Opening Remarks
As we reach the end of the calendar year and the midpoint of the playing cycle, it’s a good moment to pause, reflect, and update our members and supporters. The past year has been one of tremendous progress on and off the pitch. The momentum around the club has never been stronger.
This year has been full of reminders of why we do this:
- The laughter at social events
- The heart shown by our players
- The pride of seeing more people (youth and adults) take up rugby
- The sense of community that fills Johnston County Rugby Park
None of this happens without our players, volunteers, coaches, social members, fans, and sponsors. Thank you for everything you contribute to keeping the Clayton RFC thriving.
Men’s Rugby
Our men’s program has taken major steps forward over the past year. A season ago we struggled with numbers, continuity, and results. Today, thanks to renewed commitment and leadership, the tone has completely changed.
Season Highlights:
- Current record: 7–1 (5–0 in league play)
- On pace for most wins by a Bootlegger side in six seasons
- Focused on winning the D4 Championship and earning promotion to D3
Program Growth:
- Strong recruiting continues to elevate training numbers and depth
- If promoted, the club will prioritize adding B-side fixtures next season to ensure playing time for all
- We had a historic moment in October with a visit from the Freeport RFC (Bahamas) Old Boys—the first international side to play in Johnston County
A huge thank you to our coaches, Captain, Vice Captains, and the entire playing group for driving this turnaround.
Youth Rugby
Our youth program, the Wombats, remains one of the most exciting parts of our growth.
Key Developments:
- Expanded from in-house flag rugby into a true developmental pathway with former Wombats now moving on to play tackle rugby with Clayton Youth Rugby.
- Aligned with NCYRU season, enabling our first-ever external match vs. Southern Pines
- Launched summer and fall youth clinics with solid attendance
- Increasing social member numbers as families discover rugby through our youth program
Special thanks to Youth Director Nick Taylor and all youth coaches for nurturing the next generation of Clayton RFC players.
Events & Community Engagement
This year has been packed with events that strengthened our community spirit.
Major Events in 2025:
- Barley 2.0 Fundraiser (April): Match, raffle, and social event supporting Barley’s Heart Transplant
- Summer Trip to Atlantic Beach (early August): Touch rugby, swimming, and a group dinner
- Wilson’s Mills Community Day (late August): Record turnout, club showcase, pitch dedication, and a memorable pie-eating contest
- First International Match at the Johnston County Rugby Park (mid-October): The club hosted Freeport RFC Old Boys from the Bahamas for a fun weekend of rugby and fun.
- Halloween Touch Rugby and International Rugby (early November): Gathered on November 1st to play some Halloween themed touch rugby and then spent the afternoon watching international rugby as a group.
- Toys for Tots Festival (late November):
- Largest collection yet – Five overflowing boxes of toys
- Hundreds of pounds of canned food donated locally
- Tinsel Tree Lane (early December): Club-sponsored inflatable & decorated tree entry
- Annual Club Christmas Party (mid December): A fun afternoon of fellowship and celebration
These events continue to highlight what makes our club special: people coming together to give back, celebrate the game, and strengthen our community. Our close relationship with the Town of Wilson’s Mills has played a large role in our ability to connect with the community.
Social Life & Club Culture
One of the cornerstones of our club, the social heartbeat of the Clayton RFC continues to thrive. We are blessed with a well rounded group of members that all contribute in their own way.
Highlights:
- Record breaking social membership numbers (and still rising)
- Regular club socials, touch rugby sessions, and watch parties
- Strong contributions from Social Chair Brian Culkin and the Wives’ Group
For those wanting to be involved without the physical demands of playing a Social Membership is a great way to be part of the club family. Enjoy all of the benefits of being involved with a rugby club without the tackles.
Facilities & Grounds
The Johnston County Rugby Park continues to evolve thanks to volunteers, donors, and club partners.
2025 Facility Progress:
- Championship Field surface continues to improve through hard work and effort from our members
- Field 2 underwent a complete overhaul this fall and is now on the same maintenance cycle
- Field 3 was used for summer practices and reseeded in the fall
- Town of Wilson’s Mills donated a tractor with attachments, improving our maintenance capability
- Fundraising efforts beginning for a garage to house our field maintenance equipment
- Club approved for grant to build an ADA-compliant ramp improving accessibility to the Championship Field
- The club teamed up with the Town and received a grant that covered 50% of the cost of an AED. Once the AED is received, it will be mounted in a box at the pavilion.
- Installation completed on donor bricks and memorial sign honoring early capital campaign supporters
These improvements bring us closer to our long-term vision of having a first-class rugby complex right here in Johnston County.
Financial Overview
The club remains financially stable while continuing to invest in growth and infrastructure. Our board maintains a responsible balance between ongoing improvements at the park along with supporting our programs and members.
2025 Financial Highlights:
- Improved support from sponsors, membership dues, donations, and fundraising
- Scrum N’ Scramble Golf Tournament/Fundraiser has become a key annual event
- Advertising board sales nearly at capacity; expansion underway so we can add additional signage
- GivingTuesday campaign raised over $3,000
- Ongoing commitment to financial transparency and sustainability
One of our top priorities remains funding improvements at the park, especially as usage increases.
Media Presence
Over the summer we began to put more emphasis on promoting the club through our social media outlets. Our increased emphasis on digital engagement has shown a marked improvement over recent years.
2025 Media Growth:
- 65% increase in website traffic—highest since 2019
- 150% increase in Facebook & Instagram interactions
- Current averages:
- 40,000 monthly Facebook views
- 35,000 monthly Instagram views
- Added TikTok account
- Expanded video content abilities via our new Veo Camera
- Match recordings now available on YouTube for review and promotion
A special thank you to photographers Jennifer Culkin and Cam Walters for capturing our club’s story all year long. Their pictures make it easier for us to tell our story.
Looking Ahead
There is plenty to be excited about in 2026 and beyond.
On the Horizon:
- Men pushing for promotion to D3
- Wombats winter/spring season begins in February
- Launch of the Women’s program, with goals to begin 7s in summer and XVs the following year
- Bahamas tour planned for late April/early May
- Early exploration of a 2028 overseas tour
- Major priority: lighting upgrades at the park
- Grant submitted to fund lighting Field 1 (and possibly Field 2)
- Need to move toward permanent lighting within the next 6–8 months
- Exploring return of an annual 7s tournament and possibly reviving another past fan-favorite event
With momentum building and improvements being made at the park, the time has come for us to think about the next phase. That being, the push towards building a clubhouse. This has always been part of our long term goals. Just like when we built the park, we have to start somewhere. We don’t have a rich benefactor to bankroll the project, so we’ll do it the grassroots way. One donation at a time. We’re preparing to launch a multi-year capital campaign to help make this a reality for our club, members, and community.
The foundation we’ve built is strong, and the opportunities ahead are even stronger. With continued commitment, teamwork, and community spirit, we are well positioned to go into 2026 with energy and momentum.
Thanks to all of the people, players, supporters, and sponsors that help make our club special.
