Novocastrians RFC

Club Six Nations tickets now available 🏉

Novocastrians RFC Online Shop

We have just unveiled four new lines of the on-line shop:

Canterbury Mini and Youths Replica shirts

Canterbury Retro Rugby Shirts (long and short sleeve)

Canterbury Quarter Zip Microfleece

These are striking items and all made to order.

As made to order items they will be available to order for a short time only – from now until 17:00 on 21st September.

Production is bespoke and we are advised that delivery will occur in 6-8 weeks for the Replica shirts and upto 10 weeks for Retro shirts/Microfleece from order acceptance.

They could be a great Christmas present – but please order soon.

Online Shop:

https://www.border-embroideries.co.uk/collections/novocastrians-rfc or via the Kit Shop tab on the Novocastrians RFC website.

Reminder: Sunday 20th September - Try sample merchandise 10:30 -12:30 - upstairs in the clubhouse.

https://novos.co.uk/2026/08/28/novocastrians-rfc-online-shop/

Men's Preview 29th August - DMP away

Match 1 - DMP - kick off at 1300, 40 min match

Match 2 - Bishop Auckland - kick off at 1400, 40 min match

Meet at Vos 1045 for lifts, 1200 if going direct.

Brandon Gilbert has the honour of captaining our first squad of the season, under the watchful eye of Rob Ogilvie. It is a squad fully representing Novos DNA with a couple of regular 1's players playing who are unavailable on the 5th Sept vs Ilkeston. However, the bulk of the squad is made up of a perfect blend of 2's and 3's.

The front row see regular first team tighthead David Medjigbodo-Lawson move across to the loosehead. This allows a club debut for Thomas Young at tighthead - a young lad coming into the area for uni who will be huge for us with the ability to play all three positions in the front row. In between them is Zac Chatterjee who we hope manages to play a bit more rugby for us alongside his American Football.

The boiler room sees Owen Hayton back down alongside new man Ayrton Patterson. A well balanced duo with Hayton a ball player wanting to push his way into a starting spot for the ones. Whist Patterson is making his club debut - a big powerful lad, again a uni lad looking to play some club rugby.

The pack is completed with captain Brandon Gilbert, regular third teamer Louis Oliver and relative new comer in Will Alexander. Gilbert has looked in good form at pre season and will want to lead by his actions. Oliver himself has shown some leadership qualities in his third team appearances last season, via his work ethic. Alexander has been ever present at training, putting together impressive showings in our sessions.

We hope the pack secures possession and creates quick ball for the mercurial pairing of first team regular 9 Rhys Merlane, Another one playing on Saturday as he is unavailble the following week against Ilkeston. He is partnered with Patrick Magil - a wild card capable of pieces of magic which were displayed during the Tynedale 7's.

Very excited to see the centre partnership on Saturday with Gavin Wilson returning to the club. A big ball carrying centre will get his team across the gain line. More go forward will be provided with the club debut of Matt Tucker. He returns to the game after a long term break due to injury. The playing group are excited to see him be let loose in the midfield with some rampaging runs.

Two youngsters on their outside with Takreem Faheem getting some rugby before heading back to Loughborough. On the right wing is Sam Brooks who is in his second year of adult rugby. A great debut season last year which saw him filter through into some first team rugby and tries. Out the back is Adam Lambert who will be looking to get a first team shirt on in the coming weeks.

Plenty of ability on the bench or available to start the second game with Alfie Bowman, Christian Selkirk and Ewan Dryden regular 2's players. Great to see a load of regular 3's in action - Sean Hamill, Ethan Carmichael, Stewart Wilson, Ross Cleminson. Club debuts for Harry Brown, Joe Hantmann and the return of Ethan Morton to the club.

Should be a great playing opportuity for the lads before we try put three teams out on the 5th September.

Up the Vos

https://novos.co.uk/2026/08/28/mens-preview-29th-august-dmp-away/

Novos Kit & Club Merchandise Announcement

Ahead of the start of the new season, we are proud to unveil the new partnership for kit and merchandise with Canterbury of New Zealand.

The playing shirts will stay true to our charismatic red, white and black hoops.

Replica kit and the full ‘Novos’ Canterbury range will be available through the new online Novocastrians RFC Club Shop – due to launch w/c 10 Aug 2026

We have ‘touch and try sessions’ next week when you can take a look at the new offer. Many samples will be available to touch and try on – to ensure you can order just what you are looking for on the online Club Shop – with delivery direct to your home. For most of the range delivery is advised as three weeks lead time.

So save the dates in your diary –
Tues 11th & Thurs 13th August – Try sample merchandise 18:00-21:00
Upstairs in the clubhouse

W/c 10th August Online Novocastrians Club Shop opens
Watch our socials for the link

Please note socks will continue to be available for sale at the bar only.

Subs are now due!

Subs for the 2026/27 season are now due for all club members.

Players need to login to GMS to pay. Please note that GMS has made changes to the direct debit system and now must be taken from a bank card rather than bank details. Please ensure you login and check everything is up to date.

https://www.englandrugby.com/run/club-management/player-member-management/game-management-system

Social memberships can now be purchased via the app - or the link to the web version of the app here; https://novocastriansrfc.bytable.net/menu/Subs

AN ARMY MARCHES ON ITS STOMACH! 🏉🥣

Novocastrians RFC are on the lookout for a match day caterer for the coming 26-27 season. The majority of fixtures are played on a Saturday and Sunday, with occasional Wednesday and Friday night games.
We have an active youth section, minis through to Colts (U18s), as well as 3 senior men’s teams and 2 ladies’ teams. Minis through to U11s often have a simple offering such as a hotdog, with U12s and upwards having a hot meal.

Our kitchen is fully kitted, as well as accounts with food suppliers in place.

What we’re looking for;

– Ability to create bulk menus and feed teams within the agreed per head parameters
– Provide “paid for” catering to match day spectators
– Happy to work alongside club volunteers and other paid staff

Pay rate from £13.50 per hour dependent on experience. Roughly 20 hours per week, with the bulk of this work taking place on a Saturday & Sunday.

We would be willing to discuss the use of the kitchen outside of match day activities for the right candidate. For example, to use as a dark kitchen on Uber or similar. This role would suit someone with previous catering experience, or perhaps someone with their own business looking to expand their operations.

If you are interested in applying please contact Sarah at [email protected]

The club will be running a Try Rugby session for Minis and Girls on 12th July between 12pm and 1:30pm. The aim is to boost numbers for the coming season.

Please share far and wide amongst your contacts and if you have a child already in these sections, encourage them to bring a friend along.

To register please follow this link;

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAAYAAIWl8adUMFQxQ1ZDWDZESFhFWFBVU1hDU0lERzJYRy4u

For more information, please contact:
[email protected] or [email protected]

Job Opportunity; Match Day Caterer

Novocastrians RFC are on the lookout for a match day caterer for the coming 26-27 season. The majority of fixtures are played on a Saturday and Sunday, with occasional Wednesday and Friday night games....

Job Opportunity; Match Day Caterer Novocastrians RFC are on the lookout for a match day caterer for the coming 26-27 season. The majority of fixtures are played on a Saturday and Sunday, with occasional Wednesday and Friday night ga…