As we all contemplate months without the pleasure of watching, playing or organising rugby, Hendon members are able to look back on a remarkable period in our history as we contemplate and plan for our 1st Xv's promotion to London North West Three.
Like all community clubs we have had our ups and downs in the nearly ninety years of our existence but the last fifteen months have truly been memorable.
SEASON 2018-2019
Having just survived in Herts Middlesex League One in season 2017-18 and sometimes struggling to field a 2nd XV we needed a complete re-boot of the club.
The first thing was to find a coach who would re-energise all the players who had stayed away and bring back enjoyment into the training schedule.
We were fortunate to find a Level 3 coach with years of experience and who embraced the challenge. We then harnessed the Social Media expertise of two of our Committee who changed the website and made use of Facebook, Twitter etc to get the word out that we were serious in our intent; to widen out community base we organised Touch in a local park rather than at the clubhouse; we used NatWest Rugby Force day to refurbish tired parts of the clubhouse; we built upon our links with Middlesex University; we maximised the benefit from our position close to Allianz Park and finally we improved our ‘offer’ and presentation to our sponsors and as a result brought in new ones to help with the finances.
The start of the 18-19 season on the pitch was not without its problems as we continued to lose games and stayed near the bottom of the League but slowly the coaches’ and players’ commitment to training each week at Allianz Park started to pay off.
We were losing by fewer and fewer points until the turning point just before Christmas 2018, when we ran League leaders St Albans close, much to their surprise. Thereafter we started to win every game and climbed the table.
At the same time we were progressing well in the Middlesex Federation Vase which came to a Final at Hendon against London Scottish Lions who had carried all before them in the League below. We won that game by a small margin and could then look forward to season 2019-2020 with confidence.
In the meantime the 2nd XV became more stable and maintained a good record in their Merit Table.
SEASON 2019-2020
During the Summer of 2019 we continued with our clubhouse improvements; Social Media coverage; holding some training away from the clubhouse etc, and as a result recruitment at all levels followed so that by the start of the season we had two team squads eager and ready to play.
We also had an embryonic Women’s Team who started to train with a dedicated coach every Saturday morning at the club and who played their first competitive game in March.
The season started well for the First XV in the warm-up games and was followed by an unbeaten run of League games, in only one of which we failed to gain a bonus point. Therefore, when the season was halted we were unbeaten at the top of the table with a 14 point margin and have been confirmed as League Champions by the RFU .
The 2nd XV were also going well in second place in their Merit Table.
We also entered the RFU Junior Vase Competition and after wins against Teddington and Canvey Island took on Cranbrook RFC for the London & South East Final at Allianz Park in front of a crowd of around 300. After a match which was a credit to both clubs Hendon came out the winners. The celebrations with live music in a packed clubhouse were loud and long and enjoyed by Cranbrook players and supporters despite their disappointment.
This game was a fitting finale to a fifteen month unbeaten run for the First XV and we all at Hendon only hope that we will, as rugby re-emerges, have the opportunity to play in the National Semi Final bringing with it the chance to play at Twickenham.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed
None of this success would have been possible without the hard work and effort put in by our volunteers, our coaches and our players and the support of our sponsors and Vice Presidents who have all worked wonders to revitalise our club.
Keeping in Touch
If you do not already follow the club on Facebook and Twitter now is the time when we are all isolated to join in. There is a huge amount of activity and past and present members are posting numerous photographs of teams and people from the history of our club. If you have any pictures or want to reconnect with old playing friends this is the way to do it. For example I have just heard from a player who was in the Colts Team I and David Llewellyn joined in 1962!!!
Keep safe and get in touch with your news!
Tom Brownsell
