Category: U16

Under 16’s Finish their Season Stronger than Ever.

Posted on | by Becca Williams

The 2025/26 season will go down as one of the finest in the history of any Canterbury team.

Across every competition, the squad delivered excellence, resilience and consistency, finishing the entire campaign undefeated while playing an exciting brand of rugby built on teamwork, discipline and determination.

 

The boys were crowned Kent U16 Champions after an unbeaten county campaign and added further silverware by winning the South East England Friday Floodlight Competition in memorable fashion.  Their attacking rugby. The squad also celebrated success with victory in the prestigious U16 Essex Golden Boot competition.

 

The team was relentless throughout the year, with the team scoring an outstanding 690 points while conceding just 210 — a reflection of both their attacking flair and defensive commitment.

 

Beyond the trophies and statistics, the future looks bright with an incredible 11 players earned selection into professional academies, recognition of Coaches Foz, Matt and Wadds talent and the boys hard work.

 

Most importantly, the team represented the club with humility and togetherness, often appluaded by opposing teams and their supporters not only for their excellence but also their fair play and maturoty, leaving these boys with lifelong memories and setting a benchmark for future Canterbury age-group sides to follow.

Canterbury Presence Shines in Another Ealing Trailfinders U17s Showcase

Posted on | by Becca Williams

It was another outstanding weekend for our Canterbury RFC youngsters as they once again pulled on the Ealing Trailfinders colours, representing the ‘Champ’ teams elite academy, this time with an even stronger Canterbury presence across both squads.

Ealing Trailfinders fielded two U17 teams, Orange and Green, with the Orange side featuring eight Canterbury players, a fantastic reflection of the talent coming through our pathway.

Representing Canterbury in Ealing Orange were Alex, Axe, Felipé, Fred, Chester, Olly, Sam and Will, all of whom played with confidence, resilience and maturity beyond their years.

The Ealing Orange team were rewarded for their efforts with a well‑earned 28–24 victory, in what was effectively a U16/U17 hybrid fixture. The close, competitive nature of the contest showcased just how well these players are adapting to higher‑level rugby, both physically and tactically. Their performance was full of energy, commitment and composure, delivering a result they can be truly proud of.

Ealing Green team, meanwhile, were involved in a thrilling encounter that went right down to the final play. Despite a narrow 47–43 defeat, the performance was full of positives. With the Green side operating more as a predominantly U17 team, players such as Fred, Freddie, Will and Alfie were tested at a higher age‑group level in a game played at great intensity. The final score may not have fallen their way, but the character, ambition and attacking rugby on display spoke volumes.

What makes occasions like this so special is not just the results, but the journey behind them. Everyone who has played a part along the way; parents, coaches and volunteers can take immense pride in seeing out young Canterbury players continue to grow, challenge themselves and represent Canterbury so impressively in the ‘Champ’ Trailfinders environment.

We couldn’t be prouder of every one of them!

U16 Players Step Up to Represent Ealing Trailfinders Under 17s

Posted on | by Becca Williams

 

We are incredibly proud of three of our Under 16 players who stepped up to represent CHAMP side Ealing Trailfinders Under 17s over the weekend. Fred Hammond, Alfie Allan and Freddie Eastwood-Squire all pulled on the U17 shirt, showing maturity, commitment and quality well beyond their age group.

Despite a tough fixture, away against Glasgow Warriors U17s, the team delivered a competitive performance, eventually losing 52–36 in a high-scoring and entertaining match. The scoreline reflected the attacking intent and resilience shown throughout the game, with our players playing their part at every stage.

A special mention goes to Alfie Allan, who capped off his performance by getting on the scoresheet.

The players showed great attitude, physicality and composure, contributing to the team and demonstrating why they deserve opportunities at the next level.

As a club, we take huge pride in seeing our youth players progress through the pathway and earn representative opportunities. Coach Foz has created a team unrivaled in the Kent and South East area.

Fred, Alfie and Freddie fully embody our values on and off the pitch, and their efforts have not gone unnoticed.

These kinds of experiences are vital in player development.

Representing Ealing Trailfinders Under 17s will help all three players grow, learn and bring extra knowledge and confidence back into our Under 16s environment.

Well done to all three lads on a strong showing at Under 17 level.

Next week sees Ealing Trailfinders Under 17s face another CHAMP side, Coventry, and we hope to see more Canterbury RFC Under 16 representation there, watch this space!

 

Canterbury U16s Crowned Champions After Dominant 38–5 Victory

Posted on | by Becca Williams

Canterbury U16s delivered a performance to remember this weekend, stepping onto the pitch with everything at stake,  and rising to the occasion in spectacular fashion. In a commanding 38–5 win over Tunbridge Wells, the squad didn’t just secure another result…

🏆 They sealed the 2026 Championship title. 🏆

From the opening whistle, Canterbury set the tone with relentless pressure, disciplined structure, and an intensity that Tunbridge Wells struggled to match. Every player contributed to a display filled with heart, grit, and composure far beyond their years.

By the time the final try was grounded, the scoreboard told the story: a dominant Canterbury side, muddy, exhausted, but smiling from ear to ear, the unmistakable look of champions.

A Triumph Months in the Making

 

This victory represents far more than 70 minutes of rugby excellence. It is the result of:

• Months of hard training

• Unwavering discipline and commitment

• A squad that plays for each other

• Dedicated coaches shaping and supporting development

• Parents and volunteers who make every match day possible

Together, this community built something special, and today, it all came to life on the pitch.

💛🖤 Congratulations to the Canterbury U16s: 2026 Champions!💛🖤

The scoring opened after 20 minutes when Alfie crossed for the first try, slinking through muddy hands as no one could bring him down,

setting the tone for the afternoon. Six minutes later Axel powered his way over, a try built on sheer strength, aggression and hand-offs that underlined the forwards’ intent. Isaac added the conversion at 27 minutes to extend the lead further.

This team has earned a moment they will carry with them forever. Their performance, their unity, and their spirit have set a standard for the club and created memories that will stay with players, coaches, and supporters alike.

Well done, Canterbury. What a journey. What a team. What a finish.

The Match Report:

This final Kent County League fixture of the U16 season came with everything on the line, with victory required to secure the Championship. The squad responded in emphatic fashion, producing a dominant all-round performance to close the campaign in style.

From there, the Canterbury backs began to shine. Oscar finished a sharp move at pace beating 3 attempted tacklers on 30 minutes, before Isaac followed it up with another conversion. The interplay, speed and precision in the wider channels caused constant problems for the opposition defence.
Early in the second half, Will D produced one of the standout moments of the match, finishing brilliantly in the corner. Hugging the touchline, he showed great pace and control to run it in under pressure.

Oscar then added his second try, continuing a strong attacking display with a great mix of strength and speed.

At 36–0, Happy crashed over for a superb try that perfectly summed up his game after Alex had crashed through the mainline toward the Try line — all power, aggression and refusal to be stopped. Isaac was again reliable from the tee, adding further conversions to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Although the opposition managed a late consolation score, it did nothing to take the shine off a commanding 38–5 victory.

A fitting performance in the final league game, securing the Kent County League Championship (back to back, as they were the U15 champions also) and marking an outstanding U16 season.