Canvey Island RFC

Canvey Island Rugby Club is a relatively small club based on the Estuary of the Thames. Promoted for the second year running, the 1st XV will be playing in division London North East 4. We run 3 senior sides: 1st XV, 2nd XV - The Stacks, 3rd XV - The Gnus. Occassionally we manage to field a 4th XV. The clubs colours are royal blue and scarlet hoops (check out our male model !) . We also run a couple of youth sides, and are actively looking at increasing this section.

Apart from the attraction of playing the greatest game on Earth (Rugby Union of course!), the social side that rugby offers is second to none. Canvey Island Rugby Club is no exception. We pride ourselves on our hospitality and welcome visitors gladly.

Our club has many members who do not play rugby, but purely enjoy the social aspects that the club has to offer. With beer at £2.10 a pint and shorts at £1.30, it's no wonder our social events go with a swing. With this said, Canvey Island Rugby Club is a members only club. You may use the clubs facilities if you are a member or have been signed in by a member. New members are always welcome and a price guide to membership can be found in our membership section.

History
Canvey Island Rugby Football Club was founded in November 1970 by a selection of local players who wanted to play rugby locally instead of travelling to clubs situated off the Island .
With some borrowed shirts and only 13 Players, Canvey played their first game and won 18-0 against Mid Essex Tech at Chelmsford . Of that original group of players, 'Biff' Smith is still playing! (well sort of!), whilst Mick Norris is the ex-chairman of Essex R.F.U.
At first all games were played away, and by 1978 the club had begun to field three sides every week. Finally in 1979 the club was granted two pitches at it's current home of Tewkes Creek, where in 1983, by a joint effort of many club members, a clubhouse and bar were built.
The club had now transformed from being a pub-based side to a club with it's own facilities.

In the late 1980's a link between the Essex Education Authority and Cardiff College, saw an influx of Welsh PE Teachers 'don' the Red & Blue hoops of Canvey. With the help of these players Canvey began their rise up the league system, culminating in playing in London NE3 and reaching their first Essex Cup Final. It was here in 1989 that they lost by one point to Chingford.
As the bubble 'burst' and the PE Teachers returned to the land of sheep, the clubs promising youth side took over the reigns. They managed to keep the club in the London leagues for a good few seasons, and managed another cup final. This time they met Campion, where again Canvey were beaten.
As these set of players began to retire towards the late 1990's early 2000's, a void was left which saw a lot of youth players being brought up early, and struggled with senior rugby. With players perhaps lacking self belief and self confidence, rather than lacking ability, Canvey ended up being relegated into Essex 2.

Enough was enough and with true Canvey grit, the boys dug in and went from strength to strength. Canvey now plays in Division London 2 North East, and who knows where the future may take them !