Hello you Mighty Oaks!
Club Chairman Trevor Nicholson. Photo Credit: David Purday
Well, here we go again into lockdown, and whether or not you agree with the political details, we are where we are, and we have to beat this thing together.
In accordance with Government guidelines, we have sadly ceased all activity at the club other than essential maintenance, fixed water leak and rebuilt balcony, while of course keeping a positive and determined eye on planning the restart!
I would like to thank everyone who has had to go above and beyond the call of duty during these tough times, both committee and volunteers.
Our senior and junior players and coaching teams are amazing- literally through rain and shine, pitch rotation, hand sanitiser, dodgy floodlights and the uncertain future, you have achieved a full summer/autumn playing and coaching the sport we love.
I like the perfect symmetry of Director of Rugby Adam at the top, right through to his wife Emma volunteering to run the Under 5’s for their very first rugby steps.
Thanks a million to our favourite ex-copper Clarky stepping up as a formidable Covid Compliance Officer and not pulling any punches.
Hats off to incoming Heads of Juniors Fitzy and Minis Hendo, wrestling with a socially-distanced Sunday schedule juggling pitches and parking (almost) perfectly.
Comms and social contact are so important at times like this; we have a Master of Ceremonies supremo in Batesy, still determined to lead the Carols, and Wooly even managed to host a wonderful Diane-special lunch for the 'more mature' members.
We have been hugely saddened by ex Chairman Lee's awful illness, and staggered by his and Hils’ courage on their ‘Walk in the Park' for Children in Need; we send you both our love.
We are planning a Zoom AGM before Christmas, and our friend Bill Sweeney, Chief Executive of the RFU, is still hoping to come for lunch on 12 December so watch this space.
Needless to say, Jonny is watching the pennies very carefully, saving all we can on non-essential outgoings while still offering as much rugby as possible, and I would once again like to thank every one of you for paying your subs in a year where quite simply we need them to survive.
We are still without doubt one of the best value activities for juniors in the area, both for quality of coaching and 'cost per hour'. Volunteers in the junior section, bolstered by the coaching delivered by senior squad players, have run more than 200 sessions for 700+ players from U5s to the Academy since the start of July. An incredible effort.
Finally, thanks to all our loyal sponsors, headlined for the seventh consecutive year by our friends at Savills, who continue to sell and advise on property in trying times.
They have received excellent pay-back too, as members' house sales have been going through at quite a rate since the Stamp Duty holiday was announced, and the club receives an additional £500 for each one.
I didn’t intend this to be a long message, but once you get started thinking about everyone doing their bit for our club, its difficult to know when to stop- ONE CLUB indeed!
Thank You all and please be careful.
SEE YOU ON THE BRADSHAW-PEARL BALCONY!
Best,
Trev