🏉 FYB Rugby Round Up - 28 September 2026

From veteran players raising money for children to young players learning alongside neighbouring clubs, this week’s stories show the many ways rugby can bring people together.

Vets Fest brings the rugby family together

Wooden Spoon’s Vets Fest returned to Tynedale RFC on Saturday, bringing veteran teams from across the UK and Ireland together in support of children and young people with disabilities or facing disadvantage. Open to players aged over 35, the festival also featured Over-50s and Walking Rugby categories, creating more ways for people to remain involved in the game. Importantly, the money raised by each regional team remains within its own area—turning a celebration of rugby, friendship and questionable recovery times into direct support for local communities.

Seven clubs share one development day

Clifton College welcomed 200 Year 6 players from seven local clubs for a community rugby development day at its Bristol facilities. Young players from Bath, Chippenham, Clifton, Dings, North Bristol, Chew Valley and Keynsham trained in mixed groups before returning to their clubs for short fixtures. Bristol Bears coaches provided fitness activities, while Russell Earnshaw led a development session for the attending club coaches. Bringing neighbouring clubs together in this way gives young players new experiences while sharing useful knowledge with the volunteers responsible for helping them enjoy and progress in the game.

Technology creates more time for community rugby

Newcastle Rugby Foundation has partnered with club-management platform Abler to bring its bookings, registrations, payments and communications into one system. It may not sound as exciting as a last-minute try, but reducing administration can make a significant difference to organisations delivering community sport. The Foundation works with thousands of people through schools programmes, youth festivals, Touch Rugby and community events across the North East. A simpler system should make it easier for families to participate while giving staff more time to concentrate on delivering programmes and understanding their impact.

Have you spotted a grassroots rugby story we should feature? Send it to Fill Your Boots and it could appear in a future roundup.