DARTFORDIANS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
(Affiliated to the RFU, KCRFU, CLOBRFC, KSRFUR)
War Memorial Clubhouse, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent, DA5 1LW
Telephone (Clubhouse): 01322-524176
20th August 2017
Dear Fellow Dartfordian,
The performances of the Lions in New Zealand and England in Argentina are now in the memory banks, as are the last few seasons at Dartfordians. However, our desire to continue to improve on those performances does not diminish and as we approach the new season I hope that you are all full of excitement and looking forward to another brilliant season of rugby successes.
The 1ST team have been set a tough challenge, but one they should all aspire to given their excellent performances over the last two years when they have finished 3rd in London SE2 on both occasions. To win the league and gain promotion to London 1 would be a fantastic accolade, but there will be many other sides who will be looking to do the same and full commitment for the whole season will be required from the boys in maroon and gold. Your support on Saturdays will also be most welcome as the side look to show off the skills that they undoubtedly have, whilst hearing the home crowd roar them on. Whilst the 1s and Demons squads may be the pinnacle of rugby excellence at the Club, our whole ethos is to treat all our members with the same respect whether playing or supporting. Our Club is in the strong position it is in because we care about the complete rugby family – whether player or supporter, from the Under 6s to the Academy, for the 13s/15s/18s Girls and the other senior sides – Angels, Saints and Sinners.
The Club wishes all our players good luck for the coming season. Enjoy the time spent together learning, improving, playing, socialising whilst respecting the officials and supporters from other teams at all times. I know we will have more great success this season and when we do let us share in it as a Club….
Unfortunately, we have had to increase the subscription levels as we are seeing increased costs to run the Club. It would very much be appreciated if subs are paid as soon in to the season as possible and they are as follows:
Senior playing subs £168 pa (increased from £150pa)
Junior subs £120pa (increased from £100pa)
Student subs £80pa (reduced from £100pa)
Social subs £60pa (unchanged)
The Club’s Management team look to cap these as much as possible and review on an annual basis to ensure that we have the funds available to (a) fund the club’s activities and (b) continue to work with the Dartfordians Community Sports Club to enhance the facilities. Those who have not been down over the summer months will notice new flooring in the bar area and work continues to gain funding to improve the current toilet and kitchen facilities. The rugby club has also arranged for new storage within the garage area to ensure equipment is kept in a better environment, thereby prolonging the lifetime of the items stored.
This season Dartfordians RFC will continue to partner with the national Wooden Spoon Charity who raise funds to support local disabled and under privileged children. All the money we raise will go towards the Kent Wooden Spoon team to support projects that are local to us all. Please watch out for supporting events and give generously so that Dartfordians RFC can really make a difference for children in the County. Last season the Club raised in excess of £2500, so any ideas to help us achieve and exceed that level would be most welcome…..
I would also like to take this opportunity to wish John Mullane well in new adventures in Wales. John has been head physio for many years and at this year’s AGM he was voted in as a Club Vice President as a sign of thanks from the Club for all of his hard work keeping players on the pitch and getting them back to match fitness. Good luck John…
Please join the Club website www.dartfordiansrfc.co.uk , if you have not already and keep an eye out for all the latest news, results and events on the site, Facebook and Twitter.
Come On You Darts!
Sponsors.
Once again I would like to give huge thanks to all of our sponsors – RTS remain our main sponsor for a further year, but we are working on obtaining sponsorship from as many varied businesses/individuals as possible. The club continues to look for new sponsors and I would encourage you to let me know of anyone who you think may be interested. We would definitely welcome a conversation.
Volunteers.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you all in advance for any voluntary work that you take on throughout the season - whatever it is goes a long way to moving the club forward.
Anyone who wants to support the Club by volunteering please let me know - we have several positions that we are looking to fill, so please contact Jarrod who will be pleased to pass on further information.
Our Club is built on volunteers, so please join those already involved and share the burden of responsibility, thereby making it easier for all. Some of the roles we need to fill are:
Junior Chairman – from 2018/19 season
Minis Chairman – from 2018/19 season
First Aid Coordinator – from 2018/19 season
Child Welfare Officer – from 2018/19 season
U6s Head Coach – immediate
International Tickets
Attached is information re tickets for this seasons Internationals. Please submit all requests to the Martin Gubby, the International Ticket Coordinator, by the dates mentioned. Please note that applications for International tickets will only be considered from those members who have paid their annual subscriptions. It is imperative that if you are lucky enough to purchase tickets they must be returned to the Club if it turns out that you can no longer go. A full refund will be made and a new home for those tickets will be found amongst our membership.
Crown Club
As the development of facilities will need to be funded, I would ask that you all become members of the Crown Club, the proceeds from which go towards the operation and development of the Club and ground. A Crown Club application form is attached and should be completed and forwarded to The Crown Club, Old Dartfordians Association, War Memorial Clubhouse, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent, DA5 1LW. Alternatively, you can give them directly to Andy Smith.
Annual Subscriptions
Annual Subscriptions are now due, so please complete the attached Bankers Order Form or alternatively you can pay by cash or by cheque (payable to Dartfordians RFC) or by Credit/Debit card machine (behind the bar). The Family Membership is £120 a season and includes siblings and social membership for the parents. Senior Membership is now £168 per season and the Social Membership fee is £60 for the year. Students are expected to pay the £80 subs level. Please note that although the Rugby Club has arranged basic insurance for all their members they are only covered if they are a fully paid up member of the Club – so don’t delay submitting your subs! All players should also look at taking out their own separate playing insurance if they wish to have wider cover on top of that provided by the RFU.
Membership Form
Please complete the attached Mini & Junior Club Membership Form. Even if you have completed one previously it is necessary so that we can ensure that we have up-to-date contact details, in case of emergency and current medical information that may be needed.
The reverse of the form also has a ‘Sports Equity Monitoring’ form to be completed. Whilst this is not compulsory, I would encourage you all to complete and return to your coaches.
Codes of Conduct
Finally, you will find attached the following:
· Please Respect Our Neighbours
· Code of Conduct for Players
· Code of Conduct for Parents/Guardians/Carers and Spectators
Please take your time to read and familiarise yourselves with these codes of conduct.
Be aware of the new Kent County disciplinary rules - any adult, whether a player, coach or parent will be asked to attend a disciplinary hearing with Kent County RFU if they break the rules and are red carded. There are NO exceptions to this and there will also be fines imposed by the Club on the offenders.
Can I please ask you to respect our neighbours, ensure that if you find litter on the ground pick it up or ask the person dropping it to do so, to ensure that all players, parents and officials are respected in the true traditions of the game of rugby union.
Yours in rugby,
Jarrod Lawrence
Chairman
Dartfordians RFC
Email: