Worthing Raiders are adapting their pre-rugby season training programme as the continuing drought and exceptionally dry weather place increasing pressure on grass playing surfaces across the region.

They are among rugby clubs across Sussex desperately hoping for rain to soften up rock-hard pitches before the scheduled start of the season.

The prolonged period of hot, dry weather has left many grass pitches extremely hard and dry, creating challenges for clubs preparing players for the new rugby season.

Almost three-quarters of England is currently classified as being in drought, with the South East among the areas affected.

Managing to do some training on the yellow-looking pitch at Worthing RFC

placeholder image — Managing to do some training on the yellow-looking pitch at Worthing RFC

For a rugby club, the condition of the playing surface is particularly important. Rugby places significant demands on both players and pitches, and training on excessively hard ground can increase the risk of injury while also causing further damage to already stressed grass surfaces.

Worthing Raiders are therefore taking a cautious and responsible approach to preseason preparation.

Bel Coulson, Raiders head coach, said: “Our priority has to be getting the players ready for the season while making sure we look after their welfare. The current conditions mean we have to be sensible about how and where we train.

“Pre-season is about building fitness, developing our systems and getting the squad ready to compete. We can achieve that without putting unnecessary pressure on players or our playing surfaces.

The current state of the main training pitch at Worthing RFC

“The coaching team is adapting sessions where necessary, using alternative training methods and making decisions based on the condition of the ground rather than simply following the original pre-season plan.”

The club are also conscious of its responsibility to protect their facilities. With little meaningful rainfall and continuing high temperatures, grass recovery is severely restricted, making pitch management increasingly challenging.

The impact is not limited to Worthing Raiders. Across grassroots rugby, clubs are already having to reconsider pre-season fixtures and training arrangements.

Worthing Raiders will continue to monitor conditions closely and will make adjustments to training and preseason fixtures where required.

The grass isn't greener - the current conditions on rhe main pitch at Worthing RFC

The club's objective remains clear: prepare the squad properly for the season while putting player safety and the long-term health of the club's facilities first.

The Raiders' pre-season programme will therefore remain flexible, with the coaching and management teams prepared to modify training intensity, location and content as conditions dictate.

Tim Mackew, chair of Worthing Raiders, said: “These are unusual conditions and they require us to think differently. We want our players, coaches, volunteers and supporters to have confidence that decisions are being made responsibly.

“We are grateful for everyone's understanding as we manage the challenges presented by the current weather conditions. Our focus remains on being ready for the season ahead, but we will not compromise player welfare or the sustainability of our facilities in order to do so.”

Raiders will provide further updates should conditions affect planned pre-season fixtures or training arrangements.