🚨✨Player Sponsor Spotlight - George Strainge✨🚨

For this week’s Player Sponsor Spotlight, we are excited to introduce Eyelines, proud sponsors of George Strainge for the 2025/26 season!

Eyelines Opticians has been welcoming patients of all ages to its Sevenoaks High Street clinic since 1985. As an independent practice, it has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality eye care.

From comprehensive eye examinations to stylish frames, spectacle lenses, sunglasses, and contact lenses, the experienced team is dedicated to helping patients maintain excellent eye health and clear vision. Be sure to book in for your next eye examination soon!

Stay tuned for more of our Player Sponsor Spotlight Series coming soon!

#ad #promotion #sponsorship

National Wooden Spoon Day❤️💙💚🤍

National Wooden Spoon Day❤️💙💚🤍

Today we celebrate National Wooden Spoon Day!🥄

The Wooden Spoon Charity has been changing young lives since 1983, giving children the chance to thrive by funding projects that engage children in an activity or sport🏉

3 out of 4 children with disabilities don’t get the chance to play sport at school. Last year hundreds of children with mild and severe learning difficulties came together for Wooden Spoon’s Inclusive Tag Rugby festival giving them the opportunity to be a rugby player. This is one example of where The Wooden Spoon has removed barriers and given more opportunities for young people with disabilities to play sport💪🏉

The Wooden Spoon also helps fund projects that build confidence, life skills and supportive learning environments through sport to support children and young people in the UK who are not in Education, Employment or Training whether that be due to poverty, low attendance or lack of opportunity💙💛

If you would like to read more about the incredible work the Wooden Spoon does in our local community, or donate to them, please visit their website🤝

A Message From The Kent County RFU - an update on Meningitis B

The Kent County RFU has been saddened to learn of the fatalities caused by the outbreak of Meningitis B in the east of the County and acknowledges that Rugby clubs will be concerned to ensure that they are following all appropriate and necessary guidance to ensure that the spread of the disease is contained.

The latest information from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) we have is that, based on the science, events/gatherings can still go ahead. There is no evidence currently that this is a mutated version of Meningitis B and the risk of transmission is believed by the UKHSA to be very low. The UKHSA website is updated at 09:30 every day https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency .

Both we and the RFU are continuing to monitor the situation.

However, based on this latest information, Rugby clubs are free to proceed with their matches and events this weekend as normal. We recognise that certain of our clubs have been seriously affected by this outbreak, including having young players who have succumbed to the disease, whom we wish a speedy and full recovery. For these clubs, they will wish to assess their own circumstances, taking into account the needs of their local communities to judge whether they should suspend their activities and postpone matches. If so, they should agree this with their opposition and any Competition contacts / league secretaries relating to their Leagues/Merit Tables fixtures.

Executive Committee

Kent County RFU

19 March 2026

Senior Men’s Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach Update

We would like to share that, Brayden Porteous will be departing the club at the end of the season as he returns to the Southern Hemisphere. Since joining Sevenoaks two years ago, Brayden has been an outstanding addition to the club, playing a key role in shaping and driving our Strength & Conditioning provision and raising standards across the senior programme. His energy, professionalism and commitment to helping players improve have had a hugely positive impact on the group.

Beyond the gym and training environment, Brayden has embraced the club and wider community in a brilliant way. Both Brayden and Loren have become a big part of the SRFC family, and their warmth, positivity and willingness to get involved across the club have been greatly valued. They will both be sorely missed by many across Sevenoaks RFC. We would like to thank Brayden for the work, care and commitment he has shown over the past two seasons; he leaves having made a genuine and lasting impact on the club.

Brayden will continue to lead our off-season S&C programme through May and June, with the process already underway to appoint his replacement to begin in July. Further details on the off-season programme will be shared in April.

Adam Bowman - Director of Rugby

---

Following this news, Sevenoaks Rugby Club is seeking a Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach / Player-Coach to lead the physical preparation and performance development of the Senior Men’s Programme. The successful applicant will join during the summer of 2026 and work as part of the club’s wider coaching, medical and performance team. The Senior Men’s programme operates as one unified squad of 80+ players, with over 50+ players regularly attending training each week, competing across three senior sides.

The Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach will be responsible for planning, delivering and monitoring the physical development of the squad, ensuring players are physically prepared to meet the demands of competitive senior rugby.

The club is particularly interested in candidates who are currently playing adult rugby and would be open to combining this role with playing within the Senior Men’s squad as a player-coach. Player-coach applications are strongly encouraged.

The successful applicant must be available for pre-season, in-season training and match days between July and April.

Training Schedule

The Senior Men’s squad currently trains on pitch twice per week on pitch (Monday & Wednesday evenings). This may move to Tuesday & Thursday evenings, subject to pitch availability.

Reporting & Accountability

The Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach / Player-Coach will report directly to Adam Bowman, Director of Rugby & Head Coach.

The role will:

• Design and implement off-season, pre-season and in-season Strength & Conditioning programmes for the Senior Men’s squad.

• Manage and monitor player physical development and training load, ensuring appropriate progression and injury risk management.

• Lead group-based gym sessions for the Senior Performance Squad within the club gym environment.

• Deliver on-field conditioning sessions during pre-season and in-season training blocks in collaboration with the coaching team.

• Support the coaching team with player load management across the season.

• Work closely with the medical team on return-to-play and rehabilitation programmes.

• Maintain and manage Strength & Conditioning databases and monitoring systems, ensuring high levels of player engagement and compliance.

• Provide guidance on player nutrition, recovery and physical preparation.

• Contribute to the wider performance environment, supporting player development and professional standards across the squad.

• Uphold and promote the standards, values and behaviours expected within the Sevenoaks RFC environment.

Essential Skills, Experience & Qualifications

To succeed in this role, the candidate must possess:

Professional Qualifications

• BSc in Strength & Conditioning, Sports Science, Sports Coaching Science or other relevant discipline (or currently studying towards one)

• Recognised Personal Training qualification (or currently working towards)

Practical Experience

• Experience working, volunteering or playing within a sporting performance environment

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of physical preparation for contact team sports

• Ability to design and deliver structured Strength & Conditioning programmes

• Competent IT literacy including Excel, Google Drive and training programme platforms

Personal Qualities

• Excellent planning and organisational skills

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Ability to motivate and engage athletes in a demanding training environment

Player-Coach Profile (Preferred)

• Current adult rugby player interested in combining the role with playing within the Senior Men’s squad

• Experience playing at Level 4 or above is highly desirable

• Ability to contribute to the Senior Men’s squad on match days

Commercial Opportunity

Sevenoaks Rugby Club has an on-site club gym and performance space, which the successful candidate may have the opportunity to utilise as a base for their own Strength & Conditioning or Personal Training business.

This provides an opportunity for the Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach to:

• Operate and grow their own S&C or Personal Training business from the club gym

• Work with club members, players and the wider local community

• Deliver individual or small group training sessions outside of squad training times

Sevenoaks RFC has a large and engaged membership base, providing strong potential for personal training, athletic development and performance services.

This opportunity is designed to support the successful candidate in building a sustainable coaching business alongside their role within the Senior Men’s programme.

Further details regarding facility use and commercial arrangements will be discussed as part of the recruitment process.

Remuneration

A competitive package is available for this position and will be discussed during the interview process.

Future Opportunities

There may be opportunities for the successful candidate to lead the wider Strength & Conditioning provision across the club, including:

• Senior Women’s programme

• Academy Boys & Girls programme

Confidentiality

We understand that some applicants may currently be affiliated with other clubs.

This recruitment process will be handled with the utmost discretion to respect the confidentiality of all applicants.

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this position, please contact:

Adam Bowman

Director of Rugby

Sevenoaks RFC

Email: coachajbowman@gmail.com

U14's Win The League!

Sevenoaks U14 boys finished their league season in impressive fashion with a bonus point win at home to a courageous Folkestone team, who had led 5 - 0 at half time. The result means that both U14 teams, Samurai (D2) and Spartan (D6), won all of their post Christmas league matches to finish unbeaten at the top of their respective leagues.

The boys have a couple of tough friendlies against Westcliffe and Canterbury in the next few weeks, before their attention turns to their end of season Tour to Lisbon, Portugal!  As well as playing two fixtures in Lisbon, the boys will test their surfing skills with an afternoon of surf lessons at the beach and some well earned R&R.

Men's 3XV Top of the Table

After securing promotion last season with a 2nd-place finish in Counties 5 Kent, Sevenoaks 3rd XV have their sights firmly set on back-to-back promotions as they compete in Counties 4 Kent this year. With just three games remaining, the 3s currently sit top of the table.

This campaign has seen a number of new faces join the squad, while some experienced — and increasingly familiar — players have also returned to the setup. As with many evolving teams, the season began with a few challenges. A rocky start saw the side suffer a couple of early defeats and draws as the squad worked to build chemistry and understand how best to play together.

However, week by week the group has continued to develop. Performances have improved steadily as combinations have settled and confidence has grown within the squad. Through consistency and determination, the 3s have gradually closed the gap on early league leaders Cliffe and have now climbed to the top of the table.

3s captain James Anderson reflected on the team’s progress this season: “The goal at the start of the season was simply to secure our place in the league after being promoted last year. But quite early on it became clear we had the strength and talent in the squad not just to compete in this league, but to push to finish at the top. The lads have turned up every week and delivered for each other, and that’s been a huge part of why we’ve been able to put ourselves in this position.”

Attention now turns to what could be the defining fixture of the season. On 21st March, Sevenoaks 3rd XV host Cliffe at The Paddock in a crucial clash that could go a long way in deciding the destination of the Counties 4 Kent title.

With promotion within touching distance, the 3s will be eager to put in a strong performance in front of a home crowd and maintain their position at the summit as the season enters its final stages.

🚨✨Player Sponsor Spotlight - Scott Sedgwick & Matthew Engelbrecht✨🚨

For this week’s Player Sponsor Spotlight, we are excited to introduce Stephen Manley and Daryl French, proud sponsors of Scott Sedgwick and Matthew Engelbrecht for the 2025/26 season!

We would like to extend a big thank you to Stephen and Daryl for their support of Scott and Matt this season. Their ongoing commitment and support for the club are hugely appreciated and we are very grateful for everything they do to support the whole Sevenoaks RFC community.

Stay tuned for more of our Player Sponsor Spotlight Series coming soon!

#ad #promotion #sponsorship

Join Us This Saturday At The Paddock!

We can’t wait to welcome everyone to The Paddock this Saturday! 🍀✨

🟢Dress code: Wear something green!🟢

✅Men’s 1XV vs. Dorking

✅St Patrick’s Day Lunch

✅Six Nations: France vs. England LIVE in The Clubhouse!

Why not join us for the pre-match St Patrick’s Day Lunch?🍽️

🍗 ☘️ Chicken liver pate (laced with Jamesons whiskey) served with buttered soda bread.

🍲 ☘️ Traditional Irish stew with parsley dumplings served with colcannon.

🧀 ☘️ Cheese and biscuits.

Book your seats at the lunch via our website here!

Wagamama Player Of The Month - February

Congratulations to our Senior Men's and Women's wagamama Player of the Month, as voted for by their teammates!

Tom Sarkesian has won the award after a run of standout displays in the 2XV team. He has been recognised for his consistently strong performances, regularly making a big impact in games, and setting a high standard for those around him. Alongside his performances on the pitch, Tom has also shown excellent leadership qualities, helping to guide and support his teammates 👍🏉

Becca Barone wins the award for always bringing positive energy to training and matches and frequently playing out of position. There’s not a single training session where she doesn’t make the whole squad laugh.

🚨Don't forget - Members receive 20% off their wagamamas order when they show their membership card in the Sevenoaks branch🚨

🚨✨Staff Sponsor Spotlight - Tim Spear✨🚨

For this week’s Staff Sponsor Spotlight, we are excited to introduce eKinect, proud sponsor of Tim Spear for the 2025/26 season!

eKinect is a leading specialist in sustainable energy solutions, dedicated to helping homeowners and businesses transition to a greener future. With expertise in high-performance solar PV systems and advanced battery storage, they provide the technology needed to reduce energy bills and carbon footprints. Whether you are looking to upgrade your home or optimise a commercial site, eKinect delivers smart, reliable, and eco-friendly power.

Stay tuned for more of our Player/ Staff Sponsor Spotlight Series coming soon!

#ad #promotion #sponsorship

Annual End of Season Awards Dinner!🎉🍽️

We’re excited to invite SRFC members to our Annual End of Season Awards Dinner!

This year’s celebration will take place on Friday 15th May, where all sections of the club will come together to mark the end of our centenary season, and celebrate the successes from across the club.

There are a limited number of seats available, so we strongly encourage members to book their tickets as soon as possible to avoid missing out.

Price: £35 per person
Menu: Platter of sharing canapés, Slow braised pork in apple cider served with creamed leeks and peas with mashed potato, Salted caramel chocolate brownie with cream and raspberry coulis, Cheese and biscuits

We hope you can join us for what promises to be a fantastic evening!

Book your space HERE

Former Mighty Oak Wins Gold!🥇

Everyone at Sevenoaks RFC is incredibly proud of former player Matt Weston after his historic wins at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Matt delivered an extraordinary performance on the world stage, bringing home not one but two gold medals for Team GB. In doing so, he made history as the first ever British athlete to win two gold medals at a single Winter Olympic Games - a phenomenal achievement that will be remembered for years to come.

Matt played three times for the 1XV in the 2016/2017 season, where he scored two tries for the Mighty Oaks! To see a former Sevenoaks player achieve what Matt has, is incredibly special for everyone connected to the club.

Our congratulations go out to Matt for an absolutely outstanding achievement - and we hope to see him at The Paddock again soon!

🚨✨Player Sponsor Spotlight - Olly Green✨🚨

For this week’s Player Sponsor Spotlight, we are excited to introduce Deeks Electrical Contractors, proud sponsor of Olly Green for the 2025/26 season!

Established in 1955, Deeks Electrical Contractors are a family run business delivering domestic and commercial electrical work across the UK. From installations and testing to fault finding and compliance works, they support homes and businesses with reliable electrical services. They also specialise in solar PV and battery storage, helping customers lower energy costs and improve sustainability.

Stay tuned for more of our Player Sponsor Spotlight Series coming soon!

#ad #promotion #sponsorship

Wealden Properties Extends Their Sponsorship With SRFC!

We are delighted to share that Wealden Properties have renewed their sponsorship with Sevenoaks Rugby Club, continuing their valued support of the club. Established for over 50 years, Wealden Properties is a traditional local landlord offering a range of commercial properties across Sevenoaks, including shops and offices with flexible lease terms, as well as a number of residential units.

We are proud to have such a community-focused business continuing their journey with Sevenoaks Rugby Club.

🚨✨Player Sponsor Spotlight - Zuni Bourne✨🚨

For this week’s Player Sponsor Spotlight, we are excited to introduce HPS Sevenoaks, proud sponsor of Zuni Bourne for the 2025/26 season!

HPS Sevenoaks offers a friendly and professional bathroom design and supply service, helping you create a space that suits your style, needs, and budget. Led by branch manager Jon Gardner, the team provides expert advice and quality products to make the process smooth and stress-free. They also provide a reliable service to plumbers, heating engineers, and homeowners, with a wide range of plumbing and heating supplies, including boilers, radiators, pipework, fittings, and accessories from leading brands.

Stay tuned for more of our Player Sponsor Spotlight Series coming soon!

#ad #promotion #sponsorship

🚨Guest Speaker Announcement🚨- City Lunch

🚨Guest Speaker Announcement🚨

We are delighted to announce that Conor O’Shea, Director of Performance Rugby at England Rugby, and David Flatman, former England, Bath, Saracens and of course Sevenoaks player, will be joining us as special guest speakers at our City Lunch this year!💙💛

🗓️Thursday 16th April

📍Smith and Wollensky

⏰12pm-5pm

Alongside a fantastic afternoon full of insights, stories and great company, we will also be hosting an exciting silent auction with some fantastic prizes up for grabs!

There are limited seats available so we encourage members, sponsors, and partners to secure their seats as soon as possible!

You can book HERE via our website, or by emailing srfc.operations@gmail.com to confirm your booking.

Senior Men’s Backs & Attack Skills Coach Update

After 6 seasons Michael Hebden will be departing SRFC at the end of this season, having secured a new full-time role at a new school, which unfortunately means he’s unable to commit to his role with Sevenoaks RFC next season. Michael has been instrumental to the club’s success and the development of our senior set-up over the last six years, leaving a lasting mark on the group and the environment we’ve created. We’re hopeful Michael will be back involved in an ad-hoc coaching capacity in the future, and one thing is certain - he will always be a Mighty Oak, and will no doubt remain part of the Sevenoaks RFC community.

Following this news, Sevenoaks Rugby Club is seeking a Senior Men’s Coach – Backs & Attack Skills for the 2026-27 rugby season. The successful applicant will join us during the summer of 2026 as part of our wider senior men’s coaching team.

This role involves coaching across the whole Senior Men’s programme, which operates as one unified squad of 80+ players, with over 50+ regularly attending training each week.

You will work as part of a comprehensive coaching, medical, and performance team to deliver the season objectives across all three senior sides:

• 1st XV: National League 2 East

• 2nd XV: Counties 1

• 3rd XV: Counties 4

The Senior Men’s Coach will have specific responsibility for leading the Backs & Attack Skills portfolio with ownership of the strategy, planning, delivery, and review within that remit.

The Senior Men’s squad currently trains twice per week on pitch (Monday & Wednesday evenings). This may move to Tuesday & Thursday evenings, subject to pitch availability.

The successful applicant must be available for pre-season, in-season training and match days between July and April.

Reporting & Accountability

The Senior Men’s Coach will report directly to Adam Bowman, Director of Rugby & Head Coach, and will operate within the agreed Senior Men’s Playing Framework.

The role will:

• Be accountable for the strategy, planning, delivery, and review of the Backs & Attack Skills portfolio.

• Lead and coordinate the squad’s Backs Strike Plays and Kick Return frameworks, ensuring clarity, cohesion, and consistent execution across all senior sides.

• Lead the development of players’ Attacking Skills across the squad, with a strong technical focus on catch & pass accuracy, ball movement, offloading, scanning and decision-making, lines of running, footwork & evasion, timing and depth, kicking skills, attack contact skills, and attacking breakdown effectiveness.

• Work closely with the Director of Rugby & Head Coach to ensure alignment with the club’s long-term playing philosophy, attacking identity, and player pathway.

• Provide leadership and guidance to other coaches who may assist within their remit, supporting session quality, clarity of messaging, and consistent technical standards across the squad.

• Provide weekly review and preview analysis aligned to the Backs & Attack Skills portfolio, including performance evaluation, opposition insight, individual feedback.

• Collaborate with the wider coaching team to ensure attacking cohesion and high standards across the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd XV teams.

• Contribute to squad-wide planning, block previews/reviews, selection discussions, Player IDPs, and player performance reviews.

• Uphold and promote the standards, values, and behaviours expected within the Sevenoaks RFC environment.

Essential Skills, Experience & Responsibilities

To succeed in this role, the candidate must possess:

Coaching Expertise:

• Significant hands-on coaching experience with Adult or high-level Academy rugby teams.

• Relevant coaching/teaching qualifications.

• Extensive rugby knowledge, specifically regarding modern backs and attack play, with proven technical expertise in developing and improving players’ attacking skills.

• Ability to design and deliver structured training sessions tailored to a multi-team environment.

• A proven ability to innovate in coaching methods and techniques.

Stakeholder Management:

• Strong skills in building and maintaining relationships with players and staff.

• The ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically to ensure a cohesive program.

Performance and Fitness:

• Fit enough to lead active and intense sessions on the pitch.

Communication and Motivation:

• Exceptional planning and organisational skills.

• First-class communicator who can articulate a clear vision.

• Inspires and motivates players while showing empathy for their individual development goals.

Club Engagement:

• Embrace and uphold the ‘One Club’ ethos.

• Additional Desirable Experience

• High-level playing / coaching experience (preferably National levels 2–4) is highly advantageous; player-coach applications will be considered.

Remuneration

• A competitive monthly retainer is available for this position and will be discussed during the interview process.

Confidentiality

• We understand that some applicants may currently be affiliated with other clubs. This recruitment process will be handled with the utmost discretion to respect the confidentiality of all applicants.

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this position, please contact: Adam Bowman, Director of Rugby. Email: coachajbowman@gmail.com

Fusion For Business: Community Ambassador Programme

Following our recent announcement that we are proud to be partnering with Fusion For Business, we are pleased to share that Sevenoaks RFC will also be supporting their Community Ambassador Scheme. 

If any of our sponsors, members, or associated businesses would welcome support in managing rising business energy costs Fusion For Business would be delighted to help. Their team provides expert advice and guidance to ensure businesses are on the most competitive and suitable energy contracts. 

Please contact Nathan 0161 850 4214 or Nathan.oconnor@fusionforbusiness.co.uk for more information.

Any referrals made through the club will generate additional revenue for Sevenoaks RFC, directly supporting the club's activities both on and off the pitch.

New Club Treasurer: Cory Blackmore

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Cory Blackmore as the club’s treasurer and member of the committee. Alongside this new role, Cory will continue his valued position as Head of Youth Boys' Rugby. Cory has also taken an age group from U6s all the way through the junior journey to the Academy, showing his long-standing dedication to player development and his continued commitment to the club. We would like to thank Cory for his ongoing hard work and support.

🚨✨Player Sponsor Spotlight - Finn O'Keefe✨🚨

For this week’s Player Sponsor Spotlight, we are excited to introduce WeAreLML proud sponsor of Finn O’Keefe for the 2025/26 season!

WeAreLML is a Sevenoaks-based consultancy specialising in leadership and performance coaching alongside business advisory. Accredited to international standards, they partner with teams and individuals who are committed to reaching elite performance levels. WeAreLML don't just offer advice; they unpick the bones of performance to ensure that both business leaders and athletes alike have the stable foundations required to succeed when the pressure is at its highest
WeAreLML are proud to support Sevenoaks Rugby and to sponsor Finn O’Keefe this season.

Stay tuned for more of our Player Sponsor Spotlight Series coming soon!

#ad #promotion #sponsorship