CLUB FAQs
WHEN DO THE MERTON TEAMS TRAIN EACH WEEK?
Official Training is every Wednesday held under floodlights from July to the end of April breaking for Christmas and New Year. Training begins at 7.30pm (arrive changed). Training lasts 90 minutes.
Contact Jack Canniff for more information. MOB: 07970 166958 Email: info@mertonrugby.org
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WHERE DO MERTON RFC PLAY AND TRAIN?
Merton RFC play at Morden Recreation Ground. The main entrance to the ground situated in Faversham Road SM4 6RE, which also provides access to the Car Park (the car park is open for both training and match days). Faversham Road is situated off Middleton Road, less than 100 metres from the junction with St. Helier Avenue (A297). Additional footpath entrances to the Recreation Ground can be found off Middleton Road, Central Road and Farm Road.
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HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO PLAY FOR MERTON RFC?
Annual Subscriptions Start at £25 and are set at £60 playing members for this season. You can pay yours to the Club Treasurer by filling in the membership form.
We can now offer a Direct Debit scheme to enable players to pay during the course of the season.
Match fees are £6 per match for those in full-time employment, £3 for those that are unemployed or students and contribute to the day to day running of the Club.
Email: treasurer@mertonrugby.org
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WHAT DO I RECEIVE FOR MY ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION?
You will receive an item of Merton kit (e.g. polo shirt - varies each year) at the start of the season. You will also gain access to training run by our experienced coaching team and will be eligible to play in all matches at the Club and to use all relevant facilities for free. Membership also provides access to all social events and our end of season tour.
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WILL I REALLY GET A CHANCE AT MERTON RFC?
Last season 40 players played for the 1st XV in the league and a similar number played for the 2nd XV. We have more scheduled matches this season plus the regeneration of our 4th XV so we will need more players to cope - everyone will get a chance if they want it.
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DO I NEED TO BE REGISTERED WITH MERTON RFC TO PLAY FOR THE CLUB?
Yes. In order to adhere to RFU regulations, our standing as an Industrial and Provident Society, and to be covered under any insurance policies, you will need to be registered for the Club. It is also a requirement for 1st XV League and Cup matches. Our Chairman Jack Canniff doubles up as Registration Secretary - make sure that he registers you for the Club.
Email: regisinfo@mertonrugby.org
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DO I REQUIRE INSURANCE TO PLAY FOR MERTON RFC AND WHAT MEDICAL COVER IS IN PLACE FOR MATCHDAYS/MIDWEEK?
Our cover is only the standard RFU cover - it will not cover you for loss of income in case of injury or treatment costs so our advice is that you should take these out prior to playing, particularly if you do not already have Private Health Insurance. The Sportsguard product can be purchased online at www.sportscover.co.uk.
There will now be a pitch-side physio presence at 1st XV League games, courtesy of Shape2Fit
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WHAT NATIONALITIES PLAY FOR MERTON RFC?
Merton RFC is an open and diverse club with around 30% of our players from the southern hemisphere or abroad. We welcome players from all backgrounds so do please spread the word as we are always on the lookout for new players!
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I AM ONLY INTERESTED IN SOCIAL RUGBY - IS MERTON RFC STILL
THE CLUB FOR ME?
Yes - Merton RFC has 3 sides playing regularly and caters for all levels. Training is also open to everyone and there are a huge number of formal and informal events throughout the year. See the social page on our website or Club boards for current social news updates.
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WHEN IS SELECTION HELD?
Selection is held in the early part of each week and the teams are read out after training on the Wednesday before being emailed to the entire club on Thursday. If a player is not selected or dropped we will communicate this to him individually prior to the selection being issued at training.
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WHO SHOULD I CONTACT IF I AM UNABLE TO MAKE TRAINING OR A MATCH?
Either Jack Canniff or the relevant Team Captain. Their details are in the Club newsletter or on the contacts page of this website. Please make every effort to ensure you give us plenty of notice if you are unavailable on a given weekend.
Jack Canniff Mobile Number: +44 (0) 7970 166958
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MERTON RFC TOUR EVERY YEAR
Every year we tour at the end of April. Pictures from previous tours can be found on the Club Facebook Group page and on the photo section of the website. We regularly tour with 50+ playing and non-playing members
Details of the next Tour will be posted on the Merton Rugby Club Facebook Group event page when confirmed as well as on the website.
The average cost of the tour is approx £150 and includes a commemorative tour shirt, accommodation and transport. We can now offer a Standing order scheme to enable players to pay during the course of the season. You can pay your Tour fees to Club Treasurer
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WHO RUNS MERTON RFC?
Merton RFC is run by an elected Committee whose names and contacts appear on the website. For all playing matters, and all non-playing matters, refer to Jack Canniff (Chairman).
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DO MERTON RFC PAY ANY PLAYERS?
No, we remain an amateur club.
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HOW DO WE TRAVEL TO MATCHES?
We have very few matches a great distance away so we tend to travel in a fleet of cars (please do volunteer to drive if you have a car!). Where we do have to travel distances, we hire a coach.
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MATCH FEES
In order to provide the facilities and general day to day running of the Club, including referee's expenses, it is important to pay your match fees. These are applied to Home and Away games and are payable to your Team Captain or Social Ambassador. You will also be asked your availabilty for upcoming games, in order that the Selection Committee know who is available and fixtures can be confirmed with our opponents.
In full-time employment £6.00
Unemployed/Student £3.00
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HOW MANY TEAMS DO MERTON RFC HAVE AND WHAT LEAGUES DO THEY PLAY IN?
1st XV - Surrey 3
2nd XV - Conference 2
3rd XV (Hornets) - Foundation (formerly Combination 4)
4th/Vets XV - Friendlies
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WHERE DOES EVERYONE HEAD AFTER MATCHES?
If there isn't an event on at our Clubhouse, then you can always find a group who will arrange to head out after that - the normal haunts are our very own sponsor Ganley's Irish Bar Morden, Wimbledon or Clapham, but there is normally something going on somewhere! Look out for upcoming event information on the Social Page.
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CAN I BRING SUPPORTERS TO MATCHES?
This is definitely encouraged! No charge is made to watch home matches and supporters will receive a warm welcome. They are also encouraged to join the players in the Bar after games.
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SOCIAL NETWORKING
JOIN THE MERTON RFC FACEBOOK GROUP
BECOME FRIENDS WITH MERTON RUGGA ON FACEBOOK
FOLLOW MERTON RUGBY ON TWIITTER
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RAGING BULL LIONS ONLINE SHOP
Please note that Raging Bull are responsible for all online orders. Should you have any queries regarding an online order from Raging Bull please contact their customer service on +44 (0) 1204 673252 or email emma@ragingbullsportswear.com
Items marked as BESPOKE will often take a number of weeks to arrive as they are not off the shelf.
For any other merchandise queries email: merchandise@mertonrugby.org