Executive Committee update – April 2026
With the current position of our First team in third place in National One League, we thought it appropriate to update everyone with the possible outcomes for the team this season and follow on with a look ahead to next season.
At the end of this league season, the team in first place in National One will be automatically promoted to The Champ League (“the Champ”) assuming that they comply with the Champ Minimum Operating Standards (“MOS”). The teams placed second and third in National One will play-off at the home ground of the team that finishes second. The winner of that match will then play the loser of the play-off match between the teams finishing twelfth and thirteenth in the Champ, at the home ground of that club. The club in last place in the Champ will be automatically relegated. The winner of the so-called “Champ Accession Final” will be offered a position in the Champ for next season, assuming that the club complies with the MOS.
The MOS have been the subject of much debate across the game in England. Essentially, the objective of the RFU is to raise the standards of the game in England by setting a range of operating standards for clubs wishing to participate in the higher leagues.Together, the RFU and the Operating Board of the Champ have published a list of standards that must be achieved by all clubs who will participate in the Champ next season. As principal areas of focus, the MOS include standards covering organisation and governance, financial strength and ground facilities. All clubs wishing to participate in the Champ have been audited by the RFU against these standards and each club has been given feedback on what they are required to do to achieve full compliance with the MOS.
Blackheath Rugby has been audited by the RFU and, generally speaking, the club is in good shape when measured against the standards of the MOS. There is some work to do on the facilities through the summer period before the new season begins in order tofully comply with the MOS. However, before any of that work is undertaken, we must, of course, achieve success in our remaining matches and, of course, achieve potential promotion by our on-field performances.
For some years now, we have followed the objective of seeking to play at the highest level we can afford to play at on a sustainable basis. Running a semi-professional rugby club is very challenging and our goal is to continue to grow and develop the club by improving our playing performances at the same time as carefully managing our financial position. Since acquiring the freehold of our ground at Well Hall, we have worked hard to develop our commercial activities at the ground so that Well Hall is working hard for the club. We have recently completed the lease of a corner of our car park to an international electric vehicle charging company, who will install 12 electric vehicle charging stations in the allocated area. We have also negotiated a new lease with Millwall Football Club for hosting their Junior Academy at Well Hall. Earlier this year, we agreed a new arrangement to host the London Olympians American Football team during the summer and, in late May, we will host England Lacrosse for a national Lacrosse tournament over the last weekend in May. Our digital media partner is in planning consultations for the club to host two digital media screens that will be positioned on the far side of the ground, overlooking the A2. These are some examples of the projects undertaken by the Executive Committee to continue to generate income for the club, and there are plenty of other conversations underway on other income generating opportunities.
If Blackheath Rugby is successful in winning promotion to the Champ, the club will benefit from a distribution of central funding from the Champ, generated from commercial deals negotiated by the league Operating Board and supported by the RFU. Over the last couple of years, the Operating Board of the Champ has worked hard to generate attractive commercial income for the benefit of participating clubs. For example, it was recently announced that the Champ will have a new title sponsor from next season. The contract catering company, Elior, has agreed terms for a five-year partnership arrangement with the Champ. In summary the income position of Blackheath Rugby will be improved by winning promotion.
At the same time as diversifying and growing our income, it is important for us to continue to carefully manage our cost base so that we cover all of our running costs and liabilities and ensure that we are able to maintain and improve our operating facilities. In that context, we are pleased to announce that our All-Weather pitch will be re-surfaced this summer as part of the new lease arrangement with Millwall on a shared cost basis. This will enable the resumption of competitive rugby on the All-Weather pitch from next season. We will also be undertaking other improvement works during the summer close season.
While it is exciting to contemplate promotion to the Champ, nothing is guaranteed and success, if it happens, will be very hard earned. In contrast, if Blackheath Rugby remains in National One for next season, we will continue to work hard to maintain our position as one of the top clubs in the League whilst continuing to play at the highest level we can afford to play at on a sustainable basis.
For now, we look forward to an exciting run of three remaining matches as we approach the finale of the season, supported by good weather and large crowds to cheer the team to memorable victories.
C’mon Club!
The Executive Committee, Blackheath Rugby
LATEST NEWS
