Tower and Town, October 2023 (view the full edition)EditorialMarlborough Rugby is delighted to contribute to this October edition of Tower and Town. The timing is ideal: when you read this Marlborough Rugby, now the highest ranked club in Wiltshire, will have played their first few games after their promotion to the RFU's fifth Tier and the 2023 Rugby World Cup will be well underway. In the following pages there are articles on the history of Marlborough Rugby, the current situation, and aspirations for the future. The photo of our Mini girls and boys enjoying their regular Sunday morning training sessions on the Common earlier this year best represent hope for the future of rugby in England. A recent Sunday Telegraph article highlighted a decline in the number of adult male players "slowed only by the dedication and enthusiasm of the club volunteers". Research shows that there has been a fall in active players from 259,600 in 2016 to 95,100 at the end of last season, principally due to the pandemic. Grass roots rugby clubs are fighting back and here in Marlborough we are developing our Minis and Juniors section, expanding our recently created Girls' section (to deliver a competitive Women's side in the coming seasons) and established touch and walking rugby that will hopefully engage the whole family. One important reminder is that the club is a not-for-profit organisation and relies entirely on unpaid volunteers who want to promote the game of rugby to the whole Marlborough community. Whilst it would be great if more volunteers stepped forward, the club is also grateful to supporters coming up to the Common to cheer on their local side...especially if you stop by the bar for a chat and a drink afterwards! Maybe a perfect opportunity would be when Marlborough host the famous former Premiership side London Welsh on Saturday October 14th 2023. There will be a full package of entertainment that day. Details of all our matches and events can be found on www.mrfc.co.uk. Mark Thomas |