Sport is one of the cornerstones of society across the globe. Whether it’s cricket in India, ice hockey in Canada, or rugby in New Zealand, sport has a unique, almost religious power to unite people, creating a shared sense of community, pride, and passion. The beauty of sport lies in its inclusivity—it knows no boundaries to participation. From young children learning the basics to seasoned players mastering their craft, sport provides a universal language that transcends age, gender, and background, welcoming everyone into its fold.

Every competitive team in sport thrives on its ability to bridge the gap between youth and senior players. FC Barcelona’s La Masia academy is a prime example, having produced legends such as Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, and more recently, Lamine Yamal. Similarly, the Crusaders' academy in New Zealand has nurtured world-class talent, including Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, and Richie Mo'unga. These structured pathways for transitioning players not only safeguard the future of teams but also sustain excellence by consistently introducing fresh talent.

At Petersfield RFC, we are privileged to have over 500 boys and girls proudly wearing the red and green every week—a number that continues to grow each year. As a club, we aim to create a seamless pathway for players to continue their rugby journey, from their earliest years all the way through to Vets rugby. However, one of our biggest challenges is the increasing number of 18-year-olds heading off to university. In 2024, 41.4% of 18-year-olds in the South East attended university, a significant rise from 30.7% in 2015—an 11.7% increase in under a decade.

With so many younger players pursuing higher education, maintaining contact with them has often been a challenge. Thankfully, this issue has been addressed through the dedication of our coaching staff and the power of social media, enabling us to stay connected with our university-bound players. Outgoing coach and 'Horse Whisperer' Jason Ford has played a pivotal role in keeping in touch with university students who started their rugby journeys at Petersfield, while also integrating a significant cohort of last season’s Under-18s into the senior squads.

This hard work has paid off remarkably this season, with 13 of last season’s Under-18s and three of this season’s Under-18s stepping up and making their mark in our senior sides. A standout moment came in November, when our 2nd XV faced the Isle of Wight in the midst of Storm Bert. Despite the difficult conditions, the team, with an average age of just 23.1, physically matched a forward-heavy Isle of Wight side. This young cohort has been the driving force behind the energetic season that the 2nd XV has had in its highest-ever league competition.

We caught up this week with 2nd XV captain Carl Sharrock, who reflected on the impact of youth graduates in the senior squads:

"This season has been huge for the club. We've welcomed a few new players, but most importantly, we've seen young players stepping up or returning to try their hand at senior rugby. It’s been all about building confidence, fostering team morale, improving communication, and learning to work as a cohesive unit.

The youth involvement this season has been incredible, bringing fresh ideas, different styles of play, and energy that has bolstered both the 1st and 2nd XVs. It’s been great to see players gaining confidence in each other and forming strong bonds, whether they're playing alongside someone their age or someone as old as their dad—or even their grandad! Cheers, Gerry.

Week by week, the team is coming together, and everyone is learning from one another—young or old. I hope to see even more young players coming through the ranks in the years ahead, keeping the club competitive and climbing the leagues. It’ll be an honour to pass my shirt on to someone from the youth system when the time comes."

In the 1st XV, we have been fortunate to witness three current Under-18 players make their senior debuts: Dan Chinnock, Jamie Guthrie, and most recently, Chase Thomas. All three have impressed in the Under-18s, earning call-ups to Hampshire in the process. Today, Jamie Guthrie makes his second appearance in the 1st XV, starting in the number 11 jersey. With such talent in the Under-18s squad, don’t be surprised if that number doubles before the end of the season!

As a club, we are immensely proud of these achievements, and the future looks exceptionally bright for our senior squads in the years to come. This success is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our youth coaches over the years, who have nurtured and developed these players into the stars they are today.

But it doesn’t stop there. We now have 14 players in our Under-16 Girls side, which means that by the 2026/27 season, we will have enough homegrown talent to launch our first Petersfield RFC women’s team in over 20 years! This exciting development will strengthen our player pathway in the girls' section and inspire young girls to continue playing rugby into adulthood.

If you’re interested in playing, coaching, supporting, or even sponsoring the re-introduction of our women’s side, we’d love to hear from you. Simply email our club chairman, Stuart Barden, at StuartBarden@BardenFM.co.uk to get involved.