Thanet Wanderers
Thanet Wanderers
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Thanet Wanderers
RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB
It was a fantastic season for Thanet Wanderers RUFC this time
around as their first team clinched promotion to the London South
East 2 League. This is a club that focuses upon far more than just
success at first team level however as we found out when we spoke
with club representative Peter Ruranski.
He told us, “I personally have been
a member of Thanet Wanderers for 52
years having joined in 1966. In that time
I have served on the club committee
on a number of occasions either as the
Social Secretary or as the Director of
Marketing. I was attracted to the club
initially as a number of my friends were
members and the club had a strong sense
of community.”
“As a club we rely on support
from local businesses and we need
financial help to enable us to meet all
our commitments each season and the
most challenging aspect of my role is
ensuring that we meet the required level
of sponsorship. The most rewarding part
of my job is securing sponsorship for our
junior teams and being able to provide
them with sponsored free kit.
“The general mood at the club at
the moment is quite buoyant. Our
1st XV secured promotion at the end
of last season and will be playing in
London South East 2 League starting in
September. Our Veterans team won the
County (Kent) Plate Final against strong
opposition and our junior section ave
had a number of successes. The past
season was generally good for the Club,
but we need to build on that success
and attract new players, sponsors and
supporters.
“Our aim for the rest of 2018 is on the
playing field to consolidate our position
in our new league and to establish even
closer links with our sponsors. We
are also, with RFU Funding, starting
a programme to introduce rugby into
the curriculum of local schools who
have never played rugby before. We
are also establishing closer links with
our community by holding Community
Sports Days.
“Youth rugby is extremely important
to our Club. Every Sunday morning
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throughout the season we have training
for minis and juniors, both girls and
boys, between the ages of 6 and 17. We
had over 300 registered minis and junior
members last season and we confidently
expect to have a similar number this
coming season. We also have fully
qualified coaches who spend some of
their free time coaching in local primary
and junior schools on an ad hoc basis (10
schools last season).
“We try really hard to ensure a
smooth transition into the senior game
for our young players. Senior players
mentor young players coming into their
team and we incorporate our U17s into
part of every one of our training sessions
for the senior squad during the season.
“We are a registered CASC Club
(Community Amateur Sports Club), in
fact the biggest in East Kent with over
600 members. We also support local
charities, such as our local hospice by
holding charity events at our clubhouse
to raise money.
“The biggest challenge for our Club
is retaining our players. We have won
“I live locally to Thanet Wanderers and so know people
that play for the club. As a company we were contacted
a couple of years ago and agreed to sponsor one of the
youth teams. I always keep up to date with how the club
is getting along and there is a real buzz about the club at
the moment. Hopefully they can keep up the good work
for many years to come.”
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Paul Cobb, Michael Martin Partnership Ltd
Exit and Succesion
Planning
Finnancial Planning
MMP are Chartered Certified Accountants based in Kent.
With over 1,000 clients and with offices in Whitstable and
Broadstairs we are well placed to provide expert knowledge
and friendly advice for businesses and individuals.
Whitstable Branch Broadstairs Branch
T: 01227 770 500
18 / 20 Canterbury Road,
Whitstable, Kent,
CT5 4EY T: 01843 608081
Broadstairs Business Centre
64 High Street, Broadstairs,
Kent, CT10 1JT
Images courtesy of Colin Whiteley
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