Firstly, I hope you have managed to get through these testing times intact - crazy times with redundancy, furloughing, sickness and death. On behalf of the club I'd like to send heartfelt sympathy to those club members and fellow followers of rugby who have suffered. I am aware that my old club Westoe have lost four members during this period of isolation.

I think the world needs sport and rugby in particular to mend the holes in our lives. After all rugby is the greatest sport on the planet. We play it because it is chaotic, physical and a huge challenge mentally to do it week in week out. I am adamant that rugby builds good people and can't wait to see everyone again.

It is time to start integrating ourselves with rugby again and the lifestyle it provides. As such, please start using our social media for up to date training and socialising info.

Senior Mens players should copy the link below for our dedicated Facebook Page : https://www.facebook.com/groups/1032101593472984/?epa=SEARCH_BOX

Club Members can copy the following link for the whole club page : https://www.facebook.com/NovocastriansRFC/

Twitter users can copy the following link : https://twitter.com/NovosRFC

You Tube users can copy the following link : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjBRbzeyRhfH_CnvgPdunQ

The RFC have been excellent in providing info and we are currently at Phase B. Unfortunately, this does not allow us to carry out pre season training in our usual manner. In addition, with the earliest starting date of October we are not in a rush.

Huge amounts of work are going on behind the scenes to get the clubhouse reopened so revenue streams can restart. In addition, ground staff are working to rejuvenate pitches as regrowth had been hampered by lack of rain (unbelievable)

As you may be aware we do things differently at Novos - we continue this trend as we start pre season with generic sessions for the players to carry out themselves. In addition, first team players are to form bubbles to push themselves a little bit harder as well as start pre season bonding within a social distancing climate. Please go to the dedicated Facebook Page to find sessions. Should you be one of my idols and not use this media, please contact me on 0790 443 5993 and I can share sessions with you directly.

Further info will follow - Up the Vos !