Welcome to Haywards Heath RFC as we enter our Golden Jubilee season. The front page of this website and in the archive section provides a flavour of the Club over the years and as it is now. As Chairman of Heath since 2006, I’m pleased to be involved in helping to maintain a proud tradition and, hopefully, in augmenting it with new successes and developments.

2007-8 was one of the most successful seasons in the Club’s history, particularly apt as we move into our Jubilee year.

our newsletter elsewhere on the site provides the detail, but:

• The 1^st XV were champions of London 2 (South)
• The Rams came second in Canterbury 4
• The As won the Sussex Intermediate League and the Sussex KO Bowl
• The Vets won the south east’s Evergreen Plate
• The under 17s won the Sussex Cup
• Three Mini age groups contested the Sussex Finals – the Under 12s, Under 10s and Under 9s – with the under 9s emerging as champions.
• Overall, thanks to our successes across the piece from Under 17s upwards, Heath were crowned Sussex Club Champions, ahead of Heathfield and Worthing, for 2007-8.

And the future looks bright. With really encouraging recruitment to the Mini and Junior sections and their considerable success in adding to the trophy cabinet across the age groups, it was a great season for Heath. Icing on the cake came with the selection of Ross Chisholm for the England Under 18 AER squad and of Joe Marler to captain the England Under 18 Academy line up. Young James Tyas, formerly a member of the Under 14s, made a forceful contribution to the success of England Under 16s.

there were other notable achievements including:

• The ‘restructuring of the Mini. Junior and Youth sections and new kit throughout to enhance the whole club appearance.
• Considerable success in attracting the support of sponsors, in particular the continuing support of HPC, our major sponsor.
• Financial stability.
• The secured lease in partnership with Cuckfield Cosmos FC of the 16 acres of Beech Farm Field as a rugby and football base for over 800 young people over each weekend. We hope to have a new entrance to and car parking on the field during the coming season.
• The drainage of the training area and plans to extend the clubhouse.
• Some exciting social events and tours to celebrate the Jubilee, beginning with our Jubilee Dinner Dance on August 30^th.

As ever, and like most clubs, we need more willing volunteers to help out.

As the Jubilee season approaches, Heath will be looking to build on the successes of the past season in, for three of the senior sides, a much more competitive environment. We’re looking forward to achieving our targets and making the Jubilee season memorable on and off the field.

Alan Jenkins

Chairman, HHRFC