East Grinstead Rugby Football Club

East Grinstead RFC
Full name	East Grinstead Rugby Football Club
Union	Sussex RFU
Founded	1929[1]
Location	East Grinstead, West Sussex, England
Ground(s)	Saint Hill
Chairman	Colin Dixson[2]
President	Bob Russell
League(s)	Sussex 1
2019–20	Runners up (not promoted)
Official website
	egrfc.com

East Grinstead RFC was a rugby union club based in East Grinstead, West Sussex. The first XV (G-Force) played in National League 3 London & SE for three seasons, until 2015–16, a level five league in the English rugby union system. For season 2016–17 the club has voluntary dropped leagues to Sussex Canterbury Jack Division 2 following the resignation of the main sponsor.[3] In addition to G-Force, East Grinstead run a second XV "Storm", a women's XV, and a range of junior and senior teams.

History

The club was founded in 1929 by Brian Desmond.[1] The current clubhouse at Saint Hill was built in 1997.[4] The club was incorporated as a company in 2009.

In the 2011–12 season, G-Force played in the London 2 South East division (a level 7 division), which they won,[5] gaining promotion to London 1 South. In 2012–13 season they were undefeated and won promotion to the national leagues.[6]

The club made news headlines in September 2020 when its coach, Metropolitan Police officer Matiu Ratana, was shot and killed while on duty in Croydon.[7]

Honours

1st Team:

Kent 1 v Sussex 1 promotion playoff winners: 2007–08
London Division 3 South West champions: 2009–10
London Division 2 East champions: 2011–12
RFU Intermediate Cup winners: 2012
London Division 1 South champions: 2012–13
Sussex 2 champions: 2016–17

2nd Team:

Sussex Asahi Division 4 East champions: 2016–17

3rd Team:

Sussex Asahi 2 East champions: 2012–13

Sunshine Sevens

Since the 1950s, East Grinstead have hosted an annual Rugby Sevens tournament, which raises money for children's charities.

References

"About Us". Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
"Who's Who". Archived from the original on 5 April 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
Harvey, Neale (22 May 2016). "Talking Rugby". Sunday Independent (Plymouth). p. 62.
Satchell, Sam. "East-Grinstead-Rugby-Club-appeals-help". This is Sussex. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
"London 1 South". Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
"Matches by division". Archived from the original on 21 May 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
Martin, H., and Loren, A., "New Zealand-born police officer Matt Ratana shot dead in London was 'big in heart'," stuff.co.nz, 26 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.

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[about-1] "About Us". Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2013.

[whoswho-2] "Who's Who". Archived from the original on 5 April 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2013.

[3] Harvey, Neale (22 May 2016). "Talking Rugby". Sunday Independent (Plymouth). p. 62.

[4] Satchell, Sam. "East-Grinstead-Rugby-Club-appeals-help". This is Sussex. Retrieved 21 April 2013.

[5] "London 1 South". Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2013.

[6] "Matches by division". Archived from the original on 21 May 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2013.

[7] Martin, H., and Loren, A., "New Zealand-born police officer Matt Ratana shot dead in London was 'big in heart'," stuff.co.nz, 26 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.