Doncaster Knights ramped up their pre-season preparations on Tuesday with a high-intensity joint training session alongside Premiership club, Leicester Tigers.

Hosted at Oval Park, the session saw both clubs come together for a competitive and collaborative day of rugby.  An opportunity to test combinations, build cohesion, and simulate match conditions ahead of the new season.

The forwards began the morning with focused live scrum and lineout work, in a series of controlled but combative set-piece drills. Meanwhile, the backs took to the pitch for attacking structures and skill-based drills, matching up against their opposite numbers.

As the session progressed, both teams merged for several blocks of full 15 v 15 rugby. These live, full-contact periods brought real match intensity, giving players a valuable chance to implement systems and showcase physicality under pressure.

The Knights now turn their attention to their upcoming pre-season fixtures against Edinburgh Rugby, with preparations continuing to build momentum. 

Knights V Edinburgh: 

Away – Friday 19th September 5pm KO

Home – Friday 26th September 7pm KO – Get tickets here!

We’re Hiring: Mini Junior Coordinator (Part Time)

📍 Location: Castle Park, Doncaster, DN2 5QB
⏱ Hours: 24 per week (3 days, including evenings & weekends)
💷 Salary: £15,500

About Us

Doncaster RFC is a proud and historic rugby club with community at its heart. Based at Castle Park, we are dedicated to developing rugby at all levels. Our thriving Mini Junior section is the foundation of our future, offering fun, inclusive and safe rugby experiences for young players from Micros through to U18s.

The Role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and organised Mini Junior Coordinator to lead, develop and support our Mini Junior programme. You will play a key role in shaping the rugby journey of hundreds of young players, while supporting coaches, volunteers and families to create a welcoming and positive environment.

What You’ll Do

• Oversee Mini Junior rugby sessions, festivals, camps and matchdays

• Support and manage volunteer coaches, ensuring safeguarding and compliance are upheld

• Drive recruitment of new players, coaches and volunteers

• Work with parents, committees and managers to support communication and growth

• Ensure all activities align with RFU Age Grade Rugby regulations and club policies

What We’re Looking For

• Experience in youth rugby, sports development, or an educational setting

• Strong organisational and planning skills

• Excellent people skills with the ability to engage children, parents and volunteers

• Understanding of safeguarding, welfare and inclusion in youth sport

• DBS clearance (essential) & a valid driving licence

What We Offer

• Club kit and training gear

• Free on-site parking

• Ongoing CPD and development opportunities

• The chance to work closely with senior club staff, coaches and players

• A unique opportunity to shape one of Yorkshire’s leading junior rugby programmes

Click here to see full description – MJ Job Description (Part Time)

 

How to Apply

Send your CV and cover letter to [email protected]

The Doncaster Knights’ pre-season is in full swing, and it’s been anything but easy. As we enter week five, and the new campaign is fast approaching, the squad have thrown themselves into an intense programme designed to sharpen both fitness and skill. 

Training blocks have balanced the best of both worlds: relentless conditioning alongside focused rugby work. From day one, the boys have been straight into shape work, learning and refining calls, while also being pushed to their limits physically.

Some days have been especially brutal. A recent highlight… or lowlight, depending on who you ask, saw a guest coach put the team through a 90-minute HYROX session, testing their endurance, grit, and mental toughness. Strength & Conditioning Coach, Sparky, has also been keeping things varied with plenty of off-feet conditioning on the rowers, ski-ergs, and air bikes.  As well as “top-ups” to ensure the running metres keep ticking over.

 

There’s also been the chance to measure themselves against the elite, with Premiership side Northampton Saints visiting for a joint training session, giving the Knights the opportunity to test their skills, intensity, and decision-making against one of the top teams in the country.

The Knights have been making time to strengthen bonds off the field and connect with the local community. A big team walk and a day out at Hatfield Water Park provided the perfect setting for camaraderie, laughter, and a few competitive moments away from the training pitch.

With the season looming, the Knights are building not just fitness and sharpness, but unity and resilience. We can’t wait to have all the fans back at Castle Park for our preseason clash with Edinburgh Rugby. 

This game is included in the season ticket, so be sure to secure yours now to get ALL the games at the best value! 

SEASON TICKETS

 

Doncaster Knights are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former season ticket holder, Tim Wood.

Wood was a regular attendee at Castle Park, but has been unable to attend in recent years due to ill health. 

The details of Tim’s funeral are: 

1pm on Friday 22 August at Rose Hill Crematorium and afterwards at The Punches Hotel (Toby Carvery) on Bawtry Road.

He will be deeply missed by the Doncaster Knights community and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. 

Doncaster Knights are recruiting a Head of Conference and events. 

Doncaster Knights are seeking an experienced, driven, and creative leader to head up our Conference & Events department. This is a fantastic opportunity to take charge of one of Yorkshire’s top sports and events venues, shaping its future success.

In this pivotal role, you’ll lead a talented team to deliver exceptional conferences, meetings, events, match day hospitality, and private events. You’ll be responsible for driving business growth, creating memorable client experiences, and ensuring operational excellence across all areas — from catering and bar service to front of house and event delivery.

If you have proven senior experience in events, hospitality, or venue management, strong leadership skills, and a flair for building lasting client relationships, we’d love to hear from you.

Click here for the full Job Description

Salary: Up to £40,000 DOE
Location: Castle Park, Doncaster

Deadline: Sunday 31st August, 11pm

HOW TO APPLY – Send your CV and cover letter to [email protected]

 

Doncaster Knights’ newest recruit, East Timor Viliamu, has been named in the senior Samoa squad for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup. A prestigious annual tournament featuring some of the strongest rugby nations in the Pacific region. The competition sees Samoa face off against sides such as Fiji, Tonga, and Japan, offering high-intensity international action ahead of the Rugby World Cup cycle.

This selection marks a significant milestone in Viliamu’s career, he has previously played and captained Samoan U20’s and will now get the chance to impress the senior side.

ET will join up with the Knights squad later in the summer. The club has congratulated him on the achievement and wished him every success on the international stage! 

 

Saturday 16th August will see the Doncaster Demons host the second Val Fest event in memory of Val Chadwick, wife of their Demons physio Dave, who sadly passed away in 2024.

The event was the brainchild of Dave and the wonderful Demons team and plans to be a fun packed day of rugby at Castle Park – starting from 12 mid-day. Six teams are confirmed to play in the 10 a side tournament.

On site will also be a BBQ, cake sale, raffle and of course the bar open all day — plus some excellent rugby to enjoy.

The event will be fundraising for our club charity MIND Doncaster. Please do come along and support!