The first club family social will be held on Saturday 21st September, as we kick off the 2019-2020 season with a bang! All the family are welcome as the fun begins after the 1st XV take on Thanet and the Veterans face Faversham II.

The theme is Hawaiian, so break out your best colourful shirt, grass skirt, hats and flip-flops. After the games the BBQ will be fired up to the sound of the LIVE Steel Drums, before everyone's favourite Club band Beats Workin' plays into the night!

There will even be a selection of punch and cocktails on offer for all to enjoy.

Young or old, come on down to support the 'Stones and enjoy the festivities for the whole family!

Check out the poster here.

The Annual General Meeting for Maidstone Rugby took place at The Mote on Thursday 25th July.

With great thanks to Melanie White for all of her work as Honorary Secretary, she now steps down in the role. Her efforts and diligence will be very much missed. After ratification, Brian McKeon an ex-player and long term member of the club will take the position as of August 1st 2019. The club and committee welcomes Brian to the position and have every confidence that he will have the skills required to fulfil the role as an officer of the club.

Minutes of the meeting are available by request from members.

Before the league season kicks off for the 1st XV away to Old Colfeians on September 14th, two preseason games have been scheduled. Both games provide the opportunity to try out different combinations and for the coaches to assess the talent pool ahead of the new season. There looks to be some terrific competition for places, so there will be some added interest to an otherwise usual set of standard preseason friendly games.

Both games will be held under lights at The Mote, with the bar open as usual. We hope that you can come on down, see how things are shaping up, as well as support the 'Stones ahead of the regular season.

Tuesday 20th August v Vigo

Thursday 29th August v Old Williamsonians

Both games are planned to kick off around 7.30pm.

The next players forum will now be held at the club on Thursday 15th August, after training. It's an opportunity for all senior players of the club to discuss how preseason is shaping up and going forward into the new season.

All senior players are welcome to join and share their views.

The club socials and lunches plans are currently being worked on by the social committee.

The Pre-Match lunch and Vice Presidents lunch dates have been confirmed with more details to follow. If you are interested in a date, then please contact Bob Beney or Paul Ehrhart to find out how you could take advantage of the full table discount.

Back by popular demand is the Ladies Lunch. After a very successful luncheon last year, we hope for an encore. For the gentlemen, England v Wales will be on in the bar to keep you occupied amongst friends.

The social committee will be meeting up in the next few weeks and there will be more great events for the whole club to enjoy.

Further details will follow, but for all those important dates and details, just check out the Events page here.

The club is delighted to report that Mike Gillies has agreed to Captain the 3rd (Barbarians) team for the upcoming season. Mike started in his native Warminster before becoming the ever present scrum-half for the Barbarians, playing well below his capable level. His leadership on the pitch and ethos will continue to be a great addition to the club and to all players within the side, both novice and seasoned.

With players both old and new returning back this term, the season looks bright for Maidstone's competitive social side. Not only is there an array of talent within the squads, but also the blend of corinthian spirit of players getting involved just to have fun. So, if you are a player returning to rugby or a player that likes a competitive and yet social game, then get down to training and see what it's all about.

Preseason is underway with nearly sixty players in attendance for the first week. Lead Coach George Flatman and Backs Coach Dave Charlton have been putting on versatile sessions, that cater for & include all levels within the club. These not only focus on fitness, but more ball in hand rugby orientated drills as well.

The first sessions included players from the latest crop of 18yr olds, all the way through to Veterans.

A club that trains together, wins together, so get on down and see what it's all about.

Training sessions are currently at the club Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7.15pm. The popular Fatboys run by Club Captain Shaun Neaves and assisted by D.o.R. Pete Barford continue on Saturdays for sixty minutes from 11am.

After three years Neil Cole has stepped down from being the Veterans skipper. Neil worked tirelessly with his little black book of contacts to get a strong Veterans side out each week. Introducing the old favourites back of oranges at halftime and a pot of tea after the game, the Vets went from strength to strength. During the injury crisis of last year, they stepped up to help out up the club and even took some noticeable scalps along the way. Neil and his wife Sharon also worked behind the scenes to organise the Summer Balls for the club.

During his last season, Karim Neseyif was shadowing to take over the mantle as Captain. Karim has been around the club for several years, playing in the Barbarians before transitioning to the Veterans. The Veterans is the perfect, welcoming social side to fit into, if you want to get involved again with Rugby but feel the body perhaps cannot do what the brain is telling it to! They also run a cracking Tour every season, seeking out the finest ale establishments along the way.

The club wholeheartedly thanks Neil Cole for his great tenure and we look forward to seeing Karim at the helm.

After 14 years long service and an incredible amount of money gained for the club, Bob Hayton will be stepping down as Sponsorship Officer at the end of the season. Over the years Bob has built up a network of relationships that have benefitted the entire club. From shirt sponsors to Mike Tindall & Lawrence Dallaglio visits, his efforts have reaped such reward for the club. With his everyday work load becoming more pressing, coupled with the multiple hats he already wears for the club, he has reluctantly decided to pass one of hits hats on.

The club is obviously looking for a replacement as soon as possible. Bob will be on hand to help transition the existing relationships across to the new incumbents. With the groundwork laid over so many years, maintaining these relationships is key, but should not be to arduous if picked up quickly.

This is not a role that needs to be filled by one person and we do have a couple of volunteers willing to help out. However, the club still desperately needs a lead in which to coordinate the tasks and oversee the role. The club is also looking to offer a commission base for the Sponsorship role as an incentive to any and all volunteers willing to help the club.

If you are interested in coming on board, then please contact Bob Hayton in the first instance.

The only thing left to say is to thank Bob wholeheartedly for his efforts and persistence throughout his tenure, which without, the club could be in a far different place.

London & South East Division

London & SE Division 2 (SE)

Other Fixtures