Trojans Rugby Club celebrates 150 years of rugby

The Stoneham Lane-based club celebrated its 150th anniversary on Saturday, October 21.

Founded in 1874, Trojans holds the distinction of being Hampshire's first rugby club, with its inaugural matches played at Porters Mead, now known as Queens Park. Today, the Trojans club boasts active men's, women's, and junior teams.

The club's expansive history features numerous players, including Saracens prop Donna Rose, who currently represents Wales and frequently returns to coach the ladies' and girls' teams.

Trojans Rugby cap in the RFU museum dating 1882 (Image: Supplied) Ellie Boatman, who played two seasons at the club in 2016, recently represented Team GB at the Paris Olympics.

The women's side of the sport has seen remarkable growth at Trojans over the past two decades. Ladies' rugby commenced in 1997, while girls' rugby began in 2014. Starting with five girls, the programme has now expanded to 150 girls across four different age groups.

Since the start of October, Trojans has been honouring its 150th anniversary with various activities, including celebratory dinners, a charity golf day, and the launch of its history book.

The book, compiled by club historian Pete Reid, chronicles the club's journey with photographs and records. As part of the celebrations, Twickenham Stadium is currently showcasing an original Trojans rugby cap from 1882.

The Trojans Ladies team (Image: Supplied)

Stefan Hargrave, Rugby Chair at Trojans Rugby Club, said: "Our club’s unique heritage, marked by great achievements and unforgettable moments, is a testament to the spirit and dedication of every Trojan."

Kesha Drain, current Trojans Ladies Captain, said: "Many of our Women have gone on to represent Hampshire Senior Women in addition to representatives at the very top of our game both in the Premiership Womens Rugby & Internationally.

"Trojans has a strong community feel with a competitive spirit at its heart. It’s special to be able to take the pitch with friends each week! I feel extremely proud to captain the team as we celebrate 150 years of rugby at the club."