Join Us

Every Club wants new members – the ’spirit of rugby’ is not just a sentiment it can be a way of life !- play a good hard game with your mates and find out ! Rugby Union is the finest Team game in the world, but we need players, and whatever your age, sex, shape, size or skill, you will be most welcome at our friendly Club.

SENIOR RUGBY

If you have played before, you will know the ropes, and can turn up for Training from Tuesdays and  Thursday at 7.30 pm with your kit.   If you can’t make Training,  you can often get a game by turning up on Saturday – at the least you can find out about next week’s game.  Our Coaching staff and Committee will be glad to help if you ring or e-mail them.  We provide Jerseys and transport to away games, and play in Navy Blue shorts and Blue/Red socks.

STUDENTS

We particularly welcome Students, from Sussex University, Brighton University at Falmer or the Eastbourne campus, and from all other Colleges. We recognise that Student rugby often does not provide games at all levels, or at weekends.    We also recognise that it is not unknown for Students to be a bit short of cash, and we do what we can to help solve these problems.

All are welcome to our training sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays – no cost – no obligations – no pressure – and a free meal on Thursdays.  The Club is less than three-quarters of a mile from Lewes Railway Station, or the Prison Crossroads bus stop, or we can usually arrange transport, especially if a group come training together.

Contact our Coach or Club Secretary. – or fill out the online form here..

NEVER PLAYED BEFORE?

You are just what we want – Turn up for Training on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm, with boots, shorts, socks and a shirt or training top, and make yourself known to the Coach or ring the Club Secretary and explain – you will be welcomed and invited to come and pick up the rudiments of the game quite easily and won’t be  made to look silly.    The game really isn’t as complicated as it looks.     There are plenty of instances of people taking up the game and within a very few weeks playing in the top Club sides.
COACHES

From under 7’s to Seniors or Womens’ rugby

Perhaps you have stopped or are about to stop playing and want to continue links to the game.

Perhaps you have already coached elsewhere and want to improve your standard or qualifications.

Perhaps you you have never played but feel that, with the right training, you can motivate players and develop their skills.

If you have the desire – we have the means.   Lewes RFC were the first Club in Sussex to appoint a coach.    Several of our Coaches have been appointed to the Sussex County XV.  We can arrange for training and attendance at courses at our expense.   We can encourage you to take an interest in a particular team or a particular facet of the game – fitness, defence, backs or forwards.   We need coaches at all levels, so contact the Club Secretary or Chairman, or Youth or Women’s secretary.

Sport is to be enjoyed by taking part – not by watching others as a coach you can have an important part in our game.

NON-PLAYERS

We welcome all those interested in the game of rugby – Spectators, Coaches, Referees and Dogsbodies (vacancies at all levels for these).

Just turn up and make yourself known to one of our members.

More people watch the game at Club level than ever before.  Lewes is fortunate in having a splendid Grandstand where you can sit or stand and watch the game out of the wind and rain, whilst listening to the informed and often biting comments exchanged between supporters and visitors. Except for some K.O. Cup games, there is usually no admission charge, but you may be ‘invited’ to buy a programme.  You will be welcome in the Bar after the game, and its surprising how soon you will make friends.    Rugby is more than a sport – its a way of life

REFEREE’S

Referees are a vital part of our game – no Refs – no Match !

We welcome all Referees, especially to our Training sessions where they can keep fit.  Make the contact through us, or via the Referees Website and join the Sussex Society of Rugby Union Referees, one of the most progressive Societies in England.   Their induction and coaching programmes, especially for those starting out are recommended by the RFU, used as a model by other Counties.

Whether you aim for France v Wales at the Stade de France or Arun v Midhurst, or just to Ref  the occasional Lewes game, Sussex Referees Society can help.

MINI’S, MIDI’S & JUNIOR’S

We actively support our Mini, Midi and Junior sections these are the players of the future and Lewes encourages all its youth sides.

We have a dedicated Youth Development Officer and train on Sunday mornings, between 10.30 and 12.00am., between September to April.

We play at the Stanley Turner Ground, Kingston Road, Lewes, which is on the Newhaven Road  leading on from Southover High Street, and is about ten minutes walk from the railway station..We also play away at other clubs ( see the Fixtures lists)
Click for map.

The teams are broken down into Age Groups. Age Groups are based on a players age on 1st September.   Boys and Girls between Under 7 and Under 12 play Mini Rugby together.  The sexes are then divided and Boys and Girls  play  Junior Rugby separately up to 18 years.

Unless the weather is extremely bad, matches and training will go ahead as scheduled.    Therefore, please be aware that players may well leave the pitch in a wet and muddy condition from time to time, often on a cold day.   Hot showers are available for those older players who wish to use them.
The team coach will decide if weather conditions are too bad  for playing or training or if the pitches would be damaged.

WOMENS & GIRLS RUGBY

We have a very active and very successful Women’s side and also run a Girls  side.   Two of our players, Ellen Small and Libby Fox, gained England Honours.   We especially welcome those who have never played Rugby before – and believe us – size and shape is unimportant.  Having a good time – and enjoying playing a great game is – look at our Womens/Girls page – Click here or just turn up and watch!