August 2020 should have been a momentous time for Thamesians rugby with a tour by the ladies to Zambia for an international sevens tournament. Unfortunately due to Covid19 the tour had to be cancelled.
Read more HERE
This tour was much more than a typical ‘rugby jolly’ with planned outreach in the schools and hospitals, whilst also providing the ladies from the host club in Zambia and other African teams with a unique opportunity to play a team from outside of sub Saharan Africa.
Thamesians went through a tough selection process beating off the interest from many larger clubs and were proud to be chosen to represent British ladies rugby.
The sponsors have left their funds in place in anticipation that once we all get beyond the worst impacts of Covid19 this tournament will go still ahead (hopefully next summer).
When this happens it will be an even more special celebration given what everyone has been through
Team captain, Emelia Arbuoine also missed out on an appearance in the Olympic qualifiers in Biarritz having been selected by Jamaica and scored in the trial game against the USA.
It is many years since Thamesians have produced a player who has gone on to represent their country - Bob Mordell of England and Graham Birkett of Scotland being the only two many years ago – so this was a proud moment for the club.
Despite these disappointments both the ladies and men’s teams resumed training this Wednesday at 7 pm on the Main campus at St Mary’s University – the clubs new home ground.
The ladies will be hoping to improve on their second place in NC2 when competitive rugby resumes. Any new players would be welcome to come along and join in at this very special club.
It is important to first register an interest as with the Covid19 restrictions you cannot just turn up! Ladies should contact the club via ladies@thamesians.co.uk; men should make contact via fixtures@thamesians.co.uk
Local MP, Munira Wilson, gave an impassioned speech emphasising the importance of retaining playing fields for community use rather than allowing them to be land banked by developers.
I thought that I ought to update everyone as the latest moratorium period under the ACV is about to expire. At this point Mr Wu can market the site again to commercial bidders. Before the moratorium period he attempted to sell the site over a twelve-month period and attracted an offer from a single developer called Mr Williams. This bid later evaporated. No doubt Mr Wu hopes for more meaningful interest the next time around.
The Foundation has received welcome support from the football community as the statements below -
Lee Doyle, CEO of Brentford FC CST
"The Brentford FC Community Sports Trust aims to deliver exciting, progressive and socially inclusive multi-sports participation, coach education and facility development programmes, enabling participants, coaches and volunteers to realise their potential through community sport. The Trust supports the aims of the Udney Park Community Fields Foundation to buy and run these precious playing fields in Teddington"
