chard
rfc
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Chard
rfc
F
ounded in 1876 Chard Rugby Club is without doubt one of the oldest rugby clubs in Somerset. Their history includes
a game in 1946 against the New Zealand team who had defeated England at Twickenham the previous week!
This game organised by a local businessman
rekindled interest in rugby in the town after
a dormant period between the world wars
and the club began to flourish.
In the early 60s the first clubhouse was
built out of an old army hut bought for
a £1!
The start of the mini and junior
section in 1983 and the ground and
clubhouse improvements of the
90s’ at their town centre location all
helped Chard RFC to become the
excellent community club that it is
today.
Many of the mini and junior players
have graduated through to the senior
sides and the club now proudly field four
full teams on a Saturday… 1st XV, 2nd XV,
3rd XV and colts. A vets team also turns out on an
occasional basis.
On Sundays the club is packed with the club
running sides from under seven upwards.
The mini and junior sides have
represented the club at Twickenham
as part of the pre match and half time
entertainment at International matches
and have also been involved in a
similar fashion at Sandy Park Exeter
prior to a 1st XV game for premiership
side Exeter Chiefs.
The links with Exeter have also seen
the premiership side sending coaches to
work with the Chard players on their own
patch.
In the past ten years or so the clubs 1st XV
has made great strides forward and have won
“Many of the mini and
junior players have
graduated through
to the senior sides and
the club now proudly
field four full teams on
a Saturday.”
42 Issue 10