The first year of the new decade also proved to be a write off as the repercussions from the Coronavirus plague continued to be felt across the world, with no junior rugby played during the whole of the 2020-2021 season. Eventually, rugby normality resumed for the 2021-22 season with renewed optimism and enthusiasm.

New floodlights were installed to improve the training and playing facilities on the 1st pitch. The 1st team twice finished in 5th place in the renamed Counties 2 Somerset and the 2nd team were re-energised as the “Elite” under the stewardship of Ben Hurd. Iain Parris finished up as top try scorer with 19 tries, a figure that was bettered a few years later as Matt Thresher ran in 23 tries.

In recognition of his many years of service, Steve Bird was honoured as one of the RFU Volunteers of the Year in a hospitality weekend at Twickenham, whilst Tony Mutlow was also given an RFU Volunteers award at a Somerset County match.

The spirit of the local Combination was demonstrated as Trowbridge rugby club donated a set of new rugby posts for our 1st team pitch, whilst Old Culverhaysians donated around 50 stacking chairs for use in the clubhouse. On the downside in local rugby circles, both the Old Edwardians and Stotherts rugby clubs folded through lack of playing numbers.

The following two years (2023-24 and 2024-25) saw Avon complete their league campaigns in a creditable 3rd place in Counties 2 Somerset as new recruits Dan Cousineau, Jake Coates, Rhys van den Handel, Ben May, Will Bartholomew, Jack Moore, Liam Ridley and Oscar McCormack all made positive impressions on the field. The end of the season in 2025 also saw Avon once again win the Bath Combination Vase final on the Rec.

Improvements in the clubhouse continued with the installation of a new Audio/Visual system, funded by the VIPs donations and installed by Adam Mutlow from Future Integration. The VIPs continued to provide a valuable source of additional income, subsidising a wide range of things including: an ice-bath for the players after games/training; the end of season “fun bus” to Taunton; certificates for the schoolchildren at the schools festivals; baseball caps for some deserved volunteers; annual subscription and match fees for a young student at the Club; 50% of the cost of a new mower for the pitches.

Avon were also grateful for other external inputs to support our operation. Electrio provided a new set of playing shirts for away matches and colour clashes; SB Roofing sponsored the Minis kit and equipment; whilst Dave Vowles Roofing continued to provide the 1st team shirts, with the Elizabethan Lodge of the Bath Freemasons funding the new style centenary shirts. Jake Coates introduced a new concept of Player Sponsors, which resulted in around 20 companies making valuable contributions.

As Avon’s Centenary season approached in 2025-26, a host of commemorative events, memorabilia and further facility improvements were being carried out. Del Ayliffe kindly funded the purchase and erection of an electronic scoreboard, whilst the legacy from Kieran Long provided pre-match warm up tops for the players and an extension to the concrete pathway around the far end of the clubhouse to assist in storing the new mower. Meanwhile, the rendering of the external walls was also being completed. A Pitch Maintenance Grant had been obtained from the Football Foundation over a 6 year period, enabling a comprehensive programme of aeration, decompaction, weeding, seeding and fertilising to be arranged.

As well as the 100 year centenary, several players have recorded personal milestones with significant 1st team appearances with Chris Mutlow leading the way, backed up by Kane Book and others including Ian Burnell, Ben Hurd, Ollie Flight, Zak Harwood, Sam Book, Xander Hall-Davis, amongst several more. Avon continue to boast the most experienced coaching team in the area with Clive Book continuing as Director of Rugby after 29 years, Kai Harwood acting as Head Coach for his 10th year, ably supported by the ever-youthful Damien (old-man) Sawyer, backed up by senior player/coaches Rob Fitch and Chaz Meddick – all in the Avon tradition “free of charge”

Like most clubs, locally and nationally, new players are a precious commodity. Playing numbers have been dropping over the years for a variety of reasons. The days of clubs fielding 4 senior teams (as Avon did in the past) have generally long gone. Looking at our situation realistically, Avon probably have a squad of around 25 potential 1st team players but who are never all available at the same time! The 2nd team “Elite” are generally in the later years of their playing careers but really enjoy getting together for their more social matches every few months or so. Therefore we look towards the future with our Minis and Juniors on Sunday mornings, always full of promise and enthusiasm but facing the nationwide challenges of retaining youngsters and making the progression to senior rugby.

Focussing again on the present day, the Centenary celebrations kicked off with a successful tour in Amsterdam; a new style logo was designed by Damien Sawyer; pitch side boards have been erected; supporters social shirts and special ties have been designed by Russ Hindmarch; and other centenary merchandise has been ordered. In addition, the 1st team have reverted to an all black retro shirt, aligned to the inaugural season, for use in matches this year. These new playing shirts have kindly been sponsored by the Elizabethan Lodge of the Bath Freemasons. In the pipeline are an unique centenary painting, featuring stalwarts across the 10 decades; a Family Fun Day at the end of the season; acting as hosts of the Bath Combination 7s next August; and as a culmination of the centenary events, a grand Dinner Dance on 9th May 2026 at the Apex Hotel.

Whilst this short history tells an impressive story, the future holds more potential for further developments on and off the field as Avon look forward in a positive and promising vein as they embark on the latest stages of their rugby journey.