Vectis RFC is enjoying a surge in youth participation, national recognition and on-pitch success following a landmark weekend at Twickenham and across the Island.
There is a growing buzz around Vectis RFC, with more than 300 young players now taking to the field each week as the Island’s only dedicated youth rugby club continues to flourish.
From Under 6s through to Colts level, the club is experiencing what many are calling a golden era – and that momentum has now been recognised on the national stage.
Twickenham trip and national recognition
A group of 150 players, coaches and parents travelled to Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, to watch England’s Red Roses secure a 33-12 victory over Ireland in the Women’s Six Nations.
The visit proved even more special as players received a personal video message from Red Roses captain Meg Jones, alongside a letter of support from RFU President Deborah Griffin OBE.
In a further boost, members of the club were interviewed by the England RFU communications team, with a feature video on Vectis RFC set to be released in the coming weeks.
Growing girls’ game inspired by Red Roses
The impact of the Twickenham experience is already being felt locally, particularly within the club’s expanding girls’ section.
Ventnor first team captain and Vectis coach Lewy Morton says the influence of the Red Roses is clear:
“You can see the Red Roses have each other’s backs and genuinely care for each other on that world stage. It’s that exact same spirit we are building right here.”
Morton has encouraged more girls to get involved, highlighting rugby’s inclusivity across all body types and abilities.
Colts bow out after semi-final thriller
Vectis Colts 24-31 New Milton
Vectis Colts produced a spirited performance in their Hampshire Plate semi-final at Sandown & Shanklin RFC, narrowly losing out to a side two leagues above them.
Despite difficult conditions, Vectis dominated the scrum and pushed New Milton all the way, only conceding the decisive score in the final 6 minutes.
The home side came agonisingly close to a late equaliser, reaching the 5-metre line before a turnover ended the contest.
The match marked the final junior appearance for several players, who now move into senior rugby.
Tribute paid as long-serving coach steps down
The semi-final also marked the end of an era for coach Ross Edmunds, who has stepped down after years of service across all age groups.
His contribution – from introducing youngsters to the game through to developing Colts players – has been described as integral to the club’s success.
Under 12s impress under the lights
Vectis Under 12s hosted Banbury RFC in a Friday night fixture at Wootton, delivering strong performances across 2 matches.
Standout players included Harry H, Harry G, Archie and Oskar, with Harry H and Jacob praised for their powerful running.
Under 10s excel at mainland festival
At the Fawley RFC Festival, Vectis Under 10s recorded an impressive 7 wins from 9 matches against strong mainland opposition.
Zach was singled out for his defensive efforts, while Mali scored an extraordinary 18 tries across the tournament.
Busy weeks ahead for the club
Vectis RFC now looks ahead to a packed schedule of events, including:
- The Isle of Wight Rugby Festival at Medina on 1st and 2nd May
- The club’s annual awards night at Medina Theatre on 7th May
With participation levels continuing to rise and national attention growing, the future looks bright for youth rugby on the Isle of Wight.
