It has been some 18 months since we have played rugby at the Dell due to the Covid pandemic. This I'm sure has hit us all in someway or another with many of us going through some very difficult times. With the restrictions now easing and the return to rugby on the horizon; I would like to extent a warm welcome back to Prenton Rugby Club for the new season ahead. It would be great if we could see lots of old faces as well as new faces at the club and get back to socialising and supporting the club on a Saturday as we used to. So please extend this welcome to friends and family.

There has been lots going on during the last 18 months. The community garden and Paul Lavelle memorial and nature trail have recently been officially opened by the Mayor and Mayoress of Wirral. Many thanks must go to the volunteers from the club who have worked tirelessly to getting what was initially an idea into something that has transformed the look of Prenton Rugby Club.

The club have recently been granted charity status by the charities commission. This has taken a lot of hard work by Paul Foster (club secretary) over the last 12 months. As we are moving ever closer to commencing our development, charity status will allow Prenton Rugby Club to apply for funding and grants from the private sector and hopefully deliver our vision and delivering a better clubhouse and facilities for all.

The club has a structure set up for training and I would ask all players to attend these sessions, the coaches put a huge amount of effort in during the week making these sessions fun and rewarding. The sessions are for all abilities and are aimed at making you all better/fitter players. I would like to ask each and every player to attend these sessions and support the coaching staff, even if you don't intend to play the sessions are open to everyone.

The Playing Committee are also actively recruiting players, over the closed season we have had upwards of 20 new younger players to the club. The playing Committee are also in discussion with Caldy Rugby Club, as their re-structoring has put the importance on running just 2 teams. This leaves some of their developing players without game time; this said Prenton will offer these developing players much needed game time and improving our own 2 squads numbers. I would also ask that if you have any friends or know of any players from other clubs who are looking for a new challenge to invite them down on a Saturday or to a training session to see what Prenton RUFC are all about.

As the new season is upon us, I wanted to remind you all that your yearly subscriptions are now due. As the club has been closed due to Covid 19, the committee has taken the decision that all fully paided up playing members will be credited a sum to their membership cards. The credit will not be taken off this year's subscription as many pay by direct debit, the credit will be available to purchase food and drink from the club bar. As an added benefit to members of Prenton RUFC we are looking to install BT Sport's inline with the new season, this will allow for broadcasting live rugby and football. I would ask that subscription s are paid in a timely manner as these funds help hugely with the running of the club.

I would also like to point out ahead of the new season the code of conduct at Prenton RUFC. The code of conduct is for every member of the club whether you are a playing or non playing member. We all have an obligation to uphold the good name of Prenton Rugby Club and respect opponents, officials, bar staff, other members and the club itself. Failure to uphold the code of conduct will result in the suspension of your membership.

This year brings great excitement, as this coming year marks the start of our 30th Anniversary as Prenton Rugby Club, and the start of our development plans coming to fruition. Let us all pull together and make this a season to remember and a lasting legacy to the future members of Prenton Rugby Club.

I look forward to seeing you all during the coming season.

Kindest Regards

Allan Roberts
Acting Club Chairman
Prenton RUFC