Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club is currently as successful as it has ever been since its formation in 1871.
Season 2019/20 brings us the formation of a new club with full RFU affiliation - we have called the club Ealing Trailfinders 1871 in recognition of our long heritage.
We want to offer rugby in Ealing at an appropriate level for all players and our new team will help to deliver this. We will be closely linked to the existing Ealing Trailfinders structure, sharing the same facilities but operating independently within the RFU regulations and competing independently within the RFU league structure.
In the era of professional and amateur rugby it is important that clubs provide all rugby players with a structure that suits their rugby ability and ambition. By having two affiliated clubs with strong links and co-operation we can achieve this and in turn this will continue to develop rugby in Ealing and the surrounding area.
The new structure will not only play RFU league rugby in the London & SE Division but also give players opportunities to play Zoo Shield, and Middlesex Merit Table rugby as well as social and veterans’ rugby through the Exiles and Evergreens squads. In this way we will ensure we can offer rugby for players at all levels.
Additionally, this gives us a stronger player development route for the very successful Ealing Trailfinders U18 and U23 Academy.
The Ealing Trailfinders professional structure is a separate entity, but our strong links will enable players of the highest level to transition across either through the new Brunel University Scholarship Programme or through the Championship side’s own Academy structure.
The successful Minis and Youth sections will also benefit while continuing to be at the heart of Ealing Trailfinders with a clear development structure leading to Senior, U23 Academy and the Brunel University affiliated programme.
This is a big step forward for our whole club and all of the Ealing Trailfinders community - by creating a new RFU affiliated team, Ealing Trailfinders 1871, we are allowing our players the opportunity of a complete rugby journey with a single, powerful and success-led entity,’ commented Steve Weekes, Chairman of the new club. “Whatever age you are, whatever your ability and however you wish to enjoy your rugby, Ealing Trailfinders now offers you the option to participate as you feel most comfortable. We want to attract new and former players to be involved right now - and if you want to play in a recognised competitive league with promotion and relegation and full RFU affiliation our new team provides exactly this. We’re looking forward to building a great new club, a great new part of the Trailfinders rugby family.”
