Author: Denys Andrianjafy

Give it a go - Family Sports Day

Give it a Go! Free Family Sports Day

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Saturday 12 July 2025 | 10am – 4pm |The Marine Travel Ground

Get ready for a brilliant day of sport, fun, and community spirit as we host Give it a Go! – a completely free, action-packed family event designed to get young people moving and exploring new activities.

Whether you’re keen to pass a rugby ball, throw a punch in boxing, or give taekwondo a try, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. With expert coaches and clubs on hand, it’s the perfect opportunity to try a new sport in a safe and welcoming environment.

Sports & Activities to Try:
Rugby | Football | Judo | Taekwondo | Boxing | Wrestling | Cricket | Wheelchair Rugby | Combat Archery | …and much more!

Open to all abilities, ages 4 to 18 – no experience needed, just bring your enthusiasm!

Plus:

  • Meet your local Blue Light services

  • Explore community safety, health, and well-being stalls

  • Tuck into tasty food & drink from our onsite vendors

Getting here is easy!
A free shuttle bus will run every 30 minutes from Canterbury Bus Station (stand D1) starting at 9.30am. The final return bus from the rugby club leaves at 4.30pm.

More info and FAQs:
canterburybid.co.uk/event/give-it-a-go-event-at-canterbury-rugby-club

Bring your mates, bring your family, and give it a go!

Bat and Trap

Still time to enter a team into one of Kent’s oldest sport

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Join the Bat & Trap Bash – Saturday 19th July 2025

Get ready for a summer showdown like no other as Canterbury Rugby Club hosts its much-loved Bat & Trap Tournament on Saturday 19th July – and we want you in on the action!

Whether you’re a seasoned slinger of the bat or just in it for the banter, this is your chance to get a team together, enjoy a day in the sun, and raise money for two fantastic causes – Kent MS Therapy Centre and Canterbury Rugby Club.

How it works

  • Teams of 6

  • £100 per team

  • 12pm start at The Marine Travel Ground

  • Music, food, and family-friendly fun all day long!

Expect a festival atmosphere with live DJs, mouth-watering food from Scrum Kitchen, and an ice cream truck on hand to keep things cool.

It’s not just about the sport – it’s about the spirit. So rally your mates, pick a witty team name, and get involved in a proper Canterbury tradition.

Spaces are limited, so don’t wait! Book your team today by emailing:
fundraising@kentmstc.org

Seven Points

Sun, celebration, and Seven Points

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

No rugby? No problem. The summer is still sparkling.

There may be no scrums at The Marine Travel Ground right now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t raise a glass to the season (or the sunshine!).

Reach for a glass of Seven Points,  our very own sparkling Rosé, crafted just a drop-kick from the clubhouse using the finest Kent-grown grapes. A balanced blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, it’s a light pink fizz that’s as good for summer relaxing as it is for celebrating a cup final.

Fresh, elegant, and full of flavour – this is a try-worthy wine made to toast the big moments on and off the field.

Perfect for:
Garden BBQs
Graduation cheers
Post-training treats
Missing-matchday pick-me-ups

Available now from Canterbury RFC:

£30 per bottle (sold in cases of 6)

Collection only

Dean Martin, - Southeastern, Alice Hayward - CRFC, Nathan Morris - CRFC

CRFC partners with Southeastern to deliver safety and wellbeing programme

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

We’re delighted to announce a new community partnership between Canterbury Rugby Football Club and Southeastern Railway.

This exciting collaboration will bring Southeastern’s Trackside Safety Programme to our wider rugby family, with a series of self-development days taking place across the season. Delivered to members of CRFC and Canterbury ACE, these sessions will explore key themes around safety, wellbeing, and education, using the power of sport as a catalyst for personal growth and community learning.

Sport changes lives, and we believe this initiative is a brilliant example of rugby’s role beyond the pitch.

Keep an eye out for our club posters and a signed CRFC match shirt in the ticket hall at Canterbury East station in the coming months – and join us in supporting this fantastic initiative!

Pilgrims set sights on another strong campaign in Regional 2 South East

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

After securing back-to-back promotions in the past two seasons, our Pilgrims (2nd XV) are ready to take on new challenges in the 2025/26 Regional 2 South East league.

With momentum and confidence behind them, the squad will be looking to continue their on-field success and make their mark in this highly competitive division. With a blend of returning players and emerging talent pushing through, the season promises plenty of exciting rugby for our supporters.

Here’s the full fixture list for the campaign — get these dates in your diary and come and get behind the boys in Black & Amber!

2025/26 Pilgrims Fixtures – Regional 2 South East

  • 06-Sep-25 – Canterbury II v Battersea Ironsides (H)

  • 13-Sep-25 – Horsham v Canterbury II (A)

  • 20-Sep-25 – Canterbury II v Gravesend (H)

  • 04-Oct-25 – Canterbury II v Brighton (H)

  • 11-Oct-25 – Bromley v Canterbury II (A)

  • 18-Oct-25 – Canterbury II v Dartfordians (H)

  • 25-Oct-25 – O. Reigatians v Canterbury II (A)

  • 08-Nov-25 – Canterbury II v O. Colfeians (H)

  • 22-Nov-25 – Sidcup v Canterbury II (A)

  • 29-Nov-25 – Canterbury II v Sutton & Epsom (H)

  • 06-Dec-25 – Beckenham v Canterbury II (A)

  • 13-Dec-25 – Canterbury II v Horsham (H)

  • 20-Dec-25 – Gravesend v Canterbury II (A)

  • 10-Jan-26 – Brighton v Canterbury II (A)

  • 17-Jan-26 – Canterbury II v Bromley (H)

  • 31-Jan-26 – Dartfordians v Canterbury II (A)

  • 14-Feb-26 – Canterbury II v O. Reigatians (H)

  • 28-Feb-26 – O. Colfeians v Canterbury II (A)

  • 07-Mar-26 – Canterbury II v Sidcup (H)

  • 21-Mar-26 – Sutton & Epsom v Canterbury II (A)

  • 28-Mar-26 – Canterbury II v Beckenham (H)

  • 11-Apr-26 – Battersea Ironsides v Canterbury II (A)

Stay tuned for match previews, results, and updates throughout the season — and as always, thank you for your fantastic support.

British & Irish Lions

The Lions are back – Join us at the clubhouse!

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Missing rugby already? We’ve got you covered.
The 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour roars into action this Friday, 20th June, and we’re showing every match live in the clubhouse – starting with the opener against Argentina, kicking off at 8.00pm.

  • Scrum Kitchen open from 8am-12:30pm (Last food order at 12pm)
  • All screens showing the action
  • Scrum Kitchen is open and serving up breakfast for those early morning games

This is your chance to enjoy top-class international rugby with fellow fans, a pint in hand and plenty of atmosphere. Whether you’re in for one game or the whole tour, you’re more than welcome.

And for a special treat – Saturday 26th July – we’ll be showing the Lions v Australia Test Match live on our outdoor screen. A proper rugby occasion, rain or shine.
Lions Tour Fixtures – Showing Live at the Clubhouse:

Friday 20 June – KO 8.00pm
British & Irish Lions v Argentina

Saturday 28 June – KO 11.00am
Force v British & Irish Lions

Wednesday 2 July – KO 11.00am
Reds v British & Irish Lions

Saturday 5 July – KO 11.00am
Waratahs v British & Irish Lions

Wednesday 9 July – KO 11.00am
Brumbies v British & Irish Lions

Saturday 12 July – KO 11.00am
Opponent TBC v British & Irish Lions

Saturday 19 July – KO 11.00am
Australia v British & Irish Lions

Tuesday 22 July – KO 11.00am
Opponent TBC v British & Irish Lions

Saturday 26 July – KO 11.00am
Australia v British & Irish Lions
Outdoor screen showing

Saturday 2 August – KO 11.00am
Australia v British & Irish Lions

Come down for a drink, come for a hearty breakfast, but most of all – come to cheer on the Lions with your Canterbury rugby family.

26 fixtures announced – new faces, fresh challenges await the 1st XV

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

The wait is over – the 2025/26 men’s 1st XV fixtures have been confirmed, and there’s plenty to look forward to as we gear up for another National 2 East campaign.

This season sees two new sides entering the league following promotion from Regional One:

  • London Welsh, a famous name with rich rugby heritage, return to the national leagues with momentum.

  • Oundle RFC, based in Peterborough, also make the step up and will be an exciting new test for our squad.

They replace Colchester and Worthing, who drop down following relegation.

Also back in the mix are Esher, returning to National 2 East after relegation from National One. They’ll be looking to bounce back quickly and add further quality to what’s already shaping up to be a competitive league.

With new opposition, familiar foes, and the Black & Amber faithful behind us, 2025/26 promises another season full of passion, purpose, and pride.

Matt Corker, Head Coach shares:

The players are all working hard in the gym, and with the release of the fixtures, we now have our first game to focus on — and what a fixture it is. Barnes away has always been a tough challenge, and it will provide a great test for us at the end of preseason, kicking off what promises to be an exciting first month. Having our two biggest local derbies as our first two home games means that September at the Marine Travel Ground is set to be one to remember.

The squad will spend two more weeks focused on gym work before returning to the pitch in the final week of June. Everyone is eager to get back out there and start building on the momentum we created at the end of last season.

We know exactly what this group is capable of, and we’ll be using every session this preseason to prepare thoroughly and push ourselves to the next level.

2025/26 National 2 East fixtures

Round 1 – 06 September 2025
Barnes v Canterbury – Away

Round 2 – 13 September 2025
Canterbury v Sevenoaks – Home

Round 3 – 20 September 2025
Henley v Canterbury – Away

Round 4 – 27 September 2025
Canterbury v Westcombe Park – Home

Round 5 – 04 October 2025
Dorking v Canterbury – Away

Round 6 – 11 October 2025
Canterbury v Havant – Home

Round 7 – 18 October 2025
Old Albanian v Canterbury – Away

Round 8 – 25 October 2025
Canterbury v Bury St Edmunds – Home

Round 9 – 08 November 2025
Oundle v Canterbury – Away

Round 10 – 15 November 2025
Canterbury v London Welsh – Home

Round 11 – 22 November 2025
Oxford Harlequins v Canterbury – Away

Round 12 – 06 December 2025
Canterbury v Guernsey – Home

Round 13 – 13 December 2025
Esher v Canterbury – Away

Round 14 – 20 December 2025
Sevenoaks v Canterbury – Away

Round 15 – 10 January 2026
Canterbury v Henley – Home

Round 16 – 17 January 2026
Westcombe Park v Canterbury – Away

Round 17 – 24 January 2026
Canterbury v Dorking – Home

Round 18 – 31 January 2026
Havant v Canterbury – Away

Round 19 – 14 February 2026
Canterbury v Old Albanian – Home

Round 20 – 21 February 2026
Bury St Edmunds v Canterbury – Away

Round 21 – 28 February 2026
Canterbury v Oundle – Home

Round 22 – 14 March 2026
London Welsh v Canterbury – Away

Round 23 – 21 March 2026
Canterbury v Oxford Harlequins – Home

Round 24 – 11 April 2026
Guernsey v Canterbury – Away

Round 25 – 18 April 2026
Canterbury v Esher – Home

Round 26 – 25 April 2026
Canterbury v Barnes – Home

Round 22 – 14 March 2026

London Welsh v Canterbury

Round 23 – 21 March 2026
Canterbury v Oxford Harlequins

Round 24 – 11 April 2026
Guernsey v Canterbury

Round 25 – 18 April 2026
Canterbury v Esher

Round 26 – 25 April 2026
Canterbury v Barnes

It’s shaping up to be another blockbuster season of Black & Amber rugby. Fixture posters and key dates will be available soon to download or collect from the club.

Get the scarf, bring the noise, and mark your calendars – we’ll see you on the touchline!

#GetBehindUs

Phil Petts

Phil Petts

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

Phil PettsIt is with great sadness that we announce the death of one of CRFC’s old boys, Phil Petts.

During the 1980s Phil was a staunch supporter of CRFC, serving on the Committee, Captaining the 3rd XV and playing prop for the 1st XV – a proud occasion for Phil, being part of the 1982/83 winning team in Canterbury’s first floodlight tournament.  Rugby remained a lifelong passion for Phil, and on retiring from playing, he went on to support his local Whitstable Rugby Club.

Until his recent retirement, Phil’s profession as a Chiropractor kept him in contact with local rugby players, young and old, many of whom shared his eternal dry wit.

Phil’s funeral will be at 1pm on Friday 18th July at Herne Bay crematorium.

No flowers, thank you, but if you’d like to do something, a donation to Brain Tumour Research would be kind. A box will be available for cheques or cash at the crematorium or card machine.

Just awaiting confirmation, the wake will be in The Tankerton Arms, where we hope you join to celebrate Phil’s life.

For those unable to attend, the funeral will be live-streamed.

Honda Volunteer Awards 2025

Shining a Light on the Heart of the Club – Honda Volunteer Awards 2025

Posted on | by Denys Andrianjafy

A cracking evening was had on Wednesday as we joined clubs from across the region for the annual Honda Volunteer Awards, hosted at Ashford RFU. With great food, great company, and even greater purpose, the evening was a celebration of the unsung heroes who keep grassroots rugby alive and thriving.

It was a night not about tries, tackles, or trophies—but about those who give their time, energy, and heart so that others can enjoy the game.

Volunteers are the engine that keeps clubs like ours running. They man the gates, cook the breakfasts, run the lines, tape the injuries, steward the car parks, wash the kit, and so much more. Often working quietly behind the scenes, they are the reason our Black & Amber family continues to grow stronger every year.

This evening gave us a chance to turn the spotlight away from our star players and shine it on those who rarely see the game because they’re too busy making it happen.

We were incredibly proud to see such a brilliant turnout from Canterbury RFC—and even prouder to bring home a fantastic haul of awards:

Connecting the Community

  • Abe Grumerr

  • Will Sands

  • Erin Collins

  • Oliver Glewis

  • Percy Coupe

  • Charlie Rees

  • John Halliday

  • Denys Andrianjafy

Unsung Hero

  • Miles MacKinnon

  • Matt Pinnick

  • Sally Taylor – Regional Finalist

  • James Ivens

Game for All

  • Alex Sullivan

  • Ella Jenkins

  • Rich Collins

RFU Award

  • Tony Carollo – Match Official Winner

The overriding sentiment from every award winner was humbling:
“We are one of many.”

And they’re right. The work of one volunteer is part of something so much bigger, a tapestry of support, passion, and commitment that binds our club together.

To all our volunteers—named and unnamed, seen and unseen—thank you.
From the bottom of our hearts, we salute you.