It's sometimes called the Bedouin tent of Barnes. It doubles up as a Minis rugby pitch. It feeds the 5,000! To most people reading this, it's a second home. I speak of the Barnes Rugby Clubhouse.

32 volunteers picked up their paint brushes, rollers, trays and stepladders over the weekend to prepare the clubhouse for next season. The full cross-section of the club was represented, spanning new Mini joiners (and younger siblings) to veterans who have long hung up their boots. Men and women applied their abundant DIY skills, under the guidance of Chris Williams, the “Frank Spencer” of the trade. Fortunately, Michael Naguar had provided advanced expert coaching to set up the squad for success!

Highlights include an incredible four-shift contribution from Neil Hill and Henry Wallace. Similar commitment was shown by Guy & Gilly Smith and Olly Slack – with multiple high-octane spells sanding, filling and painting. Super-mums: Jane, Sam and Natasha were the quality ‘finishers’ with dedicated “cutting in” to all corners of the clubhouse. In the engine room, covering a massive expanse of clubhouse walls and bar, were a mix of Juniors, Colts, Under 22s and Women players and coaches.

Zoe, Abbie (aka ‘mum’) and Jacob were impeccable hosts, painting the bar, in between fuelling up the troops with BBQ burgers, chips and a smattering of cold beers.

The atmosphere was jovial and highly productive. Even minor setbacks: such as spilled paint, ghost (paint) footprints, and a 4 year-old painting 20 foot strip of the patio were taken in the stride. The result is something we are very proud of – a super clean and fresh Clubhouse in advance of the Women’s World Cup opener this Friday night, and the first home fixture for the Men’s 1st XV on Saturday 6th September.

A huge thank you to all the volunteers who make Barnes Rugby the community club so special. At Barnes Rugby Club, what happens off the pitch is as important as what happens on it.

Quoting Olly Slack, chief polyfiller:
“Concordia parvae res crescunt
Barnes, Optimus
Carpe Diem!”