School’s out and rugby is in! South African International Rugby Star to visit Romford.

This half-term, Romford and Gidea Park Rugby Club will welcome former South African international Ashley Johnson on the evening of 29 October.

News from Romford & Gidea Park Rugby Club.

With nearly 200 appearances for Wasps in the Premiership and three caps for the Springboks, Johnson brings a wealth of experience to our club. Before joining Wasps, he spent six years playing for the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, amassing 63 appearances in the Currie Cup and 35 in Super Rugby.

Renowned for his powerful ball-carrying skills, whether playing as a Number 8 or hooker, Johnson’s impact on the field was immense. Lee Blackett, the current Bath first-team coach and former Wasps head coach, described him as “one of the best signings in Wasps history.”

He will be joined by Kevin Harman, former Head of Recruitment and Academy at Wasps from 2015 to 2022, where he developed one of the Premiership’s best academy programmes. More recently, Kevin served as the Emerging Talent Lead at Gloucester RFC, scouting the finest rugby talent from around the globe for the English Premiership. Fresh from his role with the South African team at the Olympics and Paralympics in Paris, Harman returns to Romford and Gidea Park, where he once served as player-coach.

Both Ashley Johnson and Kevin Harman will be leading training sessions at the club, sharing their knowledge and experience with the current and future stars of Romford and Gidea Park Rugby Club. This event is part of the club’s commitment to coaching excellence, ensuring the highest standards of coaching with guest coaches, including professional and international rugby stars, focused on continuous improvement and maximising the potential of every RGP player and team. We pride ourselves on developing the strongest player development pathway in Essex, from youth to senior teams.

Nicola Worthington, Club Chair, said: “We are proud to offer an inclusive environment where our purpose is to positively transform lives through rugby. Our club is for everyone, regardless of background, size, ability, or gender. We provide a welcoming space where young people can feel they belong, building lasting friendships and a sense of community. Rugby teaches discipline, teamwork, and resilience, which can improve academic performance and personal growth. It also helps young people channel their energy positively, both in and out of school. The physical activity involved in rugby reduces stress and anxiety, while the team’s camaraderie creates a strong support network. We guide players in their transition to secondary schools, securing scholarships, and pursuing further education, and through our alumni and partnerships, we offer career advice, job opportunities, and even pathways to professional rugby. We are much more than just a rugby club.”

 If you have a son, daughter, grandchild, or it maybe yourself,  who you believe could benefit from joining us, please get in touch.

Nicola Worthington 

 07880 032308

nicky.worthington@romfordrugby.com

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