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Club of the Month: Dartford Valley RFC

run(1)Dartford Valley Rugby Club (“DVRFC”) is a rapidly growing grassroots club from North Kent, which we have selected as our Club of the Month because of the huge strides it has made in developing the club, setting up a ladies side and helping the community.

DVRFC’s teams compete in the RFU league Kent 2 and the Masterbrew leagues in the Shepherds Neame merit tables.

DVRFC were born out of the ashes of Darent Valley RFC, which folded a few years ago and re-emerged with a re-branding, a new name and a new committee with new energy and ideas that have transformed the ailing club from a one side pub team with no club house, facilities, equipment or direction into a solid growing club with two full teams and an occasional third team.

o2tThe club has also debuted a 7’s side this season and participated in the 02 touch league over the summer. It is also attempting to start a ladies side.

DVRFC is not just about rugby. The club is dedicated to raising money for charity in the community.

Last season, the club held several events to raise money for the Brain Tumor Trust, Smile Train and a collection that was applied towards a sports wheelchair for a young man who desperately needed it to play wheelchair rugby. The clubs also runs golf days and charity meals throughout the year.

trainingThe club is currently forging a partnership with the Leigh Academy in Dartford and plans to start a youth side through the school are underway. This partnership will bring a good level of rugby to the school, which has produced sporting greats such as Glenn Johnson (England and Liverpool) and Terry Hollands (Worlds Strongest Man competitor and British champion).

The DVRFC Captain said:

“The club is growing at a fantastic rate. We have some great people involved in the organisation side and superb talent coming into the club. With all the dedication and effort being made, the club can only go from strength to strength!”

clubworkDVRFC has enjoyed the help of many individuals from the rugby community. These individuals include Dennis Atwood, President of Charlton Park and Andy Pratt, Kent RDO. Both have offered practical and financial assistance to get the club on its feet, which has proved to be invaluable.

Dartford have also secured the use of Dartford Irish clubhouse on a shared basis arrangement. This is a major development for the club, which has essentially been homeless up until now! In exchange, DVRFC members have been working to fix the clubhouse free of charge throughout the season.

Dartford Irish club is a community hub and it is expected that the partnership between the clubs can only strengthen both.

DVRFC 7s

After participating in the Bournemouth 7s Festival last year, DVRFC debuted the Dartford Valley 7s side at the Well Hall 7s at Blackheath where they reached the quarter finals but lost to a strong Westcombe Park side 28 -22 in a very close match. Westcombe park are a national side, so this was a great result for the club.

Next year DVRFC 7s look forward to participating in the Find Rugby Now 7s!

If you would like to learn more about Dartford Valley RFC, check out their website here.


About Ellaine

Ellaine is the founder of FRN and author of "Mini and Youth Rugby: Complete Guide for Coaches and Parents" (published October 2015). She has been playing rugby union for over 10 years in the UK and the US for teams including Oxford University Blues, London Wasps, Henley, NOVA, and GWU. She has recently developed a love for rugby 7s and has played on several international rugby 7s teams. She also enjoys playing touch rugby and regularly plays for the FRN Mixed Touch Rugby team. She is passionate about helping others develop a love for rugby. View all posts by Ellaine

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