Ambition is in the air at Wymondham’s Rugby Club: ambition to be the leading club in the county.

On a muggy early-autumn evening, dozens of players are sweating through the latest training session under the eye of new senior head coach Aaron Beaumont.

“We’re regularly getting 40 or 50 players at training - we had 75 available for our final pre-season friendlies,” he says.

“Over the summer, we recruited a handful of players in particular positions, but we’ve had a large number of walk-ins - players who’ve seen what we’re doing here, seen the facilities, and have heard what we put on the pitch last season.”

Both the men’s 1st and 2nd XVs were promoted last season, reaching the highest levels the club has ever played at. It means the 1sts will face the likes of Holt, Harlow and Rochford. Beaumont has experience coaching in these leagues and knows the challenges.

“It’s going to be more physical playing the big sides nearer London - it always is. We’re going to have to take it up a level, but if you have buy-in from the players, if they’re enjoying being here and being part of this squad, then they’re going to fight harder for each other on a Saturday afternoon.”

And it’s not just the men’s game thriving at Wymondham. Despite a shortage of funding, women’s rugby is seeing huge growth as a sport, both at the grassroots and international level. Alex Bailey, head coach of the club’s senior squad, the Wasps, says there is real potential, especially with a home World Cup next year.

“We’re working closely with the RFU and the amazing Wasps youth coaches to make Wymondham a beacon for women's rugby in East Anglia. Pre-season has been fantastic. We have 50 registered players with a wide variety of age and experience. Training has been unapologetically hard, and the players have shown masses of grit, desire and effort to push their limits.”

The Wasps face long journeys in their league, with Bletchley, Bedford and Welwyn among their opponents. Bailey says: “We are going places - in all senses - but to get there, we need kit, transport, dedicated physios. The club, of course, provides what they can, but to truly grow, we need our own sponsors.”