The modern world, and the cultural changes therein, is affecting us all in some way. Information is readily available, travel is easier than ever and the technology revolution has given us access to people in ways we could never have dreamed of just a short time ago. In short, people have more choices on how to interact with each other and spend their time. I would argue the increase of streamed and live sport is now claiming as many potential participating sportsmen as drink and women ever have! We, as a culture, have also lost a sense of loyalty, changing banks, car insurance, phone providers at will to get the best deals. We are unwittingly turning ourselves into a nation of self-obsessed couch potatoes!

The Zebras are a real community club and is open to anyone who wishes to use it. We have never turned anyone away and the culture we currently have of enjoyment and friendship is one that we can all be really proud of.

In the background, the work being done to improve the facilities for us, and the future Zebras, is amazing. Next season we will all sit in new changing rooms, train under match fit lights and shower in new showers. In addition we have secured the use of the brand new 4G pitch at the college for the three winter months to train on.

This is all good stuff but we cannot do anything else without your help and commitment. The participating playing numbers at the club have dwindled, seniors are struggling to field two teams, the youth section is not as big as it could be and we could do with more players staying on to play open age to compliment the teams.

We are at best TREADING WATER which, in reality, is drowning and thinking you're not.

This is a call to arms. The club needs you to think and act for the best interests of not just yourself but the Zebras. We are all just guardians of a club that has been around for well over a century and hundreds of men and women have enjoyed the Zebras over this time. In order to keep the club, as we know it, strong, something needs to be done and people are needed to do it.

We are looking for disciples of the word and the message is:

People need the Zebras as much as it needs them. They, unlike the Zebras, just don't know it yet.

We all need to "sniff out" these couch potatoes: the potential players, the disheartened players in the area or the guy/girl who has never played but now has the time to think about it.

Think of the players in your old youth teams, people at your workplace who played rugby but stopped for whatever reason, then there's also the person who "just looks like a rugby player".

When you have thought about, and identified them, reach out using one or more of the wide range of communication technologies we now have: Facebook, Twitter, What's app, e-mail or, God forbid, phone them or knock on their door.
Ask them if they're interested.
Comfort them with the knowledge that the craic is good and that they would not be out of place.
Tell them of the team spirit and enjoyment to be had and just ask them to give it a go and when they say NO (which the self-obsessed tattle will) find a different way to ask until it's a YES!

That is your challenge. Be an ambassador, building the club for the future from where we are now!

We also want your ideas on how to improve your experience at the club so there is now a suggestion box. Please write any suggestion for us or come and see anyone on the Rugby Committee with your idea. Nothing is off the table so be as creative as you can.

Think about it - if everyone here attracted one player we would potentially have three teams. This is not a massive ask but the potential reward is massive!!

"Everyone must feel a little pain so no one feels a lot"

Come on the Zebs.
From the Rugby Committee.