What a great season !!

Chairman’s Report 2017/2018 Season.

Without doubt the 2017/18 season has been an outstanding year for the club both on and off the field.
Forgetting the challenges of last year’s season in Yorkshire 1, our 1st. XV has achieved the nigh on impossible task of going through a season unbeaten.
Congratulations to the whole team, in particular captain Ben Pearson and vice-captain Andrew Dalton.
Coaches Johan and Rob and all the players have performed to the highest standards ever achieved at Acklam.
I know that the players and coaches appreciate our band of loyal supporters.

The Talbots and Hustlers have again done the club proud and made every effort to turn out sides when other clubs let us down on several occasions.
Thanks again to Liam, George, Ralphy and Tim for their unstinting devotion to the cause.

Thanks also to our president, Steve Elsworth and Dave Dawson for their work with the teams.

Mike McCloughlin continues to do a magnificent job in running the Tees Valley Social League and I know all the clubs involved appreciate the hard work he has put in over the years.

Sadly, our Physio Pippa has now left us and I know the whole club thanks her for her work and friendship over last few years. The club wishes her well for all she does in the future.

As we are all well aware the ladies and girls section continue to flourish and continue to contribute to the club’s future success.
The ladies have had another eventful year on the field and it is a testament to their strength of character that they keep on going.
Christine, Ben and others have worked hard all season.
I also appreciate that we need to work hard if we are to increase the number of girls playing rugby.

The juniors also continue to flourish and, thanks to Len Taylor and all the coaches and referees, the number of youngsters coming through gives the club a continuous stream of players who will eventually represent the club at senior level.
All the youngsters are vital to the long-term future of the club but there is no doubt that the Academy under Mike Dickons is vital to our continuing success both off and on the field.

Len and his junior coaches continue to be a major factor in the club’s fortunes, in particular the midi/mini section under the watchful eye of Phil Hilton.
Thanks also to young Alex faint who has matured into a fine young referee.

On a more sombre note, it is still vital that we, as members and equal partners in the club, all pay our dues.
It is always disappointing to report that, in spite of many reminders and the efforts of the committee and team captains, some players still do not pay their yearly subs and their weekly match fees.

Our treasurer Ian Lang has worked hard this year and the club is very thankful for his efforts.

The additional changing rooms, balcony, enhanced lounge and kitchen have transformed the club, not only on match days but increasingly for the ever-increasing number of functions
The final club room refurbishment will be completed during the summer.

The improvements to the club is outstanding and the club is eternally grateful to the people who made it possible.

Now that we have had such great success with the development of the facility I hope that the whole club can concentrate on actively encouraging our Rugby Development, recruitment of quality players, referees, coaches and volunteers, rather than just playing.

To this end we have arranged a Club Development Day on Sunday the 10th. June where we hope to agree a new management structure to take us forward in a more structured way.

We must all continue to work hard for the club if we are to succeed in the future and progress with improvements on and off the field.

An area that we continue to improve is our appeal to sponsors.
We thank all our sponsors as their support is a vital factor in the clubs continuing improvement and success.

I would like to thank our President Steve Elsworth for all his support.

It would be remiss of me not to thank all the members of the club committee without whose influence we would not have such a wonderful club.

A major factor in our ever improving club has been the work done by Mark Collins and Isla in all areas of the club.
Although not in the best of health at times, he and Isla have managed brilliantly throughout whole of last season. Mark has done an exceptional job again and long may he continue in his present role.
Last, but not least, I would like to thank the bar staff of Claire, Katey, Georgia, Storm and all the lady volunteers, Dave Walker for his wonderful quizzes and his work involved with club welfare and Ian McMullan for his organising of the international tickets.

Updated 19:30 - 30 Aug 2019 by Mark Collins