The Club continues to live up to the expectations I had when I first joined in September 2014. It is a real amateur Community Club with the potential to grow, at all levels. It is well run operationally, thanks to a fantastic group of volunteers, and well managed financially. This last fiscal year saw an increase in revenue and profit for the fifth year in a row. So the good news is we have strong foundations which will enable us to continue the process of investing in the club, both on and off the pitch.

As I write we have finalised the funding that is enabling us to completely re-vamp the club bar between now and the middle of July. Work on this project commenced on Wednesday June 10th and upon completion it will provide us with a much larger, more open, more comfortable and welcoming Club environment for our own members and the community generally.

On June 15th it was confirmed that we had obtained planning permission for our new Floodlights, so, subject to finalising funding, they will be installed in September/October. The new Floodlights have both a training and ‘game day’ facility. This will improve the quality of evening training in the late autumn and winter, as well as improving the Saturday match day experience as the nights draw in.
Also in the short term we are looking into the potential installation of a ‘children’s play area’ at the far end of the club house. I will keep you up to date as we progress this.

There are plenty of opportunities for us at SRFC. We need to work hard to improve communication across the club. The more engaged we feel as members the more support we can and will give to the club. We need to grow the membership of the club. In total we have over 750 members across all categories (Youth and mini, parents, adult players, patrons and life members) but less than 10% of the membership are patrons and life members. Our playing membership is strong and growing but if we are to really cement our place as a significant part of the community we need to have a major increase the number of patrons. These are but two opportunities and to ensure we are identifying all opportunities for the medium and long term, we have taken a couple of key steps.
Firstly we have formed five ‘Cluster Groups’ or teams, who report to Ian Smith the Vice Chairman. The five teams will focus on Commercial, Retail, Communication, Events and Health and Well Being. Each team is currently defining its role and its objectives for this year. The overall aim is to ensure that we manage the growth of the club sensibly, we continue to run the club efficiently and that we ensure those strong foundations stay in place. Secondly, and looking further ahead, I am leading a small group charged with developing the longer term strategy for the ‘whole club’. We will ensure that as this process develops we talk to members and keep you up to date on our developing plans.

So the future wellbeing of the club is very much at the front of my thoughts and those of the Board. But there is also much going on right now, and the success of what we do today enables us to continue to build in the future. As we ‘recover’ from the outstanding Sports Tours weekend of a few weeks ago, there is much too look forward too. We have the Summer Ball at the Floral Hall on July 11th. Last year there was a superb turn out for this event-some 400+ tickets sold. Four weeks away from this year’s event we have some way to go to match last year’s attendance. It’s a great night out, as well as an opportunity to recognise the teams and individuals in the club who have excelled during the past year, so please support the club if you can so that we can continue to improve the facilities for all of us. Tickets for the Ball can be obtained from Sue Astwood ( xxscuexx@live.co.uk) or Jennie Pennifold (jenniepennifold@aol.com). Individual, part and full table bookings can be accommodated.

On July 31st, starting at 3pm in the afternoon we undertake the Guinness World Record attempt for the longest full contact rugby union game. I am sure you have seen the posters in the club house but as a reminder the game is being played firstly to raise £12,000 to purchase a ‘physio’ vest for Ella Lang who has Cystic Fibrosis, and is the daughter of former 1st Team Captain Gareth Lang. Funds raised over and above the £12,000 will be donated to Alder Hey. The new bar should be open then and there will be other fun attractions, so please come along, enjoy the new environment and lend your support!

Then we have the Rugby World Cup, officially starting on September 18th. We will be running a series of ‘events’ throughout the competition for members and their guests .Current plans are that these ‘events’ will be when England are playing, when there is a key game in the England group and as the competition reaches the business end at the quarter, semi and final stage. A key part of the bar refurbishment is not only a major improvement in the environment (space, lighting, furnishings etc) but also the creation of an enhanced viewing experience for members and guests to watch games in the club house. So please look out for further information in the Club and on the website. It promises to be a real Festival of Rugby and we plan to have a festival of fun for all ages at the Club.

Have a great summer and I look forward to seeing you at the Ball, or in the club for the new season.

Best Wishes

Steve Olive

Chairman