On Sunday, members of the Kift Club gathered at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, for the club’s first ever trip to a rugby international, and they could hardly have picked a better one. Over lunch and drinks, members swapped stories of Hurst sport past and present before taking their seats among a crowd of more than 81,000 for England against the Wallabies.

England were in charge from the start. Jamie George crossed after eight minutes, a try that made him England’s all-time leading try-scoring forward, and further scores from Ollie Chessum and Joe Heyes had the hosts 19-10 up at the break. Jack van Poortvliet’s try early in the second half secured the bonus point, Henry Pollock helped himself to two in quick succession, and Ben Spencer’s late interception sealed a 45-22 win. Seven tries to three: a statement performance, and one we like to think our members played their part in from the stands!

Why the Kift Club matters

Rob Kift has shaped Hurst sport since 1990, and the Kift Club is how we back the players who come next. Members give £50 a month to the Rob Kift Sports Bursary Fund, which exists so that financial circumstance is never the reason a talented young person misses out on a Hurst education and the sporting opportunities that come with it. Every gift goes directly towards sports bursary places, giving young people the chance to thrive at Hurst just as Rob’s own players once did.

Days like Sunday are our way of saying thank you. Throughout the year, members are invited to a programme of donor events, from rugby internationals to London thank you events, and receive regular updates on the pupils their support has helped bring to Hurst.

“It was a belter of a day,” said Gareth Doodes, Director of Foundation. “Great rugby, great company and a real sense of what the Kift Club is all about: people who love Hurst sport making sure the next generation gets its chance. A huge thank you to every member, and to everyone whose monthly gift makes the fund possible.”

Enjoy the photos, and if you would like to be part of the next one, we would love to welcome you to The Kift Club