WELCOME TO WAVERLEY ROAD
ADDRESS
The Clubhouse, Waverley Road, Kettering NN15 6NT
OFFICE OPENING HOURS
Mon- Fri 9am - 1pm
CONTACT US
T: 01536 485588
E: info@ketteringrugbyclub.com
STAFF DIRECTORY
PRESIDENT DIRECTOR OF RUGBY
Peter May
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
Steve Wilson
HON SECRETARY
Mark Byers
HON TREASURER
Jon Stables
FXTURE SECRETARY
Peter May
FACILITIES MANAGER
Steve Wilson
CLUB ADMINISTRATOR
Clare Warren
MINI/JUNIOR CHAIRMAN
Liam Noble
DIRECTOR OF YOUTH RUGBY
Gary Chambers
YOUTH HEAD COACH
Michael Rawlings
HEAD OF GIRLS RUGBY
Steve Love
REFEREE CO-ORDINATOR
Peter May
Dickie Heath
HEAD COACH
Graham Wilson
CLUB & 1st XV CAPTAIN
Josh Cox
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
Helen Bridgeman
VP’S MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
Bob Wheeler
SAFEGUARDING OFFICER CLUB SHOP
Rebecca Horne
DISCIPLINARY OFFICER
Mark Byers
As always we offer a warm welcome to our match officials today.
Clare Warren
It’s possible you won’t agree with every decision they make during the course of the game, but please remember this is Rugby Union, not Association Football – if you’re the type who enjoys berating or even abusing officials, I would respectfully suggest this is not the place for you.
Please respect the match officials.
WELCOME FROM THE PRESIDENT
Avery warm welcome to you all to our first home game of 2025 as we remember Dougie Bridgeman and all that he stood for at our Club. More information on HITREDS to be found overleaf. We also hope that Helen or Tom will honour us
with a few words about Dougie at lunch. Also hopefully we welcome the league leaders Lutterworth to Waverley Road, a club seemingly hell bent on promotion come the end of the season.
Last Saturday saw the 1st XV just lose at Broadstreet but picked up two bonus points in the process, in fact it was our sixth losing bonus point of the season which shows that we are nearly right in what we are trying to do this season. But, as everyone involved with rugby in this league knows all too well, it's a long old season, and there's plenty of excitement still to come in the new year. I wish both teams well and here's to a great battle.
Speaking of excitement, our clubhouse will be filled with food, drink, laughter and music from ‘Bread & Drippin’ (and I'm sure some dancing). We will be keeping ourselves entertained with music so please do feel free to sing and dance as much as you can.
Today is a busy lunch, so please do support our event staff who will be working tirelessly to make sure you enjoy the day. Although this is the first home game of the year, we are already looking to more home fixtures in February, and tables are booking fast for lunches:
SAT 1ST FEBRUARY
Kettering RFC vs Market Bosworth RFC
The Presidents Lunch
SAT 15TH FEBRUARY
Kettering RFC vs Leicester Forest RFC
The Farmers Lunch
All event info and ticket info is at the main club website www.ketteringrugbyclub.com and you can also speak to Clare in order to book a place or even a table.
On behalf of everyone at the Club can I say a big thank you to all the Match Officials who will come to Kettering this year. Without you there is no game, and we greatly appreciate your efforts.
Finally, to our fans, undoubtedly some of the best in the league, have a great season home and away and, as ever: Be Loud, Be Proud and Be Respectful.
Peter May – President, Kettering Rugby Club
STEPHEN ‘DOUG’ BRIDGEMAN A LIFE IN RUGBY, AND BEYOND
Today’s pre-match lunch marks the first anniversary since the passing of Doug Bridgeman, and we are taking the time to honour and celebrate the greatness of the man
that really was a ‘True Blue!’
The day is underpinned by the club’s ethos and mantra of HITRED’s which formed part of his legacy work in elevating the RFU’s TRED’s Values to another level, and ultimately, the Making Better People program which serves as the foundation for much that is good at KRFC.
Rugby quickly became his passion thanks to Kettering Grammar School and set him on a pathway to become not only one of Kettering’s greatest rugby representatives, but the sport as a whole.
Whilst playing at the highest domestic standard, Kettering called for his help and he grasped the chance to fulfil a dream as the Club Captain – they called, he came. When the sport began the transition to the professional game, Kettering needed a stable hand to steer the ship – they called, he came. When the sport evolved and clubs at grassroots level needed to be self-sufficient and organic, working tirelessly to survive. Kettering needed an Operations Director – they called – he came. When someone was down, when motivation was needed, when advice requested, when a plan was called for, when a joke would break the silence, when a song should be sung –they called – he came.
All of the above were intrinsic to his character and were carried out without once seeking praise. Throughout this time, he quietly pursued his vision of what the essence of rugby was about in all aspects of life and not that solely limited to the game on the pitch.
The realisation that it holds the key to Build better People, by embracing the core values of HITREDs in all aspects of life, has over the years, influenced very many of the people and players you see around the club today. Doug, whilst not a deeply religious man, was almost evangelical in his belief that these core points can affect those that follow them in a most positive way, transcending the sport itself.
In recent years he developed further these ideas into a Manifesto of sorts, and began presenting his beliefs to the youth age groups as they came into the club which remains evident within the membership we see growing through the club now. HITRED’s represent a lasting legacy to Doug, and we are confident it will live on as an enduring testament to his work.
As indicated in the title we believe Doug’s work and gift to the club continues now and will into the future. If not in body, in spirit and love.
Doug’s great story would not be complete without mentioning his own rock and true loves: His dear wife and family. It should not need saying but Helen was by his side through most of his KFRC life and coincidence or no, his greatest achievements and success with Kettering aligned with when she was by his side. Read into that what you wish!
Helen, supported by the wider Bridgeman family, is very much our co-host today. She will undoubtedly have some words to say during the meal, but I would implore everyone to take a moment to reflect, and perhaps give her and the family a small memory, and a big thank you for sharing Doug with us.
Kettering Rugby Football Club
""No one ever gets it right 100% of the time, and neither should we expect that. However, if you live your life with those hitreds values, even when you make the odd mistake, you will never be far from the right pathway and you will be in a much better place to rectify things and, hopefully, make them right, or at least let people see you were trying to do things for the right reasons.
I always ask people which of the values is the “most important” one? There is no right answer, as each one has its own significance. However, i like to think that enjoyment is the central hub, and everything else is required to make it so.
After all, we are surely here to enjoy life’s experiences, in work, rest and play, and without all the other values, it is extremely hard to enjoy things, particularly when sharing experiences with others!
Without honesty and integrity, who will trust or respect you?
Without respect for others, how will you gain respect from them?
Without teamwork, how can you share your experiences and enjoy with others? We are after all, a social animal. Not much fun on your own?!
Without discipline and sportsmanship, we generate a hostile environment where nobody can enjoy the experience, again in work, rest or play."
STEPHEN ‘DOUG’ BRIDGEMAN
KRFC 200 CLUB
SUPPORT YOUR CLUB, JOIN THE KRFC 200 CLUB
By joining the Clubs monthly lottery draws! Every month there will be a lottery draw at the Club. For only £5 per month you could be in with a chance to win big cash prizes and support KRFC at the same time
Joining is simple! Just fill out and form found on the website via the QR code below to enter.
"YOU NEED TO BE IN IT TO WIN IT!"
SCAN TO ENTER ONLNE
Don't forget to place your christmas orders now, cut of date for receiving in time for Christmas is the 25th of November (excluding any stock issues). Images attached, keyring, medium kit bag, bootbag, HITREDS tee, oversized fleece hoodie.
Fleece Snood, Anti-pill finish, Ultra thermal fabric – warmth without weight, contoured design & Elasticated drawcord with
£15/£18
£22
EIGHTEEN75 HITREDS TEE
KRFC x Doug Bridgeman – HITREDS Graphic Tee. Created in collaboration with Doug Brideman. Honesty, integrity, teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline & sportmanship.
Available in sizes
XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL
£35
EIGHTEEN75
OVERSIZED FLEECE HOODIE
Brushed back Fleece, Oversized fit, Drop Shoulder style, Large front pouch pocket. Designed with warmth and comfort in mind.
Available in sizes
One Size
£10
£20
£4
EIGHTEEN75
KRFC BRANDED BOOT BAG
This handy boot bag help you keep your kit organised. Branded with the KRFC Club Shield on one side and the Eighteen 75 logo on the other.
Available in sizes
One Size
EIGHTEEN75
KRFC KIT BAG
Enhanced visibility reflective accents, D-zip opening for ease of access. Zippered front pocket and end pockets, Side mesh pocket, Detachable adjustable shoulder strap.
Available in sizes
30L
EIGHTEEN75
KRFC KEYRING
Soft PVC custom KRFC Keyring. Display your support for KRFC wherever you go with the official keyring. Great for adding a little KRFC flair to your keys or bags.
Available in sizes
One Size
REGIONAL 2 MIDLANDS EAST LEAGUE TABLE
