While there may not have been any league rugby at Scotland Lane since the final whistle of last season, our club has been busier than ever. Every week, there seems to be another project, another event or another group of volunteers giving up their time to make Old Redcliffians RFC an even better place.

I wanted to take a moment to highlight just some of the incredible things that have been happening across our club, whilst also thanking the people making it all possible.

Celebrating Our Community

We closed the season with two fantastic events that perfectly demonstrated what makes Old Redcliffians so special.

Firstly, nearly 300 members and friends came together for our Black Tie Gala Evening. Organised brilliantly by Sophie Thorne, Frankie Mortifee, Eloise Thurston, Caroline Chittell and Sarah Anderson, it was an evening full of laughter, celebration and memories, with members young and old enjoying themselves well into the early hours. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate another successful season and to recognise the people who make this club what it is.

Shortly afterwards, we welcomed nearly 200+ Mini & Junior players, alongside hundreds of proud parents, families and supporters, for our annual Presentation Day. Seeing so many young people smiling, celebrating their achievements and enjoying being part of our rugby family is incredibly humbling. It reminds us exactly why we do what we do.

A huge thank you must go to Gemma Beake and Anthony Cleaves for leading the organisation of the day, along with the many volunteers who helped make it such a success.

The next big club function is the Ladies & Girls Day on Saturday 19th September, where we will not only re-open our changing rooms but welcome back South Bristol Girls and honour the ladies of our club with a prosecco brunch and entertainment. The day will also be the Scotland Lane season opener as we welcome Luctonians & Dings Crusaders to play our 1st XV and Raiders (2nd XV). Tickets will be on sale soon at just £20.

Building Towards Another Exciting Rugby Season

Preparations for the new season are already well underway.

Senior Rugby has returned to training with more than 70 players regularly attending across our three senior teams. The commitment and enthusiasm shown so far have been outstanding and are a testament to the culture that continues to grow throughout the club.

Behind the scenes, our coaching staff have worked tirelessly to retain the vast majority of last season's squad whilst also strengthening every team with exciting new additions.

I would also like to welcome Andrew Ford and Ryan Price to our coaching group. Alongside them, it has been fantastic to see Geraint Lewis flourish in his new role as Director of Rugby, bringing fresh ideas and tremendous energy as we continue developing rugby across the whole club.

Pre-season fixtures begin on 15th August, with matches throughout the month before our 1st XV kick off their National 2 West campaign away at local rivals Hornets. We can't wait to get started.

Growing Our Rugby Family

It has also been fantastic to welcome South Bristol Girls Rugby back to Scotland Lane.

With over 100 members and an incredibly enthusiastic parent and volunteer network, they have quickly become an integral part of our club community once again. In true Old Reds fashion, many of their volunteers have already been helping with maintenance projects around the club, demonstrating exactly what community rugby is all about.

Their return strengthens not only our rugby offering but also our ambition to make Scotland Lane a thriving home for everyone.

Investing in Our Coaches

One of the most exciting developments this summer has been the launch of our Summer Skills Series, led by Director of Rugby Geraint Lewis, alongside Coaching Development Leads Rob Dyer and Rich Hill.

The programme has been designed to support the development of our Mini & Junior coaches, creating greater alignment around the skills, principles and philosophy that underpin The Reds Way.

This investment in our coaches is an investment in every player who pulls on an Old Reds shirt. It represents an exciting step towards building a connected player pathway, ensuring our young players develop with a consistent identity as they progress through the club.

Building for the Future

Perhaps the most significant project taking place this summer is the redevelopment of our changing room facilities.

This has truly been a labour of love.

These improvements are about far more than bricks and mortar. They are about creating facilities capable of supporting our growing rugby community, not only for Old Redcliffians RFC, but also for Redcliffe Cricket Club, South Bristol Girls Rugby and, in the future, new initiatives such as Walking Rugby and other community sports programmes.

Projects of this size simply don't happen without incredible people.

My sincere thanks go to Steve Chittell and Martin Trought of West Country Carpentry, along with our President Ray Massey of Massey Cladding, whose generosity, expertise and countless hours of work have been instrumental in bringing this vision to life.

I have also been overwhelmed by the number of volunteers who have already stepped forward to help.

However, there is still much more to do.

Over the coming months, we will need the support of the whole Old Reds family if we are to complete these projects and ensure everything is ready for the new season.

We have a Club Work Weekend planned for Friday 28th, Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th August, and we are asking all players, parents, members and supporters to come along if they possibly can. Whether you can spare an hour or a whole day, every helping hand will make a difference.

There are jobs for everyone, and if you have tools, equipment or a trade that could assist with the building works or general maintenance, we would be incredibly grateful if you could get involved or get in touch.

This redevelopment represents a huge step forward for our club, but it is only the beginning. Together, we are laying foundations that will allow future generations to enjoy Old Redcliffians just as so many of us have over the years.

Together We Build the Future

Old Redcliffians have never been defined by the size of our clubhouse or the quality of the facilities. It has always been defined by its people.

We may have humble surroundings, but we are blessed with world-class members, volunteers, coaches, players, parents and supporters. That sense of community is what makes this club so special, and it is what will continue to drive us forward.

So, if you can lend a hand, whether through volunteering, sharing your professional skills, or simply turning up to support a workday, please do. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, helps build something that will benefit generations of Old Reds to come.

Securing Completion

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are at risk of not completing the build in time. To help ensure the project is completed successfully, we have launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise the remaining funds.

If you can support the project, no matter how small the contribution, it would be greatly appreciated. Please find the details below:

https://gofund.me/61a38355c

Thank you once again for everything you do for our club. I look forward to seeing you all at Scotland Lane very soon for another exciting season.

Many thanks,

Jon Caddick
Chairman
Old Redcliffians RFC

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31 Oct KO 00:00