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Chairman's Report 2005-06

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

At first sight not much seems to have changed at the club during the past 12 months, but on closer examination that is not the case. True, the Clubhouse has not been decorated but there are new signs adorning the walls both inside and out. Persimmon as part of their sponsorship deal have at their expense erected signs at the entrance drive, on the front and rear walls of the clubhouse, and internally around the changing room area.

There is to be a new match day sponsors board erected within the bar area. Now we need some match day sponsors for next season. If you know anyone who may be interested please let the Secretary so as to avoid double booking. The Clubhouse as always remains clean and tidy thanks to Kath and Di. It is testimony to their endless hard work. I think sometimes we take it for granted, we must not.

The grounds as always are the envy of all other clubs, well done Derek. Fortunately we managed to obtain a grant from the RFU during the winter which has enabled Paul Bowditch to go out and buy a fairly new mower. It is this type of capital expenditure that is not often recognised by the members at large. Nevertheless, the acquisition of this machine should help efficiency, with the ever increasing calls now on Derek’s time. This summer further maintenance will be carried out on the pitches and, hopefully we will get the posts painted, they are sorely in need of it after 8 years of weathering.

Steve Price continues to provide excellent catering on Match days, the Wildebeest functions, Finals and Summer Ball. The standard of his food always attracts favourable comments none more so than by John Bentley, guest speaker at the Players dinner.

Referring to that dinner, it identified as a particularly successful night this year, as was the recent Summer Ball too. These events are sources of valuable income and all club members need to think carefully as to whether they able to attend thereby swelling the numbers and ensuring a financial success bar as consequence. That is providing everyone pays for their ticket!

The bar still remains our principal source of income to the Club. Paul Walker has been able to maintain a high level of profitability by judicious stock control and staffing. Bar takings this year amounted to £59.5k. This figure is excellent but does mask the number of hours Paul actually spends down the club pipe cleaning, ordering, taking bookings and being there to open and close in the morning, afternoon and evening. Thank you Paul it is appreciated.

Sponsorship has been another plus for us this year with Persimmon finally signing a £100k sponsorship deal over 5 years. The agreement, after much negotiation, has ensured the club has moved towards greater financial stability. There of now course needs to be careful investment, and shrewd expenditure in all our dealings to maintain this position.

The leasing of the Flat enabled the recruitment of a high quality coaching through Nick Tisdale and Mark Evans. The latter stepping in and displaying an enthusiasm and commitment to the club which sometimes was not always reciprocated by players turning up for training to make all his sessions worthwhile. We are currently seeking to recruit a new coach but please do strive next season to make the Tuesday and Thursday night sessions productive as possible. Without full attendance the coach is unable to deal with aspects like scrummaging and lineouts.

On the playing front I think a correct analysis would be that we failed to live up to expectation and under achieved. The 1st XV finished fifth in their league. There was however a very commendable cup run by them in Powergen Vase, going out in round five to Aldwinnians RFC of Manchester. This cup run also took us to Workshop and North Derbyshire. The club can be very proud of the way the players, under the leadership of Nick Godfrey conducted themselves on those days, and how that reflected on the image of Droitwich RFC.

Injuries inevitably played a part in the season and calls on the 2nd and 3rd teams resulting they too did not enjoy the best of seasons. The highlight must be winning the 2nd XV Kidderminster Cup with some distinction, well done Craig Burgess and his team.

The Mini and Junior section once again enjoyed a successful season. They remain a valuable asset and investment for the club. Congratulations go out to and all the coaching staff who put in so much time and it was pleasing that there was so much success for them. I want to record the efforts of Paul Edwards especially for many hours of work he has put in as manager, and wish him success as the new Chairman of that section.

Paul was instrumental in securing the prestigious North Midlands finals at the Memorial Ground this year. The event has been widely acclaimed as being hugely successful, and rightly so. I am led to believe that because of the way managed, and the facilities on offer we may hold the event again next season.

It is always rewarding to see a number of the former Mini & Junior players burst into the senior rugby scene. Last season was such a time. The presence of youth and enthusiasm injected renewed vigour into the senior sides and it was rightly appropriate that their endeavours were recognised by them receiving awards at the Players Dinner.

While referring to the playing side of things I must not let anyone forget the commitment, enthusiasm, and time given by Julian Bailey as the Director of Rugby. He epitomised what team spirit is about. Although he has chosen to step down this year, I am sure we will still see him around the Club on a Saturday.

In terms of reflection it would be unforgivable of me not recall a very sad moment this year when Mark Edwards, a well respected former Junior coach, and player suffered a heart attack on the 3rd team pitch whilst playing for our Vets against Worcester Vets. It was a tragedy none of us would want to witness again. The respect shown at his funeral, and afterwards at this club, by our members and players he coached will linger long in the memory of those all that attended.

Membership figures were not quite as high as in previous years. Social membership was paid promptly by players of Westbury Celtic FC. We must try and integrate more into our social scene. Their presence and use of use of the facilities has created not any problems. It is worth noting that some of their members spent a great deal of time erecting and painting post and rails around their pitch. Perhaps there is a lesson to be learnt there if we want to reduce our maintenance costs.

As I previously alluded to, financially the club is much healthier position than it was this time last year. We have made in the region of £14.5k profit this year. As you will be aware from your own domestic bills fuel charges have risen dramatically. Those rises were not forecast by any of the commentators and, in our case, rose by additional £4k over budget. There is a continuing need for remaining vigilant in terms of income and expenditure. Further sponsorship deals however small would be beneficial to the profit and loss account.

The Grandstand project, although there has been some slippage lately is still going ahead. There has been recent declared interest in a sponsorship deal. My intention was that this project would unify all sections of DRFC for a common purpose. I am now looking for someone who has skills to transmit ideas into graphics for display to a wider audience. A couple of our chief supporters “Curly” and “Taff “ do have a few money raising ventures planned. They have already contributed some money from the Poker evenings. The project is still in its infancy but I do not intend to let it “wither on the vine”.

Last but not least there are a couple of club stalwarts who will not seeking re-election this year. Both have given very many years of valuable service to the club and it would certainly be remiss of me not to mention them in what will be my last Chairman’s report.

Rick Latham has been working in the background of late carrying out role as Fixture Secretary. This is one of the most important club functions, without it we would have had no matches, no refs and ultimately no club. Over and above these duties Rick, more or less single handed designed this Clubhouse, the envy of very many others. For years when we asked him to continue as Fixture secretary he said, “Well just one more year, but it will be my last” Sometimes we pretended to be deaf to his reply, sometimes were cajoled him into remaining however he does mean it this time. Every player should be grateful to him.

The other person is Peter Sabel, our President, former Chairman, Treasurer, Committee Member, Player, Wildebeest Club organiser, and British Lions supporter. No club in the Country can afford to lose a Pete Sabel but I guess Droitwich RFC will only lose him from the Committee, not the Club. I know I speak for everyone at the Club, past and present members when I say we are all very appreciate for the time, effort, experience and professionalism you have given over the years. It is very easy to say you will be missed, but on this occasion not a truer word could be spoken.

I have no doubt whatsoever we will still hear him shout from the touchline, “The ball was out. The ball was out referee!”

Droitwich Rugby Football Club did find it difficult to cope with changes brought about making move from a small club to the Memorial ground. Financially it is now in calmer waters. The player base is young, with tremendous potential and exuding great enthusiasm. As consequence there is real optimism and exciting prospects for the future. The Club does now require an injection of new ideas, a continuing resolve to succeed, and display of energy by all its members to take it forward. Knowing the people we have as members I have no doubt whatsoever that whatever the challenge, it will be met.

Finally, on a personal note I wish to thank everyone, members, players, staff and all committee members at Droitwich RFC for their help, support and advice during my period as Chairman of this special club.

Rob Bray

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