Kings Norton RFC

Rugby team
teamname = Kings Norton


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union = RFU
fullname = Kings Norton Rugby Football Club
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founded = 1923
region = Midlands
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url = www.kingsnortonrfc.com
league = Midlands 4 West (South)
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Kings Norton RFC is an English rugby union team.

Established in 1923 in Kings Norton, Birmingham, the club soon moved its base into the Bromsgrove Urban District Council's area of Worcestershire, when it used a ground initially in Masshouse Lane, and later in Bells Lane on Bournville Village Trust land, where it had two pitches laid out.

The team won the inaugural North Midlands RFU Seven-a-Side Tournament in 1930, and a unique double was achieved when its Colts side won a similar inaugural competition at The Reddings in its 1963/4 season.

The club has hosted numerous county matches, and its players have appeared in representative sides over the years. Nigel Horton began his career at Kings Norton and went on to represent England. Nick Baxter has represented The Barbarians, England Students, England Sevens, Worcester Warriors, Pertemps Bees, and Stourbridge.

County boundary changes and housing development forced the club to move away from Bells Lane in 1973, and members worked hard to raise sufficient funds to purchase 12½ acres of agricultural land. A two-storey clubhouse and three rugby pitches were laid out.

Having weathered the initial difficulties, the new 2001/2 committee put together a three-year action plan designed to ensure survival and put the foundations for progress in place. Many of the goals it set for itself were achieved well ahead of schedule, and a revised plan had to be swiftly prepared. A ground-leveling scheme involving landfill was completed in 2003; this will eventually provide an extra small pitch ideal for youth rugby.

An under 11s to 13s junior section began and regularly meets for rugby coaching on Saturday mornings. The club has also recently linked with Crown Meadow School in Alvechurch to provide it with Tag Rugby equipment, and sponsored a coaching course.

Club president Roger Adams said, "The club is keen to create more local links with the communities of Hopwood and the surrounding area to provide greater opportunities for young people to enjoy and take part in playing rugby football. The winning of the World Cup in Australia has excited youngsters and encouraged them to take up the game. We have a wonderful facility here and hope to attract more of the local community to come along and enjoy themselves."

References

* [http://www.kingsnortonrfc.com Kings Norton RFC website]