Now the 24/25 season has come to an end, I wanted to write short summary to highlight the successes we have had, the challenges we have overcome and grown from, and the moments we won’t forget.

Back in June 2024 there was a lot of change. The group of players who had shone in the merit league wanted more, as we started to look to our first season in the RFU Northern Division and Counties 4. The recruitment drive began and a cluster of new players, committee members and coaches entered the scene. There was an excitement about the Dearne Valley Way and the blank piece of paper we had to build on.

For a club less than 12 months old, the level of players that we were beginning to attract validated the culture we were trying to build and the way we were going about our business. This fresh, forward-thinking approach was what attracted me to Dearne Valley, and the reason that I took on the role as Chairman.

On the field, the team went on the win their first 5 games convincingly and looked comfortable in their new Counties 4 surroundings. There was a real buzz about the club but on 19th of October a strong Sheffield Medics team humbled our excitement and brought us back to Earth. Such is our way, we analysed ourselves first, didn’t apportion blame or look for excuses. The coaches and the players worked hard both on and off the field and went on a winning streak until the last game of the season.

We secured promotion and were crowned Counties 4 Yorkshire South champions with 3 games left to play, and even more impressively, at the first time of asking. The final day of the season saw us slip to only our second loss of the season against a strong and motivated Maltby side, but this did not damper the spirits within the club having already secured our place in Counties 3 Yorkshire for 2025/26.

Over the course of the season the first team fielded over 40 players demonstrating the strength in depth that the club has. However, this did highlight one of our biggest challenges of the season, fielding a regular second team to provide more playing opportunities for all of our players. We had loyal and hard-working lads not able to sustain regular game time due to the movements in the first team and our Committee are addressing this with 3 new initiatives coming soon.

Off the field, we grew our committee count, adding the right people, with the right expertise in to key positions. We have created a strong vision of the direction of travel for the club and we are hitting the key milestones we have set to build our success. We have secured and controlled our finances and secured key sponsorships with local businesses.

There have been significant time investments into our marketing strategy, enabling us to properly articulate why we exist and our values. We continue to build and improve our social media presence to give us a strong platform to shout about all the positive steps we are making and our future plans.

Our partnership with the Dearne Valley Bulldogs has grown from strength to strength. It is great having two committees that are aligned on values, goals and objectives and we look forward to building that relationship further. There are so many examples of where local clubs have parted ways over disagreements recently, forgetting the reason why they exist. We endeavour to work together to deliver our purpose, which is to support our community, with sport and camaraderie.

What a year to remember, Counties 4 Yorkshire South Champions, at the first time of asking and in only our second ever season, Promotion to Counties 3 and a real season of growth as club.

Going into next season and a higher division, the club is under no illusions of the challenges this brings but we are all committed to continuing the trajectory that we have set ourselves on and are ready to face the challenges ahead. I cant wait to see what we can achieve in the next 12 months.

I can't write this without mentioning Callum Emery who has been a catalyst for our success over the last couple of years but now takes a step away from rugby for personal reasons. We have a lot of admiration and thanks for the foundations he has laid within the club and he has certainly set us on a path to success.

Finally, a big thank you to everyone who has supported the club this year, whether that be as a spectator, sponsor, commentor on social media or in whatever guise it may be. We appreciate all your support, no matter how big or small.

Ant Hamilton
Chairman
Dearne Valley RUFC