Hey there, rugby enthusiasts! Welcome to the Amateur Rugby Podcast, your go-to for some laid-back rugby chat. I’m your host, Tim Tunnicliff, and in this first episode, I want to give you a glimpse into my rugby journey and what you can expect from the podcast in the coming weeks.

My rugby adventure began in senior school at Pates Grammar School in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. I played my way through school, even getting a chance to represent the South-West of England school sides. Post-school, I joined Cheltenham Colts, experienced some incredible days, then continued my club rugby journey in London, spending 10 seasons with Old Colfeians. A stint at Blackheath followed before a memorable time with Esher. I finished my career with a roller-coaster season at Ealing.

After hanging up my boots, I tried my hand at coaching with Old Colfeians for three years, but being a head coach didn’t quite align with my personality. I’ve been out of the game for three years now, and that brings me to why I started this podcast.

Rugby has been a cornerstone of my life, and even after retirement, the itch to stay connected with the game never really went away. Travelling around the world for the past three years has been incredible, but the desire to be involved in rugby in some way has only grown. Podcasts have become a passion of mine, and it seemed like the perfect avenue to dive back into the game, share discussions, and reconnect with fellow rugby enthusiasts.

Now, let’s discuss what this podcast will and won’t be. It won’t be your typical weekly game update or analysis of the latest matches. There are plenty of great rugby podcasts for that. Instead, I want to focus on the amateur ethos of the game, sharing stories, experiences, and discussions that capture the essence of grassroots rugby.

This podcasting journey is entirely new for me. I’ve never recorded anything like this before, but I want you to come along for the ride. I’ve been sharing some behind-the-scenes clips on Facebook Live, discussing the learning curve, software choices, and everything in between.

I’ve decided to release episodes in the order I recorded them to showcase the natural progression and improvement. The first episode, dropping on September 8th, features a chat with my brother, Chris Tunnicliff. It’s a great conversation, and I’m excited to share it with you.

I’ll be active on Twitter (@amrugbypodcast) during matches, sharing interesting news, and hosting discussions about the amateur ethos of the game. There’s also a Facebook page with live videos and updates.

Your support means the world to me. If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a five-star review and subscribe on Apple Music, iTunes, or your favourite podcast platform.

Get out and play!