Chosen Hill FP RFC took the definition of a rugby family to another level when they reached the final of the IPF Men’s Vets Day on Saturday 30 May.
The Gloucestershire club named four sets of brothers in their match day squad, supported by a long list of siblings, fathers, uncles and cousins in the backroom team and mums, sons, daughters, sisters and aunts in the stands.
Back in Gloucestershire the club fields three senior men’s sides, a Vets team, an exciting new girls’ team and a thriving junior section, offering rugby for all ages and stages.
Chosen Hill FP RFC Chair, Stuart Coles, said: “We have four sets of brothers here today, but there's many more down the years who have played or contributed to the club.
“In one fixture in the early 2000s, the vast majority of one match day squad was made up entirely of sets of brothers, with the Selways, Rennebachs, Riddels, Kings, Gydes, Houghs and Claridges all involved on the day.
“The club is very community and family orientated. The founders of the club actually mortgaged their own house to build the clubhouse back in 1970 and that's the kind of community spirit that we like to offer as a club.
“It goes all the way through now from the junior side, which is really prospering, to the Vets here today.
“We’ve always prided ourselves on being a very welcoming club. All we want is to give people who want to play a game of rugby the opportunity to do that.”
Proudly in the squad line-up at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, were sets of Gyde, King, Riddel/Savory and Claridge families.
Chosen Hill’s coaching team at the IPF tournament was led by father and son duo, current Senior Head Coach Rich Planchant, and his father and former Senior Head Coach Steve.
Speaking about the close family connections at the club, Pete Gyde said: “I’ve played with my brother Tom and had an affiliation with the club for nearly 20 years now. Tom also captained the team for three years.
“A lot of my mates that I went to school with also play at Chosen Hill with their brothers, so it's a really strong community. We're all coaching our kids now as well, so the next generation of brothers are coming through which is great to see.”
Michael Panting explained how the band of brothers (and sisters) actually started ahead of joining the rugby club, saying: “Chosen Hill is based on students being part of Chosen Hill School. When they left school, they wanted to keep the bond and continue seeing each other. That's why Chosen Hill Former Pupils Club was started.
“It's great that we've not only played rugby together but have also been to school together and enjoyed ourselves together. We’ve basically had the best times of our lives together.
“Today’s tournament has been absolutely amazing. Everyone’s loving it here and having a great time and it's great that we can do our bit to help raise money for the Injured Players Foundation.”
Further evidencing players’ commitment to the club, eight former club captains competed in the tournament at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, with nine past and present committee members also in the team.
One of those former captains was Andy King who lined up alongside his brother Mike, representing Chosen Hill and the King family who have been integral to the club’s success over many years.
Andy said: “It’s just been an amazing experience today, getting to play on the Twickenham turf against so many good teams who have all come together to raise money for such an important rugby charity.
“I also ran the London Marathon for the RFU Injured Players Foundation last year. I've been playing rugby all my career and I really wanted to help raise money and awareness for the charity.
“Fortunately, I’ve never seen a life-changing injury happen on the pitch first-hand, but I’ve heard stories of people who have, so we’re aware they do occasionally happen.
“When they do, I know how much support the IPF provides for those players and their families, so I want to help the charity continue to do that.”
Andy’s father and former Chosen Hill Chairman, Phil King, also played an important role for the squad during the IPF Vets Day as ‘team strategist and analyst.’ His brother, long standing committee member Bill King was on vital refreshments duty alongside nephew Stu King to keep the team match ready.
Connections run just as deep with the Riddel and Savory family. Ian and Marc Riddel, both former 1XV captains are key figures, alongside brother Luke who enjoyed a return to Twickenham after 25 years.
Off the field, younger sister Niki, who played for Chosen Hill for many years, now heads up club content, photography and social media, continuing the family legacy following the passing of their father Bob Savory, a former Chairman of over 13 years and club stalwart.
Niki brilliantly fulfilled this customary content role during IPF Vets Day, while also herding cats (brothers and other players) for team photos and IPF interviews. Thank you Niki!
Speaking alongside her niece Grace Riddel, Niki laughed about her military-like approach to organising so many ‘siblings’, saying, “I can be quite ruthless with my communication and organisation when I need to make sure everyone's in the right place at the right time!
“The team’s attitude towards the entire occasion has been amazing. The boys have really turned up today. It's been incredible, the whole experience has been amazing.”
Speaking about the determination of everyone involved to raise money for the RFU Injured Players Foundation ahead of the tournament, Niki said:
“The Injured Players Foundation plays such an important role within the rugby community.
“The work the IPF does to support players who’ve had life-changing injuries while playing rugby is amazing. We’re proud to support the charity and are so grateful to everyone who has donated to help us raise funds for the IPF to continue providing this incredible support.”
Stuart Coles empathised: “We’ve had players who’ve had to stop playing because of an injury that’s happened on a Saturday afternoon. So, a charity like the RFU Injured Players Foundation, which support players with life-changing injuries within the rugby environment, is very special to us.
“Hence the reason why Andy King did the marathon for the IPF last year, and why you can see the phenomenal support here today. It's because we've got that spirit to try and support the Foundation and the rugby family as much as we possibly can.”
It was fantastic to host Chosen Hill FP RFC at Allianz Twickenham for IPF Men’s Vets Day and to learn more about the club, which like many is built on more than just rugby — it’s generations of families, shared memories and a home that everyone feels part of.
