Graham John Rhodes (1950-2021)
Many people are described as legends at sports clubs but when critically examined, don’t quite…
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it’s whether you get back up.
it’s whether you get back up.
Erdington RFC is on a journey to Change Lives Through Rugby.
Rugby has the power to change lives. Even Nelson Mandela used it to unite a nation! We intend to use it to support inner city kids in Birmingham. Our community initiative tackles some of the biggest issues facing our young people, including the increase in anti-social behaviour and the frightening increase in violent crime. Our program is endorsed by United By Birmingham 2022 and we are looking for support from socially-conscious individuals and businesses to join us on our journey.
Our Community
Latest News
The Happy Bus!
The next in our series of posts, thanking our great sponsors, who help us provide…
Once a player, always a fan – Sean Brady
Hello, I’m Sean Brady, but was known as Frank Brady and I played for Erdington Rugby Club…
My memories of playing for Erdington Rugby club – Philip Cleghorne
My playing career at Erdington Rugby club started in the Railway pub Curzon St. Nechells in 1994. I was…
Phil (Beaujolais) Spencer – A Player’s Story.
I played for Erdington Rugby Football Club (ERFC) from the age of 14 (and a…
Proud to be part of ERFC past, present and future – Andy Truman
I was a player for over 20 years with the club before it closed in…
December 2020 – 100 club winners
The December 2020 100 Club draw was done in front of the committee on Wednesday…
The Sponsors who are helping us “Change Lives”
Who We Are
Erdington RFC was formed in 1924.
We achieved many successes on the pitch and at our peak, we were regularly fielding five senior teams and a Colts team.
During the 1990s, a drastic drop in players left many local teams, including ourselves, struggling to stay afloat. The final nail in the coffin for us was an act of arson in 2003, resulting in the loss of the clubhouse. With the membership numbers being too low, we were unable to recover and the club subsequently folded.
Thanks to a local parent with a passion for the game, we opened our doors once again in 2016. What started as a small group of coaching quickly became the catalyst to the resurrection of our rugby club.
Interest grew rapidly and by the start of the 2017/18 season, we had a growing youth section, fielding two age grade teams, and unexpectedly, a senior men’s team.
We moved back to our old ground of Spring Lane Playing Fields, which further fuelled our growth. We then began adding more age grade teams and increasing senior player numbers.
Our club saw a major development in 2019. The committee noticed the positive impact rugby was having in the local community, which supported its long-held view that the sport’s unique qualities could help improve society as a whole.
As a result, we launched our ‘Changing Lives Through Rugby’ campaign in north Birmingham, to help keep youngsters, some with known behaviour issues, off the streets. We work with Erdington Rugby Club to offer free coaching for under 18s, a hot meal, which the team enjoys together, and transport for those who need it.
Our campaign is endorsed by Birmingham Erdington MP, Jack Dromey, West Midlands mayor, Andy Street and West Midlands police and crime commissioner, David Jamieson.
How Can We Change Lives
Discipline & Respect
Where some sports openly allow those in authority, such as referees, to be challenged and abused, rugby does not! Respecting the rule of the law is fundamental to the game and all who play it – something that is too often lacking in today’s society.
Controlled Aggression
Many violent crimes are committed due to the perpetrators lack of ability to control their actions in conflict situations. Rugby relies on a player’s ability to control and release aggression when needed, to take hits and tackles without retaliation.
Community
Being part of a rugby club is being part of a community, which spans religious, racial and cultural divides. It brings camaraderie, life-long friendships and support, which is often what disenchanted youths are looking for when joining a gang. Rugby offers the chance to be part of a positive gang!
Positive Role Models
Role models in rugby are not only found on TV, but in local clubs too. Erdington RFC is rich with positive role models, on and off the pitch, both male and female, from coaches through to players. Some kids lack positive role models in their daily lives, and being part of a rugby club can provide surrogate role models, who can help steer them in the right direction through a crucial part of their lives.
Join The Journey
If you’ve been inspired by the work we’re doing and would like to support us, we’re always looking for new volunteers to join our brilliant team. We rely on financial support from businesses with a desire to make a difference in their community. If you’re a company or individual who would like to help us continue our work, please complete the form on the right and we’ll be in touch. Thank you for helping us to change lives for the better.