Rugby Club

The HAC Rugby Club was founded in 1896. For many years after WW2 it ran three regular sides comprised solely of members from the Regiment. By the early 1970s it had opened its membership to Non-Regimental players, and at its peak in the early 1980s, was putting out each week as many as 9 teams.  The Club joined the RFU leagues in the late 1980s and since the end of the '90s has competed in the Herts & Middlesex leagues.

 

In recent seasons HAC RFC has gone from strength to strength, and three promotions in five years, including two consecutive league wins in 2010 and '11, will see the 1st XV competing in London 3 North-West in 2011-12.  The 2nd XV matched their teammates in 2011 by winning their Middlesex Merit Table division and gaining promotion, and after a successful season of friendly matches the 3rd XV will also join the Merit Table in September 2011.

 

May 14th 2011 also saw the proudest day in the Rugby Club's history as HAC RFC won the RFU National Junior Vase, defeating  Old Edwardians  37-6 in the final at Twickenham.  With towards a thousand clubs from all corners of England entering this competition in the initial stages, this was a huge achievement and a very special day out at the home of rugby.

 

Matches are played at home (at the superb HAC ground) and away (within the Greater London area) on Saturday afternoons, from September through to April.  Training takes place once a week at the HAC at 7.00pm on Thursday evenings during the season, with pre-season training taking place in Hyde Park from July..

 

The active social life of the club has built the spirit and camaraderie which has been the foundation of success in recent seasons, and there are regular social events, ranging from informal nights out after games to organised events such as the christmas Social, End of Season Ball and annual Rugby Tour.

 

The club welcomes all rugby players and has a mainly British core augmented by players from Europe and the southern hemisphere.  The HAC tradition is to play an attacking, dynamic and attractive style of rugby, that is enjoyable to play as well as to watch.

 

To make an enquiry about joining the rugby club please contact Recruitment Secretary, Dan Moriyama, by sending an email to captain@cityrugby.co.uk.  You can also contact the club secretary, Justin Clark, at info@cityrugby.co.uk.

 

The Active Unit rugby team are also a playing section of the Club, and are members of the Rugby Club. They play their matches on Sundays in the London District Territorial Army and Reserve Forces Rugby Football League. Territorial Army training at weekends makes it virtually impossible for these members to participate in Saturday rugby. The Active Unit team won their League 7-a-side competition both in 2005 and 2006.