For anyone who has worn the RAMC or RAMS cap badge, this annual rugby festival was more than just a sporting fixture.
It is a chance to reconnect, compete against old rivals, and celebrate why the AMS rugby community excels.
Three Days of High-Quality Rugby
The RAMS Rugby Festival saw training and matches across all three days. As a result, both the men’s and women’s squads got valuable training and game time against strong opposition. The festival also attracts players and supporters from across the wider AMS community, underscoring the importance of hosting such events.
A few highlights from the weekend:
- 100 players participated in the men’s and women’s rugby programmes.
- 40 women and 60 men attended the festival.
- Roughly 90% of attendees were soldiers.
- Three full days of competitive, high-quality rugby.
- Strong turnout from the wider Army Rugby Union and RAMS rugby community.
The Serpents, the men’s team of the Royal Army Medical Services Rugby, have built a reputation for success and silverware. In fact, they recently claimed victory over the Royal Army Physical Training Corps in the League 3 final. Events like the RAMS Rugby Festival help build that form. Meanwhile, the women’s rugby programme continues to grow, with a calendar that includes an overseas tour to Texas, regular training camps, and Inter-Corps fixtures.
Why Events Like This Matter
Events like the RAMS Rugby Festival do more than fill a fixture list. They also give serving personnel in the Royal Army Medical Services a rare opportunity to step away from their daily duties. Above all, players get to enjoy the sport they love and connect with colleagues who share their passion for rugby.
For many, rugby has always been central to the identity of the RAMC and now RAMS. So, bringing people together in Nottingham for three days continues the tradition. It keeps that spirit alive for the next generation of Army medical personnel.
The RAMC Charity’s Role in Supporting RAMS Rugby
None of this happens without support behind the scenes. A £120k grant from the RAMC Charity helped underpin RAMS rugby and sports. In turn, the Nottingham festival stands as one of the clearest examples of that funding in action.
The Charity has pledged to continue supporting RAMS sports for a further two years, albeit on a reducing scale. This commitment will help sustain RAMS rugby events for serving personnel, while the wider RAMS sporting structure develops its own long-term foundation.
Ultimately, it is a quiet but meaningful contribution. Former members will likely recognise it as part of a much longer tradition of the Corps looking after its own.
Stay Connected with RAMS Rugby
Whether you are a serving soldier, a Reservist, or a supporter of Army rugby, both the men’s and women’s teams are active on social media with regular fixtures and updates:
- Men’s team: Royal Army Medical Services RUFC on Instagram
- Women’s team: RAMS(W) Rugby on Instagram
- RAMS/AMS Supporters on Facebook
Whether you are lacing up your boots again or cheering from the sidelines, the RAMS Rugby Festival is a reminder. The Army Medical Services rugby community remains strong and united.
