A Message from the Junior Chairman

I have thoroughly enjoyed my first season as Chairman of the Junior section at Crediton RFC largely due to the amazing volunteers we have coaching and assisting with the teams and the running of the club.

The Crediton RFC Junior Section continues to grow in size, success and structure, with 11 teams competing during the 2026/27 season. Last year there were fantastic achievements across the season to be proud of, both on and off the pitch.

We have mixed gender groups at U9s, U10s and U11s, and from U12s onwards, move into a Girls and Boys structure. Last year’s U9 new starters were our largest intake yet, so hopefully we see similar for the next season. Our girls section continues to flourish this season through the mixed U9s, U10s and U11s through to the four teams of U12s, U14s, U16s and U18s. The girls combine two year groups and cluster with other clubs for some age groups and some specific competitions to ensure we have significant numbers to have as many matches as possible. The boys have teams across all age groups with under U12s, U13s, U14s, U15s and U16s.

We enter a number of Devon cup competitions from U14s and above and also enter many of the Devon festivals across the age groups. The U14s and U16s boys and girls teams play a varied programme of matches throughout Devon and Cornwall. Well done to all the players.

Hosting at Crediton is a 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 over 20 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. The U16s held numerous events which allowed them to have a hugely successful end of season tour.

Crediton Rugby Club believes in rugby for all and having as many children as possible play rugby is at our heart. Being competitive is aspirational for our players and as the boys and girls teams get older there are opportunities for selection into the Devon rugby pathways.

This allows for selective competition 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.

We also have a number of ex-Crediton players representing Exeter Chiefs men’s and women’s teams and have a number representing England. Further reinforcement of Crediton RFC as the starting point for great things in our wonderful sport – well done to all of those!

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 matchdays, 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 in 2026/27.

Adam Reeves, Junior Chairman