Following the damage done by travellers last month we launched a Crowdfunder to help raise money to go towards our repairs but also future preventative measures. We're very humbled to say that the support for this has been huge.

At the time of writing the amount donated stands at a huge £6,493. In total 223 people have donated. A massive thank you to you all!

There is a wonderful mix of people associated with the club, but also locals from Topsham as well as businesses. Despite the horrible events that occurred this has proved just how good a town, club and community we have here.

We unfortunately cannot thank everybody but see below those kind donors who put £100+ towards the cause.
Casa & Queen street furnishings - Harbour Chiropractic - Jon Hart - Peter Tosh Opticians - Justin Cunningham - Neil Goodfellow - U15s TRFC - Adrian Lancaster - Luke Murphy - Bryson's Pet Supplies - John Carroll - Jeff & Jill Sutheran - Simon Gibbon - plus numerous donors who didn't put their names to their kind donations.

TRFC SUPPORTS PRIDE MONTH

This month we have been supporting Pride Month by celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in the wider world, within rugby but especially our own club. We've been talking to some of Topsham's key figures as well as those within our teams that don't identify as heterosexual. Once interviewed we've put together some graphics for our Instagram channel to try and showcase the importance of this month and how creating a safe and welcoming environment to all can benefit everybody.
The result of such activities have generated some really insightful conversations about what we as a club can do better as well as what rugby can do to make the sport a truly inclusive experience on and off the pitch.
Here at TRFC we continue to endeavour to try and make this club as welcoming to everybody as possible and urge our members, players and fans to do the same.

OLD BOYS DAY PROVES A HIT

June 19th saw us host our VP & Old Boy's day at the club. The event proved a huge success with everybody enjoying the day, the club and the company of old friends in familiar surroundings.

Things kicked off with a brilliant exhibition of Walking Rugby. Our Fossils played host to sides from Ivybridge and Exeter Saracens with really impressive numbers on all three sides. The turnout was real testament to the Fossils' hard work as both visiting teams were from local club that our guys had recently been to in an effort to grow the game. After a good old run around, or walk we should say, everybody tucked into an absolutely incredible buffet spread provided by 'GrazeByDish'.

Due to social distancing a lucky few were then able to watch the enthralling Premiership semi-finals in the clubhouse with the rest continuing the party outside in our spacious outdoor grounds. At half time there was a fantastic raffle with the top prize being some signed Martin Johnson memorabilia, the event's organiser Greg Pascoe (who must be thanked enormously for his efforts - Thank you Greg) and club Chairman Graham Smith also said a few words to the attendees.

The event continued into the night and everybody left feeling slightly groggy but also sporting the massive smiles this club aims to deliver. Thank you to everybody who came down and got involved in the event as well as those that signed up to become VPs on the day. We can't wait to see you all down at Bonfire Field again shortly.

PITCH WORK BEGINS AS PRESEASON LOOMS

This last month has seen our Seniors take their training sessions to Exmouth Beach. There's a couple of reasons for this, firstly who wouldn't want to spend a bit of time down the local beach? But also because reseeding and watering of our main pitches at the club has begun. We've invested in a sprinkler system as well as putting together a crack team of volunteers and committee members to help oversee a watering routine that should see our grounds return to some of the best in the county. A combination of factors over the last few months have seen them dip below the standards we'd expect and the club believed investment into them was essential.

As such over the next few months we will be limiting the activity on our pitches, teams will be training offsite where possible. Walking Rugby will still train on their usual sites which remain unaffected. Any events, such as Popcorn camping that are planned have also been thought out in accordance with our groundworks. As such please be wary of this initiative when visiting Bonfire Field and avoid unnecessary footfall/playing on the pitches unless permission has been granted.

A CHANCE TO WORK AT THE 'HOME' OF RUGBY...

We are advertising for a position within our club as the 'Clubhouse and Bar Manager'. The hiring of a successful candidate will allow us to devote more time to the efficient and professional running of our club as well as, perhaps most crucially, increasing the time we can have our bar open.

If you are interested or you know somebody that might be then you can access the job description here.