🏉 Yate Rugby School Network Tournament — Over 100 Young Players, One Huge Win for Rugby!

What an afternoon! Yate Rugby Academy proudly hosted our latest Yate Rugby Schools Network Contact Tournament, welcoming teams from Brimsham Green, Yate Academy, and Chipping Sodbury School — and what unfolded was nothing short of spectacular.

Across Years 7, 8 & 9, we saw more than 100 young players step onto the pitch with passion, excitement, and a hunger to play the game we all love. From the very first whistle to the final tackle, the energy was electric.

⭐ A Festival of Rugby

This wasn’t just a tournament — it was a celebration:

• Fun rugby

• Competitive rugby

• Passionate rugby

Rugby was definitely the overall winner.

The commitment, teamwork, and respect shown by every player was something truly special. Smiles everywhere. Coaches buzzing. Parents cheering. Teachers proud.

And the best part?

Every single kid asked the same question:

“When can we do this again?”

That’s when you know you’ve done something right.

💛 Why This Matters

At Yate Rugby Academy, our mission is simple:

Get more young people playing rugby.

Not for trophies. Not for glory. But for:

• Fun

• Fitness

• Confidence

• Friendship

• The love of the game

Seeing so many young athletes embrace rugby — some for the very first time — reminds us exactly why we do what we do.

🙌 Thank You

A huge thank you to:

• Brimsham Green School

• Yate Academy

• Chipping Sodbury School

• All teachers and coaches

• All parents who turned up to cheer

• And most importantly… the players

Your enthusiasm and spirit made this tournament unforgettable.

🔜 More to Come

This is just the beginning. Our school network is growing, our partnerships are strengthening, and these tournaments are set to become a regular fixture.

Yate Rugby Academy is committed to giving every child in our community the opportunity to play rugby — free, inclusive, and unforgettable.

Bring on the next one. 🏉🔥

#YateRugby #YateRugbyAcademy #YateRugbySchoolNetwork #GrassrootsRugby #CommunitySport #FutureStars #UpTheYate

Massive thank you to our Sponsors of the EVENT Boken, The Rose and Crown and Yate Outdoor Sports Complex

📣 Sideline Sam’s First-Ever Match Day Blog! Yate RFC U7s vs Thornbury – Chaos, Cheer & Champion Smiles!

Hello hello rugby fans! It’s Sideline Sam here, reporting for duty for the very first time! I’ve polished my glasses, grabbed my notebook, and sprinted (well… briskly walked) down to the pitch to cover the mighty Yate Under-7s—and WOW, what a debut game to start my reporting journey!

Let’s get stuck in…

🌟 Standout Moment: Pure, Unfiltered Excitement

Without a doubt, the best moment of the whole morning was witnessing the sheer buzz on the U7s’ faces before kick-off. These kids were ready. Even when the teams had to mix with Thornbury to balance numbers, the Yate youngsters jumped right in, no hesitation, no nerves, just rugby joy.

And let me tell you… their skills absolutely shone. Passing, tagging, running lines—the lot. They made me look like I knew what I was doing as a reporter!

🔥 From Apprehensive to “Can We Play More?!”

Before the match, there was a little flutter of nerves. Thornbury rolled up with a small army of players, and the Yate squad had that “woah… that’s a lot of red shirts” look.

But by the final whistle?

They didn’t want to stop. I mean it, they were begging to play more and even wanted to finish the morning with extra training! When kids want homework after the lesson, you know something special happened.

💪 Who Impressed? EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.

I know, I know—sounds like a cop-out. But truly, every U7 who stepped onto that pitch was incredible.

They:

• Showed off skills from training

• Played confidently in unfamiliar mixed teams

• Communicated like tiny pros

• And most importantly… they played with HEART

I’m not crying. You’re crying.

🎓 Lessons Learned: Practice Makes Playtime!

The team discovered just how fun it is to take what they’ve learned in training and unleash it on the match pitch.

Their big takeaway? “If training makes us THIS good, let’s do loads more!”

Music to a coach’s ears.

📣 Supporters: Loud, Proud & Lovely

A huge shoutout to all the parents—both Yate and Thornbury—who lined the pitch. Their cheering, clapping, and encouragement gave the little legends an extra boost.

Honestly, the atmosphere felt like a mini World Cup final. Minus the fireworks. And the pyrotechnics bill.

🎤 Three Words to Sum It All Up

Chaotic. Family. Fun.

(And I’d like to personally add: “Sam Loved It.”)

🛤️ What This Match Means for the Season

This was more than a game it was a first step in understanding how training transforms into performance. But it was also an explosion of joy, excitement, and discovery.

If this is the starting point… this team’s journey is going to be EPIC.

🤝 Hats Off to Thornbury

Thornbury were absolutely brilliant. Their coaches helped run a smooth, fun morning, and their players slotted in with ours perfectly. You could barely tell who was from which club because everyone was simply… playing rugby.

And that’s what grassroots rugby is all about.

📝 Sam’s Final Whistle Thoughts

As my first outing as part of the Yate RFC Reporting Team, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. If the U7s had half as much fun as I did, it was a roaring success.

Here’s to many more matches, magical mornings, and muddy boots!

Until next time,

Sideline Sam 📝🏉✨

Clubhouse Connor’s Match Report – Yate Ladies vs Kingswood

Hello Yate Rugby family, Clubhouse Connor checking in!

Yes, double duty for me this week after taking in the Under-14s thriller. And rounding off my Sunday with the Yate Ladies in a fiery local derby against Kingswood? Honestly… what a privilege.

The final score came in at Yate 12 – Kingswood 29, but that number barely scratches the surface of the grit, courage, and heart on display from our Ladies today.

A Match Played with Heart

Before we dive into the action, it’s vital to acknowledge the emotional weight of this fixture. The match was played in memory of a Kingswood player who recently passed away. Kingswood played with huge spirit and dignity, honouring their teammate with every moment on the pitch.

Yate showed enormous respect for that matching the occasion with intensity and commitment.

From Pre-Match Excitement to Full-Time Pride

There were a few understandable butterflies before kick-off — it was a derby after all — but by the final whistle, the mood had transformed completely.

Heads held high. Smiles everywhere. A genuine sense of pride in the team effort.

And rightly so.

Standout Moment of the Match

One moment stood out above all:

Wee Kate, our fearless last line of defence, absolutely flattening their big, fast-running back and knocking her into touch for a lineout.

The crowd went wild. The bench exploded. And Wee Kate became a club legend all over again. 😍

A moment full of heart, bravery, and pure commitment.

Players Who Lit Up the Game

Nicole had a stormer today. Her awareness was superb — she always seemed to be exactly where she was needed, putting in crucial tackles and making important plays. A genuine asset to this side.

The front row also deserve huge credit. And especially Ella, who brought immense energy and physicality, ploughing through defenders and setting the tone in contact. The power she brought today lifted the whole team.

Lessons for the Journey Ahead

The Ladies came out blazing — full speed, full energy — but the key takeaway today is maintaining that intensity across the full 80.

The focus for next week?

Game fitness. Rugby fitness. Staying switched on and firing for the whole match.

The foundations are there and growing stronger every week.

Support That Made a Difference

As always, the side line support was brilliant. Cheering, encouraging, lifting the energy — you could feel it on the pitch. The players always appreciate it, and today was no exception.

Three Words to Sum It Up

Intense. Heated. Relentless.

A derby in every sense.

What This Means for the Season

This match will serve as another building block in the team’s progression. They’re driving forward, growing together, and showing more resilience, belief, and unity each week.

Today wasn’t just about the result, it was about character, commitment, and spirit.

Final Thoughts

Kingswood brought passion, organisation, and respect — especially in honouring their teammate. Yate Ladies rose to the challenge with heart, bravery, and unwavering effort.

From Clubhouse Connor: I’m proud of every single player who pulled on that shirt today. This team is building something special and it’s an honour to report on it.

See you next week and I’ll save you a seat in the clubhouse! 🍻🏉