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CRFC Chairman’s Report July 2014

CRFC Chairman’s Report July 2014

Bill Goff31 Jul 2014 - 16:32
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Check out Phil Shere's Chairmans report from last nights AGM here

CRFC Chairman’s Report July 2014
Welcome to the AGM of Cullompton Rugby Club, and as chairman I would like to thank all the support players, members and supporters have given me over the past 12 months. This season has yet again proven that Cullompton RFC is about more than one rugby team on the field. As well as our 1st XV playing a high standard rugby and holding our own in the highest league we have ever been, we have also had notable performances with our ladies and junior teams. Through hard work, loyalty and dedication by supporters and players over the years and decades the fields, changing rooms and clubhouse are some of the best in the South West. Off the field our clubhouse is regularly used for daytime and evening meetings, seminars, conferences, weddings, parties, skittles and dart matches. We also play host to junior school tag rugby competitions, Devon RFU and the Town Fayre.
Our coaching team has changed this season with Graham May and Altan Ozdemir (Oz) joining Chris Wall with Kevin Walker moving across to take over as Colts coach. The captains for the season are Sam Harris for the 1st Xv, Greg Richards for the Development team and Steve Luxon for the 3rds. I wish them all the best for the coming season. For several years we have had the luxury of relying on players from an exceptional Colts team 9 years ago coming up through the ranks, gaining back to back promotions before settling in our current league of SW One West. Due to work commitments, injury and age many of these players are struggling to commit to full time first team rugby now. These players still have a lot to offer Cullompton RFC playing for our 2nds and 3rds, coaching and supporting the club through a numerous different ways. Without a Colts team providing a transition for our juniors into seniors we have struggled to find their replacements. Hopefully the reincarnation of our Colts this year will help resolve this. After several very successful seasons coming up through the junior section, last seasons U16 side, coached and managed by Ian Wood, are forming the basis for our Colts. The early part of the season they will be playing in a Devon league format, whereas from March onwards they will be playing in a national U17 knock out cup competition. They are the future of Cullompton RFC and we wish them all the best.
Our junior section has again had a very successful season with about 250 registered players. Notable reference must go to the U13s for winning the Devon cup and the U16s who lost narrowly to Barnstaple in their cup final. Adrian Watts and Ian Wood have stood down as junior chairman and vice chairman, respectably and have been replaced by Lizz Wyle and Reith May. I would like to express my thanks to Adrian and Ian for all their hard work and thank Lizz and Reith for taking over.
Our ladies section, under the captaincy of Amy Alford and coaches Chris Grant and Greg Richards, have had another very successful season with representation at county and regional levels. The highlight of their season was getting to the semi final of the national cup, where they narrowly lost 12 - 5 at Teddington. There’s no reason why they can’t go all the way this year and win the final.
Like all successful amateur clubs there is a tremendous amount of voluntary work that goes on behind the scenes. Pitches don’t get cut, changing rooms cleaned, the bar managed, functions happen, sponsors found, matches organised, budgets scrutinised and whole host of other jobs too long to mention, without people stepping forward to help. You all know who you are, and I would personally like to thank you for all you do for Cullompton Rugby Club. I know the players are often the face of the club but without a backbone, which I see you as, they would struggle to remain upright. Your help is very valued. Anyone wishing to join this elite band of volunteers, even if only for a hour a week, please make contact with me. I’m sure I can find a role that you will enjoy to match your skills and availability.
The 2016-17 season will be our 125th anniversary year. A major milestone for any club to celebrate. To help mark this special occasion I would like to arrange a calendar of events for all members and supporters of the club. We will pull together a group to help plan these events. If you want to be involved please let me know. Edwin Baker has started by interviewing and researching into writing a book about the history of Cullompton RFC. We also held a successful past captains’ reunion last season and hope to build on that to get as many past players as possible back to the club.
Our clubhouse last season celebrated 25 years since opening. A brave and ambitious move in many eyes to move out of our previous middle of town location to a remote rural location. Looking at the facilities we have today is a true testimony to the forward thinking of the members involved at the time. Despite having superior facilities to most clubs we mustn’t stand still and are looking at improving what we have to attract more members and supporters. We have been successful in securing a 100% grant from Viridor to build an extension on the lounge. This work is due to start this September. We are also in the process of applying for a RFU grant to extend the length of the bar in the function room, taking in the area served by the kitchen serving hatch. This will give us the added benefit to serve drinks nearer to the stand and also more people during the crucial hour or 2 after a game. If successful we are hoping this work will happen next summer.
At last years AGM I talked about the proposed housing development near the rugby club and the opportunity and threats this might bring to the club. Two months ago we were told our tenancy of the pitch across the road would not be renewed as the field had been sold to developers and they wanted vacant possession. Despite this we have managed to come to an agreement that we can use it for one more season, but need to out by 15th May 2015. The chance of a further renewal is very unlikely. We are therefore actively looking for another field to use to enable us to provide suitable facilities for our juniors, ladies and senior teams.
I would like to take this opportunity again to thank everyone involved with Cullompton rugby club to help make it one of the best and friendliest amateur clubs in the South West and look forward to your continued support for the coming season.

Phil Shere
Chairman CRFC
July 2014

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