As the sun sets on the 2025/2026 season, we are wrapping up (nearly) with the breathtaking weekend we just hosted at the Isle of Wight Festival of Rugby. From the first whistle at Medina College to the final celebrations and medal ceremonies, the energy was electric.

We are incredibly proud to host what is now the largest youth rugby festival in the UK and the second-largest annual event for Red Funnel!

With around 5,000 people in attendance—including 3,500 traveling across the water to join us—this weekend was a monumental celebration of the sport. It was a chance for our extended rugby families to have fun, boost the Island's economy, and most importantly, bring rugby to the masses.

At Vectis RFC, the largest youth sports organisation on the Island, we live and breathe the core rugby values: Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline, and Sportsmanship. This weekend, those values were on full display. Here is the ultimate round-up of an unforgettable festival!

Massive Club News: Our Newest Ambassadors!

We are absolutely thrilled to officially announce that Vectis Rugby Club has awarded an Ambassadorship to two true friends of the club: Terry O’Neill from Tour International and Amy Dale.

Terry has played a monumental role in our community over recent years. His relentless dedication has helped build this festival into the UK powerhouse it is today, bringing a massive boost to the Isle of Wight economy and championing the sport we love across the Island. We couldn't be prouder to have Terry representing us. His passion for the game and the Island is simply second to none!

Amy Dale has supported our club and helps deliver a seamless festival every year, Amy is a true friend of Vectis and an inspiration to our young people showing them that if you put the work in and believe in yourself you can really go on to great things!

Age Group Highlights: Heart, Grit, and Silverware!

Our players showed incredible heart on the pitch all weekend. Whether playing their very first games or wrapping up their tag-rugby careers, the Vectis spirit was unstoppable. Here are the summaries from age groups that sent them in.

Under 7s: Smashing Their First Festival!

Huge congratulations to our little legends who wrapped up their very first year of rugby in style! From learning the basics of tag rugby to showing off some serious speed and teamwork, they were an absolute joy to watch. Seeing them celebrate on stage with their medals, sporting huge smiles and massive energy, was the perfect end to a fantastic year of growth and friendship. The future of Vectis Rugby is looking very bright indeed!

Under 8s: The Final De-Tagging

What a way to close a chapter! Against tough opposition from Esher, Dartfordians, and Sidcup, our U8s delivered a masterclass in tag rugby.

• The Cheetahs: A blur of speed! Henry pulled off a "wonder tag," Cormac showed brilliant support play, and Sienna and Alasdair left the defence in the dust. Finnley, William, Alfie, and Soren led the charge, while Hunter and Phoenix built a wall of tags.
• The Tigers 2.0 (The Girls Unleashed!): Channelling their inner Ellie Kildunne! Ada, Megan, Orla, and Sienna (who delivered a Captain Marvel-style aerial tag!) teamed up with Jamie, Nathan (full-pitch sprint!), and Arthur for a clinic in teamwork.
• The Lions: A formidable force. Ellery and Daniel led the line, with Harry, Teddy, and Wilson flying down the wings. George, Henry, Barney, and Rudy delivered a rock-solid defensive shift.

The most emotional moment? The final de-tagging session. The belts are gone. Next season, we have two words for you: TACKLING, BABY!

Under 9s: The "All Blacks" Moment

Taking on strong opposition from Hampstead, Dartfordians, and Esher, the U9s showed exactly how much their winter training paid off. They brought "Route One" intensity and an incredible defensive press.

• Lyle was untouchable on the wing, carving through defences.
• Milo provided the power, constantly breaking the gain line.
• Libby and Noah led the defensive charge with massive, game-changing tackles.
• Jake made a fantastic club debut—welcome to the team! The defining moment of the season? A penultimate game where every single player touched the ball, moving it from one end of the pitch to the other through a series of offloads, finishing with a superb team try that belonged in international rugby!

Under 10s: Total Domination

What a day for the U10s! Fielding three teams, they put on a masterclass in teamwork, finishing with an astonishing 16 wins and 1 draw. The theme of the weekend was Support. Whether it was putting in an extra tackle or hitting one more ruck, the togetherness of this group is truly special. As Coach Allan said, "When choosing a player of the day is impossible, you know it has been an incredible team display, These are the bonds that last a lifetime.’

Under 12s: Shield Champions!

What a rollercoaster! Saturday was a day of "what ifs," with the team battling through four incredibly tight group games that ended in three draws. But the Lions didn't let a tough Saturday dampen their spirits. They returned on Sunday with a point to prove, surging to the top to win the competition and lift the Festival Shield! Seeing them hold that silverware high was the perfect reward. Enjoy the break, U12s—we'll see you in your U13 shirts this September!

Under 14s: Building for the Future

Our U14s faced a tough test against incredibly strong opposition. While the scorelines were a challenge, the heart and resilience shown by the squad were second to none. Henry led by example, while the "engines"—Ethan, Ollie, James, Theo, and Kenzo—worked tirelessly in the backfield and rucks. Playmakers Oscar, George, Max, and Riley kept the ball moving beautifully. A massive shoutout to Man of the Tournament, new boy Stanley, who delivered an incredible all-around performance and bagged a classic poacher’s try on his debut!

Mark Your Calendars: What’s Next?

The season isn't quite over yet! We have two massive events left to cap off this phenomenal year.

Vectis Awards Night - THIS THURSDAY!

The perfect way to wrap up a fantastic year and celebrate all our players' hard-earned achievements.

• When: Thursday, May 7th
• Time: 6:30 PM
• Where: Medina Theatre

Legendary Rugby Alert: Jason Robinson is Coming to Wootton!

The Jason Robinson Foundation, in conjunction with Isle of Wight Community Sports Coaching, is bringing a massive Finals Day to Vectis RFC with school teams entered into an amazing Tag Rugby competition. And yes, World Cup winner Jason Robinson OBE will be there in person!

• When: Wednesday, 21st May
• Where: Isle of Wight RFC, Wootton Recreation Ground
• Details: Parents, check that holiday balance and book the afternoon off! We need a roaring home crowd. Our Refreshments Cafe will be open all afternoon serving hot drinks and snacks. Come meet a legend and support local talent!

Get Involved: The Vectis Family Wants YOU!

We are the biggest youth sports organisation on the Island, but we want to get bigger. We want to bring rugby to everyone.

• Want to Play? If you are thinking of playing but aren't quite sure, come along! Several age groups will be hosting summer touch rugby sessions to keep skills sharp over the break. There is no cost at all for your first two sessions. Just show up, have fun, and see what the Vectis family is all about.
• Want to Sponsor? We are looking for Island companies to partner with us. With games played all over the South Coast, there are loads of opportunities to get your name out there—from sponsoring balls and tackle pads to kits and travel wear. Be part of something special! You will also get regular mentions on our socials with a massive following across the UK.
• Want to Volunteer? We always welcome extra hands to help keep this amazing club running smoothly.

A Massive Thank You

Finally, an event of this magnitude does not happen by accident. We owe a massive debt of gratitude to the people who make it possible.

A huge thank you to Tour International Chris and of course the amazing Mike and Amy Dale, all the Vectis committee, the local business who came selling food, beer, coffee and more, the cleaners, the bar staff, and the parking staff. A special shoutout to Bex from Vectis for her flawless Safeguarding work, the amazing Army Cadets for volunteering their time, and the Vectis Colts volunteers.

And of course, the biggest thank you goes to the coaches, the parents, and the players. You are a very special and truly inspirational bunch. Thank you for the early mornings, the cheers from the sidelines, and for leaving it all on the pitch.

An additional mention and massive thank you to Dave Edmonds who has taken over our socials and turned into a full-on Influencer! Because of Dave our coverage is now international with people viewing our posts, videos, messaging us and sharing.

Players enjoy your well-deserved summer rest.

Coaches enjoy a slightly slower pace planning for next year or coaching touch or coaching other summer sports!

Committee…. Well committee …. Let’s plan for the next step!

In the words of the Vectis RFC Chairman Allan Bridges ‘does anyone else feel like they’ve just got off holiday? Emotional high, slight sunburn, absolutely knackered, no food in the fridge and a mountain of washing to do, but we would do it all again!’

Go Vectis, Bring on next year!!

About Vectis RFC
Vectis RFC is the only community youth rugby club on the Isle of Wight, providing coaching and competition for players from U6 through to Colts. We are dedicated to fostering a love for rugby, teamwork, and sportsmanship in a safe and supportive environment. We pride ourselves on developing the next generation of rugby talent and supporting the 3 mighty Island Senior Clubs Isle of Wight RFC, Ventnor RFC and Sandown & Shanklin RFC.
• Website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/vectis2
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/VectisRFC