It is a great honour to take on the role of Junior Chairman from Polly Shepherd who has retired after what has been a transformational time at the helm of the Junior section of CRFC. Polly’s legacy includes an organised, structured team of volunteers all with their roles clearly defined and we thank Polly for all her hard work over her tenure.
The Crediton Rugby Club Junior section continues to grow in size, success and structure with around 11 teams in the 25/26 season. There have been fantastic achievements across this section this year to be proud of, both on and off the pitch.
We have mixed gender groups in the U9s, U10s and U11, and from Under 12 move into a Girls and Boys structure. The initial Under 9 new starters were our largest group yet this year so hopefully we see similar for the next season. Our girls section continues to flourish this season across the 4 teams of under 12s, 14s, 16s and 18s, while the boys have played to an under 12s, 13s, 14s, 15s and 16s structure. After under 16 both boys and girls will now move across under the Senior section.
We enter a number of Devon cup competitions from age U14 and above and also enter many of the Devon festivals across the age groups. The U14s and U16 boys and girls teams play a varied programme of matches throughout Devon and Cornwall. Well done to all the players.
Hosting at Crediton is great opportunity to really show what we are all about – a welcoming community club, with great coaching and one that demonstrates the rugby values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship. The U15s hosted the Devon U15 Festival with just under 30 teams coming to Crediton for a great day of rugby.
We have seen some great social and fundraising events around the club run by the Junior section. There have been fundraising pizza nights, raffles, cake stalls and other events on matchday mornings throughout the season. The U13s did a fantastic job of running the BBQ at the presentation evening and the U16s held a hugely successful auction in December to raise money for their tour.
With the 2025 Women’s World Cup being held in England, we were delighted to be selected as a Fan Zone and there will be lots going on and will hopefully help us to continue to strengthen our girls teams.
As the boys and girls teams get older there are opportunities for selection into the Devon rugby pathways and again this year a number of players from the older age groups were selected for the Devon Development Pathway while some of our Under 15s and 16s were selected for the Exeter College Academy and the Chiefs Academy. A testament to the standard of coaching they receive and the commitment of the players and love of the game.
Our Junior Committee Structure has continued to build this year and we are lucky to have enthusiastic volunteers to keep the Junior section running. If you have a skill or are able to contribute even if a little of your time, we are keen to hear from you so please get in touch with me. We are certainly seeing the benefit of the junior structure as the links into the Senior Committee and wider club strengthen.
This has been borne out through the very successful Youth supporters programme where our junior teams support the 1st team on match days, forming a tunnel and acting as ball retrievers.
As always thank you to all who give up their time to get involved to support the club or volunteer, it makes all the difference. We look forward to another fantastic season of rugby.
Adam Reeves, Junior Chairman
Here are some of the key contacts:
Junior Chairman - Polly Shepherd
juniorchairman@creditonrfc.co.uk
Junior Vice Chairman - Claire Burrow / Sarah Saunders
juniorvicechair@creditonrfc.co.uk
Junior Secretary - Michelle Dymond
juniorsecretary@creditonrfc.co.uk
Junior Fixture Secretary (Mixed & Boys) - Craig Philip
creditonrugbyfixtures@hotmail.co.uk
Junior Fixture Secretary (Girls) - Clare Smith
07867 503909
Check out the Teams Pages for specific age group details and our helful Information Guide below!
Crediton RFC Junior Info Guide 202526 Season
