Thamesians move to St Marys Univeristy
After two years playing at Waldegrave School the posts have come up at our home pitch thus ending a stay of just two years. With every cloud comes a silver lining and the club are delighted to announce their move to playing at St Marys University.
The school notified Thamesians of the decision a couple of weeks ago -
'It was only last week when we finally received government guidance on how schools should return in September and we have been working flat out to ensure we put stringent covid-safe plans in place to protect the whole school community and ensure the learning of our students is not compromised.
Our plans for the next academic year includes remodelling the whole school to ensure the students remain in bubbles and installing additional classrooms/work spaces which will use the indoor gym area and a lot of our outside space.
Unfortunately, this means that we will not be able to support rugby playing at Waldegrave going forward.'
The club only moved to Waldegrave School in 2018 when the changing rooms at Marble Hill fell out of use. At the time this was seen as an emotional home coming as Waldegrave School was originally Thames Valley Grammar School, and many of our Golden Oldies had played there in the sixties and early seventies. A massive effort was put in to this relationship with training of the older age groups, and provision of the posts and equipment that allowed the school to start playing matches again. There was also a hefty sum invested in improving the surface of the pitch­­­­­­­­­­­.
Thus the club leave with a heavy heart - nomads again.
Fortunately the St Mary's University campus is a venue equally near to our Clubhouse on Twickenham Green, with excellent playing fields and facilities - so onwards and upwards. More details will follow once we know the shape of the 2020/21 season.
Covid19 has not just impacted on where the club is to play its matches. The ladies tour to the sevens tournament in Zambia was cancelled – hopefully to take place next year instead. Emelia never got to play in the Olympic qualifiers for Jamaica. Training of the men's and ladies teams has resumed under the guidance of Ben and Nigel – but without contact. The format of rugby itself is in doubt with only a form of 10 aside touch envisaged in the short term. The autumn international games will be played out in front of a limited number of spectators. The use of the pavilion will be radically restricted by the requirements for social distancing.
Against this backdrop it would be very much appreciated if everyone could still maintain their support via social membership so that we can keep the club going. Any membership queries should be directed to our membership secretary: Stuart Egerton
As we get more clarity we will hopefully be able to confirm some positives and move back towards normality.
Thanks all and keep well