Holt Rugby Club: a brief history

In 1961 a group of rugby enthusiasts from the Georgian town of Holt met and decided to form their own local team. Norfolk is a big county and the players felt that they were travelling too far for their current teams’ home games, let alone away fixtures. In one respect they were very fortunate. Holt is the home of Gresham’s School and the Headmaster of the time was a distinguished former rugby international, Logie Bruce-Lockhart, who was both sympathetic and supportive. Logie, who had won five caps for Scotland in the 1940s, made a pitch available for the team’s first game, provided resources and encouraged players to join the new club. On the 30th November he became the founding Club President with a Gresham’s colleague John B. Williams as the first Chairman, and Bill Cubitt a local farmer as the captain..

It was decided that the club colours should be black shirts with the Holt Owl as the emblem. They opened their fixtures against a West Norfolk side on 16th December 1961 – registering a surprise 3-0 win – and have played rugby in the town ever since. The structure of the leagues has changed over the decades but the club has maintained a strong fixture list in the Eastern Region with local derbys against Diss, West Norfolk, Norwich and North Walsham always considered to be of particular importance.

Over the years Holt grew in strength and became recognised as a force within the region. The 1975/6 1st XV won 28 of their 32 games and secured the Norfolk cup for the first time with a 9-6 win away to Diss in the final. Several of their players were chosen to represent Norfolk and Eastern Counties. There were some dips in performance in the subsequent decades but steps were taken to ensure recovery and in 2006 Holt beat Diss for the first time in twelve years and won the Harrison Cup – a trophy now awarded to the winner of this Norfolk derby.

Holt’s most celebrated players have been the Youngs, a local farming family. Father Nick was capped at scrum half for England while playing for Leicester and remained a Holt member. His sons Tom, a hooker, and Ben, also a scrum half, played for England and both went on to represent the British Lions on their 2013 tour of Australia. In the 1970’s Holt benefited from the expertise of Scotland International Bob Steven, who was successively Club Captain, Chairman and then President.

Although links with Gresham’s school have been a strong feature of the club, with generations of old boys appearing in the teams at various levels, Holt RFC have always been welcoming and inclusive. Scots, Welshmen, Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans have played for the team. Indeed in 2007 Holt demonstrated a progressive approach with the appointment of a highly qualified woman, Penny Chapman, as joint head coach alongside Ed Steed, who had introduced an open style to a side traditionally dominated by forwards.

Holt RFC has always generated great loyalty from its players. Several have appeared more than 500 times for the club – though sadly detailed records are not available to substantiate such claims and the players themselves have lost count. Three who have almost certainly achieved this milestone are Neil Poortvliet, Roger Day, and Mark Simmons, with the last of the three thought to be the player with the most appearances to his name. He was an immensely talented centre who captained the side in the late 1980s and early 90s, and had the ability to play at a much higher level. Marks’ son Simmons was part of the England Under 18 squad that toured South Africa in the Summer of 2016. Many college

and university students played for the club before departing at the start of term, came home to turn out in vacations, and returned to the club if they later found employment in Norfolk.

As a result Holt have developed impressive family traditions. Most notably, three Riley brothers took the field together for the 1st XV in season 2015/2016; and three Harrison brothers have played together in the 1st XV in 2016/17,. Their grandfather captained the 1st XV, later to become Chairman and then President; their father was captain of the 2nd XV; and then Club Chairman. The President for the current season, (2016/17), Paul Williams, is the son of the first Chairman, John B Williams. Cushings, Harrisons, van Portvliets, Ross’s, Simmons and others continue the 55 year family links both on and off the field; indeed Neil van Portvliet and his sons Jake and Bruce have all captained the Holt 1st XV.

Holt’s contribution to Norfolk RFU has been steadfast over the years, and the Club has provided seven Presidents for the County: John Williams; John Alston; Edward Harrison; Mike Stott; Neil van Portvliet; John Ross and George Cushing.

In the early years the club played their games in a leased meadow in what is now the centre of an expanding town. In 1967 a far-sighted decision was taken to purchase nine acres of arable land at Bridge Road, High Kelling on the outskirts of Holt. Over time the club has developed the facilities at the site. The clubhouse was extended and refurbished and reopened in 1995 – with the former England and Lions no 8 Dean Richards performing the ceremony. Further extensions and improvement were completed in 2016 with the opening performed by England Internationals, Tom and Ben Youngs. Today the pre-match luncheon and bar facilities are excellent. In the 2016/17 season Holt were presented with the Eastern Counties Rugby award for club facility of the year.

Holt are conscious of their obligations and debts to their community. They have a strong tradition of developing and nurturing young players. In 1992 the club committee took the decision to relaunch mini-rugby. Past and present players volunteered their time and within three years the club had a full set of mini and youth teams, covering ages from 5 to 16: the first important honour, the Norfolk Under 16, cup was won in 1997. Many who have developed their rugby skills through this route have gone on to play at senior level, including the Youngs brothers.

So long as the club continues to develop talent, and maintain its local reputation as a welcome and friendly community, the future for Holt RFC will be bright.

3. Club Development