ABOUT THE CLUB
29/08/07; 11:24
Founded in 1867, now have sides from Minis - Under 6 to Under 12, Juniors - from Under 13 to Under 18, Colts - Under 19 and Under 20, three Mens and two Womens teams. Players from our Womens 1st team formed the core of the England Womens World Cup side in 2007, only succumbing to New Zealand in what was considerd to be the best game of Womens rugby ever!
This is the original Wasps Logo, this Wasps Canterbury Logo (Thanks PM)
shirt was in use in the 1970's
(Thanks to Phil Mannall)
If you are an existing player, would like to learn the game, would like information about social membership, would like to join, or you would like to subscribe to our Newsletter click here.
We celebrated our 140th Anniversary in February 2007 with a traditional Club dinner at the Savoy Hotel in London.
Much has transpired in the years since our founding all those seasons ago, many battles have been fought on and off the field, but there has been no more exciting and challenging time since the advent of Professional rugby 10 years ago and the founding of the tremendously successful London Wasps (winners of the Zurich Premiership league trophy three years running and the Double with Heineken European trophy in 2004) from within our playing ranks.
Wasps Football Club played its rugby at our Sudbury ground for many years but at the time of the formation of Wasps professional side the ground was sold and only in December 2005 did we secure a permanent new home for our rugby at Twyford Avenue Sports Ground in Acton, West London.
We own this new sports ground and it will be the venue for Home matches for all our teams, as well as the centre for our training and the equally important social side of the club. We have no plans to develop any Stadium at Twyford Avenue.
We maintain close links with London Wasps - who use Twyford Avenue for training and their offices - and we are developing a relationship with Twyford School whose premises are immediately next to our ground and who have rented pitches for many years.
The Middlesex County Rugby Football Union are now taking in residence with an office for their Regional Development Officers and will be playing County Home games.
With these relationships and our recognised Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) status we now plan to become a centre of excellence in amateur community rugby. But our other ambition is also to develop solid links with the local community (we already have a close relationship with Twyford School) by providing support and facilities for schools sports and cricket, in fact any community event. So, if you are involved with local sports organisations, clubs, associations, interest groups get in touch, click here! To see the latest community activities please visit our Events Page.
20/09/07; 10:17
WASPS FC APPOINT NEW CLUB MANAGER
Wasps Football Club are pleased to announce that Grant Anderson has been appointed as our new Club Rugby Development Manager. This follows the great work by Grant Dwyer, our first Club Rugby Development Manager who left in August to travel and continue his studies, and we wish him well.
Grant, 32, comes to Wasps FC with a strong CV, including professional rugby experience having played for Edinburgh Gunners and Newcastle Falcons.
Upon being appointed Grant said "I am very pleased to have this opportunity to be involved with one of England's oldest rugby clubs. Wasps Football Club is a proud and successful rugby club and I am looking forward to continuing the good work so many people have done before me". Grant is well qualified for the job having completed under graduate Bachelor Degrees in Sport Management and Exercise Science apart from his extensive playing experience.
Nicknamed "Ando", Grant was born in Queensland, Australia, and played his club rugby for Souths and the Gold Coast Breakers before going on to play for Queensland. "I have really enjoyed my playing career and have made some lifetime friends through rugby".
Looking to the future Grant's role is integral to driving the club forward. "There is massive potential here at Wasps. The Club will prosper, both on and off the field."
Wasps President, Alan Black, welcomed Grant's appointment and said "Wasps FC is facing significant challenges, with several teams competing in new leagues, a crucial ground development programme just getting under way, as well as maintaining important relationships with London Wasps, Middlesex RFU and Twyford School. Grant Anderson brings significant skills and experience that will help the Club achieve our ambitious goals. I welcome him to the Wasps family".
Grant is based at Twyford Avenue and his contact details are:
Email: crdm@waspsfc.co.uk, mobile: 07733 173753, office: 020 8993 8384
Good luck Ando, we'll support you all the way.
FOR MORE ABOUT WASPS TEAMS - HISTORY, MATCH REPORTS ETC - LOOK AT THE TEAMS PAGES
WHO ARE THESE S.O.D.S?
Historically, the idea of the Society of Devoted Supporters (S.O.D.S.) was first mooted on a 1974 West Country end of season tour, the name was the brainchild of George Richards, the father of Geoff. A Wasps Club Captain back in the 1970s, Geoff Richards is a former Australian International, who later became coach of the England Women's R.F.U.
Initially, the idea of fund raising was to provide extra beer money for the lads on a planned tour to Canada the following year by paying one penny for each point scored by the First XV. The Club was, however, against raising money which did not go through the Club accounts so what had been raised at that stage was used to buy a present for Geoff, who was about to emigrate to Australia. His father is alleged to have suggested "Buy him a suitcase, or he'll take mine".
The following season, the Club had a re-think and the S.O.D.S. as we know it today took off with just twelve members. The Society has, with one or two minor changes, now been in existence for some thirty-two seasons! It even has its own distinctive tie, and the money it raises is used solely by the amateur club, Wasps FC, primarily for the development of Junior rugby.
All those interested in participating should contact the Club for information.
Roger Skinner, June 2006
