The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has welcomed the news that the Government has given its approval for 15-a-side contact rugby union to return at grassroots level, subject to adaptations as of  Wednesday 2 December in preparation for local friendly fixtures recommencing from Friday 18 December when the following law variations will come into effect:

• There will be no scrums or mauls in the game.
• Instead of a scrum, the game will begin with a free kick. This free kick cannot be taken quickly.
• A minimum of five and a maximum of seven players from each team are required to form a lineout.
• A team awarded a penalty or free kick will no longer be able to choose a scrum option.
• A team awarded a penalty or free kick at a lineout can instead choose another lineout at the same mark.

Clubs in all tiers will be able to return to Stage E on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap.

There is no obligation for players and clubs to play 15-a-side adaptations. This means Youth and Senior training is back as of tomorrow and coaches are in preparations. The clubhouse guidelines are under review and we should have more details on that later this week.

Kent will be coming out of the national lockdown and into Tier 3 this week. This means that the clubhouse cannot be open under the restrictions, although a review is expected on the 17th.

With rgeards to Rugby, the RFU is still in discussions with the governemnt on how the tiered levels would impact the Return To Rugby Roadmap. This is still under review and there is no timeframe for guidance to be given, whilst these discussions are ongoing.

This means that until we receive the announcement and guidelines from the RFU, it would be prudent to stay at Stage A, meaning that  no Rugby activity of any kind is permitted. However, members are free to use the grounds for exercise, providing that they are in compliance with goverment Tier 3 guidelines.

As soon as the RFU informs the club of the guidance, we will disseminate the information as soon as possible.

Club sponsor Kent Veg Box has kindly come up with a fantastic deal for members of the club, which not only benefits you for the Christmas holidays, but the club as well.

Kent Veg Box serves Kent & Greater London with fresh vegetables and the finest meats, straight from the farm to your door. There’s no catch, no contract and no agenda, just great food! Food that you can enjoy, whilst supporting the club. For Kent Veg Box, their only hope is that it can support the club and that members will like what they receive and stay on past Christmas.

For your placed order, you will receive a 5% discount and Kent Veg Box will donate the equivalent of 15% of your order to the club!

So, how do you take advantage of this amazing offer?

Click the link here to go to their website, where the discount code MAIDSTONEFC will be applied. Then go to the Christmas! page on the menu. There is no minimum order, but the more you spend, the more you save and raise money for the club!

The offer is open to all players and members of Maidstone Rugby only. Delivery to your home will be between 21^st – 24^th of December, with the exact day confirmed nearer the time. If you have any issues or problems, please email [email protected]

We are pleased to now be able to announce a massive congratulations to Youth Chair Alison Slaughter on her nomination for the RFU Mitsubishi Volunteer of the year award. The RFU looks to recognise volunteers who make massive contributions up and down the land and Alison becomes the second person from MFC to be nominated for the national award. 

Alison said about receiving the nomination;  “This isn’t for me, this is for all of us that make our club amazing . I am proud that my name is mentioned but prouder Maidstone gain the recognition that we truly deserve from the little legs up to the much older legs!”

The club congratulates Alison for a well deserved nomination for all that she has done and continues to do for the club.

The club would like to thank the RFU & Amazon Prime for the deal which will not only benefit Rugby supporters, but clubs as well.

As we are in lockdown, the clubhouse cannot show the Autumn International Cup games. However, by using the link provided below, members, friends and family can sign up to Amazon Prime FREE for thirty days. What's more, by using the link below, for every person that just uses the link below would generate a £3 donation to the club from Amazon! It's a win-win.

Following the government announcement and update from the RFU, the club is saddened to have to advise the news that all Rugby activity must cease as of Thursday 5th November. The planned return date, dependent on government approval is Thursday 3rd December.

The news is disappointing, but not unexpected as we look to once again contain the virus and stay safe. The positive energy around the club has been a joy to see. With new members across all spectrums and enjoyment being had within the Touch Tournament, it is even more gut-wrenching that we have to halt such a train of momentum. Alas, even trains must make stops, but we will get rolling again.

The committee wants to take this opportunity to express its deepest thanks to its MFC family, who have tried so hard to keep everyone safe, keep smiling and keep the club going onwards.

Here is what this news means for our members, for the next month.

Rugby:

We return to Stage A of the RFU Return To Rugby Plan.

All activity must cease as of tomorrow. This means no training or games of any kind.

Members may use the ground for exercise, provided that it is in line with the government guidelines. This means that it can only be with one other person and you cannot mix/meet others. There can be no exceptions. We do ask that you keep off of the training pitch (The Somme) to allow it the chance to recover in preperation for the Touch Tournament return, as work will be carried out on it during lockdown.

The Club will be attending an RFU virtual meeting on November 13th to discuss the return to the game and possible reduced league structure in the New Year. Whatever form this is in, will have no bearing on promotions or relegations.

The Touch Tournament is regrettably suspended until January.

Grounds:

Grounds work can continue and will do so under the current guidelines as it has previously.

Clubhouse:

The clubhouse must close its doors to members/customers except for essential work. The club is looking at ways to keep its staff retained as well as potential government grants on offer to help us through the shutdown.

Club Shop:

The club will look at ways for a 'click and collect' service for those that are looking for Christmas presents. We will follow up on that. In the meantime, the VX3 and FANWEAR ranges are still available for delivery to your door via the shop page.

We will communicate any new information as soon as we have it.

For now, we want to once again thank all of our members for their continued support as it is, and has been, vital in ensuring that we can all return to normal in the near future. We wish you as well as your loved ones, good health. We also understand that this is a difficult time for many at the moment, so if you would like to discuss your membership in confidence, please contact the relevant Membership Sec.

Stay Strong. Stay Safe. We’ll see you on the other side.

Yours in Rugby,

The Committee

BRAND NEW for 2020 the club has launched its 'FANWEAR' range. We have teamed up with Nomad sports to offer a range of clothing in all sizes for casual wear. More items will be added throughout the year. Click the image above to see the new range and have items delivered straight to your door.

The in-house touch tournament is in full swing with two rounds of league fixtures completed. With sides representing youth through to veterans, there is been some scintalating & at times scanderlous rugby being played. 

The Colts side with the imaginative name of 'To Be Confirmed' sit at the top of the table with an unbeaten record after four games. They only remain top on points difference from the 'Slammers', who remain hot on their heels. Sat in third just 3 points behind is 'PC Simpson & the Criminals', which almost sounds like an 80's pop group!

Below them is a very interesting contest shaping with 4th - 8th only separated at worse 4 points. The Colts makeshift side of the 'Dream Team' have been surprising those taking them lightly and remain in 5th just behind the 'Two Fours', after an entertaining draw between the two sides. 

The two veteran teams of 'DC Comicals' & 'Golden Oldies' have shown some champagne rugby throughout, but have just been caught on a couple of occasions leaving them in 6th & 7th respectively. The final team 'Ratatouille' are yet to register their first point. 

It's only early days and the table could flip at anytime. Matches are currently scheduled on Tuesday nights under lights, with the finals day slated for Saturday 5th December. 

The club is delighted to announce that Becky Thomson has agreed to come on board as part of the clubs sponsorship team. Becky will work alongside Trevor Marvin with her main focus being new business relations & fundraising.

In the past, Becky has been involved in proposals on behalf of Students' Unions and sports teams specifically. These culminated in three-year sponsorship deals with large firms totalling £75K per annum. Becky was previously Chair of the National Student Fundraising Association which was the pinnacle of her 10-year fundraising career. With a passion for sports fundraising and a great portfolio, Becky was looking for a new challenge to apply her attributes and MFC are delighted to have her on board.

The new sponsorship address is [email protected], whilst we work on the new website.

If you want to support the club but can't afford to part with more money, now you can. The club has teamed up with easyfundraising.org.uk so that our members can support the club whilst they shop. It doesn't cost you a penny!

Here's how it works:
Download the Apple app or Android app and register with easyfundraising.org.uk. 
Next time you want to buy a takeaway via Justeat or buy an item off of Amazon or from over 4,000 retailers, do so through the app. For every purchase you make, a percentage will go to the club. If something costs £10, it will cost you £10, but the club will receive a percentage of that.
No extra cash paid by you, but you would have supported the club!

All proceeds made by the club will be reinvested for the benefit of all club members.

London & South East Division 

London SE Division 2