Eccles RFC Membership & Kit Announcement: 2021/22 Season
As part of the continued growth and development of our Senior, Minis and Junior sections, the club is excited to announce that we are adjusting the way we provide kit for our valued members.
Amongst the many challenges of the pandemic, the club has found it increasingly difficult to secure sponsorship for its Mini and Junior teams and in turn, provide enough shirts for the swelling numbers of players joining our club. This situation has resulted in an inadequate rugby experience for our players, inconsistent with the club’s principles of inclusivity and equality. Our club goal moving forward is to achieve a uniformity of appearance so all of our players and teams can feel pride when they run out on the pitch to represent Eccles RFC.
After much research, consultation and deliberation, we have decided that the fairest way forward is to increase our annual membership fees to cover the cost of kit provision, to ensure all of our players get the very best Eccles experience. No more mixed bags of handed down shirts. No more shirt sharing. Every child in their own new kit. Every player valued. Every team equal.
Not only will this represent a safer, more equitable offer; our membership will continue to represent real value for money as a sports club, providing experienced, qualified coaching and facilities that include: changing rooms, warm showers, a floodlit all-weather 3G pitch and our much-loved clubhouse, where our younger players can enjoy a post-match meal, our junior players can access the club’s Duke of Edinburgh Award programme, our adult players can enjoy a drink or take advantage of the club gym, and all of our members and families can enjoy a year round social calendar that’s second to none.
Our 2021/22 Mini & Junior teams will also benefit from the impact of a newly appointed, full time Community Rugby Coach, funded by the club, who will work with all teams on training nights and game days, making player-centred coaching our top priority.
In this new Eccles RFC membership format, Junior players would receive full playing kit on a biannual basis. For year 1, junior players would receive a brand-new match shirt for them to keep and use for 2 seasons. In year 2, they would receive some club-branded apparel e.g. a training top to complement their playing kit. At the beginning of year 2, any players requiring a new match shirt (e.g. due to growth!) would be asked to return their existing kit to the club to support our spare stock and they would then receive a replacement match shirt. Any players leaving the club would be encouraged to return their kit too.
For Senior members (Men, Ladies, Colts) club shorts and socks, alongside an item of pre or post-match apparel that complements what is already in place, will be an annual benefit of the new membership format. Match shirts for Senior players will continue to be provided by club sponsorship.
The new membership fees for Senior Playing members (16+) are £100 per player:
- Fees can be paid in full.
- Alternatively, payment of an initial £40.00 registration fee will confirm player membership and they’ll receive Eccles RFC shorts, socks & branded drill top.
- The remaining balance of £60 can be paid in instalments across the season if desired - 5 months at £12 per month.
The new membership fees for Juniors (Under 7s to Under 16s) are £100 per player:
- Fees can be paid in full.
- Alternatively, payment of an initial £40.00 registration fee will confirm player membership and they’ll receive Eccles RFC shorts, socks & a new match shirt.
- The remaining balance of £60 can be paid in instalments across the season if desired - 5 months at £12 per month.
The new membership fees for Minis (Under 5s and Under 6s) are £85 per player:
- Fees can be paid in full.
- Alternatively, payment of an initial £25.00 registration fee will confirm player membership and they’ll receive an *Eccles Minis Revolution T-Shirt (*these younger age groups do not play competitive fixtures against other clubs).
- The remaining balance of £60 can be paid in instalments across the season if desired – 5 months at £12 per month.
We appreciate this change in direction to kit provision will generate some logistical issues and we ask our players and parents to support the club as we find solutions and overcome them. These increases in membership fees only partially cover the cost of new rugby kits and the club is making a significant investment in the present and future of our playing members.
Eccles RFC remains steadfast in its long-held principles of inclusivity and ‘Rugby for All’. We know times are hard for many families. Affordability is never an obstacle to participation at our club. Any member finding difficulty in meeting our membership fees is invited to contact the club in confidence at membership@ecclesrfc.org.uk so we can find a way for you or your child to enjoy rugby at Eccles.
Order your kit now
Player Registration and club Membership for the 2021/22 Season will commence in mid August. Kit takes on average 5-6 weeks to manufacture and deliver. To ensure we have kit in time for the new season we are asking parents of Mini and Junior players to submit their child's kit order and sizes now via the online form on this link
Eccles RFC 2021/22 Junior Kit Order Form
Senior players (Men, Ladies, Colts) should submit their kit sizes to their team captain or manager.
Size Guide
The O'Neills 'Player fit' match shirt is a snug fit jersey, typically tighter around the arms and body compared to a regular fit jersey. When ordering kit for children we advise making an allowance for potenital growth over a two year period. The sizes below are provided as an indicative guide.
Child Shirt (Chest) Sizes
- Age 5/6 28 inch
- Age 7/8 30 inch
- Age 9/10 32 inch
- Age 10/11 34 inch
- Age 13 36 inch
Adult Shirt (Chest) Sizes
- XS 38 inch
- S 40 inch
- M 42 inch
- L 44 inch
- XL 46 inch
- 2XL 48 inch
- 3XL 50 inch
- 4XL 52 inch
Child Short (Waist) Sizes
- Age 5/6 20 inch
- Age 7/8 22 inch
- Age 9/10 24 inch
- Age 10/11 26 inch
- Age 13 28 inch
Adult Short (Waist) Sizes
- XS 30 inch
- S 32 inch
- M 34 inch
- L 36 inch
- XL 38 inch
- 2XL 40 inch
- 3XL 42 inch
- 4XL 44 inch
Please note, the changes to membership fees outlined above apply to players. The fees for Non-Player membership, Social membership and Walking Rugby membership will remain unchanged.
If you have any questions regarding Mini & Junior membership, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Dan Nicholls, Minis and Juniors Chairman – danielnicholls@ecclesrfc.org.uk
If you or your company is interested in the significant exposure provided by Eccles RFC shirt sponsorship please contact Chris Gaffey, Club Chairman - chrisgaffey@ecclesrfc.org.uk
Thank you.
Eccles RFC Committee
