The 2024-25 has just been put to bed and we survived in Counties 1 by the skin of our teeth thanks to Devizes RFC who didn’t want to take the step up to the regional leagues. The ripple effect is too difficult to explain in a few, short sentences. But the long and the short of it is, no teams dropped into our league from the regionals and thus no team was relegated. Canterbury Pilgrims and Bromley were promoted. Whilst we will be welcoming Old Elthamians and our old friends, Gillingham Anchorians to Broad Walk next season.

So as Marvin Gaye might have said ‘What’s going on?’ Well, there’s plenty going on at the moment from across the Park.

Player Recruitment

On the player recruitment front, we have paid advertising campaigns running on Facebook and Instagram. Plus free placements on various websites including LinkedIn and Rugby Vacancies. We’re only six weeks in but already we have had in excess of 50 enquiries from around the country and indeed, from around the world including a Tunisian international prop. His video CV looks phenomenal but in reality, players like this are looking for payment and accommodation which isn’t in our business model. I’m calling it the Shae Tucker effect and he has been very busy making calls. Some of the enquiries will be time wasters but some are looking promising. However, we want to make him work even harder. So if you see one of our adverts on social media, please share with friends, colleagues and WhatsApp groups. We are also talking with a French Business school in Greenwich about the possibility of promoting the club to its students. We have produced posters in French which has tested my CSE grade 5 basic French skills. But Google translate is my friend!

If you want to recommend a player to Charlton Park, please contact Shae Tucker

Venue

On the venue hire front, Debbie Muir has also been extremely busy. We are currently averaging about five enquiries per week and we are virtually booked up for most weekends across the summer. We are catering for anything from wedding receptions, children’s parties, ladies lunches to presentation nights and sports days. Our repeat bookings are on the increase and we host line dancing, martial arts, blood letting and corporate training days. Two of our regular lettings are from the Junior Reds football Club who use the top pitches on a Sunday morning and the middle pitch for midweek training. And Universal Motorcycle Training, who have paid to have the top car park re-surfaced. Both of these groups are providing much needed income with the spin off being additional revenue from bacon rolls and increased bar takings. At this point we should acknowledge the hard work that Debbie and Kelly Whelan are putting in, and their teams, to make sure these events are a success. We have never been so busy. So, keep up the good work.

Site improvements

If you are a regular visitor to the website, you may have noticed that we have a new sponsor - The Key Fund. Technically, they are not a sponsor, but they have provided funding for Solar Panels and new floodlights. If the weather continues in the way that it has been for the last week, the National Grid will soon be paying us for our electricity. The floodlights are a huge upgrade on what we currently have and I’m told they are to ‘premiership standard’. So watch this space. We may soon be having ‘Friday Nights Under Lights’ matches.

Mini Rugby

The mini section continues to grow and we have regular numbers attending every Sunday. The advertising campaign this spring attracted new children and Taunia, Cazza, Ross and the team continue to work hard. We have participated in a number of festivals over the last few weeks and done well. Check out the photographs on the website. But we need more children. If you can help grow the numbers, get in touch and let’s talk. The email address is Youth@charltonpark.org.uk

Club Awards

The club awards season is almost upon us for the mini section and club. No dates have been set, as yet. But watch this space for more information.

County News

The Kent Senior Men’s side kick off its defence of the Bill Beaumont County Championship with a home fixture against Hampshire on Saturday 17 May at Charlton Park. Kick off is 3pm. Volunteers to help out on the day will be needed. Please let Doug Hursey know if you can attend. They then travel down to Redruth the following weekend to take on a Cornwall side who will be hell bent on revenge for last season’s narrow defeat.

If you want to get in touch about anything, the generic email address is info@charltonpark.org.uk