Heathfield & Waldron RFC is a successful and developing locally-based club which plays the best rugby in the area but remembers that having fun is also important. New members, players, parents and supporters of any age, gender, shape and physical ability are always welcome!

Players & Teams

The First Team now play in London Division 2 South East having won London 3 SE last season. Nationally this is level 7 and other clubs in the league include Lewes, Aylesford, East Grinstead, Tunbridge Wells and Brighton. There is real competition for places in the 1st XV. Early last season injuries meant that thirty two players played in the first eight first team games most of which were won, demonstrating the depth of talent available to the coaches.   Attendance at training is essential if you want to be picked for the best team. The lower teams have a more traditional approach to training. Most of the 1st XV squad are locals who have come through the club’s junior teams. Several of them are the sons of former players so pitch-side advice is plentiful and (well?) informed.

The complete list of teams representing the club are:

The Development Squad and 3rd Team play in leagues run by Sussex RFU and have recently been having successful seasons. The 4th Team – aka " The Lost Boys" – only play friendly matches and have a thoroughly good time whatever happens.  The 3^rd & 4^th teams include a good sprinkling of former first team players who are passing on their knowledge – and then letting the youngsters do the running.

H3 is the girls section, so-called because it is based on three clubs – Heathfield, Hellingly and Hastings. Several players have gone on to regional selection. They form an important part of the Heathfield & Waldron RFC family.

Juniors and Minis: Success for the senior teams is fuelled by vibrant Junior and Mini Sections, which see over 350 youngsters play and train for the Club across all age levels. 

In the 2010/11 season three of the Junior teams either reached the Sussex Final or were County Champions so the future looks good. Visit the Junior section website at http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handwrfc

Many people will have noticed the sheer numbers that attend the Sunday morning training sessions for the Minis (aka " Heathfield Hurricanes") at the club by the number of cars parked down the road outside!  The Hurricanes website can be found at  http://www.heathfieldhurricanes.com/index.html Please check the parking instructions on the "How to Find Us" tab on this page!

Facilities

There are two pitches at Cross In Hand in which the club has invested a massive amount of money and which provide excellent playing surfaces in most weather conditions.   The newest one, called the Cypress Field after a major sponsor, is especially fine. We also have use of two more pitches at Waldron which is about three miles away – depending on which route you take.   These were the first pitches used by the club when it started and they provide a very rural setting for games .

There is a training area at Cross In Hand with a row of floodlights.   During the winter this can become a muddy bog so we also use a nearby indoor training area.

The clubhouse was opened in 1994 and we are now straining at the seams given the growth in membership and number of teams.   Development plans are underway. The club employs a full time bar steward and during the season the clubhouse is open seven days a week . The clubhouse is used both for club social functions and for hire by local organisations or individuals.   Functions such as committee meetings, birthday parties and wedding receptions can all be accommodated. Sky TV is available on a wide screen and many major sporting events as well as rugby are shown.

Management

There is an extensive management structure which involves players, coaches, parents (and just about anyone else!) which is supervised by the Club Board. Details of current membership can be found elsewhere on this website. 

The Club has been awarded the RFU Seal of Approval for the whole club i.e. covering Adult, Junior and Mini sections.

Finances

Running all the different teams and facilities costs a lot of money. The Club is deeply grateful to the sponsors and certain private individuals who make massive contributions to our funds. There are many social fund-raising activities ranging from sponsored walks to race-nights and frequent pre-match lunches held by the club's long list of Vice Presidents, whose donations are gratefully received into the club's coffers.