Make More of Matchday at Aldwinians RUFC
Matchday at Aldwinians RUFC is about more than what happens between the first and final whistle. It is about arriving early, catching up with friends, bringing the family along, enjoying some good food and making the most of your time at the club. This season, we are putting even more into the matchday experience with pre-match meals at Aldwinians, giving players, members, supporters and visitors the chance to sit down together before the rugby gets underway.
Pre-Match Meals
On selected matchdays, our clubhouse will be serving a pre-match meal ahead of the afternoon's fixtures. Whether you're coming to support the team, watching a family member play or simply looking for somewhere to spend your Saturday afternoon, the pre-match meal is a great way to start your visit to Aldwinians. The menus will vary throughout the season, with details announced ahead of each matchday. From traditional matchday favourites to something a little different, there will be plenty to look forward to. The aim is to make it easy to arrive early, grab a seat, enjoy some food and then head outside to support the rugby. Pre-match meals will be available on selected dates and, where required, advance booking will be essential so that our kitchen team can prepare accordingly.
Making Matchday a Club Experience
The introduction of pre-match meals is part of our wider ambition to make Aldwinians a place where people want to spend more time. Rugby remains at the heart of everything we do, but the clubhouse plays an important role too. For some, matchday will start with breakfast or lunch before watching the rugby. For others, it might be meeting friends for a drink, bringing the children along or staying around after the final whistle. The important thing is that there is something for everyone. We want to create more occasions where our members and wider community can come together, enjoy the club and make memories away from the pitch as well as on it. And this season, there will be another reason to arrive early.
An Audience With...
As part of our matchday programme, we will also be introducing “An Audience With...”. This feature will change regularly, with a different guest invited to Aldwinians to share their experiences, memories and stories from rugby and beyond. Each guest will bring something different to the table. Former players, coaches, rugby personalities and people with a special connection to the game will all have the opportunity to take part. The format is simple: good food, good conversation and an opportunity for the audience to ask questions.
An Audience With Dean Schofield — Saturday 26 September
Our first guest is a very familiar name to Aldwinians RUFC.
Dean Schofield began his rugby journey at Aldwinians before making the move into the professional game. He first came to prominence in an Aldwinians side that defeated Dudley Kingswinford in the NPI Cup Final at Twickenham, where Dean scored twice.
From Aldwinians, Dean went on to play for Wakefield RFC before joining Sale Sharks in 2001, where he spent the majority of his professional career. He made 162 appearances for Sale, helping the club win the European Challenge Cup in 2005 and their first Premiership title in 2006.
Dean's career also took him to France with Toulon, before returning to England with Worcester Warriors, where he became club captain. He later played for London Welsh and Yorkshire Carnegie.
At international level, Dean represented the England Saxons and earned two England caps, both coming during England's 2007 tour of South Africa.
He also captained Sale Sharks and was recognised as one of the leading forwards of his generation. Sale Sharks have since named Dean in their Hall of Fame, describing him as one of the finest forwards of the professional era.
Now, Dean returns to where his rugby journey began for an afternoon of stories, memories and conversation.
Your Questions
The afternoon will include an audience Q&A, giving you the chance to ask Dean about his career, from his early days at Aldwinians and that memorable Twickenham final, through his years at Sale, his England career, time in France and experiences as a club captain.
Whether you're coming for the rugby, the food, the company or the chance to hear some great rugby stories, we'd love to see you at Aldwinians. Pre-match meals and “An Audience With...” will run on selected matchdays, with full details announced for each event.
Book via the link below to secure your place.
Come early. Eat well. Watch the rugby. Stay a while.
Aldwinians RUFC — more than a rugby club.