LLOYDS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB HISTORY

Lloyd’s rugby football club was founded in the 1920s to play an annual match against the Stock Exchange, with fixtures soon following against the Baltic Exchange and other City institutions. One hundred years on, Lloyd’s RFC provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for players from all corners of the  London Insurance market to play social, stylish rugby in London and on tours abroad. Matches are mostly played mid-week in and around London in the City League; we also field successful 7s and 10s squads in tournaments domestically and internationally including  appearances in  the Singapore, Hong Kong, Ireland & Canada in recent years.

In an attempt to maintain our international presence and ties with fellow insurance practitioners, a large part of the identity of the club revolves round the international tours. Short and regular tours to Europe have recently included Paris, Bordeaux and Madrid. Longer “Big” tours take place every three or four years, visiting a wide range of countries and insurance hubs around the world; from Argentina to Australia, Brazil to Bermuda, Canada to Chile, Dubai, Japan, the United States and many others.

 

NOTABLE PLAYERS

Some notable players have turned out for Lloyd’s over the years – international include  Nim Hall (England, Peter Kininmonth (Scotland and British Lions) both in the 1950s; John Clouston (Esher and Surrey), Mike Mills (Blackheath and Kent)  in the 1970s. More recently regular players included Mike Skinner (Wasps and Middlesex), Adam Fox (Harlequins and Middlesex), Chris Ritchie (Rosslyn Park and Barbarians), Matt Fitzgerald (London Welsh and English Universities), David Duffus (British Army, Edinburgh), Gareth Stoppani (Jamaica & Harlequins 7s), Steve Taylor (Northampton, Auch and Australia u21) and Lorne Ward (Toulon and Bath).

Lloyd’s rugby club is a staple of the London insurance scene, known for camaraderie, competitive spirit and a warm welcome for players of all standards. As we run – maybe jog - towards our centenary, we are looking to start a women’s squad as well as develop our engagement with clubs local to the City.  

 

LRFC7s

As the “jewel” in the LRFC crown, the Club organises the Lloyd’s 7s tournament at Richmond Athletic every May; from humble beginnings in Osterley with a small selection of Underwriting & broking teams, the event has grown exponentially over the years and moved to Richmond Rugby Club to accommodate this growing popularity. The 7s is now the largest of its kind, catering for 40 men’s teams across three competitions. The club added mixed touch in 2022 and has been working with partners to produce a showcase women’s rugby 7s game as interest has increased in recent years. The event is an important, inclusive and fun occasion for the London market, a mainstay on many social calendars and a large contributor to chosen charities each year.

Despite, as suffered by all, two fallow years in 20/21, the club achieved record gate figures in 2024 with circa 8,700 attendees on the day – it is a credit to Ball Associates, Richmond Rugby Club and the huge amount of support from our sponsors and partner companies that we are able to annually put together such a prestigious event.

 

THE CHANGE FOUNDATION

The LRFC7s support The Change Foundation, whose mission is to change the lives of marginalised young people through he power of sport. Over the last 42 years they have successfully delivered award-winning sports intervention programmes to vulnerable young people living in the UK and abroad.

Click HERE to view their website