The best little rugby club in the world! At least that's what we think, and even if we aren't quite there yet, that's 100% our aim. We are the best and biggest (and the only) rugby club in Castle Point, located on 'God's little acre' with fantastic views across to the heights of Hadleigh Downs giving us what must be one of the best backdrops around to play this wonderful game.

A grassroots club to our core, our aim is to provide the best possible quality of coaching and rugby provision across all of our age groups and teams, as affordably as possible. We aim to remove all barriers to players young and old, male and female so that everyone can enjoy the sport we love

Our senior men's team currently hold the Essex Presidents Shield title, and are having a run at making it a hat-trick of titles this season

Our Vets side fulfil as many fixtures as possible during the course of the season.

Our ladies 'Valkyries' team formed three years ago and this hugely impressive group of ladies develop week on week

And our ever growing youth set up, with mixed sides from u7 – u11, boys sides from u12 – u16 and girls sides at u14 & u16.

To the day of the festival itself, there was very much an imposter syndrome feeling that could not be shaken. This was not helped by being paired with some behemoths of the game, all of who's first question was the standard "so where exactly is Canvey located", closely followed by "And is it really an island"(it is btw).

Thankfully however, our boys do not carry the baggage that us coaches and parents do! As an under 12 side, this was our first taste of a fully competitive festival and the boys subsequently showed exactly what they are all about, playing to the standard that we know they can and not being fazed by the opposition and their club name. The day culminated in a brilliant final against Bath Rugby where our lads did just enough to hold on for a thrilling victory

A massive thank you has to go to the coaches, Jon, George, Del Boy & Rich along with a truly great group of parents whose trust in us as a group is second to none.

A final thank you to Liam and all at LIARFC for a truly great day.

Hopefully a few more people will now have reason to ask "Canvey Island, where is that then?"

If you'd like to learn more about the London Irish International Mini & Under 12 Festival 2026 - Click here.