St Ives Rugby Club – Season 2024/25 Review

This season has been an extremely positive one for St Ives Rugby Club, marking significant progress on and off the pitch. After a challenging period of rebuilding, the hard work of the past few years is paying off. The clubs targets for this season were to run two competitive senior teams and for our first team to secure its position in the Counties One league in the West of England.

We have achieved both.

Our First Team capped off the season with an 8th place finish in the Counties 1 league and a semi final in the regional Papa John Shield competition. Showcasing grit and determination throughout the campaign. Meanwhile, our Reserves secured a solid 5th place finish in the Counties 3 league, reflecting the growing depth and competitiveness within the club. Both teams have demonstrated incredible commitment and have laid a strong foundation for future success.

Building for the Future

A pivotal step in our journey has been the formation of the Rugby Committee— composed of dedicated St Ives men who are deeply passionate about the club. This team has been instrumental in shaping a sustainable future for the club, ensuring that every decision prioritises the long-term health and growth of St Ives Rugby.

After falling out of the leagues pre-Covid, the club has worked tirelessly to rebuild its foundations. This effort would not have been possible without the unwavering support of the committee, players, and the local community. Today, we stand strong, ready to embrace the next chapter with confidence and pride.

A Thriving Junior Section

One of the most encouraging developments this season has been the ongoing growth of our Mini & Junior section. Under the guidance of Junior Chairman James Allen, this area of the club has flourished, thanks to the dedication of our coaches, volunteers, and parents. The positive impact on the community is clear, with young players embracing the sport and building lifelong skills and friendships.

Rob Adams has played a key role in connecting the club with local schools, significantly boosting our presence and inspiring the next generation of players. His efforts have been particularly successful in expanding our girls rugby section—an area we identified as crucial for development. Today, we are proud to have over 30 girls of all ages actively participating in rugby every week, a testament to our commitment to inclusivity and growth.

An example of the pathway from junior to senior rugby is clearly shown by rookie first team players Tielo Jenkins and Ethan Redondo-Barter who were recently included in the Cormwall Under 20s Squad. Well done men.

Tielo and Ethan

Leadership and Commitment

Our Senior Head Coach, Jimmy Stevens, has been a game-changer this season. In his first year at the helm, Jimmy has introduced vital changes that have enhanced the club’s competitiveness and fitness. From establishing a dedicated gym and weights room to consistently fielding two teams every week, his leadership has been vital to our resurgence. Jimmy’s vision and commitment along with his coaching appointments have allowed us to develop a strong, unified squad and given us the confidence to aim even higher in the coming seasons.

Off the field, our General Committee has remained the backbone of the club, working tirelessly to keep everything running smoothly. Their contributions— often behind the scenes—have been indispensable, from organising events, maintaining our facilities through to securing essential resources. The dedication and passion of the committee members is the driving force behind our continued success.

Helen Mulhern from Eventy Marketing has continued to work hard looking after our existing sponsors whilst growing our support base in this area.

Looking Ahead

We are entering an exciting phase for St Ives Rugby Club. This summer, we will begin the development of our new clubhouse and improved facilities at Alexandra Road. This investment is vital to providing the best possible environment for our players, coaches, and supporters, ensuring that the club continues to thrive in the years to come.

Architect's Impression of the New Clubhouse

As we move forward, our commitment to unity, community, and progress remains stronger than ever. The resilience shown over the past few years has set a solid foundation for continued growth and success. We thank each player, coach, volunteer, staff member and supporter, who has been part of our journey.

There is still much to do, but it is an exciting period in our great clubs 130 year history.

Here’s to many more seasons of progress and passion at St Ives Rugby Club!

Well done everyone

.

Ian Sanders

Chairman of Rugby Committee