Old Alleynians RFC

Dear Club Members,

With the new season nearly upon us, this note is intended to provide an update on the various activities that are underway to keep the Club on track and to make preparations as part of our plans for the future. There has been a lot of activity during the off-season and the Committee and our volunteers have worked hard to ensure that we can start 2016/17 in good order.
The Club remains committed to its “Five Year Plan” to redevelop our facilities and to grow our footprint in the local community – there is lots to do and if you would like to help in any way, your assistance and skills in contributing to achieve this would be very welcome.

[b]FACILITIES[/b]

Over the summer, the Clubhouse and changing room buildings have undergone a number of changes. In particular, structural works to remedy the subsidence issues in the Clubhouse, replacement boiler works in the changing rooms and roof and other repairs to the buildings in general. Those works necessary so the Club could open for the season ahead have now been completed. Certain other works will be ongoing, but are not expected to affect the day-to-day activities at the Club. A big thank you to the Committee members and volunteers who have given up considerable amounts of their time to initiate and oversee these significant projects.
We would also like to thank the College for allowing us the use of the Trevor Bailey changing rooms at the beginning of the season whilst these works were being carried out.

[b]FLOODLIGHTS[/b]

The Club’s senior squad has had an excellent pre-season this summer and is feeling confident heading into the new season. However to maintain training at a high standard and into the winter months, the floodlights on the training pitch need to be replaced. There are portable floodlight solutions available at a reasonable cost. IN A DIRECT PLEA for immediate financial assistance, the Committee would be most grateful for its members’ support – either by way of donations or sponsorship ideas. Please contact the Club Secretary – Owen McEntee (contact details below).

[b]GROUND AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT[/b]

As you may know, Phil Morgan left us this summer, having served the club for a number of years in his role as grounds man and general club manager. The Committee wishes to express its gratitude for Phil’s efforts over this time and wish him and his wife, Kelly, all the best for their future ventures.
Following Phil’s departure, the most immediate requirement was to ensure that we managed our grounds; this has been taken on by Steve Twyman, who many of you will already know and he has done an excellent job over the summer to make sure that we can start the season in good order. Longer term, our aspirations are to employ an Operations/Commercial Manager who will take primary responsibility for managing the club. However, this appointment is on-hold and dependent on completion of the remedial works mentioned above. In the interim, various people have kindly volunteered to take on the various roles that need to be carried out so the Club can operate for the beginning of the season – again, a big thank you. However, there are certain other roles for which the Committee would be grateful for volunteers’ assistance, including:
• Running the Club’s shop.
• Maintaining the Club’s membership register.
• Seeking funding / sponsorship.
• Other roles as they present themselves.
If you would like to volunteer for any of these roles, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator – Ian Goodhew.

[b]LONGER TERM OBJECTIVES[/b]

In actioning the Club’s “Five Year Plan”, behind the scenes a number of initiatives have been put in place and are progressing well – most of which will not only benefit the Club generally, but will also serve to fulfil key requirements for our intended future application for RFU accreditation and funding:
• The restructuring of the legal and tax status of the Club in line with RFU guidelines is nearly complete.
• The Club’s book keeping and accounting systems are in the process of being updated.
• The renewal of the Club’s lease of the grounds is currently under negotiation.
• The Club’s transfer from the Surrey RFU to the Kent RFU is in progress.
For further information on these items, please contact Chairman, Mike Lobb or the Club’s legal committee member, Tim Wood.

[b]NEXT FUNCTION[/b]

The next function at the club is the Vets Lunch on Saturday 8th October. The Chairman, Mike Lobb looks forward to seeing many of you there.

[b]CONTACTS[/b]

Mike Lobb, Club Chairman / mikelobb59@gmail.com / 07900 887647
Owen Mcentee , Hon. Sec. / owen_mcentee@hotmail.com / 07852 310092
Tim Wood, Legal / tim.b.wood@baml.com / 07983 745570
Ian Goodhew, Volunteer Coordinator / familygoodhew@btinternet.com