Maidstone RFU Minis News

We are currently experiencing some very wet weather which is having an adverse effect on our pitches. With the Somme currently unplayable both remaining pitches are being closely monitored by myself and the groundsman. Please be aware that if we allow our pitches to deteriorate too much it could cost the club thousands of pounds to put right.

It is in no ones interest to cancel any games, training etc We all want to play or spectate and enjoy a refreshment afterwards, that's what the club is all about. That it is why the club has hired on a casual basis from Maidstone Borough Council the two pitches in the park. The decision as to whether the pitches in the park are playable or not rests entirely with the council and the club has no facility to appeal against their decision. In fact the determination of the ground staff to facilitate games at the club has been proven by the fact that rather than call games off carte blanche, the pitches are being examined as to playability and recovery after a game. Despite the councils decision to call off their pitches the club has allowed games to continue with the proviso further inspections take place.

I know there will be particular disappointment in the youth section over this weekend not only from the players point of view but also from the people who have worked hard to organise the games. I was not in a position to guarantee Neil that pitch 2 (bottom pitch) would be playable on Sunday 3/12/06 especially after a senior game on the Saturday and further heavy rainfall predicted without an inspection on Sunday morning.

Please be patient with us as we have no control over the weather and the long term condition of our pitches have to take precedence at the moment if we are to offer our players and opponents quality facilities to play on.

Brian Mckeon-Ground Chairman

For the u11's and u12's that are going to the Nottingham Festival next year there are updated details here.

Concerns have been raised about the long term effect we are having on the training pitch (the somme) as it is now in use for training four nights a week and playing on both Saturday & Sundays. My personal view is that as it is the only pitch with floodlights within the club we have to tolerate training nights for both senior and junior levels. Consideration may have to be given, earlier in the season than normal, for matches to be played in the park. I have inspected the pitch and it is already in poor condition which is unusual for this time of year.

However more worryingly is the number of occasions equipment is left on this pitch. I refer to post protectors flags etc. The grounds man informs me that the culprits for this are the youth section after finishing playing on Sundays. There is also a blatant disregard to this equipment by the team training on Monday evenings as they have been seen using post protectors as a toboggan on the slope to the third team pitch.

Can I ask ALL playing members, their families, supporters etc to respect the pitches and equipment, and take their litter with them. Please remind everyone that use of the first team pitch outside of a 1st XV fixture is a privilege and therefore may be withdrawn to preserve the integrity of the pitch if it is not looked after. I am sure you will all agree that the grounds man has better things to be doing than picking up rubbish and equipment every time we play.

Brian McKeon - Ground Chairman

Unfortunately due to an administrative error Maidstone won't be represented at the Medway Festival this year. It will be training as usual at the club.

Both Sidcup and Cranbrook (the latter not knowing about the fixture) have cancelled their visit this coming Sunday (24th).

Training can now be at the club, please make a note where your child's team is playing via the pitch allocation page found via the menu or click here.

Junior side 1st Team Days –
This season we are offering the chance for the players in our Junior Section to meet the 1st team in the build up to one of their home league fixtures. Each team from U8’s – U15’s will have the chance to meet the team prior to the match and watch the warm-up to get an insight into what the build up to a 1st team game is all about. The fixtures allocated to each team are as follows:

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