PROPS Rugby
Our Rugby group are our longest serving fundraisers and have grown progressively under the captaincy of Nick Trivett. Together with manager Yann Amouroux, the rugby group are responsible for significant networking opportunities. Both Bristol and Bath Rugby contribute significantly to our activity. Barbarians fixtures can be found on the events page. We continue to encourage inclusive junior rugby, with Barbarian teams representative at major events.With the support of Bristol Ladies we hope to keep expanding our Barbarian ethos.
Barbarian History
Formed in 1990, our Charity owes its creation to a group of young players and parents who wanted to make a difference to the livelihoods of those with special needs. Our first game was one that never happened, against Weston RFC, and so was born our Barbarian tradition of the “draw”. Weston failed to raise a team, and the original cast of David “Reevesy” Reeves, Stuart “Buz”Gaston, Chris Lloyd, Paul Ambrose and a mixture of Western Hornets and South Wales Policemen, retired to the Bristol House Pub to entertain the locals with a variety of rugger bugger games. This resulted in raising the staggering sum of £250 ( largely due to fines from drinking games) which went towards the purchase of IT equipment for a local special school; Briarwood.
Enter Cleve Vet, Nigel Coles. With the encouragement of Nigel our next fixture was much more successful, and as it turned out, a major turning point for the Barbarians. Nigel had played for the Cleve “Bobarians”, where the only qualification for selection was that you were named “Bob”. A fixture was quickly arranged. Captained by our now Chair of Trusrtees, Bristol’s John Tasker, the Bobarians inflicted our only non draw result, with a thrashing for the Baba’s at the old Cleve ground in Downend. The relationship with Cleve blossomed, and many Barbarian players took up residency at the famous Bristol club. For the next ten or so years the PROPS Barbarians took up residency at Cleve RFC, captained by Dave Reeves, and following them to the fantastic facilities at the Hayfields, enjoying the support of many combination legends, Peter Stiff, Appsy, Keith Parry, Martin Cassson, David Jones, Jeff Mack.
Sadly and respectfully Keith, Martin, Davy and Jeff are no longer with us, but would have been warmed by the progress that the young and enthusiastic Nick Trivett injected into the organisation. New Captain Nick, continued the excellent relationship with local Premiership Clubs Bristol (Always a Premiership Club to us!) and Bath. Our squad could now count on the services of Internationals Garath Archer, David Rees, Dave Hilton, Andy Blackmore and many more. Our Barbarian rugby became a figurehead of the Charity and reflected our aims: Equity and Inclusion, with Fair and Flare play at all our fixtures. Joined by Frenchman, Yann Ammouroux, our Barbarians have grown in strength, and can still count on the support from Patron, England International and now Worcester Coach, Richard Hill.
Today our fixture list grows in strength, with a squad capable of matching a variety of opposition. We continue to attract players who buy into our ethos and are willing and honoured to wear the Barbarian shirt. We sincerely thank the Bristol Combination Clubs for their generous support of our Charity.
Bristol ladies rugby is pleased to announce their official support for PROPS and will continue to strengthen and develop links that were established in 2009. Bristol ladies rugby was formed from the long established rugby club Clifton in 2008. As a National Premiership club, it boasts over a dozen international players representing several countries both in Europe and North America. It also is home to England captain, Catherine Spencer, who has led her side to three Six Nations titles and two Grand Slams. Bristol ladies currently play their home games at Dings RFC in Lockleaze and their fixtures can be found on the Bristol Rugby website: Bristol ladies will be joining forces with PROPS to organise an annual 6s touch rugby tournament as well as many other fundraising events. Club Captain, Heidi Mercer, welcomed Bristol ladies co-operation with PROPS by saying, “PROPS is a very worthy local charity that shares many of the values that we hold as a club in providing opportunities for all individuals to reach their potential and develop good character and self-esteem. We are really pleased that we are developing this relationship and expect it to continue to grow.”
Our Barbarian Rugby is inclusive. Our occasional Rugby XV's range from U8's to senior Barbarian Rugby, our ethos is simple: Excellence, Equity and Inclusion. PROPS is a rugby inspired charity and our inclusive projects are endorsed by our local premiership clubs and the RFU. The adult side have played against some of the best teams in Wales and the South West and have participated in the PROPS Charity 10's, a competition that incorporates England and Irelands premiership teams. If you are interested in playing for us or would like to challenge us to a game then please contact Nick Trivett at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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