Here’s to you Willy Pickance

They say that at a funeral it’s important to celebrate a life lived well and not to dwell in the regret of the loss. Better therefore to remember and smile than be sad.

Last week’s funeral and commemoration of Willy Pickance was a wonderful opportunity to remember a life lived well, although many tears were shed as we said our fond farewell and our hearts go out to Penny his longstanding partner.

I learned a huge amount about Willy that I never knew. He lost his dad when he was very young, and his mum then made sacrifices to give Willy the best possible start in life. I learned thanks to Richard that Willy was welcome in every sailing club in Cowes. I wasn’t surprised. I also never knew that Alexi was his longstanding neighbour and would mow his lawn over the summer when Willy was often away sailing.

At the wake Derek shared a poignant story of how he, Willy and three other chums would regularly go out walking. The common thread to these walks was a pint or two and a chinwag in the local pub. So, when after a more recent walk the landlord asked “table for five?”, the group’s answer was instinctively “yes” and then, on reflection, “no, four.”

So here’s to you Willy and in memory of you and of all the Oaks sadly no longer with us, we will resuscitate a legacy Club motif for our centenary. Willy would have loved the fact that it’s the one on the front of the ‘old-school’ sweatshirt he’s wearing in the picture of him you walk past on the way to the gents in the Clubhouse.

And here it is. When the centenary merch arrives let’s wear it with pride and be thankful for everyone that brought us to where we are.

RIP Peter Fermor

Sadly we have lost another member of the Sevenoaks rugby family. Peter Fermor of Basted, near Crouch, passed away on Saturday 11th January. Peter was an avid rugby supporter and friend to Sevenoaks rugby club who ran the new bar in the new clubhouse from 1978 well in the 80s. It was this commitment to the club and community that saw him awarded VP status. His son, Luke, was a graduate of the club playing in the juniors and up to Academy level in 1990s.

Peter’s cremation will take place at Tunbridge Wells Crematorium at 1215 on Thursday, 27th February, followed by a wake at The Plough Basted, TN15 8PS. All past players and member as well as current are very welcome.

Women’s Coaching offering grows!

Another step forward in our drive to support and expand our Women's rugby offering!

The club would like to extend a warm welcome Tim Spear to the women's coaching team! Tim is currently working towards his level 2 England coaching award and brings with him a wealth of rugby knowledge having started as a junior at Sidcup as an 8 year old before playing senior rugby at Orpington RFC, where Tim is currently secretary.

Adam our DoR said 'we are pleased to add to our already successful coaching and management team and look forward to supporting Tim in his progression as coach, whilst helping Sevenoaks deliver a first class rugby experience for our senior women's squad - welcome to the family and great to have you onboard Tim!'

Tim will help to develop the already successful 1st and 2nd team alongside the current management team of Grant, Kelly, Emma and Katie.

We welcome Tim and wish him a long and successful time with the club.

Watch the Six Nations at Sevenoaks RFC!

We are thrilled to announce that we will be showing the majority of the action from the Guinness Six Nations in the clubhouse this year!  We’ve got an exciting schedule lined up to make sure you don’t miss out:

Please see below the list of fixtures we will be showing:

Saturday 1st February

Scotland vs. Italy, 14:15

Ireland vs. England, 16:45

Saturday 8th February

Italy vs. Wales, 14:15

England vs. France, 16:45

Saturday 22nd February (Darts & Curry)

Wales vs. Ireland, 14:15

England vs. Scotland, 16:45

Saturday 8th March

Ireland vs. France, 14:15

Scotland vs. Wales, 16:45

Sunday 9th March

England vs. Italy 

Saturday 15th March (Super Saturday!)

Italy vs. Ireland, 14:15

Wales vs. England, 16:45 

France vs. Scotland, 20:00

Curry and Darts Day- Saturday 22nd February
Join us for curry and darts! Curry’s will be available for just £10 and will be served throughout the day, alongside some competitive darts competitions in-between watching the rugby. It will be the perfect combination of great food, fun, drinks, darts and rugby! 

Super Saturday- Saturday 15th March
On super Saturday we will be showing all three games in the clubhouse. The doors will open from 1pm and we’ll be serving up a delicious selection of food including burgers, pizzas and hotdogs to compliment your rugby watching experience. Plus, we will have special offers on drinks at the bar thought the day.


We can’t wait to see you in the clubhouse for what promises to be an unforgettable six nations season!

Mighty Oaks City Lunch

Following the success of last years event, we are excited to invite you to our highly anticipated annual City Lunch! Please join us on Wednesday 26th March 2025 for an afternoon of great food and drinks, engaging talks and fantastic company at Balls Brothers in the heart of the City of London.

We are thrilled to be welcoming ex Northampton Saints, England and of course Sevenoaks centre Tom May as this years guest speaker, and we look forward to hearing him share his experiences and expertise on a range of exciting topics. Keeping with the Old Oaks theme, we are also delighted to announce that Saracens and England backrow Ben Earl will be making a special guest appearance at the event!

Please keep your eyes peeled for additional announcements where we hope to confirm the attendance of Bath, England and Sevenoaks prop, David Flatman as well as Sale Sharks and England hooker, Andy Titterrell!

Spaces are limited so we encourage members, sponsors, and partners to secure their tables of 10 as soon as possible. You can book your seats on our website (via the link below) or by emailing srfc.operations@gmail.com to confirm your booking.

We will be holding a raffle on the day so if you, your business, or someone you know would be interested in contributing any donations and prizes for our auction, please get in contact using the email below.

Don't miss out - book your table of 10 now!

Book now: Annual City Lunch — Sevenoaks Rugby 

For all enquiries: srfc.operations@gmail.com

🏅Players of the Month - First Half of the Season🏅

A big congratulations to our players who have shown outstanding effort and determination throughout the first half of the season. You're hard work is truly appreciated!

A special thank you to wagamama for sponsoring this award and helping us celebrate our team's achievements! 🎉🙌

Looking forward to carrying this momentum into the second half of the season! ✅

🚨A reminder to members, you can receive 20% off when you present your membership card at Wagamamas in Sevenoaks🚨

Here's to 2025 and our Centenary Year

Dear Members,

As we wrap up 2024, and with the snow sadly having a say in the derby day proceedings, it’s a good time to reflect on what our Club has achieved and look ahead to the opportunities that await us in 2025, a special year for Sevenoaks Rugby Club as we celebrate our Centenary Year and mark 100 years since the Club played its first match!

Achievements in 2024

On the field, our 1st XV has come together as a force to be reckoned with. While it was a challenging start to the season, the team has truly begun to gel. Highlights include the determined and comprehensive win over Worthing, battling to victory in the elements over Westcombe Park, and Captain ‘Great’ Scott Sedgwick marking his 200th cap with a captain’s performance against Oxford Quins. These and other moments are a credit to the hard work of our players, coaching and medical team.

The performances by the 2s under the leadership of Alex Rolfe and 3s under James Anderson have been incredible as both sides push for promotion from their respective Counties 1 and 5 Kent Leagues. And it’s been great to see the Vets lacing up their boots for a few decent outings.

Our Senior Women’s team has grown significantly this year, with increasing numbers and promising performances from under the leadership of Grant Scandling (Women’s Head Coach), Kelly Downey (Women’s Squad Manager) as well as Emma Bowman (Women’s 1st XV Captain). This progress underscores our commitment to making Sevenoaks Rugby a club for everyone. Next season brings the exciting advent of entering a 2nd Women’s XV into the Inner Warrior league.

Two special moments over the Xmas period highlighted the Club’s commitment to youth rugby. Firstly a spirited victory by the Men’s Under 23s versus Sidcup on Friday 27 December gave the chance for some of our Academy graduates to reunite. Then the following day, a team mate to many of the lads involved at Sidcup, Angus Hall took to the field for Saracens for much of the Premiership encounter versus Bath at The Rec; albeit a tough day for his team, it was a very proud moment for Angus, his family and Sevenoaks Rugby. Not least since Angus was playing with fellow Oaks Juniors alum Ben Earl!

Community and business connections

Off the field, we’ve continued to make strides in community engagement. Events like the packed CHS Networks AI Business Breakfast helped to bring the business community together, to discover more about technology advancements, while initiatives like the Mighty Oaks Holiday Camp are serving to generate future players.

Another highlight without doubt was welcoming Lincoln and the touring Mzwandile Mali XV, named after Lincoln’s father and wearing the colours of the old Orientals Rugby Football Club, from South Africa. A huge thank you to everyone who inspired by Rupert and Louis made a special tour possible and properly put Sevenoaks Rugby on the map through local and national media coverage for the impressive outreach.

There’s a big off field team and energy behind everything that happens at the Club. So as well as a heartfelt thank you to my fellow committee members and indeed all our incredible volunteers I’d like to express the huge debt of gratitude we all owe to Coach Bowman, to Donna our Clubhouse manager and to Diane our catering supremo and their respective crews.

Club Financials 2024/25

Continuing on the theme of everything behind the scenes, we have managed a hugely impressive turnaround in the Club’s financial performance for the season ended 30 June 2024.

The headlines are:

• The consolidated performance resulted in surplus of £21k compared with losses of £58k and £87k in previous years

• Whilst costs rose more or less in line with inflation, turnover (in particular subs and bar/clubhouse income) was up by more than 30%.

This great outcome sets the Club on the right road towards 5-year plan goal of rebuilding reserves.

Our Club Centenary 2025

Looking ahead, 2025 will be an exciting and important year as we celebrate our centenary. This milestone gives us a chance to honour the past while setting a course for the future. Here’s some insights into where we’ll focus:

• Performance and Development: We will continue to ensure all players have the tools and opportunities to grow as athletes and individuals.

• Women’s Rugby: Building on this year’s progress, we aim to further support and develop our women’s teams at all levels thanks to Grant and team.

• Community, financials and facilities: We’ll aim to strengthen our engagement with members, supporters, and the wider community, as we look to build our future, and grow our financial performance for the entire club.

Our Centenary year will include special events and initiatives to celebrate this historic moment, and we look forward to involving everyone in marking 100 years of rugby at Sevenoaks.

Save the Dates to note down already are the City Lunch - Weds 26 March, and the Centenary Ball - Sat 6 Sept.

Remembering those we lost

I would like to take a moment to remember those whom the Club sadly lost in 2024. Their contributions and presence in our community will not be forgotten, and we will honour and remember them as the Centenary celebrates our past and the future opportunities made possible by the energy and dedication of so many people stretching back down the years.

I was personally saddened by the passing on Christmas Day of our dear friend Willy Pickance, a Club stalwart in every respect as a player and then epitomising the volunteering spirit at the heart of the Club through his unwavering dedication, including as the 1st XV Manager in my playing days and more recently a field steward. God bless you Willy, thank you for everything you did for your Club and travel well.

Thank you

Thank you all, from the 1925 Club, our sponsors and supporters to the players, coaches, medical team and officials on the pitch plus all those involved off the pitch for all your support this year. A special thank you too to Rosie and Hendo for bringing our Club Shop back to life. 

Inspired by our collective success, I look forward to what we can achieve together in 2025.

All the best and a very Happy New Year,

Steve Fitzmaurice, Chairman, Sevenoaks Rugby Club

Save the Date🚨: Join us to celebrate St Patrick’s Day on 22nd March! ☘️

With our 1XV, 2XV and 3XV teams all playing at home, what better way to celebrate than an evening of live music, good food, great company, and lots of fun? 🍻🕺

This event is open to all club members and we would love to see as many of you in the clubhouse following, what promises to be, a great day of rugby! 🏉✅

💚Dress code: Wear something green!💚

We look forward to seeing you all on the 22nd March. See below for who we will be playing:

1XV vs. Westcombe Park

2XV vs. Bromley

3XV vs. Beckenham III

Exciting News: Emily Burns Expands Her Role at Sevenoaks RFC

Dear Members,

We are excited to announce that from today Emily Burns is stepping into a full-time Operations role at Sevenoaks RFC. In addition to her 1st XV Team Manager responsibilities, Emily will now provide support for our commercial partnerships, sponsorships, rugby programme, and club social events. As the club continues to grow, Emily’s expanded role will be crucial in supporting this development.

Emily has played a key part in the Senior Men's squad over the last two years, and her expertise, passion, and dedication will undoubtedly make a significant impact as we continue to provide the very best experience for our members. This marks an exciting new chapter for both Emily and Sevenoaks RFC.

Please join us in congratulating Emily on stepping into this exciting new role!

Kind regards,
Adam Bowman
Director of Rugby

RIP Willy Pickance

We are sorry to report that we unexpectedly lost another Mighty Oak on Christmas Day in Willy Pickance.

Willy was an incredible supporter of the club and filled a number of roles including 1st and 2nd XV manager and was a great friend of so many.

The funeral will be held at 10am on 31st January, 2025 at Bluebell Cemetery, Halstead.

Club blazers are very welcome to be worn.

Exciting Growth for Senior Women’s Rugby at Sevenoaks RFC

Our Senior Women’s section at Sevenoaks RFC continues to go from strength to strength! Under the exceptional leadership of Grant Scandling (Head Coach), Kelly Downey (Squad Manager), and Emma Bowman (Captain), the squad has flourished both on and off the pitch.

We are delighted to announce that from January 2025, Sevenoaks RFC will proudly enter a Women’s 2nd XV into the Inner Warriors league. This exciting development means we’ll have two women’s teams competing in league rugby, showcasing the incredible progress our women’s section has made over the last three seasons.

Whether you’re an experienced player or completely new to the game, everyone is welcome to join our growing Senior Women’s squad. Please contact Emma Bowman at emmabowman17@gmail.com for more information!

This milestone is a testament to the hard work, commitment, and passion of everyone involved—players, coaches, and supporters alike.

We can’t wait to see what the future holds for the squad as they continue to grow and inspire the next generation of women in rugby.

Come on you Oaks! 💙💛

Celebrating the CHS Networks AI Business Breakfast at Sevenoaks RFC!

On Friday, December 6th, we were thrilled to host the CHS Networks AI Business Breakfast at Sevenoaks Rugby Club, bringing together over 60 attendees from our sponsors, partners, and the local business community. 🌟

A massive thank you to our event sponsor, CHS Networks, for their generous support, and to our guest speaker, Louis Graham from Westcoast Cloud, for an inspiring live demo of Microsoft's AI Copilot. The presentation showcased the transformative potential of AI for businesses, sparking incredible discussions and ideas among all in attendance.

If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor or partner and joining the thriving business community at Sevenoaks RFC, we’d love to hear from you!  Reach out to Adam Bowman at coachajbowman@gmail.com to learn more about the opportunities to connect with our vibrant club and community.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this fantastic morning of innovation, collaboration, and networking! 👏

Paul Dawson to Step Down as Academy Head Coach

Paul Dawson to Step Down as Academy Head Coach

At the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, Paul Dawson will step down as Academy Head Coach at Sevenoaks RFC.

Over the past six years, Paul has done an outstanding job leading the academy. His dedication, energy, and passion have been unmatched, and his impact on the program has been transformational.

The academy is now stronger than ever, a testament to Paul’s incredible leadership and hard work.

Paul, you should be immensely proud of everything you’ve achieved. Thank you for your remarkable commitment to the players, the club, and the game. You've left a legacy that will benefit the academy for years to come.

As we look to the future, the club will shortly begin the process of finding Paul’s replacement. Our goal is to build on the foundations Paul has created and ensure a smooth transition leading into Season 2025/26.

Thank you, PD!  

Adam Bowman
Director of Rugby

Sevenoaks Medical Centre is proud to support Sevenoaks Rugby Club

Sevenoaks Medical Centre is proud to support Sevenoaks Rugby Club, not only as a sponsor, but as the club’s Medical Partner. While we hope you won’t need their assistance, rest assured that Sevenoaks Medical Centre is just a phone call away, ready to provide care for players, members and visitors at the club if needed.

Click on the link to find out more about Sevenoaks Medical Centre - https://kims.org.uk/sevenoaks-medical-centre/

Look out for the new Sevenoaks Medical Centre medical bibs on match days, which will be arriving soon!

This Weekend at Sevenoaks RFC

It’s another action-packed weekend of rugby at Sevenoaks!

🏉 Senior Fixtures:

• 1st XV travel away to face Westcombe Park RFC. Kick-off at 2:00pm.

• 2nd XV are at home, taking on Deal RFC. Kick-off at 2:00pm.

• Senior Women are in action at home on Sunday, taking on Canvey Island Valkyries. Kick-off at 2:00pm.

Get down to Knole Paddock to support our teams or travel away to Westcombe Park to back the boys in navy & hunting gold!

📺 Autumn Internationals:
The clubhouse will be showing all the Autumn Internationals live on the big screens!

Saturday:

• Ireland v Fiji – Kick-off: 3:10pm

• Wales v South Africa – Kick-off: 5:40pm

• Italy v New Zealand – Kick-off: 8:10pm

Sunday:

• Scotland v Australia – Kick-off: 1:40pm

• England v Japan – Kick-off: 4:10pm

It’s the perfect weekend to enjoy live rugby and catch the international matches in the clubhouse. Bring your friends and family, and let’s make it a great one!  

Up the Oaks!

The Mighty Oaks Holiday Camp has been in full force this week!

🌟 The Mighty Oaks Holiday Camp has been an incredible success this week, with 40-50 boys and girls—both members of SRFC and players from other clubs — joining in the fun each day! 🏉

From rugby skills, and decision-making rugby games to kick tennis, football, world cups, and other sports, there’s been no shortage of action and challenges for everyone! 💪

A huge thank you to our fantastic and experienced coaching team, including current 1st XV players, for bringing their expertise and energy each day!

And a special shoutout to our Academy Girls & Boys for volunteering and helping to inspire the next generation. 👏

Mark your calendars - the next camp is February Half Term! 🗓️ Keep an eye out for our early bird special offer coming in January 2025!

📣 Join Us at the Clubhouse for the Autumn Internationals! 🍻🏉

This Saturday, 2nd November, the clubhouse doors open from 2pm, and we’re ready for an afternoon of rugby! Come down and enjoy the games, a drink, and the camaraderie of fellow members.

📺 Match Schedule:

* England vs New Zealand – Kick-off at 15:10

* Scotland vs Fiji – Kick-off at 17:40

Come along, relax, and enjoy the games with us!

Welcome George Flatman to Sevenoaks RFC!

Dear Members,

I am delighted to announce that George Flatman has accepted the offer to join Sevenoaks RFC as our new Community Rugby Partner in partnership with his business, Spartan Sports Development. In addition to this, George will serve as our Coach Educator and 2nd XV Lead Coach.

George brings a wealth of experience from his time at Dartford Valley RFC, where he served as Director of Rugby, Community Rugby Partner, and Coach Educator. His expertise in coaching and developing young players will be invaluable as we continue to nurture talent within the club.

As our Community Rugby Partner, George will be delivering coaching to local schools, promoting the game of rugby, and signposting girls and boys to Sevenoaks RFC. His efforts will help build a strong connection between the club and the community, encouraging the next generation of players to get involved in the sport.

As the club’s Coach Educator, George will lead our coach education programme with the objective of supporting the development and upskilling of our Mini and Youth Coaches. This will be crucial in ensuring that all of our young players benefit from top-quality coaching and guidance as they grow in the game.

In addition to his work in the community and with our coaches, George joins the Senior Men's Coaching team, where he will be coaching across all aspects of the game with our coaching team to strengthen our Attack, Defence, and Set Piece, while leading our 2nd XV on match days to provide first-class support to our players.

Please join me in welcoming George and Spartan Sport Development to the Sevenoaks family. We are excited about the partnership and the positive impact it will have on the club and our community.

Kind regards,

Adam Bowman

Director of Rugby

Sevenoaks RFC Members Receive Discount at Harveys Menswear

Sevenoaks Rugby Club is delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with Harveys Menswear, a leading local independent retailer in Sevenoaks Town Centre. As part of this collaboration, all Sevenoaks RFC members are entitled to an exclusive 10% discount on purchases at Harveys Menswear, available upon presentation of their membership card.

This initiative is part of Sevenoaks RFC's ongoing commitment to enhancing the benefits available to its members while supporting local businesses. Harveys Menswear, known for its excellent selection of high-quality menswear and personalised customer service, is a valued addition to the growing network of local partners offering rewards to Sevenoaks RFC members.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with a respected local business like Harveys Menswear,” said Adam Bowman, Commercial Director at Sevenoaks RFC. “This collaboration not only brings added value to our members but also strengthens our community ties in the town.”

Whether shopping for everyday wear, formal attire, or the perfect outfit for match day, Sevenoaks RFC members can now enjoy exclusive savings at Harveys. Simply present your valid Sevenoaks RFC membership card at the store to receive the discount.

About Harveys Menswear

Harveys Menswear is an independent menswear retailer based in Sevenoaks, offering a wide selection of premium clothing, footwear, and accessories. Known for their quality products and personalised service, Harveys is a favorite destination for style-conscious shoppers in the region.  

RFU Article - Mzwandile Mali XV Tour

Township teens' tour to Sevenoaks creates memories for life

A group of boys from schools in South Africa's Eastern Cape undertook the journey to Kent, but the motivation goes deeper than a simple tour.

Please click on the image below to read the full RFU article covering the Mzwandile Mali XV Tour!