1. When did you first join HWRUFC and why?
I joined High Wycombe Rugby Club back in 2004. I had never been to the area having attended school in Edinburgh, then University in Nottingham and finally securing my first job down South! My job was in Reading and my girlfriend (now wife) had a job in Hemel Hempstead. High Wycombe was simply the middle point, so it must have been fate! I have proudly played for the HWRUFC 1st XV and more recently the Vets, ever since! Now, 20 years on I am starting to feel like a local and we have had 2 children, a son who is 12 and daughter who is 14, both have been involved in the mini section of the Rugby Club where I have also helped coach. My roots are now firmly embedded in our local community, so I am unlikely to be moving away anytime soon!
2. What makes the club special in your opinion?
This is an easy one - the people!
We aim to create a ONE Club environment. We want rugby to be available to everyone and hope everyone feels welcomed at our club. This can only be possible by having many amazing, friendly and approachable people. This is why I have stayed at the club and what I hope we offer to everyone who comes to our club. We have a community of players, our parents, our significant others and now our children all involved in the club - many generations all involved every weekend to make the club a happy and homely place to be!
3. You have stepped into the Chairman’s role at the club this year, what is your vision for the future and how do you hope to achieve it?
There is always a lot we could talk about but I will break it down into 5 key areas:
Rugby
Our vision is to elevate the standard of rugby across every corner of our club—men’s, women’s, and junior sections. With a passionate and talented leadership team driving this progress, the future has never looked brighter. Under the guidance of Matt Wardle, our exceptional Director of Rugby, we are pushing forward with energy and ambition.
In our youth section, Michael Fradgley has been instrumental as Mini/Youth Chairman, leading incredible advancements that are truly setting a new benchmark. Meanwhile, Kayleigh Winslade continues to be a powerhouse in championing women’s rugby, which is thriving like never before. These leaders embody the commitment and enthusiasm fueling our success.
By aspiring to continuously improve, we are raising our standards and ensuring that rugby at our club is both competitive and a joy to play at every level. For example, in the men’s section, our goal is to field three strong teams this season while solidifying our place in the divisions. With both the 1st XV and 2nd XV celebrating promotion last season, this year is about building on that momentum. Within the next three years, we aim to climb the ladder again and reach new heights.
We are thrilled to welcome Simon Tattersall as our new Head Coach. With Simon’s expertise, experience and leadership, we are confident he will play a pivotal role in this exciting journey. Together, we are building something truly special, united by a shared commitment to excellence and a love of the game.
ONE Club
This holds a special place in my heart. Having played over 200 games for our club, captained the men’s 1st XV team, watched my young children grow and thrive in the mini section, and still staying involved through playing for the 1st VX and Vets as well as coaching, I deeply value the sense of unity that makes our club great. For me, it’s about more than just rugby—it’s about bringing all our sections together as one family, creating a space where everyone feels they belong and that the club is one they are proud to be part of.
Our "one club" mentality drives everything we do, from the initiatives we launch to the vision we hold for the future. Our club is a great place to be at the weekend for the whole family, whether it’s Saturday match days or the lively energy of Sunday mornings, people from all corners of our club are coming together, thriving, and having fun. Another example of this is our boxing day match and after-match celebrations which is one of the most attended events of the year - bringing extended family into the clubhouse for a day of laughter, joy and extremely loud singing!
We’re making great strides forward, and this sense of togetherness will continue to fuel our journey as we take the club into the future. Together, we are stronger, united by our shared love for the game and the community we are building.
Building links within the Community
At our club, we are deeply committed to fostering strong, lasting relationships within our local community. Rugby is more than just a sport—it’s a game for everyone, and we believe it should be accessible to all. That’s why, for the first time, we’ve proudly welcomed Scott Winton as our dedicated Community Coach.
Scott is already making a tremendous impact, reaching out to local schools and groups that haven’t yet had the chance to experience rugby. Through his efforts, we are breaking down barriers and bringing the values of rugby—teamwork, resilience, and inclusivity—to new players and communities.
Financial Health
As a local amateur sports club, financial stability is the foundation of everything we do. We have many costs that need to be considered from maintaining our building, leasing the pitches to play rugby, training and safeguarding courses for our coaches, paying our referees, putting on food after games along with many other costs for maintaining a facility and sports club.
We have seen a real surge in new fundraising activities - from formal club lunches, various evening events, halloween and festive celebrations for all the family, as well as our annual kick-off event in September and our mini teams bagging shopping at the local supermarket and christmas trees at the local garden centre - we are a busy club! We also have our more traditional income streams from club subs and our ever popular bar which we open as often as possible for streaming of international matches as well as throughout each weekend.
To continue offering exceptional rugby experiences and ensuring a bright future for our club, we need to remain financially healthy. This isn’t just about meeting today’s needs—it’s about creating a foundation for growth and opportunity in the years to come.
Achieving this vision takes ongoing effort, and one of my key focuses is expanding our ability to attract sponsors and supporters who believe in what we’re building. By partnering with companies and individuals who share our passion for community and sport, we can secure the resources needed to plan for the future and thrive as a club.
Building for the Future
At High Wycombe Rugby, looking ahead is essential to securing the future of our club. To remain at the heart of the rugby community in 5, 10, or even 15 years, we must continuously evolve—embracing changes in the sport while staying true to the values and spirit that make our club unique. Standing still is simply not an option, and we’re excited to keep moving forward.
We’ve already set plans in motion. Upgrading our kitchen is a top priority to ensure we can continue serving fantastic food—a cornerstone of rugby culture and something we take great pride in. Thanks to Rob for this who continues to produce amazing food which we all enjoy.
We’re also awaiting final approval for funding that, once matched, will allow us to upgrade our beloved ‘snug bar.’ These updates reflect our commitment to enhancing the experience for all members and their families, creating a welcoming and enjoyable environment both on and off the pitch.
Looking further ahead, we’re already thinking about the next phase of our journey. Upgrading our main building is a significant challenge due to its age and the constraints of our current leased land, but we’re determined to explore every possibility. If we stay where we are then upgrading our changing rooms is high on the agenda to provide modern, inclusive facilities for all our members. While these projects require careful planning and financial resources, we’re committed to putting a solid strategy in place to make them a reality. Whether it’s extending the club or considering a new location, these discussions are part of envisioning what High Wycombe Rugby could look like in 10 to 15 years.
The future is full of possibilities, and together, we can ensure our club remains a thriving, dynamic space for rugby and community for generations to come.
4. What are the biggest challenges that the club faces in the future?
Financial stability is paramount to ensuring our club not only survives but thrives as we look to the future. While this is no small task, we are fortunate to have the support of some fantastic Sponsors—but there is room for many more to join us on this journey. Running a vibrant club like ours comes with its challenges, but with the right support, we can achieve incredible things together.
Our club’s heartbeat comes from our incredible volunteers. Their passion and dedication are what make this such a special place to be. However, as we grow, we recognize the importance of welcoming even more helpers into our fold. By sharing the load, we can lighten the burden on our core group of committed individuals, who already give so much of their time and energy to keep the club running smoothly.
With the support of Sponsors and the collective effort of our amazing community, we can continue to build a bright and exciting future for High Wycombe Rugby. Together, we can ensure our club remains a thriving hub of rugby and camaraderie for everyone to enjoy.
