KINGSBRIDGE Rugby Club will celebrate its 125th anniversary with The Wurzels and champagne rugby.

Kingsbridge Rugby Football Club, KRFC, is holding a Party on the Pitch on May 3 to celebrate 125 years of community rugby, and are inviting everyone along for live music, food, drinks and, of course, rugby.

There will be junior rugby games all morning, girl's rugby after lunch and live music from 2pm with The Wurzels headlining in the early evening.

Food from around the world will be served all day, and there's a great opportunity to watch stars from the past, present and future play some sparkling champagne rugby in the afternoon.

The evening before, the club is hosting a special annual dinner with around 300 past and current players, sponsors and supporters joining the celebrations.

Founded in 1889, KRFC, or the Blue and Whites, moved to their current home at High House in 1926 and players now benefit from the use of three floodlit pitches.

During this time, and particularly in the last 10 years, KRFC has grown hugely, developing thriving mini and junior sections with over 300 players across ten teams from U7 to U16, as well as a strong Colts squad, a vibrant girls squad and first and second team senior squads.

The Club's First XV plays in the Western Counties league, finishing their 2013/14 season in third place and fighting for promotion at the end of this season.

'Over the years, KRFC has gone from strength to strength and is now a major focal point for the local community,' says president Jonathan Robinson.

'We're a wholly amateur club, which we're passionate about, and we've always placed great importance on rugby's core values all the way through the club - teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship.

'We work hard to instil these values into the young people who play here and hope they will stand them in good stead throughout their lives.

'The emphasis is on inclusiveness and enjoyment. We're focused on ensuring all our players get the most out of the game and the club at every level – so they stay with us and go on to play for our Colts and senior teams.

'Player retention is key and we're proud that the majority of our current first team squad have risen through the ranks.'

'These values are also central to KRFC's continued success and its future ambitions.

'In addition to the outstanding performance of the First XV over the last few seasons, every year the Club's trophy cabinet is full of silverware brought home by almost every age group from their respective Devon finals.

The Honours Board reflects a long list of players who have gone on to play representative rugby for their county, their country and today's Premiership clubs.

A programme of continual investment in playing facilities, coaching standards and the club's social environment, backs success on the field and in the development of each and every player.

Kingsbridge was one of the first clubs in Devon to be awarded the RFU's Whole Club Seal of Approval and is recognised as a SportsMark club by Sport England.

'In the last three years, we've invested over £200,000 in improving our facilities,' says chairman, Ian Brooking. 'Over the next few years we plan to spend a further £500,000 developing the social space in the clubhouse, new changing rooms and replacing floodlighting.

'This will require major fundraising but it's essential for the future of the club that our players and members have access to the best possible facilities.

'KRFC is much more than a rugby club – it's a big family, and we want to ensure that everyone who's invol-ved with our family, values the experience.

'We're proud to be 125 this year. We've achieved a lot but we have great plans for the years ahead.

'Thanks to all the players, all our great sponsors and the people who work behind the scenes to make this club special, we can celebrate our past and look forward to an even brighter future.

Like any amateur organisation, KRFC depends on the hard work and financial support of all its volunteers and sponsors to sustain the club and move it forwards.

If anyone would like to make a donation to help the club achieve it's goal of improving social and playing facilities, email ian.brook [email protected]">[email protected]. uk.