Shelford Rugby Club

18/06/2026

Our Grants Officer Erin Clarkson recently visited 12th Man to see their A428 Community Fund grant in action - and it was a fascinating afternoon.

12th Man recently received £6,000 to launch community-based Mental Health First Aid training across Cambridgeshire, with a particular focus on male-dominated industries where conversations about mental health can still be hard to start.

Since 2017, 12th Man have trained over 1,100 people across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and beyond - and this grant helps them extend that reach into the communities along the A428 corridor: Bedford, St Neots, Cambourne, Sandy and Cambridge.

It was great to meet Nick from 12th Man, alongside Claire from Shelford Rugby Club, Sarah from , and Den representing the referees group - all participants in the training and all clearly committed to making their sports communities healthier places to be.

Funding like this matters because the skills don't stay in the room - the training gives people the skills needed to recognise and respond to mental health issues, creating a ripple effect of support within communities.

If your organisation is based along the A428 corridor and wants to find out more about the work of 12th Man, you can find out more on their website: https://12th-man.org.uk/

18/06/2026

18/06/2026

Can you help shape the next generation of senior rugby players?

Shelford Rugby Club is looking for a Colts Head Coach to lead one of the most important programmes in our club

This isn't just about winning matches. It's about developing young people, creating memorable experiences and helping players take the next step into senior rugby

🏉 Lead
🌟 Inspire
📈 Develop

💷 Competitive remuneration available

If you're passionate about player development and creating outstanding rugby experiences, we'd love to hear from you

📧 [email protected]
📅 Applications close Friday 26th June 2026

17/06/2026

🦚 Meet Your General Committee for 2026/27 🦚

Behind every training session, matchday, event and social occasion is an army of dedicated volunteers helping to keep our club moving forward and here are just handful of those who make up the club's General Committee for the upcoming season:
🔹 Claire White – Chair
🔹 Nick Denton – Honorary Secretary
🔹 Tony Roberts – Treasurer
🔹 Noel Woodgate – President
🔹 Charlene Whalley – Sponsorship
🔹 Miles Huppatz – Club Captain
🔹 Ella Duffy – Women's Playing Representative
🔹 Rebecca Cox – Safeguarding & Governance
🔹 Verena Zyka – Membership Secretary
🔹 Claire White – RugbySafe Lead
🔹 Mikael Biard – Mini & Youth Chair
🔹 Rory Finlayson – Head of Kitchen
🔹 Nichole Rea – Club Shop

As a volunteer-led club, we're always looking for people who can help us continue to grow and improve. Right now we have two important vacancies we'd love to fill:
🏡 Head of Facilities
🤝 Club Volunteer Coordinator

These roles don't require rugby expertise - just enthusiasm, organisation and a willingness to help make a difference to our club community.

If you'd like to find out more, or think you could help, please get in touch [email protected]
Every volunteer contribution, big or small, helps make Shelford Rugby Club the special place it is

16/06/2026

🦚 Shelford RC Appoints Chris Clayton-Smith as U18 Rugby Development Lead 🦚

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Clayton-Smith as our new U18 Rugby Development Lead.

This newly created role is a key part of the club's commitment to strengthening the pathway between youth and senior rugby, ensuring that both our U18 Boys (Colts) and U18 Girls programmes provide an outstanding experience for players while preparing them for the next stage of their rugby journey.

Chris will oversee the development of both programmes, working closely with coaches, volunteers, players and senior rugby representatives to deliver a consistent, player-centred environment that supports development, retention and progression across the club.

💬 Chris Clayton-Smith said:

"It’s an honour and privilege to have been appointed as the new U18 Rugby Development Lead at Shelford Rugby Club for the upcoming season.

It shows the forward-thinking nature of the club to have created such a role whereby we ensure that both U18 Boys and Girls programmes are aligned in their thinking and ethos. I’m extremely excited to start working with both groups to make sure that their final years as youth players are as exciting and memorable as possible.

The groundwork has already been done by so many parents who volunteer as coaches, first aiders, managers, car park support, kitchen staff and countless other roles. I truly cannot wait to build on their efforts and ensure that this final youth chapter honours all of that hard work, commitment and passion from both parents and players."

📣 Applications Now Open

As we continue to build our coaching structure for the 2026/27 season, applications are now open for the positions of:
🏉 U18 Boys (Colts) Head Coach
🏉 U18 Girls Head Coach

These are exciting opportunities to play a leading role in shaping the final stage of our age-grade pathway and supporting the next generation of Shelford's players.

To find out more or to express an interest, please contact Chris Clayton-Smith at [email protected].

Applications close on Friday 26 June 2026.

💬 Club Chair, Claire White, said:

"I am delighted by Chris’s appointment as our new Under 18s Rugby Development Lead. This is an important step in strengthening our support for Colts and Under 18 Girls, and in developing a clearer pathway for players across the club.

Chris will be a major asset to the club and its members, bringing extensive expertise and a thoughtful, reflective approach. Under the newly agreed structure, he will play an active role in aligning these programmes alongside Mikael Biard, our newly elected Chair of Mini & Youth.

This is an exciting period for the club, with several positive changes underway, and I am looking forward to what we can achieve over the next 12 months. It is a great time to get involved at Shelford Rugby Club across all our teams."

If you are interested in either Head Coach position, or would like to learn more about the new U18 structure, please do get in touch.

14/06/2026

Please see the below summary of yesterday’s AGM ahead of the official minutes being distributed.

Around 70 people attended the meeting, 4 proxy votes were allocated and 27 postal votes received.

David Pimblett gave an excellent overview of the year and the members followed David in giving a round of applause for Rory Finlayson for his sterling efforts as President over the last 8 years and Jim Lucraft for his leadership of M&Y. Ian Hodgkison was congratulated for his volunteer of the year nomination by the RFU.

Tony Roberts presented the annual accounts, and answered a number of healthy questions and the accounts were accepted by the members present.

There was a good debate on the pro’s and con’s of having 2 club Captains representing the Women and Men’s senior teams. Voting saw the change to our constitution to have 2 club Captains from the next AGM.

Miles Huppatz gave a summary of the various senior playing sides for the season. The highs and the lows.

Jim Lucraft gave his final update to members on the continuing success both on and off the field of our M&Y section.

Noel Woodgate was elected President unopposed.

There was a contested vote for Chair of the Club, Claire White was duly elected and made a short speech thanking David for his efforts in steering the club through the post Covid period.

The 2nd contested vote was for this year's Club Captain and Miles Huppatz was reelected in this post.

Mikael Biard was elected unopposed as Chair of Mini and Youth.

Tony Roberts and Nick Denton were re-elected in their respective roles as Treasurer and Secretary.

12/06/2026

Shelford Women will have a stall at Cambridge Pride tomorrow! (Saturday 13th June) 🏳️‍🌈

We will have face paint & glitter, spin the wheel of prizes, and more…!

Come along and get to know some of our players and what rugby at Shelford is all about! 🏉

Peacock love 🦚♥️

06/06/2026

🦚🏉 Men’s Nomads – Counties 1 Eastern Counties 2026/27 🏉🦚

The line-up is confirmed 👀🔥

Here’s who our Men’s Nomads will be facing in Counties 1 Eastern Counties next season... New season. Same league. New challenge! 🦚💪

We’ll share the league details for our Women’s 1st XV, Men’s 3rd XV and Men’s 4th XV as soon as they’re confirmed 👌

📅 And fixtures coming soon…

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26/05/2026

🚨OPEN TRAINING SESSIONS🚨

Shelford Women are holding two open training sessions for anyone wanted to come train with us. Whether it’s trying rugby for the first time or wanting to give yourself a challenge.

WHEN - Thursday 9th & 30th July 2026
TIME - 7:00-8:30pm
WHERE - Shelford Rugby Club

Come along & bring a friend 🏉

Click on this link to register your interest:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-M7VsgJk9FL0swtvxNhTZa7G4E2NMeN1MihmjNellSlkJAg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=105099117788232540516

24/05/2026

🦚 In Memory of Gordon Whalley 🦚

We are saddened to hear of the passing of former player and long-standing club member Gordon Whalley, who died last week at the age of 94.

Gordon was believed to be the club’s oldest surviving former player, having represented Shelford during the late 1950s and pictured here in the club’s 1957 Men's 1st XV team photo 🏉

Although family and work commitments eventually took him away from regular involvement at the club, it was a privilege to welcome Gordon back to Peacock HQ in 2024, where he was presented with a club tie and enjoyed a special afternoon watching the Men's 1st XV. It was wonderful to hear his memories of playing days gone by and to see him reconnect with the club once again.

Our thoughts are with Gordon’s family and friends at this sad time.

Rest in peace, Gordon - once a Peacock, always a Peacock 🦚