The future of Blackheath is our homegrown players — that is, those players who joined the club at the Mini and Junior levels and continue on to the adult game. This is true from a playing point of view, and for future membership. The recent announcement at the AGM targeting five homegrown players in the 1st team is a fine goal, and one that will be achieved by improving the number of, and opportunities for, young players to join adult rugby at a level that suits their capability and ambitions.
Blackheath is fortunate in having four Men’s teams this season. This means that we have places where young players can join adult rugby at a level that suits their current playing level, while allowing the club to help develop their capabilities. This is key: it is a rare 18 year old who is ready to jump into the 1st team environment — most need to grow and develop, physically and in the game. And most importantly, have fun while doing so.
The Men’s section currently have 11 players who are homegrown: from long standing players to those who made a debut at the end of the last season, and the section is eager to grow the number of such players starting their adult rugby careers. Three of these players share their club journeys with us here.
Nathan Brindle — 21 and a new graduate from Westminster University — joined the club at 5 years of age. As a junior player, he “enjoyed running around with friends and playing matches”.
Nathan playing youth rugby
Nathan took a break from the game after U15 level, returning to make his men’s debut against OEs after the pandemic. Recalling the game, Nathan says “I was nervous, but excited at the same time. Soon as the game started I lost the nerves and just got into the full flow of it”.
Reflecting on the difference between youth and men’s rugby, Nathan says “playing wise it was a bit different — a lot more physical and disciplined, but fun. Socially I was welcomed straight away and made friends quickly”.
Nathan is now a key figure in the section, leading the backline from fly half and scoring from the boot as well as through a deceptively silky running game.
Taurus Gintalas started playing rugby at school and joined the club in 2018. He played his first handful of games for the men’s section late in the 2024/25 season, while finishing his A levels. Speaking of the experience, Taurus says “The change from being a junior to adult player was really smooth apart from learning the plays… it has been really easy and welcoming. During my first game I felt pretty nervous as I didn’t really know what to expect, but once I started playing it didn’t feel that different to how I would play before”.
Taurus initially played as a loose forward, but moved into his preferred position at prop. He is fearless in the contact both in attack and defence although, unfortunately, Taurus’ physicality at the breakdown also led to a red card in his last game of the season. Asked about highlights from his first games, Taurus brings up the card “Even though it was a bad thing, I would say (a highlight) was my first red card ever. At the time it was really annoying but retrospectively thinking, it made me realise the team would support me.”
Lewis Stone is another who joined the club at a very young age. Speaking on his time in the Minis, he says “I loved being able to play a sport I really enjoyed while making new mates each season. Some of the closest friends I have now are lads I met through those early Blackheath teams.”
Lewis played through the age groups until he left for University. He recalls his first experience in the Men’s section “It was a bit nerve-racking at first, especially being the only one from my age group stepping up at the time. But it ended up being great fun getting to know new people, and the privilege of getting to represent the club is always great!”.
Lewis is a versatile player, at home in the back three or at half back. While sporting a great step and pass, he also relishes the most physical parts of the game with his defence.
Of his first game, he says “I was pretty quiet, just tried to fit in with the team and do my job without letting nerves get the better of me. I remember a lot of the older players being very supportive of my performance even when I thought I wasn’t playing very well.”.
Nathan and Lewis take on England Deaf (photograph courtesy of Gary Bide)
Club journeys like those of Nathan, Taurus and Lewis are vital to the long term health and vitality of Blackheath. The Men’s section takes great pride in making sure that there is a place for everyone, especially those like these men — returning after a period away from the game, returning during and after university, or finding a place once they have aged out of the youth section.
Giving the wider club perspective is President Rory O’Sullivan, who says “As a former coach and dad who has experienced this journey, it is wonderful to watch the age-grade children develop and mature into rugby players. In a blink of an eye, they transform from being busy bees chasing tags into full-on rugby players. Blackheath sets a standard by making sure all our coaches are qualified and we provide support to enable this to happen. Our coaches are all volunteers and they deserve a mention. In my time I worked with some really talented and dedicated Dads who were tireless in their ambition to get the best from our age group players, no matter their ability. From our group of boys, it is great to see we now have 1st XV team squad players and also Bandit players all still enjoying pulling on the famous black and red shirt, 17 years after they first joined.”
If you’d like to know more about our Men’s section, and the transition from youth to adult rugby, contact Andrew Wylie (mensrugby@blackheathrugby.co.uk), he’d love to hear from you!
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