Please find your Chairman's Welcome Letter below, with the same being sent out by email. Let me know if you do not receive any of the component parts. See you all in the new season....

DARTFORDIANS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
THE DARTFORDIANS’ RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
(R.F.U., R.F.U.W., K.C.R.F.U., K.S.R.F.U.)
WAR MEMORIAL CLUBHOUSE,
BOURNE ROAD, BEXLEY, KENT, DA5 1LW
01322 524176

29th August 2014

Dear Dartfordian,

I hope that you have enjoyed a great summer and have had a chance to recharge the batteries ahead of the new season. The 2013/14 season saw great performances from the 1st XV all of the way down to the U6s, with the 1s competing well in London South East 3, the U17s reaching the final of the National Plate where they lost on rugby’s equivalent of the penalty shootout after a full time draw and the U6s having in excess of 40 players on many Sundays. Further progress has been made on the structuring of the Academy (U16s to U18s) which the Club believes will aide and support the progress of all the players in those age groups, which in turn will continue the progression from the Junior Club in to the senior ranks. I wish all age groups and senior sides another great season as Dartfordians continues to build on its strong reputation within the game.

August saw the Club host another Saracens Rugby Camp, with a record number of attendees and we will look to hold more as requested by our Premiership Partner Club. I also know that many of our Minis are attending the Double Header on Sept 6th and we wish them a great day or hope they had a good day, depending on when this letter has been read.

Good luck to the 1s who have a tough 1st Round in the Kent Cup on Saturday 30th August, away to Tunbridge Wells.

In June the Club also had a NW RugbyForce day when a few chores were completed, with the main one being the removal of the old fencing along the first team pitch which has been replaced and improved, enabling new sponsorship boards to run along the side of the ground. Should anyone be interested in a board then please see the news item on the website or speak with me. This will be another valuable source of revenue.

The development of the Clubhouse has been frustrating in terms of the time it has taken and the management team continue to work with the Dartfordians Community Sports Club to bring the build to a conclusion so that our members can enjoy the facilities that they deserve. The Club has many plans to utilise the new build including the re-launch of women’s rugby at Dartfordians and we have strong support from Kent to add this to our offering as a club. There are also ongoing discussions about the modernisation of the current clubhouse with the main push being to put a new roof on the existing structure. This will enable a patient and considered approach to the internal development that needs to be undertaken, including new toilets and kitchen facilities, which remain future aspirations. Once again I would like to give my sincere thanks to all of those involved in the above who have shown great desire and drive to continue with the project (s).

Even with all this work going on subscriptions will remain the same across the board with senior player subs at £150 per year, family and student membership at £80 with social subs at £50. It is key that these subs are paid in a timely fashion, as this is part of the membership agreement with Dartfordians RFC and this is also linked to the playing insurance that is provided by England Rugby (the RFU as was).

At the end of last season I attended the Kent County RFU AGM and the event proved that rugby in Kent is in a good place, although there are some things that could be improved. At the top of the Counties agenda is discipline and I urge you all to look at the Dartfordians Values and the various Codes of Conduct that are included in this welcome pack and can be found on the club website under the ‘Documents’ link. As you know we have the Club Accreditation from our governing body and it is important that all of our members behave in an appropriate manner and I know that Kent are keeping a very close eye on what is going on around the County on this front.

Due to our success the car park remains under pressure at all times and I would like to remind all members to make use of Hall Place or the Holiday Inn (vouchers from behind the clubhouse bar) at weekends.

Please join the Club website www.dartfordiansrfc.co.uk if you have not already and keep an eye out for all the latest news, results and events.

Volunteers.

As always I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all in advance for any voluntary work that you take on throughout the season - whatever the contribution it goes a long way to moving the club forward and volunteers are the mainstay of Dartfordians RFC.

Anyone who wants to support the Club by volunteering and is not involved already, please let me know.

International Tickets

Attached is an application form for tickets for this seasons Internationals. Please submit all applications to the Treasurer, by the dates mentioned. Please note that applications for International tickets will only be considered from those members who have paid their annual subscriptions. It is imperative that if you are lucky enough to purchase tickets they must be returned to the Club if it turns out that you can no longer go. A full refund will be made and a new home for those tickets will be found amongst our membership.

2015 sees the Rugby World Cup come to England and as we progress towards the event there will be more news releases from the Club and posted on the website, so please keep an eye out for that. England Rugby and World Rugby (the IRB) are looking for this to be a huge success and we are looking to plan our own events around various matches.

Crown Club

As the development of facilities will need to be funded, I would ask that you all become members of the Crown Club, the proceeds from which go towards the operation and development of the Club and ground. A Crown Club application form is attached and should be completed and forwarded to The Crown Club, Old Dartfordians Association, War Memorial Clubhouse, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent, DA5 1LW. Alternatively, you can give them directly to Andy Smith.

Annual Subscriptions

Annual Subscriptions are now due – there are various ways to pay. Cash or cheque (payable to Dartfordians RFC), by Credit/Debit card machine (behind the bar) and by Standing Order. Please support your Club by paying in a timely manner.

Membership Form

Please complete the attached Mini, Junior & Academy Club Membership Form. Even if you have completed one previously it is necessary so that we can ensure that we have up-to-date contact details, in case of emergency and current medical information that may be needed.

The reverse of the form also has a ‘Sports Equity Monitoring’ form to be completed. Whilst this is not compulsory, I would encourage you all to complete and return to your coaches.
The completion of the forms will also enable coaches and admin assistants to update the records on the new England Rugby Game Management System (GMS) which has taken over from RugbyFirst. This system will be used by England Rugby to view our membership and make sure that Dartfordians gains appropriate information, support and offers from the governing body of the sport in England.

Codes of Conduct

Finally, you will find attached the following:

• Don’t be an RTP!
• Please Respect Our Neighbours
• Code of Conduct for Players
• Code of Conduct for Parents/Guardians/Carers and Spectators

Please take your time to read and familiarise yourselves with these codes of conduct.

I have also added a list of planned events for the coming season and all are welcome to attend, with more details coming out as we approach each function. Try to support as many as you can and enjoy a great night at the Club.

As I bring this letter to a close may I wish you all a highly successful and enjoyable season whilst respecting our neighbours, ensuring that responsibility is taken to keep our playing surfaces/surrounding areas safe for use and to ensure that all players, parents and officials are respected in the true traditions of the game of rugby union.

Yours in rugby,

Jarrod Lawrence

Chairman
Dartfordians’ RFC
Email: jarrod.lawrence@btinternet.com