As we approach the halfway point of this season, I wanted to take a moment to reflect, not just on results but on the journey we’ve all shared so far and not overlooking the hard work undertaken in the closed season. Every cheer from the stands, every hard-fought tackle, and every volunteer hour behind the scenes has shaped what Guernsey Raiders stands for: resilience, unity, and ambition, a true community club.

The spirit of the Raiders has never been stronger. From the first whistle in September to the roar of our home crowd last weekend, this club has shown what it means to belong to something bigger than ourselves. Thank you to every player, coach, sponsor, and supporter who has made this possible.

Guernsey Raiders – Men

The season began with adversity. Injuries mounted early, and the scoreboard didn’t always reflect the effort on the pitch. But this team refused to bow. In recent weeks, we’ve seen a resurgence, big wins at home and away, moments where grit turned into glory. These victories aren’t just numbers; they’re proof of character. And as we move forward through the season, that character will carry us forward.

Guernsey Raiders – Ladies
If there’s a story that defines growth, it’s our Women’s squad. From postponed fixtures and limited league opportunities to hosting internal friendlies with two full squads, this team has turned challenges into triumphs. Today, they stand unbeaten in their league. That’s not just success; it’s a statement. And with the squad growing the future looks brighter than ever.

Guernsey – St Jacques Vikings
It’s been a tough start, but their determination mirrors the heartbeat of Guernsey Rugby. Together, we’re laying foundations for something enduring. The Vikings have been training with the Raiders, showing a full One Club spirit, and we wish them the best for the rest of the season.

Guernsey Raiders – Barbarians
The Barbarians remind us why rugby is more than a game, it’s about opportunity. Their first match didn’t end in victory, but it ended in something just as valuable: experience, camaraderie, and belief. Seeing a third team take the field this season is a milestone worth celebrating. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.

Guernsey Rugby Academy
The Academy isn’t just a section of the club, it’s our grassroots future. This season, we’ve hit record membership numbers. Every child who picks up a ball today could be tomorrow’s Raiders hero. That’s why we invest, nurture, and dream big.

We’re excited to announce a new addition to our Academy structure, with Jonathon Dawe stepping into the role of Academy Lead. In this position, Jonathon will focus on strengthening the development, retention, and support of coaches across all age grades and teams. His leadership will help ensure consistent coaching standards, a strong emphasis on player welfare, and the long-term growth of rugby within our community.

We’re proud to celebrate our Academy players making their senior debuts this season:

Phoenix Mahy (U17s) – made his senior debut against Henley Hawks in National 2.
Lara Snedden (U17s) – made her senior debut against East Grinstead in NC 2 South East
(South).

A huge congratulations to both players on reaching this important milestone in their rugby journey!

Hampshire RFC Visit
When Neil McRoberts and Tim Dancer visited from Hampshire Rugby RFC, our governing body, they didn’t just see a club, they saw a community. Their words spoke volumes: “A fantastic product on and off the pitch.” They praised our resilience, our creativity, and even called us a blueprint for success. That’s not just feedback; that’s validation of everything we’ve worked for.

Their main takeaways from their visit was as follows:

• Deepened understanding and renewed inspiration – this visit reinforces our ambition to engage directly with all Hampshire clubs, listening and learning from their realities. Guernsey RFC will serve as a blueprint for how we approach future board-to-club engagements.
• Club ambition and resilience – the challenges you face would test any mainland club, yet your ability to find solutions and thrive is remarkable. We want to explore how your example can inspire and inform others across Hampshire.
• Connecting our Chairs – your collaborative spirit has encouraged us to find practical ways to bring club chairs together to share experiences, challenge one another, and collectively inspire stronger, more connected clubs.

Behind the Scenes
Every match day magic begins with unseen effort, administrators, volunteers, and partners who keep the wheels turning. Your dedication ensures that Guernsey Raiders isn’t just a team; it’s an experience and you make it happen.

Our beloved Rocky is very happy with his new 25/26 season Raiders shirt thank you to our kind sponsors, and whilst his new shirt was being prepared (it's made from 3 playing shirts), Rocky has had a good bath and enjoyed being back in the stands.

Sponsorship & Events
Our sponsors are the financial lifeblood of our club. A special thank you to Spring Insure, who has renewed as headline sponsor for the Spring Insure Siam Cup. With Zoe Collins leading the charge on branding, this year’s event promises to be our most professional yet. And yes, the Granite Trophy legacy continues, with plans for a Jersey fixture on May 30th. Stay tuned, I hear rumors of either Poland, Switzerland or Sweden.

Some Up And Coming Events

Fireworks - 9th November
Home Siam – 16th May 20226
Granite Trophy – Away in Jersey – 30th May 2026
TAG Festival – 21st March 2026
BIG Summer Event…. More to come!

Facilities & Infrastructure
Footes Lane is our fortress, but it needs care. We’re in active discussions with the States of Guernsey to improve facilities because everyone deserves the best experience. Over the closed season a lot of effort has gone into improving the club pitch (it even has green grass now) and its surroundings are getting better, ditch digging to hedge trimming notwithstanding 3 skips of rubbish!

The Future: One Club, Our Club.
Our new membership system is more than software, it pools all our information and assists in great membership communications, digital membership not forgetting the membership discount at the bar!

Our refurbished bar and clubhouse facilities always generate a great atmosphere with Layla-Marie Bruce at the helm. Her efforts to create a fantastic event at the Clubhouse every weekend do not go unnoticed.

Rising attendance proves that our community is growing stronger. We’ve had bigger numbers for every game so far this season, and we hope to keep it that way as we build up to Siam.

Thank you for your loyalty, your passion, and your belief. Together, we’re not just playing rugby, we’re writing the next chapter of Guernsey Raiders history.

Gary Haycock-West
Chair, Guernsey Raiders RFC
chair@guernseyraiders.com