Always a vibrant and locally respected Rugby Club, Henley’s fortunes began to soar when SIR CLIVE WOODWARD became the 1st XV coach in 1990.
In year 2000 Henley had reached their pinnacle with a midway position in National One (as was) and a top 25 position in National league rugby.
Around the same time Henley took the scalp of then premiership side Bedford in the latter stages of the National Knockout Cup and narrowly lost to Gloucester at Kingsholm in the next round.
Right now Henley occupy a respectable top 50 spot, firmly established in National 2 South with an eye to climbing back up the pecking order.
Take London Irish out of the scene (they play in Reading at the Madejski but their base is in Middlesex), then Henley are clearly the premier club in the Thames Valley.
Take the Madejski Stadium out of the equation and it is hard to think of a ball playing arena in the Reading area (population 200,000) which can surpass the current gates (circa 400) watching Henley’s flagship side HENLEY HAWKS on a Saturday afternoon.
Henley’s ground DRY LEAS is the club’s ‘jewel in the crown’. The ground is barely a stone’s throw from the river and reflects everything that you might expect from the world famous regatta town of Henley–On–Thames. Beautifully appointed Dry Leas boasts one of the finest playing surfaces in the country.
Henley manage a fully comprehensive organisation with teams that cover the broad spectrum of a contemporary rugby club. All Henley’s teams from the Hawks through to the amateur sides, through to the Women and Juniors and Minis command respect wherever they play.
Community Rugby is an essential part of the infrastructure. The club’s Community Developement Officer is possibly the finest loose head prop in the World : Rochelle Clark of England Women.