AYLESBURY RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

Aylesbury Rugby Football Club is more than just a rugby club – it's a thriving community. With over 1,000 members, active men's, women's, boys', girls' and mini mixed teams, and more than 200 dedicated volunteers, our club continues to grow because of the people who give their time, energy and passion to support it.

Every training session, match day, festival, social event and community activity relies on volunteers. From coaching, first aiders and team management to helping in the clubhouse, maintaining facilities, organising events, producing the matchday programme, nurturing sponsors, dealing with the finances, safeguarding, keeping up with legislation, planning for the future or supporting fundraising initiatives, volunteers are the heartbeat of our club.

Volunteering is also incredibly rewarding. It provides an opportunity to meet new people, build friendships and become part of a welcoming and supportive community. Whether you're a parent, former player, supporter or someone looking to get more involved, there is a role to suit your skills, interests and availability.

Many volunteers discover that they gain as much as they give. Volunteering helps develop valuable skills such as leadership, communication, organisation and teamwork. It can boost confidence, enhance career prospects and provide a real sense of achievement. Seeing young players develop, supporting teams to succeed and helping create memorable experiences for members are just some of the rewards that come from getting involved.

As our club continues to grow, so does the need for volunteers. While we are fortunate to have more than 200 people already contributing their time, we always welcome new faces and fresh ideas. Even a small amount of time can make a significant difference and help ensure that Aylesbury Rugby Football Club remains a successful, inclusive and enjoyable environment for everyone.

Rugby has always been built on teamwork, respect and community spirit. Volunteering is another way of living those values. By stepping forward and getting involved, you are helping to create opportunities for current and future generations of players while strengthening one of the largest and most vibrant sporting communities in the area.

If you've ever thought about volunteering, now is the perfect time to join the team behind the teams. Together, we can continue to make Aylesbury Rugby Club a place where everyone can thrive.

***Don’t worry if you don’t want to be a coach or a first aider, there are loads of much needed administrative, maintenance, media, coordination and general management roles that require filling.  Paul Casey is our very own Volunteer Co-ordinator and as soon as you are ready to become part of the volunteering team please email him at jpcasey65@gmail.com.  We do advertise specific roles here of which there are currently two, a matchday programme coordinator and a social media content creator, both much needed.  But, if you don’t fancy either of those then do get in touch with Paul as we will never turn away a willing volunteer – there is so much you can help with – go on, give it a go!  

For those interested, Paul’s annual Volunteer Report can be found here. 

The Trophy, generously donated by Papamoa Lions Club, is part of the Tony Taylor story told here by Derek Spence.

'Tony was a New Zealander who was on a farming exchange in the UK in the 1970s.  He played in the centre for ARFC while he was over here.  In 1974 he suffered a severe spinal injury playing for Aylesbury against Welwyn RFC.  He was a quadriplegic for the rest of his life.  His fiancée, Hildegard Curschmann, happened to be a nurse on the spinal unit at Stoke Mandeville and she helped care for him and continued his care as his wife, for the rest of his life. 

Various fund-raising events were established by ARFC supported by the RFU Charitable Trust and The New Zealand High Commission.  These included a charity walk, a dance in the Stoke Mandeville Dining Room with the Humphrey Littleton Band, a visit by the London Māori Group and Royal Polynesian ballet. Max Boyce visited, and a charity match refereed by Mike Litcombe, then an international referee, was kicked off by Terry Wogan. A Charity Ball was attended by both the New Zealand High Commission and the President of the RFU. All the food at this function was provided free by local firms and the bar was run by club members.  Tony and Hilda repatriated to New Zealand and the funds raised were used to help buy a specially modified and equipped house. 

Marlow RFC were active partners in the fund raising and The New Zealand High Commission presented a trophy “The Tony Taylor Trophy” to mark the efforts made by both clubs.  The Trophy was contested between the two clubs for many years.  It now has pride of place at ARFC.

The story doesn’t end there.  Many of us from ARFC visited Tony and Hildegard in New Zealand and Tony and Hildegard made a trip to ARFC in 1991 to help celebrate ARFC’s diamond Jubilee.  The celebrations included a visit by the New Zealand High Commission and a Tony Taylor Trophy match between Aylesbury and Marlow.  Tony and Hildegard’s visit was made possible with the assistance of the Papamoa Lions Club.  (Papamoa is a town near Tauranga on the East Coast of the North Island in New Zealand).  The Papamoa Lions Club presented a trophy to ARFC to commemorate the visit.   It is this trophy that is presented annually to ARFC’s Club Person of the Year – chosen by the Chairman to recognise the person who has made a significant contribution to the Club during the season.

Tony died in New Zealand on 29 August 2011, nursed to the end by Hildegard.  Hildegard visited Aylesbury sometime later and scattered his ashes in and around the places he loved in Aylesbury.'