Billingham RUFC
Training Synergy are proud sponsors of Billingham RFC
Billingham Rugby Club was formed in 1924 as the Rugby Section of the Synthonia Sports Club at Synthetic Ammonia and Nitrates Company, which later became I.C.I. Once established, the club became a force in Durham County Rugby Union, especially after the Second World War and the first team was very strong during the 1950s and early 60's.
The early 70's saw a downturn in the chemical industry and with the decline of I.C.I., the rugby club suffered. In the late 70's and throughout the 80's the club became somewhat nomadic in it's socialising, although still playing on Central Avenue.
During the 80s the team and the club were struggling both on the field and off with no real base and more importantly little financial support. The club had to look to the future to safeguard its long and proud history. Youth development was the answer.
1989 was an important year in the life of the club. The Youth section was founded and boys and girls from the age of eight upwards starting playing mini-rugby. Since then, this section of the club has gone from strength to strength and has provided nearly all of the current members of the first XV squad.(Including a record number of brothers in one team-a UK record we understand)
The '90s saw an upturn in the club's fortunes and three teams were regularly playing each week with socialising based at the Synthonia Cricket Club.
The club moved to play on Greenwood Road in 1996 although until late 2000 there were no facilities whatsoever, just three pitches! For these years we had a three-site existence, changing, playing and socialising in different locations. This caused all kinds of problems.
However, December 2000 and a £750,000 lottery grant brought the opening of the new clubhouse giving the club a solid base and identity and we hope that it will serve as a stepping-stone to future success.
One of the Directors at Synergy in property (Paul Routh) has strong connections to the club been both a local lad and seeing both his sons develop their rugby skills at the club since the age of 5!