Melbourne is a friendly rugby club with 2 regular senior teams and an occasional Vets side. We are based in lovely countryside in South Derbyshire. The 1st XV is currently in Midlands 3 East (North) League and finished 6th last year. The aim of the club is for promotion in the 2012-2013 season. The 2nd XV play in the Pennant League and finished Mid Table. The Vets played 4 games this season, winning 3. The U17s reached the semi-finals of the NLD competition as well as the last 32 of the National cup.

The ethos of the club sides is to play for fun, but still try to win their respective leagues. The main pitch at Cockshut Lane is now well established and the second pitch should be ready to start playing on at the start of the 2012 season. The first team pitch has floodlights good enough for evening games. Euan Holden will be the 1st XV captain for the 2012-2013 season. 2012-2013 will see U19 and U17 colts sides for the first time, and hopefully a development side to help integrate some of the U19s into senior rugby.

Melbourne RFC are working hard with the Melbourne Sporting Partnership to facilitate the building of a clubhouse at the top of Cockshut Lane.

The Minis and Juniors section sides play on a Sunday at Chellaston School. They are going from strength to strength. There are approximately 250 children playing rugby on a Sunday ranging from U7s to U16s. The club also has U18, U15 and U13 girls’ teams. This year has been the most successful season to date, with highlights being the U13s winning the NLD cup and the NLD 7s cup. The U15s were runners up in the NLD cup. The Minis and Juniors section have an army of coaches and volunteers who willingly help every Sunday morning. There are currently over 20 level 1 coaches, 6 level 2 and 1 level 3 coach and the club actively encourages their further training. The Minis and Juniors also have their own clubhouse at Chellaston School.

New players of all ages and ability are always welcome.

Peter Ilott, Chairman