Rank #53Powered By
BackAbout the Scouts 1 of 6
1. A History of the “Old Scouts”
The club originated when a group of ‘Rover Scouts’ were chatting around the campfire at Castle Ashby, just outside Northampton.
It transpired that several of those at the campfire, played for a rugby club that was soon to fold and from this a new club, Northampton Old Scouts, was formed in 1926.
The club was fairly nomadic during the early years but eventually moved to its current grounds in Rushmere Road, during the 1960’s.
Since then the club has gone from strength to strength and during the 1970’s, a mini and junior section was formed. This has proved to be a hugely successful set-up with several players coming through the ranks and onto play for Northampton Saints, England and the British & Irish Lions.
We are proud that two of our former junior players, Ben Cohen (Lion #693) and Steve Thompson (Lion #732) were part of the England XV that won the Rugby World Cup in 2003.
Other alumni include Courtney Lawes (Lion #826) who retired after winning 105 caps for England, playing in four World Cups, as well as 5 caps for the Lions on the 2017 and 2021 tours.
Ollie Sleightholme (England #1463) is our latest Old Scouts to enjoy international honours. Ollie started at the Scouts as an under 6 and made his full England debut in July 2024, against New Zealand.
We have also had numerous players who have represented their country at various age groups, as well as Jack Hunt who has been part of the England Deaf Rugby squad.
Our 1st XV has regularly brought silverware back to Rushmere Road – and most recently won the Alliance Cup as back-to-back winners in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons. We were also beaten finalists at Twickenham in the Papa Johns Community Cup (May 2024).
During 2024, the Women’s Team was re-launched – this once successful part of the club has a great future.
In 2007, we welcomed the Bold Dragoon Cricket Club to our home and in recent seasons have also embraced the Northampton Outlaws to be part of our set-up – they were the first inclusive rugby team in the East Midlands; they themselves have also added a woman’s team into their own club.
Recently Northampton Heathens have also based themselves from Rushmere Road.
Our grounds are also used by the wider local community for various summer camps and activities as well as the Northampton University Rugby and Northamptonshire Ladies Police Rugby teams and we will also be hosting training and games for COYS Touch Rugby.
It transpired that several of those at the campfire, played for a rugby club that was soon to fold and from this a new club, Northampton Old Scouts, was formed in 1926.
The club was fairly nomadic during the early years but eventually moved to its current grounds in Rushmere Road, during the 1960’s.
Since then the club has gone from strength to strength and during the 1970’s, a mini and junior section was formed. This has proved to be a hugely successful set-up with several players coming through the ranks and onto play for Northampton Saints, England and the British & Irish Lions.
We are proud that two of our former junior players, Ben Cohen (Lion #693) and Steve Thompson (Lion #732) were part of the England XV that won the Rugby World Cup in 2003.
Other alumni include Courtney Lawes (Lion #826) who retired after winning 105 caps for England, playing in four World Cups, as well as 5 caps for the Lions on the 2017 and 2021 tours.
Ollie Sleightholme (England #1463) is our latest Old Scouts to enjoy international honours. Ollie started at the Scouts as an under 6 and made his full England debut in July 2024, against New Zealand.
We have also had numerous players who have represented their country at various age groups, as well as Jack Hunt who has been part of the England Deaf Rugby squad.
Our 1st XV has regularly brought silverware back to Rushmere Road – and most recently won the Alliance Cup as back-to-back winners in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons. We were also beaten finalists at Twickenham in the Papa Johns Community Cup (May 2024).
During 2024, the Women’s Team was re-launched – this once successful part of the club has a great future.
In 2007, we welcomed the Bold Dragoon Cricket Club to our home and in recent seasons have also embraced the Northampton Outlaws to be part of our set-up – they were the first inclusive rugby team in the East Midlands; they themselves have also added a woman’s team into their own club.
Recently Northampton Heathens have also based themselves from Rushmere Road.
Our grounds are also used by the wider local community for various summer camps and activities as well as the Northampton University Rugby and Northamptonshire Ladies Police Rugby teams and we will also be hosting training and games for COYS Touch Rugby.