"My first introduction to the club was as a junior in the early 80’s then moving to the midlands to study playing for several clubs around Coventry. I later came back with my son when he was seven years old and got more and more involved with the club later becoming youth chairman for six or seven years stepping down in 2016. During my coaching, I worked with 3 to 6 year olds all the way to colts at 18.

Being youth chairman involved a great deal of coordination, organising from between 120 to 200 players. We are very lucky to have a very committed team around the club particularly in the youth section putting in a lot of effort and time to making the section success. The aim now is to build to up to 300 players for the long term strength of the club.

There really is a great culture behind rugby, it is certainly more than a game. I would like there to be more teaching about rugby in Crawley schools, although the signs are encouraging that this is developing slowly.

Crawley RFC work closely with the RFU to encourage children and youth to participate. The RFU have clusters in the area, and we work with schools with seven to ten year olds and more recently older age groups too. We hold fun days and tournament days for the younger ages which are very well attended.

Good coaching is a vital ingredient to the life of the club and we recruit our coaches internally from ex-players and willing parents. It is rewarding seeing the children grow through the club and progress, it is excellent seeing them develop their skills and grow into young men. Many of the age group I coached now play for the senior teams with their parents and supporters staying closely connected as well.

I am still a director of the club involved in project development though work prevents me from committing as much time as I’d like, the initiatives we as a club are working on are very exciting and will contribute to the long term stability of the club.

I would say that one of the club's main characteristics of Crawley RFC is that we are a like a family, supportive and reliant on each other. We have built a friendly atmosphere where everyone can enjoy taking part. There's a strong sense of integration from the youth and senior sections and the Sunday Social Club is an example of the good things that a club can achieve when everyone works together, engaging with the community.

I am pleased that Crawley RFC has a strong community ethos."

Leighton Eves supports CRFC's Sunday Socials but in addition has been interviewing the committee, members,sponsors and players over the last few months to add insight into the people who make Crawley Rugby Club what it is today. You can contact him at admin@thisis.org.uk