It’s been a fantastic start to the 2025/26 season across Southwold RFC. From senior squads to youth and minis, there’s been great rugby, growing numbers, and real club spirit both on and off the field. The support around the Common has been brilliant, and it’s been great to see so many familiar and new faces getting involved.

Below, you’ll find updates from each section: Men’s, Women’s, Youth, and Minis. Each sharing how their seasons have begun, early highlights, and what’s to come.

Senior Men's Update

It’s been a positive and encouraging start to the season for Southwold’s Senior Men. The 1st XV have recorded two wins from their opening four fixtures, both of which came at home, a reflection of the pride and determination the squad takes in making the Common a tough place for any visiting side. That home strength has become a hallmark of recent seasons, and the team continues to build on that foundation.

September also saw progress in the National Cup, with Southwold overcoming a strong Stowmarket side to move into the second round, Away V Ipswich on 25th Oct. The squad’s depth and commitment have been evident from the outset, with an impressive number of players making themselves available to pull on the black and gold each weekend.

This depth was highlighted by the quality of both the recent 1st and 2nd XV squads fielded on consecutive weekends. Remarkably, 23 of the 42 players used across both teams so far this season have come through Southwold’s own youth and colts pathways, a fantastic testament to the club’s development programme and the dedicated volunteers who support it.

The 1st XV currently sit sixth in the league but are targeting a push towards the top three before the end of the calendar year. Meanwhile, the 2nd XV lead their league after two strong performances and will look to build on that momentum when they return to action in November.

Thank you to all our sponsors for your continued support; it truly makes a difference.

Senior Women's Update

The 2025/26 season promises to be an exciting one for Southwold Women, as momentum builds with the Women’s Rugby World Cup taking place here in England. With the success of the Red Roses inspiring players across the country, our squad is eager to carry that energy into a strong and competitive season ahead.

We’re delighted to welcome back many of our returning players, alongside some new additions, including several talented young players stepping into their first season of senior rugby. Their enthusiasm and commitment have already added great depth and energy to the squad.

Last season saw a number of our players proudly represent Norfolk and Eastern Counties, a testament to the hard work and high standards within our team. We look forward to continuing to fly the Southwold flag at both the county and regional levels this year.

Pre-season has been about building strength, sharpening our set-piece, and developing both attacking flair and defensive discipline. With three new teams joining our league this season, and after finishing a strong third last year, we’re ready to build on those performances and produce some good results. A convincing pre-season win against Crusaders Rugby set a positive tone and was backed with a strong 35-10 home win vs North Walsham. It was great to start the league season with a double header fixture with the men's 1XV. We head to Woodbridge on 19th October to continue our league campaign.

With ever-growing support from the club and local community, and a continued rise in the profile of women’s rugby, this season is shaping up to be both competitive and inspiring. Southwold Women are proud to represent our club’s values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline, and sportsmanship. We look forward to another year of rugby, friendship, and shared success on and off the field.

Colts and Youth Update

The season has begun in excellent fashion for both our Colts and Youth sections, with strong performances, great spirit, and growing momentum throughout the club.

Our Colts have set the tone early, producing outstanding rugby and impressive results. They opened their campaign with a dominant 33–0 win over Lowestoft & Yarmouth, followed by a solid 26–0 victory against Diss, before recording another emphatic result against Lowestoft & Yarmouth, 61–0. Their most recent fixture, a thrilling 38–38 draw with North Walsham, showcased their determination, attacking flair, and togetherness. The players are showing real maturity, and the squad’s culture continues to strengthen with every match.

At our Youth level, participation and enthusiasm are high across the board. The U16s have built on last season’s Suffolk Plate success with excellent wins over Mistley (52–10) and Sudbury (39–19). The U13s have also made an impressive transition into Youth rugby, boasting great numbers at training and starting their season with a 25–10 victory over local rivals Beccles. In the true spirit of the game, our U13s even loaned three players to Beccles to ensure the match could go ahead, a wonderful reflection of the club’s values and sportsmanship.

Coaches, parents, and volunteers have all contributed to a vibrant, supportive environment that encourages development and teamwork.

Overall, it’s been a hugely positive start full of quality rugby, promising talent, and a strong sense of pride throughout the club.

Minis Update

The Southwold Minis have kicked off the new season with fantastic momentum and enthusiasm across all age groups. Our recent Minis Festival was a huge success, attracting over 500 children from across the region- a wonderful celebration of rugby, teamwork, and community spirit. The event showcased the strength and growth of our club, thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, coaches, and supportive families.

Membership numbers have already surpassed last season’s total, with a steady flow of new players and families joining the club each week. This growth reflects the welcoming environment and strong reputation Southwold Minis continue to build. We’re also delighted to have new coaches stepping forward, bringing fresh energy, ideas, and commitment to the coaching team, ensuring every player has the best possible experience on and off the field.

A particularly exciting development is the healthy foundation of Under-6 players coming through, securing a bright future for the club. The enthusiasm among our youngest players is inspiring, and it’s wonderful to see their love for the game growing from such an early age.

Looking ahead, we have a Girls’ Activity Day coming up (, supported by our Ladies’ team, aimed at encouraging more girls to get involved in rugby. Additionally, we’re thrilled to host a half-term rugby camp run by Northampton Saints, offering an amazing opportunity for skill development and fun. All in all, it’s shaping up to be an outstanding season for Southwold Minis!

Looking Ahead at Southwold RFC

There’s plenty to look forward to across the club as we move into the heart of the season.

After two fantastic pre-match BBQs, our sit-down lunches begin on Friday, 8th November, when the 1XV take on West Norfolk. Enjoy a two-course meal plus cheese and biscuits for £30 per head, along with our raffle, 100 Club draw, and of course a pint of Arn the Wold Bitter from the bar. We’re thrilled that every lunch this season is sponsored, a great show of support for the club. We still have spaces available on all lunches. To get your spot, contact lunches@southwoldrfc.co.uk. All dates for lunches are on the website, in the fixture book and on social media.

Our Women’s team are next at home on Saturday, 23rd November, also with a pre-match lunch, another brilliant day to come together, enjoy good food, and support the Black and Gold on the Common.

A huge thank you to Lucy and Shaun for hosting such fantastic lunches so far, and to our committee and volunteers for their hard work behind the scenes, ensuring the season has begun so smoothly.

We have also begun planning for Boxing Day at Southwold Rugby Club with our annual Unders V Overs game, which has evolved to include an opening Parents V Children run about game. Keep an eye out for more details on this event.

To our sponsors and partners, thank you for your continued support. Your backing helps every part of the club, from youth rugby to senior success, from matchdays to community events. We’re proud to represent your businesses every weekend in the Black and Gold.

We’ll also be showing the Autumn Nations fixtures in the Pavilion, which now has TNT Sports! So come along, enjoy the atmosphere, and cheer on your national side. Keep an eye on Southwold Sports Pavilion and Southwold RFC socials for more details.

As always, we’d love to see you down at the club, whether for a match, a meal, or a pint. Fixtures and our full fixture booklet can be found on the Southwold RFC website, and we’ll continue to share updates throughout the season.

Here’s to more rugby, full touchlines, and plenty of Southwold spirit ahead! Arn The Wold.