Hampshire’s friendliest rugby club
Alresford Rugby Football Club is a friendly local rugby club run by and for those who have a love and passion for rugby. Whether you’ve played rugby your whole life, or have a newfound interest in the sport, Alresford RFC exists to provide you with a fun, family-friendly and sociable community hub. Located at The Arlebury Park Recreation Centre in New Alresford, we’re a local rugby club for those living within Alresford, Winchester and even further afield.
What we do
An inclusive rugby club
Whether a playing, social, supporting or sponsoring member, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive club that offers everyone a warm welcome, no judgment and an opportunity to help integrate ARFC into the wider community. We strive to increase accessibility to rugby to all members of the local community, giving individuals of all abilities and ages a sociable and supportive community to enjoy rugby on their doorstep.
Who we are
Your local rugby community
We truly believe that rugby is a sport that can be enjoyed by all. We’re a growing club, made up of two senior teams and a youth team. Alresford RFC is a club run by members, for the members, and our team of committee volunteers work hard to provide existing, new and future Alresford RFC members with a positive experience and fulfilling membership offering.
What we stand for
Our club values
Rugby’s values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship are what make the game special for those who enjoy the environment and culture they create. They define the game and are fully embodied by Alresford RFC, both on and off the pitch.
Teamwork
Teamwork is essential to our sport. We welcome new team members and include everyone because working as a team enriches our lives. We play as a team, not selfishly, both on and off the field. We take pride in our team, rely on one another and understand that each player has a part to play. We speak out if our team or sport is threatened by inappropriate words or actions.
Respect
Mutual respect forms the basis of our sport. We hold our sport, its values and traditions, in high esteem and earn the respect of others in the way we behave. We respect our match officials and accept their decisions. We respect opposition players and supporters. We value our coaches and those who run our clubs and treat clubhouses with consideration.
Enjoyment
We play rugby for fun and try to capture the joy every boy and girl experiences when they first pick up a rugby ball and run with it. We understand and hold dear the importance of the “third-half”! In rugby, this follows the first and second half when we congratulate the opposition, whatever the result, and celebrate our sport together.
Discipline
Codes of behaviour, especially those of personal discipline and moral responsibility are a fundamental tenet within the game of rugby. In coaching we “show and tell”, setting expectations whilst encouraging, especially younger players, to enjoy and celebrate what they can do rather than what they can’t.
Sportsmanship
Sportsmanship is the foundation upon which rugby union is built. We uphold the rugby tradition of camaraderie with teammates and opposition. We observe fair play both on and off the pitch and are generous in victory and dignified in defeat. We play to win but not at all costs and recognise both endeavour and achievement. We ensure that the well-being and development of individual players is central to all rugby activity.
Where we came from
The club’s history
Our club was formed back in 1991 and has since gone on to grow to become a successful club that offers something for all ages and abilities.
It all started in the summer of 1991 when a team was entered into the Winchester Easter Sevens Tournaments and played its first full XV-a-side match in September that year. Following a very encouraging first season, it was time to recruit additional players and The Alresford Rugby Football Club was born.
The Club entered Hampshire Division 3 in 1992 and shortly after the first season, the 2nd XV team was formed.
Following promotion and then relegation from Division 2, on a couple of occasions, the 1st XV finally reached Hampshire 1 in 2004. In the same season, the club managed to reach the semi-finals of the Hampshire Plate.
The 2nd XV continues to go from strength to strength, with greater numbers of players coming to the club. We have now entered the Hampshire Merit Table.
More recently we have been able to field a regular Veteran XV and a regular touring side as well as establishing a strong Mini Rugby section. In 2014, we secured brand new, purpose-built pitches at Arlebury Park, cementing our position in the heart of the Alresford community.
Our first season, 1991-92 comprised friendly fixtures but we managed 20 wins from 28 games and were sponsored into the Hampshire leagues by Alton RFC.
We began playing at Perins School, later moving to Bighton Cricket Club’s former ground that became our spiritual home and training venue for many seasons. I attempted to start a minis section in the early 1990s, but we just didn’t have the numbers so the fact that we now have such a thriving minis section is particularly important to me.
When the opportunity to play, train and change in Alresford on land acquired by the NATC the club mobilised to raise the funds to build its two magnificent pitches in 2012-13.”
John Weston
ChairmainGet involved
Whether you’re looking to join the club as a playing or social member or want to get involved in supporting the club as a volunteer or sponsor, there are lots of different ways to get involved in Alresford RFC.
