Our History

The Club was formed in 1998 by a group of local & dedicated men with a passion for rugby who dared to dream. From that dream emerged the vibrant community hub we now know as Clee Hill Rugby Club. These pioneers, fuelled by passion and determination, cultivated not just a club but a legacy that continues.

The early years were defined by resilience and volunteer spirit. The club rented a field from a local farmer. Players and volunteers’ hand-rolled the pitch before matches. With no changing facilities, teams crossed the road to use the Golden Lion pub for changing and showers. After games, hospitality was shared back in the pub.

Despite these limitations, the club became known across the region for being welcoming, friendly and community-driven. In its first full season, the team lost every match – yet visiting referees voted Clee Hill RFC the most welcoming club in the league. The following season, the same group went unbeaten and won promotion.

This spirit of perseverance and hospitality remains the foundation of the club today.

In 2000, the club achieved a major milestone by purchasing its ground freehold – securing a permanent home for community sport. This was followed by:

• Expansion from one men’s team to two full XVs.
• The purchase and conversion of second-hand portacabins to create basic facilities
•  The construction of a car park using donated stone from Clee Hill Quarry

Clee Hill RUFC is a growing community asset & is a multi-section club serving over 1,000 people across the region, from children aged five to adults and grandparents.

As of 2026, the club supports:

• 236 Mini & Junior players
• 88 senior players (men and women)
• 68 volunteer coaches
• 16 referees
• 18 teams across two pitches
• Over 1,000 people connected through its database

The club is:

• Freehold landowner
• Debt-free
• Financially stable
• Volunteer-led
• Deeply embedded in local schools, families and community networks
• Now registered as a Community amateur sports club. 

Clee Hill RFC now functions as:

• A sporting organisation
• A youth development pathway
• A social hub for rural families
• A wellbeing and mental health support network
• A community meeting point

Our team was founded in 2018 when a group of ladies wanted to put their passion for rugby into practice and make history within the club.

The ladies started out as a touch rugby team, with them about to play their first game just as Covid hit and sadly put a stop to the game. However, this didn’t stop the determination of the ladies, as when the restrictions were lifted, the players were eager to pick up where they left off. After playing a couple of touch friendlies, the team decided they wanted to start playing as a contact rugby team. 2022 saw the ladies play their first contact game against an established Bridgnorth ladies team, playing half the game of touch and half the game full contact. The ladies came away with a brilliant draw. This gave the team the confidence to enter themselves into a competitive league for the start of the 2022-2023 season. 

The first season in NC3 Midlands rugby league saw Clee Hill Ladies win 3 of their 6 games (with each loss being very close games). Placing them 3rd in the league. This was a huge achievement for a team of girls who had only played 1/2 a game of contact before the season started. 

The second season for the ladies was a huge success, the ladies now had a season under their belt together and were ready for the next challenge, to win the league! Not only did they achieve winning the league, they also did this unbeaten. Winning 14 games out of 14. The Ewes were promoted to NC2 Midlands league. History within the club was made. 

In the season 2024-2025 was the team’s first year in the NC2 Midlands league. It was a tougher league but the ladies never slowed down, they rose to the challenge with new players joining whilst we had old players out injured/having babies. The team finished a respectful 4th - winning 7 games, drawing 2 and losing 5. The Ewes are proud of their efforts in a much tougher league for only their 3rd season.

This season (25/26) the team are currently 1st in the league having played 12 games and we wish The Ewes good luck for the rest of the season.

The Mini & Junior section was founded in 2019 when Jo Yapp (former England player and captain and current Head of Women’s Pathways for England Rugby) who grew up in Clee Hill, her husband Alan Hubbleday (RFU Coach & Player Development Officer), and their family returned to Clee Hill.

The first conversation was with the Clee Hill RFC main committee, and they could not have been more welcoming and supportive of the idea. By the next day a set of keys for the club was cut and handed over. However, a Mini Junior section only works with many good people who are prepared to volunteer. So, a group of people were invited to Alan and Jo’s house on Clee Hill to discuss the vision and purpose for the section and what needs to be in place to Clee Hill Mini Juniors to be a safe space for kids to enjoy playing rugby. Snacks and drinks were brought over by Alex and Rhian Gurney, Jon Britton and Lorna Yapp, which set the scene for future mini junior meetings, and the purpose was clear. Make positive memories, Support the transition to adult rugby and make the community proud. Roles were delegated out and the mini junior section committee was formed to define safeguarding standards, and create a culture built on inclusion, fun and pride in the community.

The first session on 8th September 2019 was a leap of faith. No one knew how many kids were going to turn up on top of the committees’ own children, and to everyone’s relief wewelcomed 30 children aged 5–9. 

Today, the section supports hundreds of young people and has:

Transitioned players into adult rugby. We are proud of Emily and Maizie being the first two players to be developed in the MJs and play adult rugby at the club

Boys and girls in England Rugby and Gloucester Rugbypathways

Built confidence, discipline and belonging for children

Created weekly connection points for rural families 

Reduced isolation and improved wellbeing

For many children, Clee Hill RFC is their main structured social environment outside school. For parents, it is a vital place of support and connection in a rural area with limited services.

Men’s rugby at Clee Hill RFC has grown from one struggling team into two full XVs, providing regular sport, social connection and wellbeing support for men in a rural setting where isolation is common.

The men’s section provides:

• Weekly physical activity
• Peer support networks
• Mentorship roles for younger players
• Volunteer leadership development
• Mental health support through belonging and routine

Many players remain connected to the club long after they stop playing, becoming coaches, referees and volunteers. This continuity is central to the club’s sustainability.