Welcome to a new season at Windsor RFC
Syd Allen
Chairman.
1st September 2011
Last year was a good one all round and we continued to make progress across the entire club.
Playing membership continues to grow. We now have over 450 youth players and we consistently run four senior sides, plus the odd game for the Gargoyles. The 1st XV had a good season in Southern Counties, and with a consistent team squad with few injuries look as if they could push for promotion.
The excellent work carried out by Tony Brooke, Paul Britton and Simon Turley on coaching and selection is certainly starting to pay dividends and we are all hopeful of achieving great success in the coming season. I am committed to retaining Helen Melville as Club Physio ( Don't want to be strung up!)
Over twenty top school sides attended our ‘Diamond Anniversary’ schoolboys' sevens tournament and 25 teams contested the Windsor Sevens at the end of the season. We also ran successful and enjoyable Minis, Juniors and ‘Vets’ Tournaments. The Minis and Juniors go from strength to strength, with excellent results in leagues and tournaments and there were several very successful tours. Well done to all those involved.
I would like to thank Francis Boundy, who stepped down last season as Club Chairman, but continues on in the very important roles of Vice-Chairman and Honorary Treasurer. Francis has worked wonders to push through Limited company status and has had a very difficult challenge to sort out the banking issues around this.
I’d also like to say big thank yous to Micky Crawshaw, who is a Tour de Force as Youth Chairman, Tony Brooke continuing to build on his success as Rugby Chairman and Neale Katz, who steps up as Youth Vice-Chairman and Coaching Co-ordinator. I would particularly like to thank Ian Potter for agreeing to be Club President after I gave up the role. Ian brings extensive knowledge and contacts to bear in his ceaseless efforts to bring money to the Club and has already started with a massive Grant application to Sport England. Finally, Graham Sandilands stepped down as Honorary Secretary after many years in the role, it was my pleasure to propose him as a Vice-President, and he is replaced by Graham Birch, who brings a steadying hand to the tiller.
i would also like to thank all the Officers of the Club, who give their time and effort, John Saunders, John Laing, Sean leone, Tracey Keogh, Paul Laidler and sorry if I have missed you out.
In the current economic climate, it has been difficult maintaining sponsorship at previous levels. I am pleased that the longterm sponsorship that I maintain with Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance and Endurance Insurance continues to bring in significant sponsorship monies at no cost to the Club. Ian has also managed to increase income from 1XV team sponsors, Savills Estate Agents, with added sponsorship of the Mini-Tournament and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship. Sincere thanks go out to all our sponsors who make an enormous difference to the ongoing development and successful running of the club.
For the future we will continue to put all our efforts into the development of the game of rugby at Windsor. We will continue to encourage young players to stay at the club and progress to the senior sides and we will give senior players the opportunity to play at a higher level. As always, we will provide quality coaching at all levels and a well-organised training programme. We must also take every opportunity to attract new players.
The refurbishment of the kitchen and changing rooms was excellently carried out under the mantle of Maxine Pegg and she deserves an award for her efforts during a difficult family bereavement. My wish is to continue on with Clubhouse frontage replacement, but this will depend on income.
I will continue to enjoy coming down on a Sunday to meet and thank all those volunteers, who have made our Youth Section so successful.
Finally, our Club will not function without the excellent management of Rachel Lane. She is doing a terrific job and I hope everyone will give her and her team their full support. No more bar and tea lady rotas, please! Give me pretty girls to look at every time!