Sponsored: Quins’ Back in Black

There’s a hopeful, constructive and cohesive feeling running through the rugby club on the right-hand side of Lansdowne Park for 2025.

Harlequins RFC Blenheim are preparing to field 120 juniors registered across eight teams, alongside a Scott Construction Senior A side with plenty of new blood joins experienced operators - and the club is hoping for many successful Saturdays across the region this rugby season.

That positive feeling comes with a targeted focus on club cohesion and respect for 2025, and committee members, volunteers, coaches and players eager to perform for the club.

2025 will see the first Harlequins club day since reviving it’s Senior A team in 2022, and after 2024 saw a third straight undefeated year for this year’s Under 13’s and a full club rebrand, members hope to instil club-wide pride to those donning the Harlequins black this year.

“We outlined our mission for 2025 last year, so there’s been lots of work behind the scenes this year between junior and senior representatives to make the club more cohesive, especially around the club culture we want to build here”, says club secretary Gena Birtles.

“Our junior numbers are looking strong again after our successful muster day, from the new under 6’s joining the club all the way to under 12 and 13 sides where we’ve proved really strong in the last few years.

“The rebrand last year was really well received, with great community buy-in and recognition of our efforts to represent the three historic clubs and our combined history, and we’re seeing that with familiar surnames filtering into our junior ranks from current and former Quins families”.

After a competitive yet ultimately disappointing 2024, Scott Construction Senior A head coach Leroy Mason says he’s pleased with the new additions to don the Harlequins black this year on and off the field, but the key focus of 2025 is the implementation of a club-wide culture of respect which he says will bring results.

“Our senior coaching team - James Kauri, Euygene Taylor and I - have put together fresh ideas on the field for how we want to play.

“We’re building back a solid player base, and with the word ‘respect’ being a big focus this year not only with our senior team but through the whole club before, during and after matches

“It’s looking positive so far, with a combination of youth and experience turning up from early days and building our team culture through preseason trainings.

“More importantly, the team are buying in to our overall vision and future growth of the Harlequins club, and we’re seeing players step up to those expectations”.