Welcome to East Grinstead Rugby Round Up. If you are reading this on the website, or via Facebook, please sign up to receive this Newsletter via email, which contains loads of pictures and other content, please email m.marriott@btconnect.com and we will add you to the list.

SENIOR RUGBY
A much appreciated rest week over Easter for both 1’s & 2’s has recharged bodies before their respective cup runs. This Saturday sees yet another silverware opportunity for our 2’s against Ditchling in their Sussex cup final. The match will take place at Crowborough RFC and at the moment, kick off is at 1.30pm. It will be a cracker, so please get yourself down there to shout the boys home!!

The 1XV will have to wait for a week as Hove have pulled out of their last sixteen clash, obviously nervous of another trip to a resurgent Saint Hill, leaving G’s a mouthwatering quarter final on the 3rd May against Ashford or Cranbrook. We don’t yet know if this is home or away, but will keep you all posted.

ALL VOLUNTEERS
A THANK YOU FROM US!!
Sunday the 4th of May will see the staging of our much anticipated junior end of season awards and our annual colour run.

However, that is not all because we are inviting anyone who volunteers for the club; groundsmen, coaches, managers, in fact anyone who helps us out at EGRFC to come and enjoy a free meal with us to say thank you for all your hard work over the season.

If you email julie.mason@egrfc.com or WhatsApp her on 07825 046637, letting her know your volunteer position, you will enjoy a free burger/sausage/Cornish pasty and chips and a pint/drink of your choice, while watching (Or maybe participating in) this years colour run!!

SUNSHINE 7’s
We are all so excited for the Challenge Packaging, 67th Sunshine Sevens, on Sunday (27th April)!

Make sure you are ready pitchside (In the sunshine!!) at 11am ready for the start of the action. In the elite competition we have the strongest field we have had for years, with fourteen elite sides competing to see if they can halt Rambling Jester’s dominance of the Lady Astor trophy. We will be welcoming some new Elite sides – Norway 7s – Vaquita Hammerheads and Saints 7’s, all top quality teams! With G’s also involved in the Open and even local band, Deadwoodz, playing during and after the tournament, it’s going to be a massive day.

If you like your food, there will be Paella, Indian street food alongside the usual fare and the bars will obviously be very much open.

Games on pitch one will also be LIVE STREAMING! Thanks to DiVision Digital. Sign up for this today at: http://www.egrfctv.com

Many of you have been asking about the history of this fine competition. If you want to read more, follow this link: Sunshine 7's

We also have a brilliant picture gallery through the ages here: 7's pics

We have raised funds for local kids charities for 67 years! Last year EGRFC supported the local community by donating £42,000 to ten local charities, schools and special causes.

So get yourself to Saint Hill on Sunday - Help us Help the Kids.

BYRON RUNS LONDON
For those who don’t know Byron, he is club secretary and a board director of EGRFC. He is also a nutter as he is running the London Marathon on Sunday. We are very proud of Byron as he and his family have walked a difficult path over the last few years and his story is a brave one. If you can help him, we would be very grateful. Here are a few words from the great man.

“This Sunday, I’m running the 2025 London Marathon for Breast Cancer Now! This is my first Marathon!!!

In December 2022, my partner Clare was diagnosed with Breast Cancer following a routine mammogram screening. This came as a complete shock to us all as Clare had no symptoms whatsoever. Through surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and the ongoing preventative programme, Breast Cancer Now was there every step of the way to offer specialist support and care through the many challenges of the cancer journey.

One in Seven women are diagnosed with Breast Cancer in their lifetime. Breast Cancer Now are an amazing charity dedicated to providing specialist support for woman, their families and friends across the country affected by Breast Cancer.

Clare is also about to feature in a nationwide campaign for awareness of the importance of routine screening – more on this to come!

I am incredibly grateful for any amount that you are able to give – any size donation is hugely appreciated! To donate, follow this link: Donate to Byron

200 CLUB
Our 200 Club provides a vital part of raising funds for playing equipment for the club, with the added bonus of giving our members the chance to win cash prizes each month!!

APRIL 2025 Draw
1st Prize, Ticket No.68 - Gareth Scourfield - £125
2nd Prize, Ticket No.3 - Byron Tomkinson -£50
3rd Prize, Ticket No.29 - Peter Grisman - £25

Well done to all our winners!

Could all winners please send their banking details, if not previously sent to Stephanie.irwin@egrfc.com for payment directly into their bank account.

Should 3 months elapse from draw date and details for payment have not been forwarded to the club, then the winning sum will revert to the club account. A reminder of the last couple of draws: Feb; D Hughes, R Gray Snr, D Harrison (If unclaimed, these will revert in May), March: D Keetley, R Russell, S Floodgate (If unclaimed, these will revert in June).

For more information on how to get involved with the 200 Club, follow this link: 200 Club

RUN CHAMPERS
We are all so proud of Callum Champain, who has finished the Marathon Des Sables.
The MDS is a 250km running event across the Sahara Desert, taking place across 6 stages (7 days). He did this while carrying all of his food, sleeping equipment, and essentials, all in heat that reached 45 - 50 Degrees Celsius.

If you haven’t yet donated, there is still time, just click this link: Donate to Callum

If you would like to find out more about Callum’s chosen charity, Youth Sport Trust, click here: https://www.youthsporttrust.org

ANYONE FOR CAMPING?
BACK AGAIN FOR A 2ND YEAR - WHO'S IN?
After a very successful event in 2024, On Saturday 19th July, EGRFC (Junior Section) are putting on another overnight camping event on the training pitches - come along from 12pm and pitch your tent.

The main Bar will be open, along with BBQ to feed the family. Not to worry - toilet & shower facilities will be open overnight too! And breakfast will most definitely be available on the Sunday morning for all.

Cost per tent is £20 non-refundable (minimum one adult per tent), places are limited so please book via this link to secure your pitch: Camping tickets

We're hoping that the children will enjoy playing numerous games - along with the parents socialising! Come along and join the fun!

Any queries speak to Stu on 07899 697091

AGM
Make sure 11th July is in the diary!!

OTHER NEWS
If you have any news about any aspect of our rugby family here at East Grinstead, get involved and email m.marriott@btconnect.com. See you next week!!