Kilburn Cosmos RFC played its first games in 1996 on Tiverton Green. Founded by John Tymon, an Irishman with a love for fast moving, running rugby, the club quickly attracted an international player base from around the area. His reason for calling us “Cosmos” has been the subject of tortured historical debate over the years, but there is no doubting that John was motivated by a desire to bring rugby to an area of London which is among the poorest in the UK and suffers from a marked lack of sporting opportunities available to the local community.
Our history
Friendly support
We were given a great deal of helpful and friendly support by other clubs in the area, and by Middlesex County who have nurtured us over the years, particularly Keith King who often appeared at our fixtures and Sue Goodenough for her work in administration.
From season 2002/03 to the present we have maintained two senior men’s sides. In the 2004/05 season we added a women’s team and in the 2006/07 season started work on re-launching the club’s junior section, which is now thriving, with upwards of 150 members.
Developing the club
We are committed to developing the club, particularly its youth section, and to providing rugby union in Brent – one of the poorest boroughs in the UK. For the game to grow it needs to take root in areas where it has not previously been available to the community, especially in areas like this where access to any sport for any age group is severely limited.
Facilities and Community Involvement
Any visiting clubs who played on our original home ground at Tiverton Green would hardly describe it as a pleasure. It was then a great step forward the club when, at the start of the 2009/10 season, we moved to our new home at Gladstone Park, thanks to the investment of Brent Council. A flat, fully-drained pitch, and first-rate changing facilities have transformed our home games, while our partnership with the Gladstone Park Community Centre has given us access to a bar that we make excellent use of.