social highlights for the first half of the season - add these to your diary now!

24th February - DRFC vs Old Albanian, plus past players’ lunch

9th March - DRFC Women’s Fixture, plus International Women’s Day & guest speaker

16th March - DRFC vs Henley, plus St Patrick’s Day celebrations

6th April - DRFC vs Tonbridge Juddians

21st April - DRFC kids first rugby festival

4th May - DRFC vs Wimbledon, plus season finale family day

5th May - DRFC Annual 7s Tournament – Mens’ & Womens’

17th May - DRFC Club Awards

23rd May - DRFC Charity Golf Day at Betchworth Park Golf Club

Plus Quiz Nights, Live Music and More!

Check your inbox and club newsletters for details.

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PLAYER PROFILES

Since joining the club, Joel has not only made some big impacts on the pitch but off it too! More likely to be spotted not wearing his t-shirt to reveal his hard work. His energy and dynamism far outweighs his stature and he has cemented himself as a stalwart of the Dorking RFC 1ST XV since returning from Canterbury University a few years ago now.

Earliest DRFC memory?

My second ever game for Dorking getting MOTM and a hat-trick followed by my first lock-in at DRFC.

Rugby Inspiration?

Lewis Moody - the nick name ‘mad dog’ says enough. An all-time great flanker and someone I look to emulate at every opportunity.

If you had to drive from the Big Field to Lands End who from the club would you want in the car with you?

Jasper King - ideal DJ / and knows my Pizza express order.

Who would be the last person you’d take?!

Charlie Connor - lovely guy but too obsessed with scrummaging. What was your best memory from last season?

Beating Barnes in the last minute with a full length of the field team try. Cue the celebrations...

Who takes up most of the physios time?

Callum Watson - walks out looking like the Michelin Man.

We’ve heard you’re part of a changing room cult on training days, what goes on in there?

A heady mix of dating advice and political ideologies.You can guess who contributes most to either topic.

What do you like most about playing Rugby at DRFC?

It’s not just about rugby, you’re supported on and off the field. We, as a team, all play together and see each other away from the club - which is rare at rugby clubs.

Joel Grant

In his second spell at DRFC, Jacko has been a great addition on and off the pitch. The front row were worried for their places when he first arrived due to his prominent gut. Turns out, he is also a fine cricketer, the vast quantities of teas and beer gets the blame for the belly issues come pre season!

Earliest DRFC memory?

Strangely it was actually playing against Dorking in my first ever rugby (tag) game… Jasper King and Joss Hammond must have been playing for Dorking, and I believe Shaun Hammond was the coach.

Rugby Inspiration?

Joost van der Westhuizen - all time great South African scrum half.

If you had to drive from the Big Field to Lands End, who from the club would you want in the car with you?

The new lad, Bryan Hotston - we have known each other since we were 13. We went to school together and had a stint at Old E’s so he’s been putting up with me for a long time.

George Jackson

Who would be the last person you’d take?!

Probably have to be Daragh. He’d lose the car keys so his mum would need to give us a lift or misplace our bags for the trip and need Newks to find them...

What was your best memory from last season?

Has to be last year when we took on Rochford away. Steve had arranged his stag for that weekend, so it gave a lot of the youngsters an opportunity to play and we won. Reminded me of my first game at Nat 2 for Dorking when I was 18.

Who takes up most of the physios time?

Craig for the backs as the poor lad can’t catch a break currently. Also, definitely Callum Watson for the forwards, but he goes in there less after Westcliff away last year.

We’ve heard you’re part of a changing room cult on training days, what goes on in there?

As the only back awarded with the honorary forwards membership, nothing can quite describes seeing a naked Charlie Conner chasing Zak out the shower in order to secure the best shower spot, then pulling out his famous shower stool to sit on and prison soap. It’s quite a sight.

What do you like most about playing Rugby at DRFC?

Has to be the people (players and fans). I’m an ex club-hopper myself, but Dorking is the only place I’d call my home club. I’ve never felt more welcome than wearing the red and white at the Big Field.

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SENIOR PLAYING SQUADS & SPONSORS

Adam Musa

Sponsored by Reason Global

Bryan Karimanzira

Sponsored by

Callum Powell

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Sponsored by Steve Major

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Archie O’Hanlon

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Brian Tuilagi

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Finn Osborne

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George Spreckley

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Austin Emens

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Callum Steel

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Craig Holland

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Finn Rennles

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Bailey Osborne

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Callum Watson

Sponsored by EfficiencyIT

Dan Riches

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Nick & Marilyn Reid

Fraser Mosley

Sponsored by Reason Global

Ben Mackenzie

Sponsored by Dorking Design & Build

Cam Cowell

Sponsored by Veloce Media Group

Daragh Chambers

Sponsored by Linda Beal

Fred Dalton

Sponsored by Dorking Design & Build

Ben Puttick

Sponsored by Dorking Brasserie

Cameron Osborne

Sponsored by Bea

Ed Jenkins

Sponsored by

George Evans

Sponsored by Reason Global

Williams

Sponsored by Reason Global

Sponsored by

Webster

Sponsored by

Henry Smith

Sponsored by His Favourite Godmother

Greg Wise

Sponsored by

Jake Dobson

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Henry Anscombe

Sponsored by The Kings

Jasper King

Sponsored by Hannah & Duncan C-J

Henry Bennett

Henry Birch

Henry Page

George Jackson

Graeme

George

Eddie Monk

Charlie Connor

Grace

MPA Creative

The Star

For information on player or club sponsorship, please contact sponsorship@dorkingrfc.com

Joe Andresen

Sponsored by R Lloyd Pack

Max Sheldrake

Sponsored by The Plough

Joe Scott

Sponsored by

Mikey Macdonald

Sponsored by Caroline Theobald

Joel Grant

Sponsored by Bramley House

Oli Rawlinson

Sponsored by The Plough

Jonny Ellis

Sponsored by Claire Ellis

Oli Shepherd

Sponsored by Woodleigh Group

Joss Hammond

Sponsored by Reason Global

Oliver Brunning

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Matty Gwyther

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Westdaw Menswear

Raymond Jardine

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Rory Mitchell

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Toby McRae

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Tom Howe

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Rudy Jaques

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Tom Bloomer

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Park Lane Paws

Tom Nairn

Sponsored by Reason Global

Ryan Jeffery

Sponsored by Jaques Construction

Tom Bristow

Sponsored by Andy Webb

Steve Howorth

Sponsored by Reason Global

Tom Budd

Sponsored by Dorking Brasserie

Ted Carey

Sponsored by

Tom Chave

Sponsored by Reason Global

Thomas Beal

Sponsored by Reason Global

Tom Dobson

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Will Goudie

Sponsored by

Will King

Sponsored by Reason Global

Tom Powell

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Will Sanders

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Tyler Norwood

Sponsored by Nick & Marilyn Reid

Will Scholes

Sponsored by Mr & Mrs Mozza

Will Derbyshire

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Will Goodfellow

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Will Simpson

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Zak Stephenson

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SENIOR PLAYING SQUADS & SPONSORS

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Eleanor Richards

Imogen Trigger

Jessica Freeman

Carly Manning

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Jacqui Ide

Caroline Court

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Jasmine Pitt-Payne

Lauren Parsons Sponsored by

Hannah McAlpine

Jemma Wood

Sponsored by

Laveeza Raja

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Saba UK

Roxy Wooding (Applewood)

Steve Curtis

Cr5 Magazine

Jo White

Simon Johnson (Wingnut)

Ex Dorking Ladies

Sue Beames

MVAM

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MANAGEMENT & SUPPORT STAFF

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Lauren Parsons Senior Physio

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Scott Richardson 2nd Team Coach

Sponsored by Mole Valley Asset Management

Pete Fisher 2nd Team Coach

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Jay Belam 3rd Team Coach

Sponsored by Mole Valley Asset Management

Jack Bairstow Backs Coach

by Beavis Morgan

Daniel Mackenzie S&C

by The Plough

Tom Bristow Scrum Coach

Webb

Ben Puttick Women’s Coach

by Dorking Brasserie

James Leggett Youth Development Coach

by Mole Valley Asset Management

Jessica Freeman Women’s Coach Sponsored by Mole Valley Asset Management

Ben Goodlad Women’s Coach Sponsored by Mole Valley Asset Management

Patrick O’Grady Head of Pathway Sponsored by Mole Valley Asset Management

Ellie Byrne Senior Physio Sponsored by

Amy Bowling Senior Physio

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Benji Wroblewski Youth Transition & Colts Development Coach

by

Ian Newcastle Team Manager

Sponsored by The Plough

Armand Roux Director of Rugby

by Mike & Jinny Osborne

Henry Birch Forwards Coach

Will Scholes Lineouts Coach

Cameron Cowell Backs Coach

by Veloce

Attack Coach

Tom Howe Defence Coach

Vasey

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Sue Beames

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Your name will appear under their photo in the centre spread of our match-day programmes and you’ll get a shout out on match days too!

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1ST XV FIXTURES

2023 / 2024

Kick-Off Times:

September & October: 3pm

November: 2.30pm

December & January: 2pm

February: 2.30pm

March & April: 3pm

Big thanks to the Running Horses Syndicate who are again supporting Dorking RFC this season by generously providing a top quality Gilbert match ball for each home league fixture.

We are grateful to Reason Global for supporting DRFC during our 2023-24 season.

JOHN DOUGLAS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FUND

This special initiative was launched in March 2017 with a primary aim to fund or part fund specific projects or initiatives in the support of obtaining the highest possible standard and engagement of rugby through DRFC, with particular emphasis on Youth Development.

We are extremely grateful to the following for their support of the Fund:

Patrons

John Aarvold

Martin Ashford

Kevin Beal

Robert Bennett

Andrew Chitty

Mary Douglas

Derek Grieve

Shaun Hammond

Mark & Jo Harrison

David Hemmings

John Holder

Stewart Irvine

Alan King

Stuart & Tracey Mitchell

Ian Newcastle

Roger Parkin

Sir Michael Pickard

Michael Spicer

Colin Taylor

Andy Webb

Bob White

Benefactors

Bramley House

Tracy Evans

EfficiencyIT

Paul & Gill Gardner

Nick & Sarah Gillett

Paul Instone

Mark Janaway

Jaques Construction

Jack May

Jamie & Pip Merrett

Chris Millar

O’Halloran & O’Brien

Jim Regan

Armand Roux

Nick Smith

Colin Troughton

Michael & Carolyne Walter

Harry Watts

Jonathon Watts

Chris Webb

Dominic Wright

A big ‘THANK YOU’ to all of our contributors

For more information of how to contribute and to request a standing order or donation form, please contact: treasurer@dorkingrfc.com.

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