Smiths Rugby is a men's rugby club located in the heart of Cheltenham at the Prince of Wales Stadium. With a history dating back to its establishment in 1952, the club initially catered exclusively to Smiths employees but later opened its doors to welcome anyone interested in joining.
Currently, Smiths Rugby boasts two rugby teams, with a focus on maintaining a fun and social atmosphere both on and off the pitch. The first team competes in Counties 2 Tribute Gloucestershire North, having achieved success by winning Tribute Gloucestershire 1 North in the previous season. As a result of league restructuring, they now aim to continue their progress and strive for further accomplishments.
The second team, known as Smiths United, competes in the GRFU District leagues. They experienced a resurgence in recent years and came close to achieving promotion in the 2014-2015 season. With the objective to go even further, Smiths United will compete in Gloucester & District 2 in the 2022/23 season.
Training sessions take place on Thursdays at 7pm at the Prince of Wales Stadium, while a gym session is held on Tuesdays at 7pm at The Stronghold. The club is always keen to welcome new players of all abilities and invites them to visit their website for information on current players, fixtures, sponsors, and social media accounts.
Smiths Rugby takes pride in being a family-friendly club, with many generations of players having represented the club over the years. In its prime, the club fielded five senior teams, all showcasing their skills at Newlands Park. While facing challenges recently and only being able to field one senior team, the reintroduction of the second team (the Hamsters) has brought about a positive transformation. In the past season, the Hamsters won their division, the County cup, and the Combination cup, exceeding expectations and serving as an exciting young team for the club.
Although the club has a clear target for progression and takes its games seriously, their primary focus remains on the enjoyment and social aspects of rugby. This ethos has been the cornerstone of Smiths Rugby's history, and it invites players of all abilities to be part of this vibrant and welcoming club.
Bob Ellis, the Club President, shares his sentiments on the club's inclusiveness and camaraderie, stating, “I have been President of the club for 20 years and before that Chairman for 14 years and can honestly say I have enjoyed every moment and have made friends for life within the rugby fraternity.