We have a home game against new to the league team, Marlborough, tomorrow, which kicks off at 2.30 pm. Thanks go to sponsors, Goodmans Financial Planning.
Crusaders are away at Ivybridge, kick off also 2.30 pm

In other news, Bryan Pitman was honoured at the Torbay Community Champion Awards ceremony at the Redcliffe Hotel in Paignton yesterday, where he won the Health and Wellbeing Champion category for his work with Looseheadz. Well deserved.
His nomination read: “About 4 years ago, Bryan set up the Brixham Rugby Club’s Looseheads mental health well-being group after a tragic incident when one of the first team players took his own life at the age of 34 because of Mental Health and other issues.
Bryan now has a large team of volunteers who work with him in all sections, from the youth to the senior teams and the wider club. He has through educating, communicating, sharing and encouraging all players and visitors to the club to be much more open about their own mental health. 
He has inspired us all to be proactive and NOT to be ashamed of sharing how we feel.’

Keith Ellis RIP

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Keith Ellis. He sadly died on Monday after battling cancer and associated illnesses. He was an absolute fighter right to the end, and we couldn’t be prouder of him as a husband and father.
Keith played rugby for Redruth, Truro, and Paignton 3rds, and then he became a corporate sponsor and avid supporter of BRFC for many years.
The service will be held at Torquay crematorium at 14:30 on the 14th November, then onto Brixham Rugby Club to celebrate his life. Jodie, Emma and Ant say all are welcome.

Sadly, the Crusaders’ game scheduled for tomorrow at home is off. Kingsbridge are a no-show, so the Crusaders now have an away game at New Cross, kicking off at 3 p.m.
The 1st XV are away at Ivybridge, also a 3 p.m. kick off.

We are pleased to announce our NEW ”Winter Robe Bundle” which has been added to our Club Shop. This new bundle will be available to buy in both adult and youth sizes and offers a saving of more than 25%.
We expect very high demand on this so get your orders in quick!
Brixham RFC – VX3 (vx-3.com)

The 1st XV are at home tomorrow against Exmouth with a 2.30 pm kick off. Thank you to match sponsors Helvetia Global Solutions Ltd and Maritime International Solutions (Insurance Brokers) Ltd.

Crusaders are away to Torquay, kick off 2.30 pm.

Not surprisingly, an evening with Martin Johnson is now SOLD OUT; however, there is a waiting list should you wish to join it.

A quick reminder about the PAST PLAYERS CELEBRATION on Saturday, 26^th October 2024 from 1 pm Buffet Lunch followed by Brixham v Marlborough (K.O. at 2:30 PM)
As lunch will be provided, please let us know that you will be attending by contacting: Sean Irvine 07809 152031 seamus15bm@gmail.com, Matt Caunter 07813 751384, Ian Onslow 07747 788580 or Bryan Pitman bryanpitman33@btinternet.com

An evening with the rugby legend Martin Johnson on January 24th 2025 at the Berry Head Hotel.

Tickets are now on sale from the club bar ( please note ticket sales Mon to Fri only, not at the weekend). For corporate tables of 10, please contact Bryan Pitman 07803120401.

Don’t delay, it will sell out very soon.

Sadly, both of Saturday’s senior games are off.

The 1st XV’s home fixture in the Devon Senior Cup match has been cancelled because Ivybridge 1st XV are unable to raise a side, which means Brixham 1st XV have been awarded a walkover win. They will now advance to the next round of the Devon Senior Cup.

The same goes for the Crusaders, as their Devon Second XV Cup round against Bideford was cancelled, resulting in a walkover win for Brixham.

A few things to note this week from the home of The Fishermen.
The only team playing at Astley Park this weekend are the Colts, who take on Kingsbridge with a 2.30 pm kick off. The 1st XV are playing away to Chew Valley with a 3 pm kick off and the Sirens are away at Plymstock Oaks (KO, 2.30pm).
In the clubhouse tomorrow night (Friday) we are showing the Bristol Bears vs Gloucester game starting at 7.45 pm.

PAST PLAYERS CELEBRATION
SATURDAY 26^th October 2024 from 1PM at BRFC
Buffet Lunch followed by Brixham v Marlborough (K.O. at 2:30 PM)
Help celebrate this first Past Players event of our 150^th year.
This is an open event and we would love players from across the bay and from all clubs to join us.
All will be given a warm welcome, whether they are friend or foe!
As lunch will be provided, please let us know that you will be attending by contacting: Sean Irvine 07809 152031 seamus15bm@gmail.com, Matt Caunter 07813 751384, Ian Onslow 07747 788580 or Bryan Pitman bryanpitman33@btinternet.com

It will be a busy weekend on and off the field this weekend with our brand new screens in the clubhouse showing rugby and boxing and the Crusaders playing at home.

The Crusaders have a 2.30 pm kick off against Plymstock Oaks 2nd XV at Astley Park, whilst the 1st XV are away to St Austell with a 3 pm kick off.

In the clubhouse, screens will be tuned into the Bath vs Northampton game at 7.45 pm tomorrow night (Friday) and on Saturday, Exeter vs Leicester at 3.05 pm will be followed by Gloucester vs Saracens at 5.30 pm.

And that’s not all, we will also be screening the Joshua vs Dubois fight from 10 pm.

See you there.

Blue plaque unveiling

Chris Forster, Michael Roseveare , Ian Handford and Bryan Pitman during  the Blue Plaque ceremony

Brixham Rugby Club unveiled a Torbay Civic Society Blue Commemorative Plaque on their historic gates as part of their 150^th Anniversary celebrations at the weekend.

More than 75 people attended the ceremony at Astley Park, including The Mayor of Brixham Town Council Michael Roseveare, Civic Mayor Hannah Stevens, Keith Gardner Club President, and Past Presidents Ray Gardner and Robert Dart, plus members of BRFC committee and club members, Brixham and Torbay councillors plus members of the Torbay Civic Society.

Ian Handford, Chairman of the Civic Society, revealed the plaque was the first to celebrate the formation of a club and also to celebrate the club’s volunteers over the 150 years since the club was formed.

The club also rededicated the Smardon Gates, which has recently been refurbished thanks to Jason Stride, Julian Lane, Keith Gardner and other members of the club.

The gates are a memorial to Henry Maddick Smardon MBE, who served the club and Brixham Community for more than 60 years. He died in 1948 and in 1952 the memorial gates were erected funded by the people of Brixham.

Present for the rededication was Jon Barker, Smardon’s Great Grandson, whose mother Isobel Barker was at the original opening of the memorial gates. Also present at the ceremony was the club’s oldest past player Phil Davis, 97, who remembers Henry Smardon being such a big part of Brixham RFC back in the day.

Recently former Herald Express journalist Kevin Coughlan has written some features on various significant people of the club, which includes Henry Smardon. These features can be found on the Brixham RFC website https://brixhamrfc.co.uk/significant-people/

Isobelle Barker opening the memorial in 1952 (left) Jon Barker with Mayor Hannah Stevens rededicating the gates in 2024 (centre)

Join us this Saturday (14.09.24) for the first, 1st XV home league game of the season against Barnstaple.
We kick off at 2.30 pm for what promises to be an exciting game refereed by Shane Mansfield from the Dorset and Wilts Referee Society.
Thanks go to DD Electrical Engineering and Dyson Construction, matchday sponsors.
Your support always makes a difference and is always appreciated.
Sadly we have been informed that Tavistock 2nd XV cannot raise a team this weekend, which means the Crusaders will be awarded a walkover victory, earning five points.
However, the Colts XV will go ahead against Tavistock Colts in an away game with a 3 pm kick off.

See you at Astley Park on Saturday.

To all members, supporters, sponsors and friends of Brixham Rugby Club.

As we are less than a week from our first fixtures for this special 150^th season, I write to share what changes and improvements have taken place at Astley Park during the summer and to encourage you all to come and support your fantastic local rugby club.

Over the summer, we have all been very busy upgrading a number of our facilities; these include;

• New LED Floodlights – Many thanks go to Pump Technology
• New Air Conditioning in the Danny Irvine and BTA function rooms – Many thanks go to Brothwell Irvine, Ian Onslow & Peter Chart
• New Sound and Vision in the lower bars – Brixham RFC now is the “GO TO” place to watch live sport
• New and upgraded décor and furniture in the BTA & Danny Irvine rooms – Including a new Floor in the BTA room after 40 years
• Complete clean up and redecoration of the outside of the building – Many thanks to ALL volunteers.
• We have a new catering partner for our downstairs kitchen ‘ The Rugby Grub Hub’ and an exciting new venture to come with ‘Try Line Tavern’ with Robbie & Adam Thomas
• New 150^th season on and off field kit available via our Kit partners – VX-3 (some available from the club)

I would like to thank ALL our fantastic volunteers, sponsors, and supporters for all the work that has been completed and is still ongoing.

Membership – May I please remind you all to come and join this great club to obtain YOUR entry and bar discounts? You can pay for your membership online or at the club over the bar.

So this coming Saturday, the 7^th of September, our three men’s teams start the season;

• Our First XV are away at Launceston with a kick off at 3pm, it would be great to see many travel, however, if not PLEASE come and see a very exciting Crusader team
• The Crusaders kick off at Home, playing Paignton 2^nd XV at 2.30pm.
• The Colts start the season away in the Devon Merit Table at Totnes 3pm kick off.
• On Sunday our Ladies team are away at Plymouth Argaum

Saturday 14^th September

• First XV at Home to Barnstaple
• Crusaders away at Tavistock
• Colts away at Tavistock

We will be holding a special Civic Society Blue Plaque Ceremony and re-dedication of the Henry Smardon Gates on Saturday, 14th September 2024.

Come and enjoy the start of a very special 150^th season at Brixham RFC.

Chris Forster

Chairman

Brixham RFC