Chairman’s Newsletter
Dear All,
I thought that as we approach the new season I would let you know a few things about our club that you may be unaware of and to update you on where we are and where we want to go.
One of the main issues that I hear being raised is about the condition of the club building itself. It is looking a bit worn round the edges and could do with updating. This does not come cheap and the Committee have been working to resolve some of these issues. We have been granted over £18,000 from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which compels developers in an area to pay the local council a charge which must be put towards community activities. We are hopeful that a further grant of £33,000 will be forthcoming and with these monies and hopefully further funding, it is intended to extend and update the changing rooms, showers and toilets. If we are able to secure enough funding, we may be able to improve the clubhouse social area too. Whilst this money is a huge boost for the club, it must be spent on these projects and cannot be used elsewhere, such as running costs, so please don’t think we’re suddenly awash with cash, because we’re not! It is intended to hold a consultation during this season so that all members can have their say on the proposals.
During the summer a handful of people (you know who you are!) have been at the club, completing repairs and general maintenance to keep the club looking as good as it can for the season. This has included pitch maintenance (thanks Ed and Gordon), repainting exterior woodwork, fence repairs, clearing out store sheds, replacing the sink and worktop in the bar, installing a new fridge in the bar, cleaning out the guttering, tidying the rear of the club and getting rid of all the rubbish! No mean feat, so thank you.
Tim Draper and the Seniors have been incredibly busy securing new sponsors for the club. These include the main sponsors, board sponsors and player sponsors, all of which will help them manage their costs this season, but also bring much needed finance to the club, all of which is vitally important.
We have launched a new website which is linked to the RFU’s Game Management System (GMS) https://corshamrfc.rfu.club/ We will use this to run our membership system and it will also manage fixtures and results, coaching and club qualifications and many other matters. (Thanks to Adam here!)
Whilst mentioning membership, another question I am asked quite regularly, is ‘What do I get for my money?’ Most people look at what the playing side offers them and that usually revolves around games, training and after match food. Thereafter, many people fail to see what else goes on at the club and what is needed. For example, it costs around £1,500 per month just to stand still. This includes utilities, insurance, physio costs, cleaning and bar staff costs to name but a few. We have just purchased a commercial extractor unit for the kitchen, cost £750, a fire inspection report, cost £250, proposed new LED strip lighting for the showers, changing room and kitchen, will cost £420 and a recent requirement to fell and manage trees along the Lacock Road boundary, will cost £2,500. Repairs to floodlighting will cost around £2,000. Without undertaking these improvements and work, we don’t have a club, so your membership helps, not only in providing the rugby, but in keeping the club solvent and alive.
Another issue with membership is that a number have failed to pay in recent seasons. This cannot continue, so with the aid of the GMS system we will be able to see who has paid and who hasn’t. Those who have not paid or made arrangements to pay by direct debit by the end of September will be unable to play until they do. We have also decided that direct debits will be for 12 months. This will lower monthly costs for members, but will also assist the club in managing costs during the summer.
You will see that much has been taking place during the summer and this is predominantly down to a handful of dedicated people who keep the club going. It would be fantastic to have more people doing a small bit for your club. For example, rather than bemoaning the fact that a pitch side waste bin is full, why not empty it in to the main bin and replace it? A five minute job if that, but hugely helpful. Also, we do have a cleaner, but I would ask parents that if your child spills their slush puppy or is over exuberant with the ketchup, then please clear it up. A simple task, but again, so helpful.
I would like to thank the Committee and those who have helped as outlined above, but I would also appeal for others of you to step forward and help. We are still looking for a Junior Chairperson, which is a crucial role at the club. Others have picked up some of the responsibilities, such as fixtures, but someone is needed to coordinate matters, so please, if you could give a bit of your time to help your club, then please give me a call.
Lastly, I wish you all good luck for the season, but more importantly I sincerely hope that you enjoy your rugby and enjoy your club.
Kind regards,
Ian Bamber
Chairman
07983 455298
chairmancrfc@gmail.com
I thought that as we approach the new season I would let you know a few things about our club that you may be unaware of and to update you on where we are and where we want to go.
One of the main issues that I hear being raised is about the condition of the club building itself. It is looking a bit worn round the edges and could do with updating. This does not come cheap and the Committee have been working to resolve some of these issues. We have been granted over £18,000 from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which compels developers in an area to pay the local council a charge which must be put towards community activities. We are hopeful that a further grant of £33,000 will be forthcoming and with these monies and hopefully further funding, it is intended to extend and update the changing rooms, showers and toilets. If we are able to secure enough funding, we may be able to improve the clubhouse social area too. Whilst this money is a huge boost for the club, it must be spent on these projects and cannot be used elsewhere, such as running costs, so please don’t think we’re suddenly awash with cash, because we’re not! It is intended to hold a consultation during this season so that all members can have their say on the proposals.
During the summer a handful of people (you know who you are!) have been at the club, completing repairs and general maintenance to keep the club looking as good as it can for the season. This has included pitch maintenance (thanks Ed and Gordon), repainting exterior woodwork, fence repairs, clearing out store sheds, replacing the sink and worktop in the bar, installing a new fridge in the bar, cleaning out the guttering, tidying the rear of the club and getting rid of all the rubbish! No mean feat, so thank you.
Tim Draper and the Seniors have been incredibly busy securing new sponsors for the club. These include the main sponsors, board sponsors and player sponsors, all of which will help them manage their costs this season, but also bring much needed finance to the club, all of which is vitally important.
We have launched a new website which is linked to the RFU’s Game Management System (GMS) https://corshamrfc.rfu.club/ We will use this to run our membership system and it will also manage fixtures and results, coaching and club qualifications and many other matters. (Thanks to Adam here!)
Whilst mentioning membership, another question I am asked quite regularly, is ‘What do I get for my money?’ Most people look at what the playing side offers them and that usually revolves around games, training and after match food. Thereafter, many people fail to see what else goes on at the club and what is needed. For example, it costs around £1,500 per month just to stand still. This includes utilities, insurance, physio costs, cleaning and bar staff costs to name but a few. We have just purchased a commercial extractor unit for the kitchen, cost £750, a fire inspection report, cost £250, proposed new LED strip lighting for the showers, changing room and kitchen, will cost £420 and a recent requirement to fell and manage trees along the Lacock Road boundary, will cost £2,500. Repairs to floodlighting will cost around £2,000. Without undertaking these improvements and work, we don’t have a club, so your membership helps, not only in providing the rugby, but in keeping the club solvent and alive.
Another issue with membership is that a number have failed to pay in recent seasons. This cannot continue, so with the aid of the GMS system we will be able to see who has paid and who hasn’t. Those who have not paid or made arrangements to pay by direct debit by the end of September will be unable to play until they do. We have also decided that direct debits will be for 12 months. This will lower monthly costs for members, but will also assist the club in managing costs during the summer.
You will see that much has been taking place during the summer and this is predominantly down to a handful of dedicated people who keep the club going. It would be fantastic to have more people doing a small bit for your club. For example, rather than bemoaning the fact that a pitch side waste bin is full, why not empty it in to the main bin and replace it? A five minute job if that, but hugely helpful. Also, we do have a cleaner, but I would ask parents that if your child spills their slush puppy or is over exuberant with the ketchup, then please clear it up. A simple task, but again, so helpful.
I would like to thank the Committee and those who have helped as outlined above, but I would also appeal for others of you to step forward and help. We are still looking for a Junior Chairperson, which is a crucial role at the club. Others have picked up some of the responsibilities, such as fixtures, but someone is needed to coordinate matters, so please, if you could give a bit of your time to help your club, then please give me a call.
Lastly, I wish you all good luck for the season, but more importantly I sincerely hope that you enjoy your rugby and enjoy your club.
Kind regards,
Ian Bamber
Chairman
07983 455298
chairmancrfc@gmail.com
