Rugby, community, and giving come together in Clayton
The 2025 Toys for Tots Rugby Festival is just days away. Hosted by Clayton Rugby Football Club at Johnston County Rugby Park on Saturday, November 22nd the event moves into its 7th year of existence. This annual tradition combines our favorite things—rugby, community, and generosity—and this year, the festival grows even bigger with the addition of a Men’s 10s Round Robin Tournament.
This year’s event is sponsored by Paws and Claws Grooming, a long time friend and supporter of the Clayton RFC. The ball sponsor for the event is Bottom of the Ruck a new website dedicated to grassroots rugby.
The action kicks off bright and early with the first Men’s 10s match starting at 9:00am with games running every 30 minutes. Our youth rugby clinic serves as the intermission with the kids getting to run around from 1130-1230.
After the clinic, we finish off with the last two matches in the Men’s 10s Round Robin. Then at 1:30pm we have the annual Clayton Old Boys vs Southern Pines Old Boys match. This is the game that started it all seven years ago!
The Toys for Tots Rugby Festival isn’t just about matches—it’s about making a difference.
Every player and fan is asked to bring:
🎁 One new, unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots collection drive
🥫 One canned good for our local community food drive, we will be donating these to the Town of Wilson’s Mills Share Shed
All donations can be dropped off at the main tent upon arrival.
To add a little extra fun to the giving spirit, everyone who brings a donation will receive one raffle ticket towards our prize raffle.
Additional tickets will be available for purchase:
$1 each
$5 for 10 tickets
Prizes include:
$50 VX3 Gift Card
$50 Firebirds Gift Card
Stanley Gift Basket
Clayton RFC Merchandise
Clayton Youth Rugby Merchandise
Misc. rugby jerseys, shirts, restaurant gift cards, and other surprises!
The raffle drawing will take place around 3:00 PM at the main tent.
🏕️ Team tents: Please stake them outside touch lines and pathways. The best area for tents is behind the end zone nearest the parking lot.
🗑️ Trash: Keep the park tidy—trash bins and bags will be available at the main tent.
🚗 Parking: Use gravel spaces first. Overflow parking will be directed as needed. Carpooling is highly recommended.
🍔 Concessions: Card and cash accepted; Venmo preferred. Rugby merch and raffle tickets will be available at the tent.
🏉 After-match fellowship: Join us for a group photo under the posts after the last match. Following the Old Boys match, chili will be served for all participants at the main tent.
Stick around and celebrate the day’s success at our post-event gathering at Raleigh Brewing JoCo, just five minutes from the park.
| Kickoff | Field | Pool | Team 1 | Team 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 | 1 | A | Clayton RFC | Raleigh |
| 9:30 | 1 | A | Clayton Youth Alum | Tobacco Road |
| 10:30 | 1 | A | Clayton RFC | Tobacco Road |
| 11:00 | 1 | A | Clayton Youth Alum | Raleigh |
| 11:30–12:30 | 1 | — | Youth Rugby Clinic | |
| 12:30 | 1 | A | Clayton RFC | Clayton Youth Alum |
| 1:00 | 1 | A | Tobacco Road | Raleigh |
| 1:30 | 1 | Old Boys | Clayton | Southern Pines |
The Clayton RFC would like to thank every player, coach, volunteer, and supporter helping make this festival possible. Your generosity ensures that local families have a brighter holiday season and reminds us what grassroots rugby is truly about—community, compassion, and camaraderie.
We’re looking forward to an incredible day of rugby and giving!
About the Clayton RFC
Founded in 2013, the Clayton Rugby Football Club is a community-based, volunteer-driven rugby organization committed to growing the game across Johnston County and beyond. The club fields men’s and youth programs with a women’s program in the works. The club is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to enrich the lives of others through rugby.
