Club History
The NARFC is a small, sociable and friendly rugby club based in
Steyning's fabulous Norfolk Arms. The club's history begins in 1993 when a
group of old school friends decided they needed a wholesome activity to fill
their weekends. The club was started and comprised of people from all walks of
life, beginning with matches on Sundays, anyone who looked sturdy was rounded
up to play.
Chaired by Ree Swan, and steered in the direction of all things pure, the
decision was made to enter the Sussex league structure in 1996, since then the
club has gone from strength to strength and weathered some rough storms along
the way.
Our finest hour to date came in the club's tenth year of existence, with
promotion to Sussex division one and the successful running of a second team
'The Legs'. However, on the back of a turbulent season in div 1 and with
several players returning to their native New Zealand, the club struggled for
numbers. In the 2005-06 season, the club suffered several injury blows and some
heart breaking defeats to be relegated down to Sussex division 3 despite
playing at a new ground in Wiston.
If there has been a defining moment in recent years that was it, all talk
was of bouncing straight back, a feat which was accomplished the very next
season. In 2006-07 the club won the league to secure promotion and only lost
four games in the entire season, with the youngest player of seventeen and the
oldest of 52.
The 2007-08 season has been arguably the club's most successful, with
promotion comes the inevitable challenge of stepping up to the next level,
survival and building were words used to describe what the season and our goals
should be like. In early 2008 the Norfolk reached the final of the Sussex
plate, beating Barns Green in a thrilling final at Seaford RFC.
The Norfolk Arms is always looking for new players of all abilities and
will continue to play fair, aggressive rugby with a smile. Come and play for
the only pub team in the English league structure and see why we are much more
than just a pub side. |
