Dronfield Rugby Club runs 2 full time senior sides, 1st & 2nd XV & an occasional 3rd & Vets XV. The 2nd XV play in The Security Plus Pennant League 1. The clubs Mini & Junior section go from strength to strength running teams from U7’s (school age year 2) through to U 17’s, along with a girls rugby set up in collaboration with Sheffield Rugby club. Through the club's successes, the mini and junior section holds The RFU Mini & Junior Seal of Approval. Search Dronfield Rugby Mini and Juniors for the mini and junior group page. The club has gained The RFU Accreditation Award. The club is also a base for RuggerEds the UK’s 1st Rugby Related Educational Programme specifically designed for 3 - 9 year old's. Sessions are based around a strong ethos of lots of fun and promoting core values of Good Manners, Respect, Teamwork and Fairplay. The games are high energy and designed to make the children work together to achieve common goals and the essence of teamwork. Delivered in a safe and structured rugby related play environment, by a team of qualified and experienced coaches. Annual tours have taken place in the UK, France, Belgium & Ireland. The club has developed strong links with the local colleges and universities, which has resulted in a strong student representation at the club at all levels. History & Move to New Club House:
Dronfield Rugby Union Football Club (DRUFC) was formed in 1969 initially playing their home matches locally at venues including Gosforth School, Rowlinson School and Coal Aston Playing Fields. Very few records exist before 1975 when the club became more established and ran two sides. Expansion continued through the late 70's and early 80's with the ability to run up to five teams from the local schools. In the late 1980's National Leagues evolved with frequent subsequent re-organisation. In January 2004, 3 local sports clubs were invited to attend a meeting at Dronfield School regarding the future of the school sports fields. AFC Dronfield, Dronfield Town and Dronfield RUFC attended. The school relocated in July 2004 and the 3 clubs took over the maintenance and administration of the site, operating under the umbrella of the newly formed Gosforth Fields Sports Association (GFSA), a registered charity. Under this new regime, the playing fields are maintained by one of the UK’s most respected pitch maintenance companies namely Premier Pitches who list Twickenham, Northampton Saints, Llanelli Scarlets & Sale Sharks on their client list. The whole site comprises 7 full sized football pitches and 2 full sized rugby pitches, in addition to a number of junior pitches and dedicated training areas. The £2.3m project has 8 changing rooms all with en-suite showers, WC’s and washing facilities, 2 officials changing rooms and First Aid Room, fully Licensed bar, 2 industrial kitchens and on site bespoke catering, 4 Screen HD Sky Sports including Dronfields largest HD Projection Screen. All areas of the facility are fully accessible to wheelchair users and people with disabilities, flood lit car park, full sized 3rd Generation Artificial Grass Football pitch (Exact same size as Wembley Stadium Pitch) with floodlights and a comprehensive upgrading of drainage to the grass pitches. The new facility uses the latest renewable technologies in the form of solar heating, ground and air source heat pumps and rainwater harvesting. The 3 clubs have in excess of 80 qualified coaches with either FA or RFU accredited qualifications, all CRB checked under child protection legislation and all have first aid qualifications. Other sports accommodated on the site are Rugby League, American Football, Archery and Rounder’s.
