Old Colfeians One Big Team
Old Colfeians RFC have been serving their local South East London community for almost a century and are determined to continue doing so and to keep everyone on board during the pandemic and beyond.
They overtook their £10,000 Just Giving target to ensure the club remains running and, before the start of the season, a group of Colts players turned out to do painting and repair work and repaint the cricket scoring hut.
With four senior men’s teams, girls’ teams at U13, U15 and U18, inspired and led by England’s Vicky Fleetwood who began her career at the club; a Colts squad; a Vets side and loads of minis and juniors, the push is currently to keep everyone fit and engaged.
During the summer, without rugby, there were some 20-20 cricket tournaments in which the rugby players “didn’t disgrace themselves.”
Former first XV captain Ben Westhead also got players involved with a weekend golf society, under the guise of Old Golfeians.
The Vets, led in the endeavour by Stuart Keelan, have formed a cycling group which covers routes of between 40 to 70 miles at weekends. Two brothers, Sam and Josh Pemberton Hill, both former first XV players with Sam currently injured and Josh playing for the seconds, recently took on an Iron Man challenge for charity. The local St Christopher’s Hospice and CARE International UK shared £11,000 raised after a three-day effort which included a 3.1m swim, 12 mile cycle and a marathon.
The club planned both their usual half-term skills camp with Covid-safe distancing and controls at Horn Park and for the end of the month a Ready4Rugby tournament for all adults, from minis parents to regular players.
Said Martin Davey, Vets player and a Lewisham firefighter who also doubles as club publicity officer: “Any kind of tournament is a big plus in keeping our members involved and engaged. We’re very lucky to have the support of the membership and business partners and are currently building a business directory. This will both help to get the right people in the right volunteer roles, let us know who we can call on, and become a trusted trader promotion for members’ businesses.
“Last season we were top of our league but, like others, missed out on promotion, having won the London & South East Intermediate Cup. So it’s important to keep everyone’s spirits up and to hopefully help nurture a few more young players to follow in Vicky Fleetwood’s footsteps.”
