This past Saturday, Clayton RFC joined the Town of Wilson’s Mills for their annual Community Day, and the celebration proved to be the biggest yet. The event drew record numbers of vendors, food trucks, musical acts, and attendees for a day filled with family fun and community spirit.
Clayton RFC was out in force, showcasing both the club and its home facility at the Johnston County Rugby Park. Rugby activities included a men’s touch rugby exhibition match and a youth rugby clinic, giving spectators of all ages a chance to experience the sport firsthand. The club also hosted a promotional tent in the vendor area, where members handed out giveaways and shared information about rugby and Clayton RFC.
One of the highlights of the day came midway through the event, when the club officially dedicated the Championship Pitch at the Johnston County Rugby Park. On Monday, August 11, 2025, during the Wilson’s Mills Town Council meeting, Mayor Fleta Byrd presented a proclamation renaming the Championship Pitch to Hardy Pitch in honor of Clayton RFC Founder, Ted Hardy.
Hardy was the driving force behind the development of the Johnston County Rugby Park, located at the Phillip R. Wright Community Park. He was recognized for his efforts, dedication and commitment to the club, community, and sport of rugby.
At Community Day, the pitch was formally dedicated with the unveiling of a new sign. Men’s Captain and founding Bootlegger, Eric Hile, delivered an emotional tribute to Hardy before Hardy himself addressed the crowd.
Hardy later added:
“I am incredibly honored to receive this. I certainly never expected it. We had a vision to create something special for our club that tied closely into our community. I can’t thank everyone enough for standing behind us—from the Town Council and Mayor Byrd to former Mayor Wright, who believed in what we were doing and helped us get through working out an agreement. I’d like to thank Clayton RFC Members, old and new, for believing in our vision. Most of all my wife Michelle who has graciously shared me with the club and community over the years.
“This project is our love letter to our members, community, and rugby. That letter is still being written. We look forward to continuing to make improvements to the park in the coming years, hosting new events, and being a part of this great community in Wilson’s Mills. We have big plans coming soon that we look forward to sharing with everyone.”
After the dedication, festivities continued throughout the afternoon with rugby, music, food, and community fellowship. The day wrapped up with a spirited pie-eating contest featuring six Clayton RFC members. Longtime member and club sponsor, Dr. Karel Lloyd of Clayton Chiropractic, narrowly edged out Bootlegger scrumhalf Luis Padua to claim the pie-eating championship.
The 2025 Community Day was a milestone celebration for both the Town of Wilson’s Mills and Clayton RFC—a day that honored the past, celebrated the present, and looked ahead to an exciting future for rugby in Johnston County.
