The club is absolutely buzzing after last weekend’s incredible Colts game, our fantastic club trip to Twickenham to watch the Red Roses, and that very special message from Red Roses captain Meg Jones. The Women's Six Nations excitement is real—and we are actively recruiting girls for Vectis, so come down and give it a go!

#everyonewatcheswomenssport, record breaking attendance at stadiums all over the UK for women’s rugby is amazing!

With the season nearing its end, we have a massive finale brewing. Get ready for the Isle of Wight Festival of Rugby on May 2nd and 3rd at Medina, followed by our prestigious End of Year Awards at the Medina Theatre on May 7th.

Here is a look at all the action, awards, and milestones from across the club this week!

End of an Era: Vectis Colts Awards

It is a bittersweet moment for the club as we say goodbye to a fantastic group of U18s. We gathered for a final run-out of touch rugby followed by our end-of-season awards to celebrate a year of hard work, grit, and some seriously good rugby. These young men have worn the Vectis jersey with pride, and we cannot wait to see them make their mark in the senior game.

2025/26 Award Winners:
• Players’ Player: George C
• Coaches’ Player: Billy G
• Most Improved: Ben W
• Back of the Year: Preston
• Forward of the Year: Rhys
A massive shoutout to our leavers: Arran, Pat, Ben W, Lee, Jack P, John W, Billy G, Reuben, and Freddie K. Once a Vectis player, always a Vectis player. Go well, lads!

A club is only as strong as its volunteers, and coach Ross extends a massive thank you to the "team behind the team" for their incredible dedication this season:
• Ant: For keeping everyone safe on the pitch with First Aid.
• Claire & Mairi: For providing the post-match fuel.
• Victoria: For opening the club and keeping the bar running.
• Bear: For stepping in to coach and share expertise.
• Fi: The logistics legend—organising transport, games, and refs.
Finally, a special message from the captain: "A huge thank you to Ross for stepping in and making us the team we became this season, and to Fi for sorting all our fixtures. We couldn't have finished the season without you both."

Under 9s: Development Focus at Eastleigh

The U9s travelled to Eastleigh Rugby Club to build on the strong links and great friendship between our clubs. The squad joined Eastleigh for warm-ups and tackling sessions before playing a friendly round-robin against their three teams.

Tackling confidence grew tremendously as the session went on, and Eastleigh's coaches specifically highlighted our excellent communication skills, with Ben leading the charge. Henri and Willem also put in standout performances, leaning on their past rugby experience despite being newer to the squad. We look forward to hosting Eastleigh on the island next season!


Under 10s: Family Fun at IWRFC
Result: Rugby was the winner!

This is what rugby is all about! Over 50 players and parents were put through their paces during a brilliant family training day. The session featured passing drills, races, kicking contests, and a lively game of touch rugby.

The highlight of the day? Family members having to drop and do push-ups every time someone fumbled a ball! The U10s are an incredibly united, fun-loving bunch, and they are looking sharp heading into the final stretch of the season.


Under 12s: Try-Fest at Wootton

The U12s hosted Eastleigh and Portsmouth at IWRFC for a sun-soaked, friendly festival of rugby. Eastleigh asked for as much rugby as possible, and Vectis certainly delivered! We split into two teams to ensure everyone got plenty of minutes, and our players even stepped up to boost the opposition's squad sizes, building some wonderful camaraderie along the way.
Vectis showed strong attacking and defensive lines, resilient teamwork under pressure, and confident tackling.

Try Scorers: Arlo, Jacob, Finn, Joe, Jack, George, Isaac, Henry, Harry H, Harry G, Juke, Oskar, and Isaac!

Under 13s: Tough Shift in the Sunshine vs. Gosport

The U13s crossed the Solent to face a highly physical and clinical Gosport side. Despite the tough opposition, the spirit of the team never wavered. Jasper Branston controlled the middle of the park beautifully, distributing the ball through centers Findley Stevens and Billy Young, allowing Jay Bexon to tear up the left wing.

Defensively, the effort was immense. The squad refused to back down, rallying late in the game with a courageous run from Harrison Parratt to set up Thomas Saunders for a well-deserved try. Coach Sam Branston expressed immense pride in the squad's bravery, dominant scrum, and "never say die" attitude.

• Joint Players of the Match: Gus McGillivray & Wyatt Lee (for an absolute masterclass in low-chop tackling and defensive work).
• Special Mentions: Leo Rance and Theo Goodall, who stepped up into the backs and made several crucial try-saving hits.

Under 14s: Sportsmanship Shines vs. Hornets RFC

Result: Competitive mixed-squad fixture
It was a brilliant day at the IWRFC pitches as we hosted Hornets RFC U14s to wrap up their Isle of Wight tour. With both sides running low on numbers, the teams mixed together to ensure a competitive, high-energy fixture with the TREDS values at the very forefront.

Captain Henry led by example with a great try, while Vice-Captain George vocally managed the backline to support Max, who put in a fantastic debut performance at scrum-half. In the final 10 minutes, our newer players joined the fray in non-contact bibs to gain valuable match-day experience. It was the perfect way to blow off the cobwebs before the IoW Festival!
• Man of the Match: Kenzo (for an outstanding performance and relentless work rate).
• Coaches’ Mentions: Corey (impressive carrying and engine) and Oscar (stepped up seamlessly to fullback).

Club Spotlight: Claire Conquers the Marathon!

Massive congratulations are in order for our very own Claire! When she isn't busy behind the scenes as our powerhouse Events Manager, she is out crushing the Manchester Marathon.
Claire crossed the finish line today, showing us all what true grit and determination look like. All those early morning training sessions and miles on the road have officially paid off. The whole Vectis family is incredibly proud of you, Claire—enjoy the well-deserved rest, all the snacks, and that shiny new medal! Oh, and if that not enough… Claire is running the London Marathon as well!!

Isle of Wight Rugby Festival: Brought to you by Tour International, this massive weekend event will take place at Medina on May 2nd and 3rd. It will feature live music on stage all day, food stalls, bars, and incredible rugby.

Vectis Awards Night: The club will celebrate the achievements of its players, coaches, and volunteers at the Medina Theatre on May 7th.

Join the Vectis RFC Family!
Inspired by this weekend's success? Vectis RFC is recruiting across all age groups, from Under 6s right through to Under 18s! Whether you are brand new to the sport and want to give it a try, or you are an experienced player looking for a great club atmosphere, there is a place for you here. Come down, get involved, and become part of our fantastic rugby community.
• Youth: Vectis RFC welcomes players from U6 to U18, your first 2 sessions are free.
• Volunteers: Vectis RFC is always looking for volunteers and support.
• Adults: The Isle of Wight boasts three senior clubs for those looking to return to the game or start fresh.
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