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Until recently it was believed that Avonvale Rugby Football Club was founded in 1883 but new evidence suggests

that the club is actually 6 years older having been formed in 1877.

At the time of the club's formation, the rugby pitch by the crown pub was used by local Friendly Societies (clubs)

for sporting events and the sport of ‘football’ under rugby rules was growing in popularity. 

 

Instigated by the Reverend Thomas Rogers of St Johns church Batheaston, local parishioners were brought together

to form the Batheaston and Bathford Football Club playing their first rugby match in November 1877, with other

fixtures following shortly after.

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The club continued to grow in the following years and its name was shortened to Batheaston FC and then renamed Avonvale FC in 1890.

We remain the oldest continuous junior rugby club in Bath, celebrating our 125th Anniversary in the 2008/2009 season.  

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The rugby club was at its height in the 1970's where it boasted four and sometimes five senior teams. The 1980’s

saw the emergence of the first junior teams leading to a very strong colt’s side which has been repeated over

subsequent years winning league titles and becoming county cup finalists and cup winners in both

Somerset and Dorset and Wilts.

 

In recent years, Avonvale has reduced to one senior side, playing on a Saturday in the Southern Counties South league. During this time we have also invested significant time and resources into our Junior and Minis rugby and

are extremely proud to boast one of the most thriving sections in the area. 

 

The club has always been highly regarded for providing 'social rugby', putting equal effort into our members'

enjoyment of the game as we do into training, player development and performance.

 

 

Newcomers are always welcome at senior level and within all of our age grade teams.

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