IT was a proud and historic day for Drybrook Rugby Club last Wednesday when past and present stars of the The English RFU – and accompanying media circus – decamped to their rugby fields to launch the new Canterbury England kits.

Chairman of the club, Paul Mason, the manager of the Adult Learning Centre at John Kyrle High School, was instrumental in making the application to the RFU, who, with kit sponsors Canterbury, were keen to reconnect with the game's grass roots clubs. Up against 150 clubs nationwide, Paul managed to capture the essence of the club and what rugby means to Drybrook and the community, and how the community is impacted by the presence of rugby. Drybrook were clear winners and it is easy to see why.

On evidence at Drybrook's ground on Wednesday, it is clear that rugby is more than just a game – it is the life blood of their community.

Without exception, everyone at the club talks about how the rugby club is a hub for the community, playing host not just to rugby for all ages, backgrounds and genders, but for a range of clubs and activities, from bingo, pigeon racing, zumba and Morris Dancing. A member of the first team explained how this was captured perfectly the evening before: RFU officials had arrived to prepare the hall for the kit launch, pinning RFU logos all around. Meanwhile, a game of bingo carried on regardless.

And there must be something in the training players get here, three Drybrook alumni play for the England Team. While many leave for work or university, many return to the club. The atmosphere of camaraderie is extraordinary.

While members of the media, many of whom were veterans of the recent Olympics, scrambled to get shots of the England captains, Chris Robshaw, Katy McLean, Rob Vickerman and Micheala Staniford, players from Drybrook looked on, beaming with pride.

Vice Chairman and member of the first team, Chris Rawlings voiced the feelings of many when he spoke to the Gazette about Paul Mason's role in securing the bid for the club: "He did so much work behind the scenes, with no acknowledgement. The first we knew about it was when he told us he had done it! We thought he was joking. He's done so much for the club."

It was clearly an emotional day for Chris and many of the other players. "The Club means everything to me," he said. "It is unbelieveable. My mother used to say to I would end up marrying a rugby ball. No one is prouder than me today."

Paul Mason was modest about his role in securing Drybrook's success in the kit launch – "it was a huge community commitment," he said. "I just hit some of the right buttons. I am proud of the prestige and enthusiasm this day will produce for the club."