All-Stars First Fixture

 Southwark Rugby club have been providing weekly rugby coaching sessions to 11 secondary schools in Southwark for several years. Each school is encouraged to attend regular festivals of rugby where they compete against each other for the coveted Southwark Rugby Shield. This season alone over 550 boys and girls have benefitted from rugby tuition provided by Southwark in partnership with London Irish RFC.

What would happen if a super team was created from the best and most willing participants from the program? After-school training facilities were secured and a high class hybrid coaching team from London Irish, Southwark and England rugby embarked on a project to develop the ALL-STARS into a team capable of competing against more experienced opponents.

Maidstone RFC answered the call to provide opposition for the inaugural match and turned up with a full squad and vocal support despite the unfavourable weather conditions that hampered any free-flowing rugby that either team might have had planned.

The first half was a largely tense and scrappy affair with 70% of the ALL-STARS playing their first ever proper match on a full pitch and being pulled around positionally by a more experienced and canny Maidstone outfit who kicked well and recycled efficiently in the tight. Southwark fought hard and contested well, barely missing a tackle all day, they did however have a tendency to throw unnecessary passes which were often knocked-on in the wet conditions. It took a while for Captain Santino from Haberdashers Borough to marshal his troops, making excellent ground with ball in-hand, tackling everything in-front of him and lifting his team by example.

Maidstone had adapted to the conditions well and kicked to exploit Southwark’s positional naivety, they were also far more secure in the set-piece with many of the ALL-STARS experiencing a live scrum for the first time. After some consistent pressure on the Southwark line Maidstone finally went over for the first score of the day.

Despite the continuing rain the ALL-STARS didn’t lose heart and started to contest every tackle. Eventually a lineout in the Southwark 22 led to Tolu from St Thomas the Apostle barge past several Maidstone players to initiate a passage of play that took his team all the way to the Maidstone try line. Maidstone defended stoutly but couldn’t stop Tolu from popping up to finish off the move that he had started.

7 – 5 to the Allstars at half time.

The second half started perfectly for the ALL-STARS, a big hit by St Thomas the Apostle student Joseph dislodged the ball and allowed Rafe from Haberdashers Borough to break away from a couple of tacklers to score between the posts. Fullback Drew from Haberdashers had some great touches but Maidstone began to dominate the second-half with patient play from their forwards allowing them to build a platform that Southwark were unable to compete with. Maidstone picked up three unanswered tries as Southwark began to tire and lose a bit of discipline.

Special mention to Stephen from St Michaels who battled hard all day, Arthur from Nautical School and Jhovani from ARK Walworth.

Despite the score spirits were high, there is a real feeling of something special happening alongside a belief that the team can go onto much greater things.

Thank you to Maidstone and their travelling support for making such an excellent occasion.

Final score 14 - 24

Join the Tigers Coaching Team

 Every season we look to grow and improve our offering. When the new season arrives in September we are looking to be in a position to field teams from all age groups U6's - U17's.  It will be a huge achievement for the club and just reward for all the hard work everyone has put in over the past 4 seasons.

To make this happen we need to recruit enthusiastic and engaging coaches from the local area.  Experience isn't necessary as RFU courses will be provided by the club. Our sessions take place in Burgess Park every Sunday during the season (September - April) from 10.00 - 12.00.

Get in contact with Chris if in the first instance to discuss what is involved. 07740419539 or chris@southwarktigers.com 

Social Media Assistant Volunteer

Do you like sport? Are you passionate about Social Media?

Would you like to be part of the most energetic #rugbyfamily in London?

Southwark Tigers is waiting for you!

We’re looking for an energetic, creative and enthusiastic Social Media Assistant to join our team as a volunteer. 

Are you interested?

In this role, you will be helping the team with a range of media projects and create content for our vibrant social media platforms and website.

It’s a great opportunity to improve and develop your social media skills in a fun and friendly environment.

Responsibilities as a Social Media Assistant include:

·      Producing daily engaging content for Southwark Tigers social media channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram)

·      Producing weekly content for Southwark Tigers website (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram)

·      Develop, launch and manage new campaigns that promote Southwark Tigers brand across London

·      Manage and facilitate social media communities by responding to social media posts and developing discussions

If you’re interested or you’d like to know more about the role, email andrea@southwarktigers.com.

We are Southwark Tigers

Historic Day for the Club

It was great to see so may players back at the Cage last Sunday for our first 2022 session.  Welcome Back!

Sunday 16^th January the RFU President, CEO and Chairman will be visiting us for a great day of sport and rugby. We’re thrilled to have them at The Cage, showing our full potential.

We also have a hugely exciting fixtures list:
The Under 16 will travel to Old Elthamians for a joint training session to prepare them for their first league match of the season against Old Colfeians.

The Under 14 will travel to Thanet for their opening Waterfall Tournament where they will also be playing Bromley and Whitstable.

The Under13-Under12 are hosting their opening Qaterfall fixture at The Cage: Sidcup, Ayelsford and Bromley will be joining us.

Lastly, KCH Pirates will be bringing teams from Tag to Under 10 for a joint training.

It's going to be a great Sunday at the Club!

Ordinary Rugby Day

A beautiful day of rugby and sport.

The #tigersfamily has taken part in two great events on Sunday.

The under 8, 9, 10 and 11s have been invited at Millwall Rugby Club for a joint session while the under 12-13 played at The Cage the first leg of The Tigers Cup.

Blackheath Rugby Club and Old Alleynians took part as well in what has become a competitive and enjoyable festival.

The under 14 played a match against Blackheath away and the under 15-17 trained at home.

There’re still few weeks of trainings and matches before the Christmas Break.

Please click here to see how our next Sunday will look like.

Rugby Camp with London Irish

The Irish are back in town! During the schools’ holiday the young people are enjoying two days of rugby and physical activity at The Cage.

The London Irish coaches are back in Southwark, delivering two-day rugby camp on Tuesday and Wednesday at The Cage. 

During the first day the young players have worked hard, showing commitment and passion for the game, having fun in a safe and learning environment.

The Camp is open to girls and boys from 6 to 16 years old.

London Irish back at The Cage

During the half-term week in October, London Irish will deliver two-day rugby camp at The Cage (Burgess Park, Cobourg Road, London SE5 0JD).

Tuesday 26^th and Wednesday 27^th, from 10am to 1.45pm, level 2 qualified coaches will run rugby based activity to girls and boys, from 6 to 16 years old.

If you’d like to book a place, please email community@london-irish.com or get in touch through the Tigers’ social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook).

Warriors and Tigers at The Cage on Sunday 12th of September

On Sunday the 12th of September 2021, Southwark Tigers Rugby Club will host the Allianz Inner Warrior Event for the first time.

From 10am, the gates at The Cage - Burgess Park, Cobourg Road, London SE5 0JD – will be finally re-opened again, welcoming home the #tigersfamily.

What is the Allianz Inner Warrior?

Allianz Inner Warrior is England Rugby’s primary campaign to help clubs recruit female players into their clubs. Warrior Camps are designed as a great introduction to rugby for those who have never played, or those who want to get back involved, and encourage more women and girls to play rugby.

Southwark Tigers Rugby Club has been running a Women’s Team for years and from this season we’ll be welcoming two new girls team, under 13 and under 15.

From Sunday our coaches we’ll be delivering rugby sessions in a fun and learning environment for a new group of female players.

Warrior Camps are great fun and hugely rewarding, encouraging you to challenge yourself and develop new skills.

The Event is completely free of charge for the participants, as well as joining Southwark Tigers Rugby Club.

If you’re girl and you’d like to try rugby, why don’t you come down on Sunday?

At the Tigers there’s a team for everyone!

When: every Sunday.
Where: Burgess Park, Cobourg Road, London SE5 0JD.
What time: 10am.

RFU and tackles at The Cage!

The Tigers’ coaching team has taken part to the Kids First Contact course organised and delivered by the RFU at The Cage (Cobourg Road, London SE5 0RJ).

On Saturday 4th of September, just a week before returning at Burgess Park, the coaches have spent four hours developing their coaching and tackling technique, sharing ideas and good practice on the field.

During the course the coaches have had the opportunity to create their own games, planning and delivering fun and safe activities that are going to support their weekly sessions with the young players.

The course has been delivered by Chris Spedding, England Rugby Coach Developer.

We need a Community Rugby Coach

Southwark RFC is a unique Rugby Club based in inner-London that provides a rugby outlet for children and adults who would otherwise have no exposure to the sport. Located in Burgess Park close to Elephant & Castle the Club attracts local players from Bermondsey, Peckham and Borough.  As part of our desire to help rugby thrive in an urban environment we are looking for a coach to provide regular sessions at local secondary and primary schools.

The program will last from September until April and include 90min sessions at the premises of each participating school. Many of the participants will have had no previous rugby experience so the sessions should focus on fitness, basic skills and team play with an overall element of fun.

The goal of the project is to garner interest in the game and to prepare the participants for various fixtures throughout the season against other schools in the program.

To succeed in this role you must be tenacious enough to encourage both students and also members of school staff to fully immerse themselves in the project.

Most sessions will take place as after-school clubs so you must be free between 15.00 – 16.30 Monday to Friday.

We are looking for:

·      RFU Level 2 qualification

·      Bags of enthusiasm

·      Ability to communicate with inner London teenagers

·      Experience of writing coaching plans and developing talent

·      Reliability

·      Genuine love of rugby

·      Up to date DBS

Hourly salary to be discussed.

To apply please contact Chris Callaway on 07740419539 or email chris@southwarktigers.com. 

We are back!

We’re just few days away from the new season. After a short summer break, we’ve realised that we couldn’t stay away from a rugby pitch much longer.

The season 2021/2022 will start on Sunday 15^th August at Peckham Rye Park -34 Straker's Rd, London SE15 3UA.

From 10 to 12 our coaching team will welcome our young people, opening the doors to new participants as well.

If you’re girl or a boy, from 3 to 17 years old, Southwark Tigers Rugby Club is the place for you!

The activity is completely free of charge for the participants, you’ll just be asked to fill a simple registration form.

If you need any other information, do not hesitate to get in touch!

Email: chris@southwarktigers.com

Telephone: 07703052759 or 07490398351

Instagram: www.instagram.com/southwarktigers

Facebook: www.facebook.com/southwarktigers

Twitter: https://twitter.com/southwarktigers

Bring water and desire to play rugby. We need you.

We are Southwark Tigers.

It’s time to play rugby!

The new season is just around the corner and Southwark Tigers’ doors are open already.

We can’t wait to welcome back our young players and to welcome new participants.  

If you’d like to play the best sport in the world, Southwark Tigers is the right club for you.

If you’ve never played rugby before, no problem, Southwark Tigers is the right club for you.

If you’re a girl or boy from 3 to 17 years old, Southwark Tigers is the right club for you.

Starting from August, every Sunday morning from 10am to 1pm, our coaching team will deliver high quality rugby session, focusing on rugby and life skills and supporting each player’s development.

We create a safe, fun and learning environment, where the players can thrive and express themselves.

The activity is completely free.

The only thing you need to do is coming down to The Cage, fill a registration form and have fun!

We are Southwark Tigers. And we need you!

           We'll see you all in August!

It’s been a long and intense season and it has now come to and end.

We’ve faced different challenges, played in different pitches – The Cage, Burgess Park, Kings’ College, Peckham Rye Park and...virtually! – but despite everything, we’ve always created a purposeful and learning environment for the players.

Our great family is growing every week and we can’t wait to restart the activity in August.

Before that, we must say...thank you!

Thank you, to every player who comes down willing to learn.

Thank you, to every coach, who tirelessly supports our young people’s development.

Thank you, to every family, who gives us confidence and strength to carry on improving.

We'll see you all soon!

We are Southwark Tigers.

 Mental Health Awareness Week 2021!

We can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, but looking after our mental well-being is still crucial.

During the Mental Health Awareness Week 2021, the Tigers’ coaching team has offered wisdom and kindness, supporting our online Mental Health programme.

Southwark Tigers Rugby Club offers an online support service for young people and adults who wants to reach out and stay in touch with us.

What do we do to look after ourselves?

I listen to my son.

Pushpa, Southwark Tigers coach

I listen to classical music, exercise and slow in/out breathing to relax! 

A walk in the park is good for the mind and just listen and look to all nature around you.

Michael, Southwark Tigers coach

I find routine is comforting to hold onto. 
Be nice to yourself if you are feeling low.

Maggie, Southwark Tigers Women coach

I make time to reflect on the wonderful things we have done as a family.
I look through my journal to reaffirm my self.
I don't listen to the news.
I do sport.
I eat my favourite meals.
I sit with the family.

I watch science videos.
I listen to talks.

Laurence, Southwark Tigers coach

Come down to Peckam Rye Park!

The season is almost over but the Tigers’ family hasn’t finished to play rugby.

Until the end of May our coaching team will be delivering rugby sessions at Peckam Rye Park (34 Straker's Rd, London SE15 3UA) from 10am to 12pm.

From the under 6 to the under 16, the activity is completely free. If you'd like to know more about the rugby sessions, feel free to get in touch.  

Everyone is welcome!

We are Southwark Tigers. You should come and join us!

Easter with the Irish.
What a great success!

Two days full of rugby, fun and enjoyment! During the Easter Break Southwark Tigers has welcomed more than 70 young players for the Easter Camp run by the London Irish.

For the club, it has been the very first rugby camp ever and a great opportunity for a lot of players to stay active during the school break.

Thanks to the London Irish coaches, the players have been able to develop their rugby skills, focusing on specific rugby situations on the pitch in a learning and enjoyable environment.

Communication and teamwork have been just some of the soft skills the children have worked on during the activity, alongside the opportunity to develop their rugby background.

Southwark Tigers Rugby Club and London Irish have been amazed to see how the young players have interacted during the Easter Camp and how engaged they’ve been during the trainings.

Bermondsey Street Festival 

An amazing day @ the sunny Bermondsey Street Festival Saturday 14th Sept. where we ran a stall for the first time.

Thank VERY MUCH to all our wonderful volunteers.Megan, Josh and Rachel (The Greenwood gang).Paul, Io and Abe (the Goode gang). Danny, Gail and Callum, Michael & Ruth(Abe's mum) 
Lots of leaflets handed out, new members reached and fun for all.

Old Elthamians

On a half term visit to Old Elthamians. All minis enjoyed games with OE and Bexley.

13s/14s joining their first competitive rugby of the season playing in a mixed Old Elthamians U13s vs Tunbridge Wells.

Amazing  NatWest Rugby Force Winners!!

Take a look at the video from the day!

https://www.englandrugby.com/governance/club-support/natwest-rugbyforce/

Southwark Tigers RFU been awarded one of only six £5000 grant & support packages available (nationally) each year to use to refresh the club house. This is fantastic news for the Club.  NatWest RugbyForce involves over 600 rugby clubs nationally so winning one of the main 6 awards is great recognition for the club.

NatWest RugbyForce Weekend will take place on Sunday 24 of June 2018. We will need lots of volunteers if we are to make this project happen.

Maggie Alphonsi http://maggiealphonsi.co.uk/ will come along to see how things are going and even play some rugby with us!

Sunday 24th June @ the clubhouse. 10am - 3pm.

10am welcome then painting, helping (bring old clothes) and touch rugby.