A team of Chipstead Vets played an over 50's team from Melbourne and were accompanied by a BT Sport Film Crew - see the YouTube link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPDOcmwFiXE

We were in attendance for their opening game of the season when a Fijian player Maciu ( Matthew ) Vosa sustained life changing injuries by being paralysed from the Chest down after a collapsed maul.

Chipstead Rugby have done much fundraising for Maciu , and to date we have sent 7,200 Aussie Dollars, £3600, on behalf of the Club.
Donations can still be made at: https://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/maciu-matthew-vosa-needs-your-help-/353837

The Rugby World Cup gave us a fantastic opportunity to reciprocate their hospitality which had been exceptional to us and we made some arrangements for them as 24 or so Melbourne Harlequins visited the UK

We arranged a welcome pub lunch for them in the West End on Friday 9th October , Chipstead members attended and friendships were renewed.

A group visited Chipstead for a Presidents Lunch on Sunday 11th October and Chipstead Rugby was doing what it does best ....... giving a warm and genuine welcome to our guests from down under, with a superb Sunday Lunch followed by raffles and singing ensured a memorable day for all.

Chipstead VP's also met our guests at Twickenham to show them the best Pubs, any excuse, and London Harlequins were generous too - not only did they arrange a tour of the Stoop personally done by former Captain Will Skinner, they sent a block of Complimentary tickets for them for the Quins v Wasps game on Friday 16th October where they were welcomed by Chief Executive David Ellis and given Corporate Hospitality courtesy of the Harlequins Old Players Association. Alan Giddings also arranged a complimentary 'behind the scenes' tour of Twickenham - all in all they had a great time and have sent us some emails of heartfelt thanks.

When visiting we sent them back with gifts of Chipstead Shirts for Maciu Vosa's children and Rowland Cheall produced some special edition Melbourne Harlequins and Chipstead Rugby Polo Shirts.

Peter Williams of Melbourne Harlequins accepted a plaque from Sean Burroughs (see images)

Melbourne Harlequins have issued an open invitation to anyone connected with Chipstead to contact them if they are in Melbourne for any reason , England are touring their next summer and playing Australia in Melbourne mid-June which is one occasion that springs to mind, but if anyone fancies some Southern Hemisphere Club Rugby either playing or watching at any time our contacts are Peter Williams , Bronwyn Wellings , Stan Gyles , Neale Wright and David Bray.
Their details can be found at: https://www.quins.com.au/ Alternatively you could speak with any of the team that visited Australia for more details or info .

CEO's that visited Australia - Paul Gilbert , Phil Gibson , Sean Burroughs , Jay Howells , Rowland Cheall , Leroy Crossman , Sam Gilbert , Adam Tyler , Alan Giddings , and Ian Black

Additional photos in the MHRFC-CRFC album.
Phil Gibson