Dear Members,
Welcome back to another exciting season of rugby at Dorking RFC.
The 2025-26 season at Big Field is looking good and we’re hoping to pick up where we left off last season where the men’s 1st XV under the captaincy of Will Scholes enjoyed their highest-ever finish in the leagues (2nd in Nat 2 East) and our Women’s 1st XV earned a second successive promotion and are now, captained by Rachel Higgins, challenging for more honours in the NC1 South East league.
Both have seen good numbers of players over the summer and an influx of highly promising new faces joining. Pre-season results have been extremely encouraging. We will again be running three senior men’s teams, plus occasional Friday Night Derelicts matches under lights, and Dorking Women will field two sides once more.
And there is a full programme of youth rugby from Under 6s right through to our Colts section which will be back in the National U17 Cup competition after winning it two seasons ago. It is very encouraging to see several of those highly talented Colts players now stepping comfortably into senior men's rugby under the watchful eye of Director of Rugby Armand Roux. They really are exciting to see in action and will be a great addition to our battle-hardened squad.
Of course, all the fun and competitive games at Youth level are thanks to the energy and devotion of our army of well-trained coaches and parents, lead by Youth Chair Ryan Geere and Minis chair Colin ‘Woody’ Woods, who make it happen and ensure the future health of our great club. I salute you all.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Dorking RFC continues to evolve with a new raft of talented members fully involved with the management of the club. The DRFC one-club ethos is alive and well thanks to the generosity of so many members and sponsors giving time, thought, resources and boundless support, which really does make us the envy of other clubs – and we thank you all.
We try hard not to take our success for granted, nor forget those who have contributed along the way over the years including our many VPs and other members who may not get to visit Big Field as often as we’d all like. If you’ve lost a bit of touch with the club we would love to reconnect and you’ll find a very warm welcome awaiting you.
On Saturday we go again. The men’s 1st XV meet London Welsh first up in the league which will attract a very large crowd and lunch cooked by our legendary chef Robert is already sold out! Our women, working hard in their pre-season, begin their league campaign in NC1 on Sept 21st away at Medway. And on Sunday, The Big Field will once again be awash with boys and girls learning to play this most wonderful of sports.
Before we get going, I would just like to say a personal thank you to my predecessor Jonty Watts for his acclaimed four-year stint as Club President. I’d also like to wish our very capable new Club Captain Max Sheldrake – and indeed every member right across the club – a happy and fulfilling season.
Go well one and all.
WACOMB
Paul Mosley
DRFC President
