AS the winter frost gives way to the first hints of spring, and the Guinness Six Nations reaches its fever pitch, the air in Lower Horsebridge is thick with more than just a bit of Sussex mud; it’s thick with pride, ambition and the unmistakable sound of a club in full bloom.
While the international giants battle for glory on the TV screens, our own players, from the smallest Minis to our seasoned Seniors, are writing their own chapters of grit and friendship right here at home.
Our Junior section (ages 5-11) has truly been the club’s roving ambassadors this season. They have been all over the place, taking the Hellingly spirit on the road and welcoming neighbours with open arms. We’ve seen fantastic mornings hosting the talented squads from Heathfield and Hastings, where the focus was firmly on the joy of the game.
Our young stars also ventured away to Shoreham, proving that whether we are at home or away, the Hellingly family travels together. These Sunday mornings are the soul of our club, seeing children build confidence, forge lifelong bonds, and embed themselves into a community that cheers for every run, regardless of the result.
We are absolutely delighted to pull back the curtain on a landmark event for our club. On 11th October, Lower Horsebridge will play host to the first-ever Hellingly Minis Invitational Festival!
Catering to our Under 8s and Under 11s, this festival will be a celebration of everything that makes rugby special: sportsmanship, mud, and memories. Invitations will be landing in the inboxes of our fellow Sussex clubs over the coming weeks. It is a bold new chapter for our Junior section, and we can’t wait to welcome the wider rugby family to our home for a day that will surely become a staple of the local sporting calendar.
Our Senior Men have had a testing February, but one that has truly defined their character. Their recent trip to Haywards Heath 2s ended in a 40-0 defeat, but those numbers tell a very hollow story.
On a day where everything seemed to go against them, the boys put in a display of sheer resilience that the scoreline simply couldn’t capture. They fought for every blade of grass, refusing to let their heads drop, and left the pitch with their integrity firmly intact.
The calendar remains packed as we move into the business end of the season: on March 7th, a huge double-header away day. Our 1st XV travel to East Grinstead 2s, while the 2nd XV head to Crowborough 3s. March 21st sees the return to home soil to welcome the Horsham Barbarians for what promises to be a physical and spirited encounter.
With the days getting longer and our first festival on the horizon, there has never been a more exciting time to be part of Hellingly Rugby Club. Whether you’re a parent looking for a supportive environment for your child or a player looking for a new challenge, we have a place for you.
Contact Deri at indyedit@yahoo.co.uk or text 07733 303034.
