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
Political momentum for a CPO growing
The Udney Park Trust have released a ‘press release’ updating everyone on the momentum gathering for a CPO of the fields at Udney Park. Local hustings were held as a prelude to this week’s general election and the Trust raised a question regarding the future of the site. It was confirmed at the hustings that there was universal support for a CPO from all parties.
The tragedy of the War Memorial Pavilion has been revealed by arial photos taken by residents. These reveal that under the ownership of Mr Wu the building has fallen into such disrepair as to render future renovation work hugely expensive. The project had been to bring the changing rooms back into early use for the community clubs playing on these fields. There were relatively new boilers and heating systems installed just before Imperial College sold the site. The building interior had been dry – even if the changing rooms needed to be brought up to modern standards.
It is hugely disappointing to report that Udney park is now under offer from another group of investors headed up by local resident, Keith Williams.
Udney Park is an Asset of Community Value, defined in the Localism Act (2011) as "Land is an asset of community value if its main use is to further the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community." The Localism Act states that ‘social interests’ include cultural, recreational and sporting interests
