Dorking U12’s Pop Up festival
Since the beginning of October the U12s have been looking forward to the annual Harlequins Defender Cup, looking forward to an event run by people that should live and breathe rugby and have a passion for Grassroots youth rugby… the future of all Premiership and club rugby. So, on Thursday evening before the competition we received an email saying Staines RFC had cancelled the event due to waterlogged pitches and the Harlequins community team wouldn’t transfer to another ground….. up step Dorking RFC.
Knowing that there were two U12 teams (Highfield RFC) on tour from Cork, Ireland we felt it important that they get to play some rugby on a rugby tour. Dorking RFC kicked into life from 0600 hrs on Friday morning and from what would have been a closed shop at the Big Field on Saturday due to the 1st and 2nd teams being away, both the Youth and Senior Management had arranged for 5 x Changing rooms, the Servery, pitch space and the bar all open from 0930 hrs ready for the pop ups festival.
We had U12 teams from Dorking, Cork, Warlingham and Maidenhead all have a fantastic morning and afternoon of Rugby. The sun was shining at the big field; there was some excellent rugby on show and all players had a fantastic time and had smiles on their faces. In total we had a round 100 players that would have missed out on rugby had it not have been for the ‘can do’ attitude of everyone throughout Dorking RFC, not a single person from parents to coaches of all clubs didn’t mention how impressed they were at what we were able to achieve in 24 hrs as a club - I think that epitomises everything that Dorking stands for; teamwork, respect and rugby being available for all players at every opportunity.
A fantastic morning of rugby at a fantastic club - well done Dorking Rugby Club!!
Some thank you’s to Dorking from the tour organisers and coaches -
“Thank you Jay & all of the team. Your hospitality & sportsmanship was genuinely really appreciated. It was a great experience for all our players. Hopefully we will see you on our own pitches in the future. Best of luck for the rest of your seasons.” Highfield RFC, Cork, Ireland
“Thanks once again Dorking. Organising a mini festival at any time takes a lot of prep, so to do it in 24 hours was a fantastic effort and very generous of you and your catering staff. Fantastic club, look forward to playing more rugby against you guys in the future. Enjoy the rest of your tour Highfield, best of luck tomorrow and we will see you on a pitch somewhere sometime. Many thanks" Shaun Maidenhead RFC 12s”
