City of Bristol Rugby U16s
Our Ethos
City of Bristol Rugby U16s exists to give ambitious players a clear pathway, a strong sense of identity, and an environment that supports long-term development — on and off the pitch.
This is more than a series of sessions.
This is a bridge, a platform, and a continuation of Bristol’s rugby story.
Honouring Bristol’s Rugby Heritage
Bristol has a proud rugby tradition stretching back to 1898, when the Bristol Schools U16 representative programme first began.
For more than 125 years, talented young players wore the Bristol badge and represented their city with pride.
In 2024, that programme came to an end. At the same time, professional academy places became increasingly limited, leaving a gap for ambitious young players who still deserved opportunities to develop, compete, and progress.
We saw the gap.
We built the solution.
City of Bristol Rugby was founded in April 2025 by Matt Sheppard and Gary Townsend with a simple mission: ensure every ambitious U16 rugby player in Bristol has the chance to represent their city, access expert coaching, and pursue their rugby ambitions.
We are not just creating a rugby programme — we are continuing Bristol’s rugby legacy.
More Than Just a Badge
When you pull on the City of Bristol Rugby shirt, you are wearing more than just kit — you are carrying Bristol’s spirit with you.
Our badge honours the city’s maritime heritage: the SS Great Britain, The Matthew, and the vibrant harbour that remains the beating heart of Bristol. Look closely and you’ll notice the rush of water at the bow is deliberately red — defying convention and challenging expectations.
Why?
Because Bristol has always stood up for what’s right
- 1831 Bristol Riots – demanding expanded voting rights and democratic reform
- 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott – challenging racial discrimination and changing national policy
- 1980 St Paul’s Riots – highlighting inequality and forcing government action
City of Bristol Rugby carries that same rebellious spirit forward
- While rugby pathways have become increasingly exclusive, we are opening doors.
- While opportunities have closed, we are creating new ones.
- While talented players have been overlooked, we are giving them a platform.
When you represent City of Bristol Rugby, you are part of something bigger than rugby —
you are part of Bristol’s ongoing story.
How We Do Things
Our environment is built on shared values that guide how we train, compete, and support each other.
1
Expectations
We strive for personal best and show unwavering respect for teammates, opponents, officials, and the spirit of the game.
2
Environment
We respect every space we use and value the time and commitment everyone brings to our shared goals.
3
Success
We define success through individual and collective progress, growth, and performance — not just results.
4
Team
We are a collective, bound by pride in representing Bristol and supporting one another on and off the pitch.
5
Joy
We are ambitious and committed, but we stay present, enjoy the journey, and remember why we love the game.
Sponsors & Partners
Meet Our Sponsors
City of Bristol Rugby U16s is proud to be supported by local businesses and organisations that believe in developing young rugby talent and supporting Bristol’s sporting heritage. Our sponsors play a vital role in enabling us to deliver high-quality coaching, competitive fixtures, and meaningful development opportunities for our players.
David Evry
Director at DEKL
DEKL Ltd
DEKL is a strategic consultancy based in Bath, delivering transformation and senior programme leadership for complex organisations. We work with businesses navigating change, providing senior expertise and practical delivery support to turn strategy into results. Our services span enterprise transformation, fractional executive leadership, leadership development and training. We bridge the gap between ambition and delivery.
DEKL is proud to support City of Bristol Rugby’s mission to develop aspiring young players. The programme’s focus on creating opportunities, building resilience, and developing leadership reflects values we champion in our own work, and this partnership allows us to invest in our local community while honouring Bristol’s rich rugby heritage.
Chris Stafford
Director at Mitchell & Co.
Mitchell & Co. Building Contractors
Mitchell & Co Building Services Ltd have been established for over 45 years within the commercial construction industry, specialising in refurbishment, landlord enabling and fit-out work, acting as a main contractor. Covering a wide range of sectors including healthcare, retail, manufacturing, leisure, hospitals and education, we operate throughout the South West of England and South Wales.
As a local Bristol based company we have a history of sponsoring and supporting various local clubs and sports teams at both junior and senior level. We are proud to add the City of Bristol U16’s team to the list of clubs we support.
Adrian Smith-Hayes
Director at Perfect 3 Consulting
Perfect Three Consulting
P3C Ltd is a Bristol‑based consultancy delivering sharp, specialist expertise across Aerospace Engineering and Defence Programmes. Our team of experts bring clarity, pace, and precision to complex programmes. Our core values—Consult, Support, Lead—are the backbone of how we work, driving genuine collaboration and trusted partnerships that deliver results.
City of Bristol Rugby represents everything I care about in the game—community, commitment, and giving players of all ages a place to grow. As a sponsor and ex‑coach, I’m excited to help the club continue building a strong pathway for rugby in our city.
Matt Sheppard
Director at Switch Mentoring
Switch Mentoring
Switch Mentoring helps young people build confidence, life skills, and ambition through one-to-one mentoring with experienced professionals.
By supporting Switch Rugby, they extend this impact beyond the classroom—using sport to inspire confidence, resilience, and future potential.
Become a Sponsor of Bristol Rugby
City of Bristol Rugby is actively seeking partners who share our commitment to youth development and Bristol’s sporting heritage.
Sponsorship provides valuable visibility across:
- Match days and competitive fixtures
- Social media and digital channels
- Community and representative rugby environments
We offer a range of sponsorship opportunities and are happy to discuss tailored partnerships. Get in touch and let’s chat about how to support the next generation of Bristol rugby players.