Our History

Wellingborough Old Grammarians started in 1934 as a rugby club, but has now grown into a flourishing sports and social club with over 2000 members. The club has developed from a single sport to become a multi sport club offering various activities for the local community. Sport England has pinpointed ‘multi use clubs’ as a key development in order to increase participation in sport and active recreation. The success of the Old Grammarians approach can be measured by it’s successful lottery award in 2003 to develop it’s sports facilities.

Historical Background of the Association
The Association was formed in 1934 and all members were originally past pupils of the Grammar School in Wellingborough which has since been renamed the Wrenn School. In 1950, the first Memorial Sportsfield, a 5-acre site used solely for rugby, was purchased by WOGA from funds raised as a Memorial to those Old Grammarians who died on active service.

The Association purchased their second Memorial Sportsfield in 1957 from self-raised funds to accommodate the expanding membership within the Association’s Sports Sections. This larger 8 acre site was able to offer both the Rugby Section and the Cricket Section better pitches and also the provision of a pavilion.

The third Memorial Sportsfield, a 12-acre site, was purchased in 1964, again from self-raised funds. The initial development of the lower area (8-acres) soon proved to be inadequate, therefore the remaining 4 acres was developed to answer the immediate need of the Football Section. During this period a Clubhouse was purchased in the town centre (Oxford Street) to provide supporting facilities and this will remain part of the long-term plans. A continuing expansion into other sporting activities resulted in the construction of courts for the new Tennis Section(mixed) the laying of a pitch for the Hockey Section(ladies) and a Table Tennis room being provided at Oxford Street.

With this continuing success and an ever increasing membership base the Association now found itself unable to answer its Sports Sections individual development requirements and hence negotiations to locate a more suitable site were initiated.

After a lengthy study of available alternatives the Association secured 47-acres of farmland in 1995, from the proceeds of the sale of the previous site. This Sportsfield, 4 kilometres to the West of the town centre on the Sywell Road, helped to answer some of the immediate needs of the Associations Sports Sections and offers the opportunity for them to continue in their development.

A Multi Use club
The rugby section is the oldest within the Association, starting in 1934. The section boasts a thriving membership regularly running four senior sides. Mini and junior rugby is also developing with three teams currently performing. As part of the ongoing development senior club members visit and liaise with local schools, arranging workshops to meet curriculum needs.

The cricket club was formed in 1945 and is one of the longest serving clubs operating within league cricket in Northamptonshire. There are currently three Saturday XI’s playing in the recently formed Northamptonshire Cricket League. There is also a thriving ladies section and two youth teams. The club can provide cricket opportunities for all ages and abilities and has an open membership for new players to join.

The Grammarians’ football club started in 1968 and is the most senior club in Wellingborough. r football is represented by an under 9’s and under 10’s teams who play in the Weetabix League. It is hoped that further age groups will be formed as the junior section grows.

The bowls club was formed in 1983 by a group of members and is based at Redwell Leisure Centre. Friendly matches are played both at home and at a variety of bowling clubs in the local area throughout the summer.

The ladies hockey team was formed in 1989 and has two sides, one on Saturday in the Northants League and one on Sunday in a local friendly league. The Sunday team provides an opportunity to encorage new and younger members of the club into hockey.
Other activities that are catered for include rounders, women’s football, table tennis, tennis, athletics and aero modeling.

Lottery Investment
The club has a 47-acre sports facility in Wellingborough. The ground is dedicated to the memory of the former Grammar schools pupils who gave their lives during the Second World War
The Association was able to upgrade its facilities and extend access to the wider community in the town, thanks to a £300,423 investment from the Sport England Lottery Fund towards overall project costs in excess of £1 million.

The upgraded main clubhouse provides changing facilities for 8 teams and match officials; as well as treatment and social areas. A new cricket pavilion was also built and the facilities generally improved. The development also opened up the Association’s 47-acre site to community use in rugby union, football, cricket, tennis, table tennis, athletics and rounders.

Community Links
The Association has a progressive youth sports clubs that aims to promote the participation of young players in all sports and to encourage their progression into senior sections. The sports clubs have qualified coaches who work hard to help and encourage young people of all ages and abilities
The youth programmes have been developed in conjuction with Sport England , together with local authorities and schools. The club has a dedicated Child Protection Officers who are available to every young person involved.

Strong strategic links have been established with Wellingborough District Council; Wellingborough & District Hindu Association and Wellingborough Indians Cricket Club and the site now plays an integral part in local community sports provision.

Our multi-sport complex at Sywell Road has proven to be a most effective means of bringing sport and physical activity into communities and we are dedicated to continuing this development. The community now uses the facilities for Rugby, Cricket, Football, Tennis, Table Tennis, Athletics, Rounders, Aeromodel flying and, to date, we have acted as hosts for:

• School Sports Cricket Tournaments
• Schools Tag Rugby Tournaments
• Inter County Youth Rugby
• Weetabix Mini Soccer
• Scouts & Guides Weekend Camps.

During the year we also host six major annual events. These include:

• A main control/check point for the International Waendel Walk, May
• The Wellingborough 5 Mile Road Race, Early August
• The Grammarians Annual Youth Football Tournament, August Bank Holiday Weekend
• The WogaWoga Walkabout Charity Walk, Late August
• The British Aerobatics Championships for Model Aircraft, September
• The Memorial Sportsfield Firework Display, November

In total these six events bring over 6,000 people to our site and makes our total number of users in excess of 25,000 per year.