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Wimbledon RFC — End of Season Report 2025/26 by JK, President Wimbledon RFC
Dear Wimbledon RFC Family
What a season it has been. As we close the chapter on 2025/26, I want to take a moment to reflect on everything we have achieved together, because make no mistake, everything you are about to read is the result of our collective effort.
Players, coaches, parents, volunteers, supporters, staff — every single one of you has played your part, and on behalf of the whole club, thank you.
Minis & Juniors — The Heart of the Club
Where do we even begin? Another truly outstanding year for our Minis and Juniors, and the young talent coming through at Barham Road is, quite simply, a joy to watch. The energy, the enthusiasm, the improvement week on week fills you with enormous optimism for the future of this club.
None of it happens without the incredible volunteer coaching teams who show up, week in and week out, giving their time and expertise so generously. You are the backbone of everything we do in the junior section, and we cannot thank you enough. And to the parents; your unwavering support, your sideline encouragement, and your willingness to muck in at every turn makes this club the warm and welcoming place it is. It is noticed, it is valued, and it matters enormously.
On the pitch, the highlights were plentiful:
Girls on the rise — a brilliant early season festival and hosting Surrey Cup Finals Day gave our girls the stage they deserved, setting the tone for the year ahead.
U16 and U18 Girls — Quins Cup Champions! A magnificent double — both our U16 and U18 Girls claimed top honours at the Stoop in April. Two finals, one venue, two trophies. Testament to the huge investment of time, energy and passion poured into our Girls' programme. What an achievement.
Away from the cup glory, the growth across all junior age groups has been equally impressive. We visited 20 other clubs across festivals, triangular tournaments and joint training sessions, and our flagship Wimbledon Festivals saw a remarkable 2,800 children run out at Barham Road — both events running without a hitch and sending every single child home with a smile. That breadth of experience, competitive and social, is exactly what we want to be providing for our young players at every stage of their development.
We should also give a very special mention to our inclusive rugby group, for children with special educational needs and disabilities. This group continues to bring enormous pride to every corner of our club; to the players, the parents, and the coaches involved. We remain the only club in the area running a group like this, and we will continue to promote it as widely as we can. Long may the happiness it brings continue.
Off the pitch
The Club Fireworks were spectacular as ever, the Christmas Party kept all the best traditions alive including the presentation of the Jason Leonard Award for the best mid-year growth in players and the end of season bash was the perfect way to bring the curtain down on another memorable year.
Looking ahead
The player pathway is really beginning to take shape, with several boys and girls expected to join the Seniors' pre-season training. Home-grown talent pulling on the senior shirt and that is what it is all about!
The future at Wimbledon RFC is very, very bright.
Senior Men — Finishing Strong
It would be fair to say the senior men's season had its challenges. Changes to the coaching staff mid-season created uncertainty, and there were some tough moments along the way. But what happened next tells you everything about the character of this group.
The last six games of the season? Won. All of them. Including a remarkable away win against Jersey and a hugely important playoff victory over Maidenhead. When it mattered most, the squad dug deep, found something extra and delivered. That kind of resilience is the mark of a team with genuine quality and the right mentality.
The U22s and Club Pathway continue to go from strength to strength, with numbers increasing throughout the season and a brilliant finish — capping the year with a win in the Surrey Shield. The depth and development coming through that pathway is hugely encouraging.
Senior Women — A Season to Remember
Our Senior Women's team have had a season that deserves to be celebrated loudly. Back in competitive league rugby, they have not just made up the numbers, they have secured promotion in their first season back. That is a phenomenal achievement and a real statement of intent. The growth of women's rugby at Wimbledon RFC is something the whole club can be proud of, and the momentum is building nicely.
Our Sponsors — A Huge Thank You
None of what we do as a club would be possible without the generous support of our sponsors, and this year we want to give a very special mention to two partners who have been absolutely brilliant for Wimbledon RFC.
A massive thank you to Howden — your support means the world to this club and we are proud to have you alongside us. And to the team at PinPoint Information Ltd — thank you for everything you bring to our club community. We genuinely could not do it without you.
To every member reading this, please do support our sponsors wherever you can. Use their services, recommend them to friends, and let them know that their connection to Wimbledon RFC is valued. They invest in us, so let's invest in them.
Looking Ahead to 2026/27 — Exciting Times
If 2025/26 was a season of resilience and foundations, then 2026/27 feels like it has the makings of something really special. We are delighted to confirm that new coaching teams are in place for both the Men's and Women' senior squads — fresh energy, fresh ideas, and real excitement building ahead of pre-season. More details to follow very soon, but the early signs are tremendously positive.
And to make sure you don't miss a moment of what is coming, here are the key dates for your diary:
Wednesday 25 June Annual General Meeting (AGM), 8pm
Saturday 5 July Volunteers Day — come along, get involved, make a difference, from 9am
Saturday 25 July JF 7s — one of the highlights of the summer calendar!
Please do get these dates in your diary and spread the word. These are your events, and the more our community gets involved, the better they are. Thank You. I'll keep this simple, because it really is simple: Wimbledon RFC is what it is because of its people.
To every coach, volunteer, player, parent, supporter and member of staff; thank you for the role you play in making this club what it is. The passion, the commitment, the generosity of time and spirit never goes unnoticed, and it is the reason we are heading into next season with such genuine optimism.
See you in pre-season!
With warm Wimbledon regards,
Jonathan Kinnear
President, Wimbledon RFC