A magnificent season for Heath U12 boys has been crowned with a tremendous victory against a very strong previously-unbeaten Hove team. A large crowd of supporters witnessed an absolutely rip-roaring match, played by both sides with outstanding commitment, skill and relentless intensity - even more impressive given the appalling weather conditions.

With more than 60 boys from across 15 local schools, this age group is the first ever at HHRFC to field three competitive squads (Trojans, Spartans, Vikings) in the same junior Sussex League Championships.

According to U12 Head Coach, Owen O’Hagan, “We’ve been blessed with some talented hard-working children and built on fantastic foundations laid in previous seasons, by Heath coaches including Ashley Ross, and in particular Bob Speight (now Heath U12s girls Lead Coach), with our ethos of fun, enjoyment and deliberately mixing players across squads to make new friends and a firm emphasis on the ‘collective’.”

We have used rugby as a vehicle to teach life skills and help enable our children to develop into polite, considerate and impressive youngsters. They learn to be respectful to others and how to interact within a team environment, whilst understanding the importance of resilience, and how to learn from failure as well as success.’’

Heath U12 Trojans won their division whilst the Spartans came runners-up in Division 2.

This 2023/4 Sussex U12 boys trophy will sit alongside the Sussex U12 girls trophy, also won this season by HHRFC - together with the Harlequins Landrover Cup U12 boys regional trophy, at which a combined Trojans-Spartans-Vikings squad triumphed over the cream of clubs from across Kent, Hampshire, Surrey & Sussex - and for which the squad has been invited to Twickenham in June, to parade at half-time during the Premiership Cup Final. HeathU12s will take more than 160 players and family members along to the home of rugby to celebrate this season’s amazing successes.

According to Rhodri James, Minis & Youth Chair at HHRFC: ‘‘It has been an absolutely fabulous season for the Club in general and our Minis & Junior sections in particular. We‘ve commenced construction of our super new Clubhouse which will further enhance what has traditionally been one of the powerhouses of children’s rugby in Sussex, and indeed all South-East England. We always welcome new members - girls and boys - at whatever age or experience so if your child is interested, please do contact us directly or via the HHRFC website and come give rugby at Heath a try.’’

For more information email rugby@hhrfc.co.uk