About

old ravens

Newcastle Ravens RFC was founded on May 1st 2006 with the aim to encourage gay people to take part in sport.

That same year we were admitted to the International Gay Rugby Association and Board, now IGR, and we are still the only inclusive rugby club for LGBT people and allies in the North East.

ravens on tour

Over the years we have taken part in tournaments including the Bingham Cup and Union Cup taking us Madrid, Amsterdam, Dublin, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Hull.

The Ravens began training at Sutherland Park, Benton, before moving to our current home Percy Park, North Shields, in 2014.

photo from hadrian cup

Since 2010 the club has hosted its own annual tens tournament, The Hadrian Cup, which attracts teams from across the UK and Europe.

We compete in the IGR UK League Northern Division, which we won three consecutive times between 2017 and 2020.

Our Committee

  • Bas

  • Bas Olthof-Bakker

  • Club Chairman

  • Robin

  • Robin Davies

  • Club Secretary

  • Bob

  • Bob Waddell (Nana)

  • Treasurer

  • Mike

  • Mike Potter

  • Comms Sec.

  • Tom

  • Tom Briggs

  • Social Sec.

  • Josh

  • Josh Barthram

  • Social Sec.

  • Lucien

  • Lucien Windsor

  • Membership Sec.

  • Joe

  • Joe Dickinson

  • Fixtures Sec.

  • Chris Oliver

  • Chris Oliver

  • County Rep
    & Grants

Our Coaching Team

  • Chris Bury

  • Chris Bury

  • Head Coach

  • Bas

  • Bas Olthof-Bakker

  • Coach

  • Joe

  • Joe Dickinson

  • Coach

  • Chris Oliver

  • Chris Oliver

  • Coach

Our Support Team

  • Jonathan

  • Jonathan Szunko

  • Safeguarding

  • Matt

  • Matt Hyland

  • Safeguarding

  • Richard

  • Richard Bruce

  • Safeguarding

  • Graeme

  • Graeme O'Boyle

  • Kit Manager

  • Chris Welch

  • Chris Welch (Aunty)

  • Photographer
    & Quiztress

  • Tom

  • Tom Briggs

  • Website &
    Graphics