NOTTINGHAMIANS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB – 'THE ‘HAMIANS'
Nottinghamians Rugby Football Club is affiliated to the Old Nottinghamians' Society and is based at the Society’s sports ground, Adbolton.
Originally formed as the Old Nottinghamians Rugby Football Club, and for many years fielding teams comprised exclusively of former pupils, the Club became open in 1971 and is now known as Nottinghamians RFC, aka 'the ‘Hamians.'
It remains the club of choice for any Old Nottinghamian looking for a game of rugby and is home to many – the 1st XV can include a number of ONs.
'Hamians play their home games on two pitches next to the River Trent and National Watersports Centre at Holme Pierrepont, where the breeze from the river can influence many a kick to touch and, when the weather is fine, shine great good fortune on the purple and black team. It is a stunning location at which to play rugby.
The Club is welcoming and diverse, with strong values of sportsmanship and good fellowship. The Club is inclusive of all abilities and features a rousing social aspect that binds team members together off and on the pitch. We may not always hit the heights on the pitch (although sometimes we do), but our sportsmanship, camaraderie and social events never disappoint.
The 1st XV play in the Midlands league, while our 2nd XV, which combines with Keyworth and East Leake, field a team in the Pennant League. By these means we ensure that anyone who wants to play rugby on a Saturday gets a game.
Training takes place on Tuesday evenings at our Adbolton ground. We welcome experienced and novice players and have a place for any Old Nottinghamian wanting to train for rugby.
We run a busy social programme. Recent events have included fancy dress carol singing and ‘Stars in their Eyes’, as well as our Annual End of Season Dinner. We hold a well-attended Vice-Presidents and past players lunch, when old friends turn out to enjoy a meal in the Clubhouse and to watch the 1st XV play. Many of the people who attend, as well as having played for the club, are Old Nottinghamians. Our Christmas Dinner is always boisterous. We run annual tours, usually to Europe, to take on our continental cousins.
The Club has an active social media presence and you can follow our fortunes through the Old Nottinghamians’ Society Facebook group (where updates on the club’s progress are published).
Come and join us - on the pitch, touchline, or in the bar. I can guarantee a warm and friendly welcome and a competitive game.
Martin Wynne-Jones ON 1969-79 - Nottinghamians RFC Club President 2010-18
Karim and Martin, 2018
Karim Naaman, Club Captain, adds:
The late and much-loved Martin Wynne-Jones first played for the club in 1978 and did not miss a season thereafter. Experience counts for a lot. With 40 consecutive playing seasons Martin had this in abundance. What he represented even more, though, is the special nature of Nottinghamians Rugby Football Club, demonstrated through decades of its history, and the camaraderie and friendship which being a Nottinghamian entails. There isn’t another club like this one and Martin embodied our spirit.