As club chairman I would like to apologise to the membership for not having an AGM yet this year. I think we all understand the reasons for this unusual situation. Covid-19 (CV-19) has had a sudden and devastating effect on our game and the social activities that are associated with the game. But despite of the crisis I, as chairman, am responsible to the membership and have a duty to keep you all informed.
On the playing side the objective was to consolidate our position back in Surrey 1. This objective was achieved on the last game of the season when we beat Kingston RFC at a rearranged home game played at the John Fisher School fields in Plough lane in Purley. I would like to thank all the players from last season for helping to achieve the club’s goals. I would like to extend a big vote to Rhodri Lewis who coached the side so capably last season. I would also like to congratulate Rhodri on achieving his level 3 coaching award. I would also like to say thank you to Jess, the club physio for her work both on and off the field.
We managed to hold three well attended lunches throughout the season. I would like to thank Bryan Whicher, Luke O’Shea, Julian Norton and Siobhan Hawes for helping make the lunches so successful.
The club earned much needed income from regular Friday auctions run at the club and we had plans in place to develop a regular boot sale during the Summer months, unfortunately CV-19 intervened and those plans have had to be put on hold until the crisis is resolved.
The intervention of the virus has had a severe effect on the club’s finances as we have not been able to generate any revenue over the last three and a half months, and going forward, the opportunities to raise money are limited. I have written to you all in an open letter asking that you consider helping the club out by ensuring that you renew a membership.
The other huge success of the season was the club starting a mini’s section in September and membership to that section has risen to 35 children in two age groups. The club colours were seen around various Surrey minis festivals with attendance at Rosslyn Park, Farnham before CV-19 struck. The club owes Brendan Hession and his team of coaches a big pat on the back. I know the youngsters cannot wait to get back out playing the game as soon as it is safe to do so. Plans have been made for next year’s festivals once they restart and early plans are being made to take the youngsters on tour to possibly Bournmouth.
Lastly, I would like to thank the committee for this year for their hard work and support. The club could not exist without their efforts. So thank you Luke O’Shea, Pat Liddiard, Iain Greenwood, Phil Jones, Julian Emmanuel, Julian Cashinella, Tim Wood, Brendan Hession, Maria Emmanuel, Rhodri Lewis, Chris Doyle without you last season would not have been possible.
Going forward, we have enormous challenges, financial, recruitment of players but also the introduction of fresh blood onto the committee, which is essential if we are to consolidate our progress and continue to grow. So any one who would be prepared to contribute some time and a little effort into helping to develop and grow the club so that people can come along and enjoy playing our great game in a safe well run club would be welcome. We do need people especially to run the bar and club hire and sponsorship. Luke has done a remarkable job at keeping things running with no little help from his sister, Siobhan, but he would like some help to shed some of the load which is too onerous going forward. If we are to continue to develop as a community we do need help so if you are a member or are someone taking an inquisitive look at the club and feel that you have something to offer don’t be shy, get in touch, we would love to hear from you. The club will always extend a warm welcome new players and members and my hope is that if the virus doesn’t kill us we will be stronger to capitalise on the opportunities of the future.
On the playing side I anticipate that Surrey 1 will be a stronger league next season when it gets underway so we will need to be committed to maintaining our place in the league. The RFU has published its pathway back to community rugby where the conditions for the restarting of the community game are outlined. Details of the pathway and information about the possible start dates for next season can be found on the RFU site at:
https://www.englandrugby.com//dxdam/71/717919ed-48ae-434d-b4b0-5437e16a9154/RUGBY%20RESTART%20ROAD%20MAP%20FINAL%202020_Part1.pdf
https://www.englandrugby.com/search-results?searchBy=Pathway%20back%20to%20community%20rugby#all
The possible start dates are outlined in the plan, the first is the usual beginning of September, the second at the end of October or beginning of November or lastly at the turn of the year. The club is going to start preparations from middle of July 15th when Rhodri wants to be able to start some level of training but with games not proposed until stage four of the plan and we are not judged to have moved off step two it seems likely that there may be a delay in the start of next season. But we must prepare and we will be publishing further news on the restart of training shortly. But pencil in a July 15th start.