Final wrap up from the last season
This final update from last season is alas long overdue, so as pre-season training kicks off this week for our men and women players, I thought I should put out all of the content stuck in my outbox and bring last season to a glorious end.

There is a lot to cover so I will kick off with our lifeblood, volunteers, followed by the Women’s end of season awards, then Jack Heald’s coaching update for next season and details of our Men’s pre-season games.

That is followed by an update on the Under 11’s tour, and then how ex Barnes Minis player Lauren Ferridge continues to excel in the Women’s US premier league.

Leaving the best till last, is Boris Pomroy’s justifiably proud report about how the Girls Under 14’s rounded off their magnificent season with an emphatic win at the Worthing 10’s – what a magnificent place Barnes Rugby Club.

Thank you to everyone involved in making us the club we are, enjoy the summer and see you at the start of the season in September!

Shortlisted Nominations for Surrey Rugby Volunteer of the year
Barnes Rugby Club exists and runs through the huge efforts made by an army of volunteers - Surrey Rugby recognises the importance of volunteers in rugby clubs and in their annual awards this year 5 people from Barnes Rugby Club shone out.
They were:
• Bethan McGarva - contribution to the Women's section as player and manager.
• Peter Thomas - contributing to Youth Section and Under 16s Coach.
• Jason Betteley - contribution to Minis and Juniors and creator of the Barnes Outriders.
• Boris Pomroy - contribution to Minis and Juniors and Under 14s Girls Coach. Michelle Morton - contribution to Minis and Juniors as Coach and Safeguarding Officer.
• Whilst they were selected for the shortlist we know there are so man y unsung heroes at Barnes Rugby Club - a massive thank you from Barnes Rugby Club to all of you who help.

If you want to get involved, please email now IWantToHelp@BarnesRFC.org

Onwards and Upwards Barnow

Women’s Players Awards 2025-2026 Season

These awards stem back to the Women’s end of season dinner:
• Barnes 2025/26 Trophies:
• Players Player: Fiona Murry
• Forward of the Year: Kitty Robinson
• Back of the year: Olivia Ponsford
• Most Improved: Aisha Ekangaki
• Clubwoman: Molly Taylor
• Best Newcomer: Jeanette Kongstvedt
• Contribution Award: Elliot Conradie
Well done to all of the players, coaches and supporters that make our Women’s section so wonderful.

Coaching Update on Men and Women’s Rugby at Barnes next season - Director of Rugby Jack Heald
Barnes RFC Women’s Rugby continues to go from strength to strength, driven by a passionate group both on and off the pitch.

Ben Selway continues as Lead Coach, alongside Barney Gucklhorn, who will take on the role of Matchday Forwards Coach, adding valuable support to the squad on game days. A massive shout out to both these guys on there ongoing delivery and commitment to Barnes Women.

We also extend a sincere thank you to Elliot Conradie, our outgoing Assistant Coach, for his commitment, time, and impact on the group. His contribution has helped lay strong foundations for continued growth.

The women are potentially looking for someone to assist with Ben during the week. If anyone wishes to show an interest in such a role, please feel free to contact either DOR Jack Heald or Ben directly on +44 7392 063844.

An exciting time ahead for Barnes Women’s Rugby.

The remaining of Jack Heald’s coaching team within the Men’s section are also all signed up and looking forward to another season. Ross Kane continues as Player Coach (scrum), Len Ashcroft-Leigh, Alex Wood & Tommy Burkett all continue within their roles as supporting player development throughout the senior playing squad.

Jon Armour who’s been working on behalf of Arête departs and we’re exited to bring Matt Lamin who’s will work alongside Harry Short as part of our Strength and Conditioning team. Matt’s current role as Men’s Pathway S&C Coach for England Rugby. Matt’s experience working within high performance environments. Harry who many know from playing for us for three seasons will oversee a new performance strength app for players to work over during pre and in season strength work.

Barnes look forward to a few weeks off with an exciting preseason block starting on July 7th at Barn Elms.

Pre Season games are confirmed on the following dates.
The Men's pre-season games are as follows:
• Friday 7th Aug v CS Stags @ Chiswick RFC - 19:45 KO
• Friday 14th Aug v Old Alleynians RFC @ Chiswick RFC - 19:45 KO
• Sat 22nd v Richmond Vikings 1:45 KO & Saxons 12:00 KO @ Chiswick RFC

Under 11s Tour to Laon
The U11s touring party had a brilliant tour to France.

We were hosted by the ever-generous Laon Rugby Club.

The players excelled on the pitch and played some ferocious joue joue rugby. The travelling parents were not to be outdone and also got enthusiastically stuck in with unrivalled support.

As per tradition the tour visited the historic rugby memorial to pay respects to the many fallen soldiers in the surrounding area. In a tour highlight we were led by our local clergy David Cooke in a memorial service which included us serenading our French guides with a rendition of Jerusalem.

A great trip for all & the love for Barnes RFC was evident to see. Thanks to those in tours gone by who have established this unique and incredible tour.

Ex Barnes Minis player stars in US Women’s Premier League
You probably aren’t aware that there is now a women’s professional league in the US, which has just started its 2nd season.

Lauren Ferridge, daughter of Hugh and Tracey who were fundamentally important in growing our Minis section after Simon Bound set up the section in 2005, plays for the Boston Banshees in the USA and is their starting hooker.

in Saturday’s season opener the Banshees saw off New York 38-19, Lauren is starting hooker.

This week they did the usual photo call for the players at which, the ever Barnow faithful Lauren, sported her Barnes Rugby scarf for her official pic!

Lauren is definitely a favourite to be our first home grown internationally capped player - GO LAUREN!

Magnificent Under 14 Girls Win Worthing International 10s
Over the May Bank Holiday weekend, twenty U14 girls, plus assorted parents, siblings and even a grandparent, headed to the Worthing International 10s Festival for our annual tour.
After the exertions of our Surrey Cup campaign, the focus was very much on fun, friendship and freedom, both on and off the pitch. That was clear from the Friday evening, where our girls were first on the dance floor and the last to leave.

The Worthing Festival is probably the largest and most competitive girls-only festival in the UK, featuring over 1,000 players from U12 to U18, including 25 clubs at U14 level from across the country.

Saturday was Day 1 of competition. The girls kicked off with a solid 19–0 win against Ashford, before a slightly flat 5–5 draw against the home side, Worthing. A bit of reflection time, and a fair amount of pizza, reset things nicely for the afternoon session, where they won their remaining two games to top the pool and put themselves in contention.

Sunday saw the top five teams play off for the title. We started strongly again with a 12–0 win against Beccenamians, followed by a 12–5 win against Havant. Game three was arguably the match of the tournament, a gripping 0–0 draw with Welwyn. The skill level and defensive effort on both sides were outstanding.

With Haywards Heath also performing strongly, it all came down to the final game. A winner-takes-all decider. Barnes struck early with a well-worked try, following excellent work at the breakdown to turn over a promising Heath attack. From there it was all about defence. Heath threw everything at us but couldn’t find a way through the green and gold wall. The match ended with their winger being driven into touch, sealing the win.

Across eight matches, against champions from Sussex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Hampshire, the girls won six, drew two, scored 15 tries and conceded just two. In 10s, on a full-size pitch, which is a remarkable achievement. Backing up the Surrey Cup in this way puts them firmly among the strongest sides in the South, if not beyond.

What was even more impressive, though, was how they carried themselves off the pitch. The girls were constantly on the sidelines supporting other Surrey teams, and many of them stepped in to play extra games for our friends at Quins and Teddington, who were short due to injuries.

That spirit was best summed up not by us, but by others. A Welwyn parent got in touch with one of our U12 coaches to say:

“They were very good, and what was nice was they were just plain good, not grim or cheating like other teams. I’ve also heard lovely things about the Barnes parents, and they were generous about lending players.”

And from Fliss, who organises the Worthing Festival:
“Your girls are amazing. They definitely won the tour. On the pitch. Off the pitch. Everywhere. All weekend.”

A quick shout out too to our U12 girls, who, as part of the “Barneslysides”, finished fourth in a very competitive competition, and to our U16s, who performed strongly as part of the Thames Sirens cluster against some excellent opposition, including a formidable Latvian national side.

And that’s a wrap for the girls. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported, coached and cheered them on this season. It has meant the world to them.

See you in September!