Rugby in Gosforth: A Guide to Clubs, Junior Sections, and Match Days

Gosforth has a rugby heritage that few suburbs in the country can match. Two distinct clubs call the area home, each with its own character and history, and between them they cater for everyone from five-year-olds picking up a ball for the first time to senior players competing at a high level. Whether you want to play, watch, or simply understand why rugby matters so much around here, this guide covers everything you need to know.

Northern Football Club — McCracken Park

Northern Rugby Football Club is the oldest rugby club in Newcastle, founded in 1875 — originally as Elswick Football Club before being renamed in its second season. The club has been based at McCracken Park on the Great North Road (NE3 2DT) since 1937, when the ground was purchased and named after the then club president, Angus McCracken.

McCracken Park is a proper rugby ground: three pitches, four squash courts, and a clubhouse that was rebuilt in 1994 at a cost of one million pounds. The facilities are excellent and the setting — right on the Great North Road with mature trees lining the boundary — gives the place a character that modern sports complexes struggle to replicate.

The men's first XV currently compete in Regional 2 North, the sixth tier of the English rugby union system. The club also fields a women's team and has a thriving junior section welcoming boys and girls from age five upwards. Training evenings and match days have a genuinely warm, social atmosphere, with the clubhouse bar open and families congregating on the touchline.

Northern's place in the wider story of Newcastle rugby is significant. In the 1970s and again in the late 1980s, merger talks took place between Northern and the old Gosforth RFC (a separate club — see below). Those talks ultimately broke down, and it was the old Gosforth RFC that eventually became Newcastle Gosforth, then Newcastle Falcons (now Newcastle Red Bulls), moving to Kingston Park. Northern stayed put at McCracken Park and continued as an independent, community-focused club — a decision that has served it well.

Best for: Players and supporters looking for a well-established club with strong traditions, excellent facilities, and competitive rugby from junior level through to senior men's and women's teams.

Gosforth RFC — Broadway West

Gosforth RFC is the newer of the two clubs, but its story is one of real community determination. After years without a permanent home, the club completed its "Back in Gosforth" (BiG) campaign in July 2015, raising the flag at a new clubhouse on Broadway West Playing Fields (NE3 2HY). It was a landmark moment for community sport in the area.

Today, Gosforth RFC is part of the Gosforth Sports Association, sharing Broadway West with Newcastle City Cricket Club, Tyne Tees Tigers Australian Rules football, and Newcastle Nighthawks baseball. The multi-sport setup gives the ground a lively, inclusive feel — particularly on weekends when several sports are running simultaneously.

The senior men's first XV compete in Counties 3 Durham and Northumberland, with training sessions held every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm at Broadway West. The club also runs a vibrant mini and junior section for boys and girls from age five through to under-16s, providing coaching in a friendly, development-focused environment.

Gosforth RFC has a strong emphasis on growing the game at grassroots level. The junior section is the beating heart of the club, and new players are welcomed throughout the season — no experience necessary. If your child has never played rugby before, this is a brilliant place to start.

Best for: Families looking for an inclusive, community-driven club with a strong junior section and a welcoming atmosphere for newcomers to the sport.

Junior and Mini Rugby

Both Northern and Gosforth RFC run structured mini and junior programmes, typically on Sunday mornings during the season (September to April). Sessions are organised by age group and follow the RFU's guidance on age-appropriate, contact-progressive rugby — meaning younger children play tag and touch rugby before gradually moving to contact.

At Northern, the junior section benefits from the excellent McCracken Park facilities, with dedicated coaching teams for each age group. At Gosforth RFC, the emphasis is on fun, development, and inclusion, with the club actively encouraging children who have never tried the sport before.

Both clubs welcome boys and girls equally, and both offer pathways from minis through to colts (under-18s) and into senior rugby. If you are unsure which club suits your family best, the honest answer is to visit both on a Sunday morning and see which feels right — they are different in character but equally welcoming.

Best for: Children aged five and above who want to try rugby in a safe, structured environment with qualified coaches.

Women's Rugby

Northern fields a women's team competing in the Northumberland rugby union leagues. Women's rugby has grown enormously in recent years, and Northern's women's section welcomes players of all experience levels — from complete beginners to those returning to the sport. Training details and fixture schedules are available on the club's website at northernfc.rfu.club.

If you have ever thought about trying rugby but assumed it was too late to start, women's rugby is the perfect entry point. Many players join in their twenties, thirties, or beyond, and the social side of the game is just as important as what happens on the pitch.

Best for: Women of any age or experience level who want to try a team sport with a strong social element.

Newcastle Red Bulls — Kingston Park

While not in Gosforth itself, Kingston Park stadium is just a short drive or bus ride away in Kingston Park. The Newcastle Red Bulls (formerly Newcastle Falcons) play in Premiership Rugby, the top tier of English rugby union, and their home matches offer a fantastic day out for rugby fans of all ages.

The club's roots stretch back to the old Gosforth RFC, which became Newcastle Gosforth in 1990, then Newcastle Falcons, before Red Bull completed their takeover. Kingston Park holds around 10,200 spectators and has a proper matchday atmosphere — particularly for evening kick-offs under floodlights.

Premiership tickets are widely available, and taking children to watch top-level rugby is one of the best ways to inspire the next generation of players. Check the fixture list at newcastleredbulls.com for upcoming home matches.

Best for: Watching elite-level rugby close to home, and introducing children to the excitement of live professional sport.

Getting Involved

If you or your children want to try rugby, the simplest step is to get in touch with either club directly. Northern RFC can be reached on 0191 236 3069 or through northernfc.rfu.club. Gosforth RFC can be contacted via gosforthrugby.club. Both clubs are welcoming to newcomers, and you do not need any kit or experience to attend a first session.

Rugby is one of the sports that defines Gosforth, and both clubs deserve enormous credit for keeping the game alive and thriving at community level. Whether you are five or fifty-five, there is a place for you on the pitch.

Know of a rugby club, training session, or rugby-related event we have missed? Get in touch via our [contact page](/contact).