Melksham rugby player named in Bath squad

A rugby player from Melksham has been named in the Bath RFC squad for the upcoming season and is hoping to secure his first start at The Rec. 

Fred Kempton, who attended Melksham Oak Community School, began playing in the Rugrats section at Melksham RFC at five years old before progressing through the age groups at the club.

He stopped playing during the Covid pandemic but, after sport resumed, attended a trial at Bath and progressed through the junior ranks at the top-tier premiership club.

“I got an email the next week saying I was invited in,” he said. “I went through under-15s and got into the pre-academy in under-16s. I played under-18s for two years, and whilst I was in under-17s, we managed to win the under-18 Prem. I managed to stay in the squad, became a scholar for the last year, and then this year I got invited into first-team preseason, which was pretty awesome.”

During preseason training, Fred trained alongside main squad members and international players, including Thomas du Toit and Will Stuart.

“At the start, the internationals were away with the international side,” Fred said. “During preseason, it was basically just the boys that have been in that main squad, but you still had players like Thomas du Toit and Will Stuart, which has been pretty amazing, especially at the start, but then you get to know that they are just human as well. You are there to play the same sport, which is the nice bit about it.”

Fred spent two years studying at Beechen Cliff School and is currently gaining game time while studying and playing at the University of Bath. He aims to secure further playing time and establish himself within the senior back row.

“That’s the ideal plan,” he said. “With the names that they have got in the back row at the minute, it is going to be a challenge, but I would like to think that with what I can do now, getting some game time at uni, that is the end goal.”

Reflecting on his progression from grassroots rugby in Melksham, Fred encouraged younger individuals to take opportunities as they arise.

“It has given me opportunities that I didn’t think I would get, like going to a place like Bath Uni,” he said. “If you set your mind to something and have a strong mental attitude towards it, there is no reason why you can’t crack on and do it. If you take all the opportunities that are given, then you can definitely progress into whatever you want to do.”