Following last night’s AGM, I thought I’d write a short note to everyone to say how proud and honoured I am to have been asked to become Chairman of Phoenix RFC. (Phoenix forever – me, me, me, me, meeee …. “The Phoenix is a funny bird etc. etc.) Phoenix is a fantastic place. Without doubt the friendliest club I’ve ever had the pleasure of being associated with and, in my long sporting life, I’ve played at a few. Or should I say, I’ve been injured, watching from the side lines, at a few. Nevertheless, you should all cherish the place and I promise to do everything I can this year to keep it a club that people enjoying being part of and opposition teams fear and relish coming to play at.

I wanted also to say a big thank you to all of the outgoing committee members who have done such a sterling job throughout what have been challenging times for Phoenix over the past couple of seasons. Notable thanks to my immediate predecessor, Neil Wincomb; to Director of Rugby, Tim Schofield, who has had to juggle very thin resources and a very special mention to Terry Furlonger, who becomes President of the club, relinquishing his Treasurer position of 43 years to Martin Harris.

To the incoming and incumbent members of the committee, I look forward to being part of the team that continues to develop the club both on and off the field to the benefit of all of the Phoenix family.

We have had a good influx of new, young players over the past year, training numbers are up and we have a really exciting team of coaches (for those of you at the AGM, Arthur Mullard was a top player and captain in his day, you will do well to watch and learn from him) in place to maximise their potential under the 1st team captaincy of Tom Porter. Tom has been a stand out individual this season and I have high expectations of him and his leadership for the coming year. I trust that everyone will support Tom in delivering a highly successful campaign for the club.

One of the most important aspects of the club’s development over recent years has been that of the youth section. A huge pat on the back needs to be given to Steve Smith, Chris Vaughan and all of the club members and parents that have contributed to its success. However, it is critical that this part of the club be given even more focus and support especially over the coming 24 months. The oldest age group is U15 and if we can keep this squad together then we can finally join up the youth team to the senior team and begin to benefit from a pool of home grown talent. It will give the younger players something to aspire to as they see fellow juniors make the jump to senior rugby and it will be rich reward for the hard work and sacrifice that has gone in to producing what is a very successful section of Phoenix. (Chris has enough silverware to rival Penasquito.)

Socially, Phoenix remains a highly entertaining place to be. Roachey’s Curry Thursday, the various social functions, the Chilli Sherry fines and VPs day are just some of the elements that set Phoenix apart from other clubs in the area. Not only are these events tremendous fun, but they also go a long way to supporting the club financially. It is imperative that they continue and that they are well supported. I look forward to another calendar packed full of parties, quizzes, pub crawls and the like – apparently the Chairman is exempt from fines J

Although the club now echoes to the sound of workman on the inside as we renovate the bar area and leather on willow on the outside as the Phoenix cricket season is in full flow, I would urge you all not to be strangers just because the season has ended. Touch rugby is being played some weekday evenings, training starts in June, there are social functions happening throughout the summer and the cricketers always welcome support from the boundary and the bar on a Sunday afternoon.

Finally, a genuine thank you to everyone who contributes to the club in any aspect, large or small. It is appreciated that you give your time voluntarily and you often go unrewarded and unrecognised. Please be assured that you are all highly valued and the club wouldn’t function half as well without you.

Here’s to a glorious English summer, a spanking new clubhouse interior, a fantastic new coaching regime, a spectacular start to the new season in September and perchance, the odd beverage or three.

Yours in red and black.

Ken Nathan
Phoenix Chairman