This time of year is exciting for many reasons, it is sunnier, the days are warmer and, as the main rugby season is drawing to a close, groups of excited humans prepare to go on tour, and that’s just the mums and dads!

Of course the actual players are beyond excited, and this year we have exceeded even the highest bar that we have previously raised, with 735 Minis and Juniors going to tour all parts of the UK and Europe, we even have a Barnes fuelled Sinners XV going to Toronto too, and the Men’s 1st XV going to Serbia. Last weekend, our Under 23’s took a party of 40 to Seville to kick off the touring season, which always takes place at rugby clubs all over the UK but, in the words of Carly Simon, nobody does it better….than Barnes Rugby Club.
Moving this many players all over the UK and Europe, at the same time, takes an army of warrior parents who are just simply the best (I am on a roll now song title wise sorry!) and they are relentless in the pursuit of raising the bar each year.

We also like to take kids abroad for free who otherwise would not have that experience, fully covering the trip, their tour kit and their food and drink. We do this under the radar, make no fuss, as is our wont in rugby life, and the difference it makes to these kids, and all those that tour is extraordinary.

This year sees a party of 300 Minis go to Brean Sands in Somerset, playing the Cheddar Festival as well as being hosted by Clifton Rugby over the weekend, 90 Under 11’s in their rite of passage tour before the Juniors going to Laon and, also in France at Arras we have 70 Under 15’s. On top of that we have 50 Under 12’s in Devon, soon to be added to in the South West with the Colts going to Cornwall, there are 115 Under 13’s and 14’s also going to the South West visiting Bristol, Bath and Gloucester! Whilst 30 Under 16’s tour in Hove, I am delighted to see 65 Under 12’s and Under 13’s Girls touring in Worthing - what amazing memories they are all about to make.

I am so proud of this incredible feat, all of the parents and coaches and committee members involved please take a super bow, pat yourselves on your collective backs and have a fantastic time away, wherever you are going.

And don’t forget to spread the Barnow love wherever you go, we are a special club and what you are doing makes it even more special.

Thank you from the bottom of my Rhino heart.

For Rugby! For Friendship! For Life!
Rhino x