About us London Irish Amateur Rugby Club - general information and history
About us
London Irish Amateur Rugby Football Club is a traditional amateur rugby club. Following the arrival of the professional era, it was re-constituted in September 1999 to cater for Senior and Junior amateur rugby at Sunbury, the club's spiritual home. We are very much part of the London Irish family which also comprises a Professional First XV who play in the Guinness Premiership. This arrangement allows us to function independently of the professional rugby enterprise but with close co-operation between the two and with both operating under the same banner.
Our aim is to develop a successful amateur club, provide rugby for 5s to 55s, provide a social outlet for all the family and also contribute to an equally successful professional rugby enterprise, whilst also maintaining our strong historic links with Ireland.
This vision will enable our young players to commence their careers, learn to play at the highest standards and aspire to represent their club or country at the highest level — whether that be in the Professional or Amateur arenas. This is complimented by a thriving and ambitious club environment for those whose wish is to play the amateur game at adult level, whether that be at the top levels with the 1st XV ('Wild Geese') or on a more social footing with our vet XV - the B's.
It is unlikely that there is anyone involved with rugby anywhere in the world who has not heard of London Irish, a name which over it’s 110 year old history has become synonymous with good rugby football, friendliness and craic! London Irish is a place where players meet as strangers and then become life long friends. It is a place where players, parents and supporters discover a sense of belonging and where Irish people, whatever their background, offer a hand of friendship, hospitality, and kindness.
There is no need to be Irish or to come from an Irish background. At London Irish we have players who qualify for Australia right through to Zimbabwe and we are very proud to have them. There is no elitism; there is a place for everyone. From our Junior section, you can even progress to International level, like some of our recent old boys, including, Simon Whitworth (England U.16s), Edward Thrower (England U.21s), Declan Danaher (England A), Kieran Campbell (Ireland A), Adrian Flavin (Ireland A) and Justin Bishop (Ireland) and our most recent products include, Carl Cimpoias (Ireland U.19s) and Sean O’Donnel (Ireland U.18s).
We are always keen to welcome newcomers — be they players, coaches, spectators, curious neighbours, and to coin a well-known rugby expression, 'alickadoos'.
We run 4 adult sides. Our 1st XV Wild Geese play in London 3SW. We also run squads in every age group in Mini and Youth rugby, starting with a 'Kinder Group' which caters for 5 year olds right up to Under 18s. On any one weekend we can field over 300 players, who turn out for one of our 20 sides. There are no qualification criteria apart from wanting to play good rugby football and be part of our 110-year-old ethos and tradition, which go to make up this great club.
Why not come and join us? Remember there are no strangers at London Irish, only friends you have yet to meet.
Please contact our Director of Rugby, Chris Magowan, on 07920 117218, our
Junior Rugby Chairman, Richard Smallbone, on 07830 120409 our Mini Rugby Chairman, Peter Graham, 07515 389000 for more details. We have two Girls Teams (U18 & U15), and you can contact their Manager, Dave Mathews on 07947 074824.
We look forward to hearing from you.