Club House
President's Foreword
This season is the eighty third at Milnthorpe Green and my first as Club President and so it is my pleasure to welcome all visitors to Sandal, whether you are match officials, visiting club players and supporters or home supporters. Following RFU deliberations the league in which we play, North 1 East, has been increased to include a further two clubs; thus creating an even more competitive league than before and one in which the winning club will need to be on top of its game throughout.
It is some forty five years since I first donned a Sandal shirt and during the intervening period I have witnessed substantial changes both at the Club and in the game itself. However, I am agreeably gratified by the fact that the Sandal Club maintains its amateur status but operates in a professional manner both on and off the field. This position is due mainly to an Executive Committee which has its feet on the ground and endeavours to produce progressive rugby with excellence and efficiency at the forefront of all the decisions it takes.
Last season, under the coaching direction of Jim Kilfoyle and Dave Heron, the 1st XV had an excellent year finishing a very creditable third in the league and losing to Bradford Salem in the final of the Yorkshire Shield. The players should be proud of this success and endeavour to build on it this season to enable them to reap even greater success as the year progresses. That said, a good side has to have a good Captain and in Danny McCormack that is just what the side has in its favour. The Cougars XV also enjoyed an excellent 2008/09 season by winning the league and gaining promotion to the Second XV Premier League for this year’s campaign.
Unfortunately, this season we will not be running an Academy side but under the direction of Pete Stephenson the Mini and Junior Section will continue to be a force at this level throughout the County, continuing to promote Sandal through its young talented players. This Section has been so successful over time that in recent years it has become obvious that the existing pitches are proving to be insufficient. So, the Club has embarked upon an exciting project to provide more pitches on land situated beyond the 1st XV pitch. Survey work is planned to commence anytime and it is my intention to see this project through to completion during my Presidency. Already the Mini and Junior Committee has opened a Development Fund to provide some finance towards the scheme with the remainder hopefully coming from other sources.
Socially it is my intention in my new role to encourage more members to attend functions at the Club and in particular the four Patrons’ Lunches held prior to the 1st XV home games. These provide a superb method by which to warm up for the day’s fixture, as well as enjoying the company of others over a meal.
Finally, it only leaves me to wish everyone connected with Sandal RUFC the best of luck for the season and trust that our hard work is rewarded with success.
Malcolm Smith
President
This season is the eighty third at Milnthorpe Green and my first as Club President and so it is my pleasure to welcome all visitors to Sandal, whether you are match officials, visiting club players and supporters or home supporters. Following RFU deliberations the league in which we play, North 1 East, has been increased to include a further two clubs; thus creating an even more competitive league than before and one in which the winning club will need to be on top of its game throughout.
It is some forty five years since I first donned a Sandal shirt and during the intervening period I have witnessed substantial changes both at the Club and in the game itself. However, I am agreeably gratified by the fact that the Sandal Club maintains its amateur status but operates in a professional manner both on and off the field. This position is due mainly to an Executive Committee which has its feet on the ground and endeavours to produce progressive rugby with excellence and efficiency at the forefront of all the decisions it takes.
Last season, under the coaching direction of Jim Kilfoyle and Dave Heron, the 1st XV had an excellent year finishing a very creditable third in the league and losing to Bradford Salem in the final of the Yorkshire Shield. The players should be proud of this success and endeavour to build on it this season to enable them to reap even greater success as the year progresses. That said, a good side has to have a good Captain and in Danny McCormack that is just what the side has in its favour. The Cougars XV also enjoyed an excellent 2008/09 season by winning the league and gaining promotion to the Second XV Premier League for this year’s campaign.
Unfortunately, this season we will not be running an Academy side but under the direction of Pete Stephenson the Mini and Junior Section will continue to be a force at this level throughout the County, continuing to promote Sandal through its young talented players. This Section has been so successful over time that in recent years it has become obvious that the existing pitches are proving to be insufficient. So, the Club has embarked upon an exciting project to provide more pitches on land situated beyond the 1st XV pitch. Survey work is planned to commence anytime and it is my intention to see this project through to completion during my Presidency. Already the Mini and Junior Committee has opened a Development Fund to provide some finance towards the scheme with the remainder hopefully coming from other sources.
Socially it is my intention in my new role to encourage more members to attend functions at the Club and in particular the four Patrons’ Lunches held prior to the 1st XV home games. These provide a superb method by which to warm up for the day’s fixture, as well as enjoying the company of others over a meal.
Finally, it only leaves me to wish everyone connected with Sandal RUFC the best of luck for the season and trust that our hard work is rewarded with success.
Malcolm Smith
President
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