Preparations for the new season have been on going for most of the summer, and on Saturday, Stowmarket first team start their league campaign at home to Norwich in London 2 North (KO 3.00pm).

During the close season there have been a number of changes, with perhaps the most significant being John Phoenix stepping down as chairman with Tony Deane taking over the role.

As a thank-you for John’s efforts, a naming ceremony and celebration of his 13 years in charge was held at the club, and the main pitch has been re named. There is now a new enthusiastic committee that are keen to build on the success and as such preparations for the season are in full swing.

The senior side of the club have been training hard since the beginning of July and have welcomed a number of new faces, who will hopefully enable the first team to mount a challenge in London league 2.

They will face stiff competition from a number of big clubs that include Norwich, Ipswich and Chelmsford. The club is also running a second and third team and both of these are looking to emulate the success they enjoyed last year.

The junior side of the club had its first registration day on Sunday and registration will continue throughout the month.

The club has over 200 Junior members and runs teams from Under-six up to 17 and 18 year olds.

The whole idea of the junior section is that it provides a conveyor belt of youngsters who can then enter the senior section of the club. With the first team currently in London 2

this is clearly proving successful.

Any youngsters out there who would like to give it a go can go to Chilton Fields on Sundays at 10.00am.

Stowmarket RUFC caters for the playing of rugby from the ages of Under 6 right up to some members over 60 (with the veterans side), but also includes a whole army of volunteers, parents, vice presidents and supporters.

Why not get up to Chilton Fields on Saturday at 3.00pm and support the first team as they take on Norwich first team.