Eastern Rhinos

Eastern Rhinos were for a long time the only Rugby League club based in East Anglia and North Essex and is one of the most established clubs in the South East UK.

The long and proud history goes back to 1992 when it formed from the successful Civil Service South East Team to begin life as Felixstowe Eastern Rugby League Football Club. A move to Ipswich, along with a name change, to Ipswich Rhinos RLFC, took place in 1995.

2003 was the most successful year in the club's history. Some outstanding performances culminated in a first ever Rugby League Conference semi-final, when only the combined might of former Super League, Welsh International, Great Britain and British Lions stars enabled eventual Champions Bridgend Bulls to win over the Rhinos at Coventry. Over the years 7 players from the club, including the current Head Coach, have played representative amateur international Rugby League and there have been 3 players becoming full time professionals at London Broncos plus quite a few players being retained within the London Broncos Academy.

In 2010 the club changed their name to the Eastern Rhinos to consolidate the club's second team and youth teams under one name and moved their home base to Colchester Rugby Club.

The senior men’s team play in the Southern Conference League, this is the highest level (Tier 4) of amateur Rugby League in UK and equates to the National Conference League for teams from the North of England. This team are the “ever present” team in the league and almost every season compete for a place in the playoff just falling short in the 2024 season on points difference. The club was, however, able to field a development team during the season and this team won the 2024 East Rugby League Cup. The club also enters, when possible, an annual 9s tournament in Rotterdam providing an opportunity to help spread the Rugby League word in the Netherlands as well as a very good tour.



The club aims to provide the community with the highest level of Rugby League it can achieve within the level of support available. It encourages the growth of community and school-based Rugby League in East Anglia including North Essex. Rhinos actively encouraged all genders to join the club. Recently Rhinos had an enforced move to the Colchester Sports Park. This is alongside many other clubs and activities but comes with a Rugby League marked all weather pitch.

Eastern Rhinos are one of the mainstay clubs of Rugby League in the South UK and put an immense amount of effort into maintaining their presence in the league. They are always on the lookout for locally based players of all ages and genders. They are active, and can be contacted on all mainstream social media.


https://www.facebook.com/EasternRL?locale=en_GB

https://www.instagram.com/easternrhinos/

https://www.youtube.com/@easternrhinos6521

https://www.easternrhinos.co.uk/


Home for the Eastern Rhinos is:

Colchester Sports Park
Cuckoo Farm Way
Colchester
Essex
CO4 5YX