Southwark Tigers burning bright
Southwark Tigers offer rugby to many who might otherwise never have had the chance to play.
Southwark rugby club, based beside one of Europe’s biggest housing estates and close to London’s Elephant and Castle, serves an area including Southwark, Peckham, Bermondsey and Walworth. With three senior men’s teams and a thriving mini and junior section, the club offers rugby to many who might otherwise never have had the chance to play.
Vernon Neve-Dunn, the founder and chair, has ensured that Southwark Tigers for players aged four to 16, is run as a charity and that the youngsters don’t pay fees as “we don’t want any barriers to them playing and we also try to provide second hand kit where needed.”
Training and home games are at Burgess Park and, working with Southwark Council, one of the Astro pitches there will now be rugby compliant. Without their own clubhouse, the senior men call The Olde Apple Tree pub home, while the youngsters have the use of the Council owned sports centre.
Vernon and his team of volunteers work with other organisations and partners. Big Yellow storage funds Tigers’ qualified coaches going into local schools and a development festival at Burgess Park to encourage new young players. London Irish run popular holiday courses for players to develop their skills, as well as helping them run their festivals.
Rugby in the inner city throws up its own challenges. They would love to get women’s rugby really up and running and have held Warrior camps to attract new players and currently the club has a women’s fitness group. The aim, however, is to have a senior team for girls to join when they are older and keen to continue playing.
On a recent sunny Sunday morning, there were three very impressed visitors at training: RFU Chair, Tom Ilube; CEO, Bill Sweeney and President Jeff Blackett.
Said Tom: “Seeing the spirit and enthusiasm of the players, coaches and parents on a lovely Sunday morning in Southwark was fantastic. The whole rugby experience, from outdoor exercise, healthy competition and our positive values has so much to offer, and Tigers are a great showcase for what rugby can bring to inner city communities."
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Bill added: “Putting players first and being open to all are guiding principles for the RFU. Witnessing first-hand the terrific work that Southwark Tigers are doing to attract more diversity into our sport and bring the values of rugby and their benefits to the inner city was great to see. This is critical to safeguard the long-term future of our game and bring exciting, athletic talent from all parts of society into rugby union to make it stronger.”
