As We Look Ahead to the Final Couple of Months of the Season There Are a Number of Matters

Newsletter – March 2017

As we look ahead to the final couple of months of the season there are a number of matters that the Committee want to update everyone about.

Fixtures

Both the Reading Abbey RFC and Burrels Barbarians fixtures were a great success from both a playing and social perspective. Unfortunately, travel logistics defeated the fixtures team in their endeavours to bring Stirling over, Girton College Cambridge failed to complete their arrangements and Guernsey 2nds have asked to move the fixture again meaning we will have had no games in March – very frustrating for everyone!

As things stand we have Langton Lions booked in for 15/4 and a French side on 30/4. We are still trying to get Guernsey 2nds over as well as Guernsey Warriors, a social side that has made contact with us. We are also looking at playing a Banks Vets side on 13/5 and possible one further side to come over in May. A game against Athletic 2nds is also a possibility. Rest assured we are working hard to make these fixtures happen.

Looking ahead, we have already starting planning for next season and will be going out to clubs in June with the 2017/18 invitations. What’s more, we have decided to organise a tour to Franceand pencilled in the weekend of 30th September 2017. This will be subsidised to some extent from club funds and we will let everyone have further information as we work out the details.

It is good to see training numbers back up the last couple of weeks and there is plenty to train for so can I make a personal appeal to each of you. Please make a determined commitment to organise your life so that attending training gets the necessary priority. You being there does make a difference to the quality and enjoyment of the sessions and is the reward for your coaches dedicating their time.

Coaching Courses

Part of our sponsorship funding is allocated towards paying for members to attend RFU coaching courses that are run locally. We need qualified coaches in the club if we are to fulfil our ambitions to develop a broader club with some form of junior / ladies squad as well as support the main team. The course are fun, you learn how to be a good coach as well as technical aspects of rugby so if anyone is interested could they let Ed or me know.

Touch

We have decided to enter a team in the Touch league. This year, however, the only option is a mixed team so we will be looking to recruit 10 or more ladies to join us. Nick Kearns will lead and coach the team and will be issuing a communication in the next week or so but anyone who is keen to play can let Nick know now directly. Matches will be on a Wednesday evening so it will probably mean moving regular training to another night at some point if that is workable for everyone.

Beach Rugby

This event takes place on 22/7/17and we have confirmed that we will be entering a Royals team in the Beach Touch competition. The Committee are reluctant to enter into the full contact competition in light of the number of injuries that are sustained each year but would be interested in the views of the players so do make them known.

Clubhouse

We have secured the Clubhouse for the rest of 2017, although the canteen will be administered by Sport from 1 May until 30 September so that the Cricketing community can use it. We will still be able to book it for our use when otherwise available so Summer socials will still be on and we are thinking about arranging a couple of friendly cricket matches if we have enough players within the membership – anyone interested please speak up.

You may have noticed that we had an issue with flooding in the lobby and entrance to the bar. This has now been looked at and work was carried out last week by our landlords to investigate and rectify the problem, which rendered the bar unsuitable for use. Consequently the decision was taken not to open for the last of the 6 Nations matches so apologies if that disappointed anyone but it could not be helped

Social Events

The main event we are currently planning is the end of season dinner, which we will be holding on Friday 19th May at the Pomme D’Or. We will be inviting our sponsors and others who have helped us get the club up and running and want everyone to attend with their partners where possible. Guy is leading the organisation and will be providing further information in the next week or so but put the date in your diaries now!

We would love to hear what other social events you would like us to put on and any offers to help with the organisation would be gladly accepted.

Charity Events

It’s all about giving something back and Royals being seen as an integral part of community we live in. The Committee has been considering what we can do to raise funds for Alzheimer’s and Mind Jersey but maybe the players could discuss this amongst themselves and tell the Committee what ideas they have?

As I said at the start of the season, this is a club run for the playing members. The Committee aims to provide the framework but it is the level of involvement and effort of the players that will determine how successful it will be so lets all look to do our bit to ensure have a good finish to our first season on all fronts.

Steve Kearns

Chairman