Canterbury

In the 2018/19 season Canterbury realised their ambition to become a National Division One club. It was achieved through a National 2 play-off victory over Chester and placed the club among the top 40 in England. The promotion was the culmination of 13 years spent at National level which started in the 2006/07 season. The club made a tentative start to their first season in National 3 South but exceeded all expectations by finishing in fourth position. The demands of the higher league, which subsequently became National 2 South, increased every year but Canterbury responded to the challenge and were consistently in the top half of the table, despite the presence of many clubs with heavy financial backing. The 2010/11 season, however, proved to be less successful and the team was relegated on the final day of the campaign. They responded in positive fashion to win back their place in National 2 South at the first attempt and quickly re-established themselves. In the 2013/14 season Canterbury equalled their highest ever position at National level by finishing in fourth place and set their sights on bringing Division One rugby to East Kent.