Community Archives - The Ealing Trailfinders Foundation

Ealing Trailfinders U9 Festival

On Sunday 11 October, Ealing Trailfinders welcomed six teams to the first Rugby Festival of the 2026/27 season, played ahead of our round 4 Elior Champ Rugby match against Hartpury. Squads from Ealing Trailfinders RFC, High Wycombe RFC and London Welsh RFC met at Swyncombe Playing Fields for a morning of mini rugby, then made their way over to Trailfinders Sports Club for the match day.

The young players were brilliant all morning. There was real skill on show, good handling and some tough tackling, but what stood out most was how well each team played for each other. You could see the work their coaches have already put in this season.

Lining up with the pros

Once the festival games finished, every team took part in the Ealing Trailfinders match-day experience, and for most of the players the highlight came just before kick-off, when they lined up to form a guard of honour for both Ealing Trailfinders and Hartpury as the teams ran out. At half time the festival squads were invited onto the main pitch for a group photo under the posts.

Aisling, our community coach, was on hand all day:

“It was a great day from start to finish. The quality of rugby was really high for this age group. The kids were passing well, tackling properly and backing each other up, and every club brought teams that were a credit to them. Then they got to run out onto the main pitch and form the guard of honour, and you could see how much that meant to them. Days like this are why we run the festivals.”

Aisling, Community Coach, Ealing Trailfinders

Festival rugby team and coaches pose under the posts on the main pitch at Trailfinders Sports Club

Mini rugby players from the six festival teams in a half-time group photo under the Elior Champ Rugby posts — Half-time group photos on the main pitch.

Next festival: Saturday 12 December v Bedford Blues

Rugby Festivals will run throughout the 2026/27 season alongside our Elior Champ Rugby and PWR fixtures, giving community clubs the chance to play and then watch professional rugby at Trailfinders Sports Club.

The next festival is on Saturday 12 December, ahead of Ealing Trailfinders v Bedford Blues in Champ Rugby. Every team that takes part will be entered into a draw. The winning team gets match-day tickets to the Elior Champ Rugby Final and a place in the U10s Rugby Festival played before the Final.

To get your team involved, register your club’s interest using the link below.

Register your club for a 2026/27 Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Festival

Our next home game: Halloween double header, Saturday 31 October

Before then, we’re back at Trailfinders Sports Club on Saturday 31 October for a Halloween double header. Trailfinders Women take on Sale Sharks Women in the Jaecoo Next Gen Cup at 12:00pm followed by Ealing Trailfinders taking on Doncaster Knights in round 6 of Elior Champ Rugby at 3:00pm

Buy tickets for the double header

Trailfinders Sports Club, Vallis Way, West Ealing, London W13 0DQ. Parking can be booked in advance through the match-day parking page.

21/10/2026/by Ian Isham

Community

Rugby World Cup Masterclass

High Wycombe RUFC announced as first Community Partner Club!

Ealing Trailfinders are thrilled to announce that High Wycombe RUFC will be the first Community Partner Club Programme member.

The initiative means High Wycombe RUFC will receive support in their community programme, coaching visits, rugby camps and ticketing initiatives. Members of the club will be able to earn cash back on tickets to Ealing Trailfinders games, which the club can then use to reinvest.

High Wycombe RUFC has a thriving minis and youth membership. As a partner club, they will be able to reinvest the funds in growing the game at a youth level, which is something that Ealing Trailfinders is very passionate about.

We know the programme will help grow the community game by giving kids access to some of the best rugby in England and developing their training facilities.

Ian Isham, Head of the Community Department said: “We are delighted to partner with High Wycombe RUFC as part of our new partner club programme. These connections are a key element of our community initiatives, allowing us to highlight the fantastic work happening in grassroots rugby while providing support to help their continued growth.

“Every club has its unique strengths and challenges, and by collaborating closely, we can tailor our approach to create mutually beneficial opportunities. In working with Michael Fradgley, Mini & Junior Chairman at High Wycombe RUFC and learning about his dedication to the club, it’s evident that the club is proactive in its development.

“If we can contribute in any way to their progress, it’s something we take great pride in. We look forward to a successful partnership with High Wycombe RUFC this season and into the future.”

Michael Fradgley, Mini & Junior Chairman of High Wycombe RFC said: “I’m delighted that our club is going to be building a partnership with Ealing Trailfinders. Ealing Trailfinders continue to be on an exciting journey and for us to be aligned to this brings many benefits to our club and our young players.

“In particular I’m excited by the opportunities to improve coach education and to further enhance our school holiday camps with input from Ealing players and coaches. I already know that our players and parents will love the opportunity to “take over” on one of your match days, see high quality rugby in action and build memories as they take part in the match day activities.

I look forward to seeing what this fabulous opportunity brings and to developing the relationship as we continue to grow the minis and juniors section at HWRUFC.”

As part of our partnership, we are pleased to announce that Ealing Trailfinders Community Team will be running a camp at High Wycombe RFC during the February half-term. The camp will take place on Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th February, catering to U7–U12 players, with specialised masterclass sessions in the afternoons. The masterclass on Wednesday will be for U13–U16 boys, and on Thursday, we will host a session for U12–U16 girls. For more information visit our camps page: Camps

To find out more or to get in touch about our partner community club programme visit www.ealingtrailfinders.org.uk/partner-clubs

28/01/2025/by Ian Isham