Rugby Club ISSUE 85 | Page 48

Barnes FOLLOW US ONLINE TWITTER.COM/RUGBYCLUBMAG Barnes RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB Barnes Rugby Club is based on Queen Elizabeth Walk in London and their first team currently competes in the National 2 South League. They are led by the team of President David Doonan and Chair Michael Whitfield and the club is looking to progress under their guidance. Over the years the club has put together a history of which it has every right to be proud, having first been established in the 1920s. There is also some evidence to suggest that their first ever match was in November 1862 against Richmond at Barn Elms. When leagues were introduced Barnes began life in Surrey Three. In 1990/91 the club started the season without a ground or clubhouse but much effort was made to secure the club’s future and they successfully made the club sustainable for the future. The current group of players will be keen to add to their proud history over the coming years. This season their first team has put together a steady league campaign, having compiled a record of twelve wins, one draw and seventeen defeats from their thirty matches. This saw them finish in a safe mid-table position with 66 points on the board. This should provide them with a solid platform from which to build as they look ahead to their 2019/20 campaign. As long as they are able to retain their current group of players and can perhaps make one or two quality additions they should be 48 Issue 85 in with a good chance of pushing on up the league next time around. One of the highlights of the team’s performances this season has been the attacking brand of rugby that they have been trying to produce. This has been reflected by the fact that they have racked up 650 points in the league alone at a rate of more than twenty per game. This will certainly mean that any supporters attending their matches have been well entertained and should encourage more of the local community to get behind the side in the future. This in turn has the potential to provide them with an additional source of revenue which is particularly important in the current financial climate. Barnes Rugby Club does not focus solely upon its senior section and this is reflected by the fact that they also run a mini section. This part of the club looks to provide young players from the local community with an opportunity to play the game in a safe and enjoyable environment whilst helping them to reach their full potential.