🏉 FYB Rugby Round Up – 12 October 2026

This week’s stories show grassroots rugby creating meaningful opportunities, supporting greater representation and finding inventive ways to fund its future.

Black Rugby Community joins Harlequins as an Inclusion Partner

Harlequins has named The Black Rugby Community as an Official Inclusion Partner, creating new opportunities for Black players, coaches, volunteers and supporters. Plans include free or discounted community-camp places, bespoke coaching, volunteering experience and access to education and employability programmes. A new Black Rugby Advisory Group will also help shape the club’s work. The partnership matters beyond The Stoop: The Black Rugby Community already runs a coaching pathway, hardship fund and outreach projects designed to remove financial and cultural barriers across grassroots rugby.

Read more: Harlequins – The Black Rugby Community partnership Harlequins FC

Wales celebrates Girls in Rugby Week

The Welsh Rugby Union has launched Girls in Rugby Week, running from 12–18 October to increase the visibility of the girls’ game and help more young people find a club or hub. Alongside educational resources for coaches, volunteers and committees, the campaign is inviting communities to recognise inspiring players, coaches, officials and volunteers through its #HERstory initiative. Clubs can then host welcoming Try Rugby sessions between 19 October and 1 November, creating a practical route from initial interest into regular participation.

Read more: WRU – Girls in Rugby Week Wythnos Merched yn Rygbi

Croydon Wanderers turns live music into matched funding

Croydon Wanderers RFC opened its clubhouse to the community on Saturday for a fundraising performance by local band Hundred Mile High. Visitors could make an affordable, pay-what-you-can donation towards the club’s Wanderers Front Foot campaign. Crucially, National Lottery funding through Sport England will match eligible donations pound for pound, doubling their impact. The campaign supports facility improvements, youth development and community initiatives. It is a lovely example of a rugby clubhouse becoming more than a matchday venue—and of a club using entertainment to involve people who may never normally cross the touchline.

Read more: Croydon Wanderers RFC – Hundred Mile High fundraiser

Have you spotted any grassroots rugby stories that deserves to be shared? Send it to Fill Your Boots and it could appear in a future roundup.