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The Yate Rugby Blog

T1 Rugby Takes Centre Stage at Yate Rugby – Leading the Way in Inclusive Sport!

Yate Rugby was buzzing with excitement recently as we proudly welcomed the RFU, bristol bears and clubs from across the region to experience the future to the growth of the game—T1 Rugby!

Hosted right here at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex, the event was all about learning, sharing, and celebrating the incredible potential of T1 Rugby to make the sport more inclusive, accessible, and, above all, fun.



So, What is T1 Rugby?

T1 is rugby stripped back to its core—zero contact, high energy, and packed with all the skill, strategy, and teamwork that makes rugby such a brilliant sport. It’s a game that’s fast, fun, and totally inclusive, open to all abilities, ages, and genders. Whether you’re a complete beginner, a returning player looking to get back into the sport, or just someone who wants to stay active in a welcoming environment—T1 Rugby is for YOU.



RFU and the Bristol Bears came to Yate – Sharing the T1 Buzz!

The RFU, alongside coaches and representatives from other clubs, joined us to see first-hand how T1 Rugby is making a difference at grassroots level. The coaches who turned to players for the event took to the pitch to learn how the game is played and the adaption clubs can use to get more people engaged with the best community sporting. The feedback was incredible.


It was a proud moment for our club to be host this event and help the growing participation in rugby—and not just through words, but through action. Yate Rugby isn’t just talking about inclusion, we’re delivering it, every Monday night.


Free Weekly Sessions – Open to Everyone!

For the past three months, we’ve been running FREE T1 Rugby sessions every Monday evening—and the response has been amazing. Participation is growing week after week, with new faces joining all the time. Why? Because T1 offers something that so many people are looking for:

✅ A chance to stay fit

✅ A way to be part of a team

✅ A sport that welcomes everyone, no matter their background or experience

It’s not about who’s the strongest or fastest—it’s about fun, friendship, and getting involved.


What Makes T1 So Special?

💥 No contact, no worries – ideal for those new to the game or returning after time away👫 Mixed teams – all genders, all backgrounds, all welcome⚡ Fast-paced action – shorter games, more touches, more fun🎯 Skill-focused – great for developing rugby IQ, ball-handling, and teamwork


Looking Ahead

Hosting the RFU was just the beginning. At Yate Rugby, we’re committed to growing the game, and T1 is a huge part of that. We're proud to be at the forefront of opening rugby up to more people than ever before.

So if you’ve ever thought about giving rugby a go—but maybe the contact side put you off—this is your sign! Come down on a Monday night, join the fun, and see why T1 Rugby at Yate is changing the game.


Visit our website to learn more about Yate Rugby, and how you can get involved. Follow us on social media to stay updated with all our latest news, upcoming matches, and events.

Together, we’re growing stronger, and we’re excited to have you along for the journey!

Join us in celebrating this exciting new chapter for Yate Rugby. Let’s keep pushing forward – with pride, positivity, and progression! Visit Yate Rugby Website

 
 

From a Comeback to Club Captain – Jordan Hawker’s Yate Rugby Journey

Well, what a ride it’s been. From stepping away from rugby as a 16-year-old due to injury and lost confidence, to now captaining a men’s side in one of the most exciting and tight-knit clubs in the region—this has been a journey I never expected, but one I’m so grateful for.

I’ve been playing rugby for around 14 years, starting at school and running out for Thornbury age groups. After that injury, I thought maybe my playing days were behind me. But two years later, I moved to Yate—and as fate would have it, Yate Rugby had just launched. Something about the project, the people, and the vision drew me in, and I threw myself back into the game. Best decision I’ve ever made.


From “a few fat blokes” to a full rugby family

Fast forward to now—our men’s team is in its 8th season, and it’s genuinely hard to believe how far we’ve come. When I look back, one moment stands out above the rest: winning back-to-back league titles. Seeing our squad rise from humble beginnings to regularly fielding two senior men’s teams, growing a phenomenal women’s section, and building a thriving youth academy—it’s nothing short of amazing.

The culture we’ve built at Yate Rugby—one of pride, positivity, and progression—is at the heart of everything we do. It’s what gets lads up for training in the rain, what brings supporters to the side-lines every weekend, and what keeps players coming back season after season.


This Season: Grit, Growth & Greatness

Coming into this season, the aim was clear: push for a top-two finish. But wow, the first couple of games were tough—Drybrook gave us a reality check, and Frampton took us right to the wire. Starting 0-2 wasn’t in the script, and it would’ve been easy to let the energy drop. But not with this group.

What followed? Nine straight wins. That turnaround speaks volumes about the leaders in this team, the resilience of the squad, and the belief that runs through the club. Whether we finish top or not, this season has been a triumph in growth, spirit, and togetherness.


The Road Ahead – Bigger, Bolder, Stronger

The opportunity for growth in our men’s section is huge. We’re already seeing the signs: bigger numbers at training, new sessions added, and players constantly challenging themselves and each other. The coaching setup pushes us to be better every week—technically, tactically, and mentally. It’s tough. It’s rewarding. And it’s working.

Next season, it’s all about building on that momentum—raising standards, staying humble, and continuing to drive forward together.

But above all, the one thing I want us to carry into every match, every training session, and every social is this: togetherness. It’s the glue that’s held us through injuries, tough games, and off-field challenges. We play for each other, and that makes us dangerous in the best possible way.


A Final Word

Being part of Yate Rugby has changed my life. The people, the culture, the memories—it’s a family. And whether you're a player, a coach, a volunteer, or a first-time fan on the sideline—you matter here.

The club’s future is blindingly bright, and I can’t wait to see what’s next. We’re building something special at Yate Rugby, and I’m proud to wear the badge with everything it stands for.


Visit our website to learn more about Yate Rugby, and how you can get involved. Follow us on social media to stay updated with all our latest news, upcoming matches, and events.

Together, we’re growing stronger, and we’re excited to have you along for the journey!

Join us in celebrating this exciting new chapter for Yate Rugby. Let’s keep pushing forward – with pride, positivity, and progression! Visit Yate Rugby Website

 
 

From Strangers to Brothers: How Three Clubs United to Create Something Special in Bristol Youth Rugby 🏉

If you ever need proof that rugby is more than just a game, look no further than this team.



Last weekend, our newly formed Under-13s squad entered their very first 7s tournament—and what a moment it was. After a long season of hard work, combining three clubs—Whitehall RFC, Bristol Harlequins, and Yate RFC—this was more than just a team taking to the field. This was the result of months of collaboration, learning, trust, and belief.


We don’t count wins at this age group but let me tell you something: they performed brilliantly. Way beyond expectations. And what made it even more impressive? They’d only had two training sessions specifically focused on 7s. Yet they played with confidence, skill, unity, and above all, the true spirit of rugby. Coaches and parents alike were blown away—not just by the way they played, but by the way they played for each other.


But let me rewind and explain why this group is so special.


This time last year, most of these lads didn’t even know each other. They wouldn’t have crossed paths, let alone become teammates. But with playing numbers dropping across the grassroots game, we—the coaches and clubs—chose a different path. We put aside the tribalism, the old-school “our club, our badge” mentality, and instead asked ourselves: What’s best for the kids? The answer was clear—come together. And we did.


Week after week, these boys have trained hard, laughed harder, and developed bonds that are now unbreakable. Through new training schedules, more matches, and increased challenges, they’ve risen. What’s inspired us as coaches most isn’t the results (although we’re seriously proud of those too), it’s the character of this group.


They help each other. They coach each other. We’ve even introduced peer coaching—where players take turns leading, guiding, and lifting each other. And you know what? They've embraced it like seasoned pros. These aren’t execs in a boardroom—these are 12 and 13-year-old boys, showing leadership, empathy, and resilience. In a world quick to criticise youth for being glued to screens, these lads are proving what sport—what rugby—can still achieve.


They’ve gone from three under-resourced clubs to becoming a serious force in youth rugby across Bristol. And while we’re proud of what we’ve done so far, we know this is just the beginning.


So to our players: thank you. Thank you for trusting the process, for trusting each other, and for showing us adults what’s possible when we lead with open hearts and a shared purpose. You are everything this sport stands for.


Here’s to next season, boys. Keep growing, keep learning, and never stop playing for each other. 💙🏉

 
 
"Pride, Positivity, Progression"
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