Lytchett Minster RFC
Old Watery Lane
Lytchett Minster
Poole
BH16 6HZ
Registered in England No. 6733133
LMRFC Development & Business Plan
2013
1. Introduction
a. Club Background
Although Lytchett Minster Rugby Club was not founded until 1981, the groundwork for the
club was laid in 1976 at Lytchett Minster School, when a new influx of teachers signaled the
change to comprehensive status. Two of the new teachers coached and developed the game
within the school, fostering several successful teams, winning many local tournaments. In
1981 the under 16 side competed in the National Schools Tournament reaching the quarter
finals, only losing to the eventual winners in a hard fought match. Since then, the school
teams have continued to impress with several visits to play teams in France, Holland,
England and Wales, acquitting themselves very well. Within the current crop of School
players there are several that are showing promise.
Lytchett Minster Rugby Club was founded in 1981, by a newly formed past pupils association,
as a means of allowing past and present pupils to continue playing Rugby. The club still
maintains strong links with the School, and continues to draw the majority of its players from
former pupils.
Since its debut in 1981, each season has continued the club's success. The first two seasons
proved to be excellent for the colts team, with many outstanding victories against established
clubs. When the original members of the colt's team reached their age limit, a senior side was
created for the 1983 - 1984 season. With the help of a local Rugby coach and the introduction
of a few older players the original colts team moved into senior rugby.
In their first season the blend of youth and experience produced good results, which saw a
stronger fixture list for the next season. Continued improvement and success encouraged
new members to join, and confirmed the transition from junior to senior rugby. By 1985 the
club was strong enough to field a 2nd XV.
The first XV joined the Berks, Dorset and Wilts League for the 1988 - 1989 season and
finished in the top three of Division Two. The 1991 - 1992 season saw Lytchett Minster
R.U.F.C. promoted to Division One. Despite player poaching from larger clubs within the area
and playing against more established opposition, Lytchett Minster R.U.F.C. stayed in Division
One until being relegated in the 1996 - 1997 season.
In 2000 - 2001 Lytchett Minster R.F.C. joined the Hampshire League in Division Two and
played in this league until 2004 – 2005 season when unfortunately we were relegated to
Division Three. Despite this set back the club has entered a Second XV into the Dorset and
Wilts league for the beginning of the 2005 season. Allowing new players to put pressure on
the first team for places and attempt to push for promotion this season.
Following 13 years of campaigning, the new Club House was completed for the start of the
2003 - 2004 season. It has all the facilities a growing club can need. The Club House is
adjacent to the two rugby fields, so no more long walks back up the school drive to get
changed after the match. The final cost of the club house was just under £600,000.
The 1st XV were promoted to Hampshire II in the 2006-2007 season and again promoted to
Hampshire 1 in 2011. Due to the extensive travel involved when playing in this league it was
decided that LMRFC would return to the Dorset and Wilts League at the end of the season.
As a result the Senior teams were placed in leagues 3 and 4.
The 1st XV are currently top of the Dorset & Wilts 3 league and the 2 nd XV are currently 5th in
the Dorset & Wilts 4.
Since 1981 a number of players have gone on to represent England Colts/schools, Dorset
and Wilts/under 21's/Colts/Schools, Dorset Knobs/ under 17's/schools, Royal Navy/combined
services and the Royal Marines.

Rugby Sevens Tournament History
The Lytchett Minster Festival of Sevens Tournament was first played in 1982. Held over the
Mayday weekend, teams from all over the South of England attended and have been doing
so ever since. The Lytchett Minster Festival of Sevens has grown in both numbers and
reputation to be the most successful club run sevens tournament in the South and South
West of England.
The weekend incorporates three days of fierce competition. Combine this with hot and cold
food, drinks marquee, snacks and souvenir merchandise, all located on Lytchett Minster
Rugby Club's fantastic pitches makes for a fantastic family weekend.
More than 72 teams, plus their families, supporters, officials and sponsors (approx. 5,000
people) attend each year.
b. Club Future
LMRFC are looking to build on the solid base that has provided a warm and friendly
rugby environment for senior, vets and junior rugby over the past 32 years. We will
continue to improve on the management processes that are already in place and via
continued accreditation to the RFU ensure that we have a safe and well-organised
facility for our members. Where necessary we will implement new processes and
procedures to meet changing governmental and local requirements.
Continued success on the pitch is a key priority so that we maintain revenues from
sponsors, match day crowds and the RFU. An equal priority is to make the club more
accessible to the whole local community, by developing closer links with local
agencies (council, schools, colleges, Community groups etc.). Working with the RFU
Rugby Development Officer and the ‘Club Clustering’ approach this season and
LMRFC will be an active player with other local Rugby Clubs and the Local
Community groups, where the sharing of ideas and resources, coupled with closer
cooperation, for the benefit all.
2. Key Objectives
a. The Rugby Club

To produce a friendly atmosphere in which people can not only play
rugby, but also watch the game.

To foster and further develop relationships within the local community
and other sporting organisations that will ensure the future and continued
growth of our Rugby Club.

To identify and support approaches for ensuring that the benefits of the
Rugby Club are equally accessible to all young people with the ability
and desire to progress in sport, targeting Women and those living in a
designated priority or disadvantaged areas.

To further develop the management, coaching and playing qualities of
our Men’s, Women’s, Girls and Junior sections within our Rugby Club.
 To obtain and maintain RFU Accreditation.
b. Men’s Rugby
 To be successful and competitive throughout all of our teams, whilst
playing attractive rugby.
c. Women’s & Girls Rugby
 To develop a sustainable team that has well defined pathways for the
development of girls in the Mini and Junior sections into Women’s rugby.
d. Mini, Midi and Junior Rugby

To continually seek to improve the development of all young people,
both mentally and physically, whilst maintaining the importance placed
on ensuring that the children learn to respect the opposition, their
teammates, the coaches, the referees and primarily themselves.
The development of the player follows four key stages
o Stage 1
Local schemes for all boys and girls that have little understanding
or experience of the game, but wish to learn.
o Stage 2
Maintain a well-managed section within the Rugby Club that has
RFU qualified coaches and has well defined and achievable
objectives.
o Stage 3
Maintain an assessment process for those children who have an
interest and ability to progress further.
o Stage 4
The development of individual players and squads, at all ages,
who can compete at county and regional level.
3. Needs and Aspirations
a. Facilities
The requirements of the Clubhouse and grounds for our rugby club are
 Accessibility to all
 Have sufficient changing facilities for the teams and referees, allowing
at least two simultaneous games of rugby to be played.
 Have sufficient playing surfaces for the teams in the club with additional
areas for training that have adequate floodlighting.
 Provision of good recreational facilities (e.g. Bar, refreshments etc, in
order to maintain the ‘Ethos’ of rugby.
Any development that is done needs to take into account the RFU Seal of Approval
and the RFU guidelines on Community Rugby.
b. People to develop the Club and teams

Men’s; A close relationship with the Junior section to ensure a steady
flow of younger players into the senior sides is vital to our survival. In
addition a strategy needs to be developed to encourage the local
community youth to have the opportunity to try rugby from a playing and
social aspect. This should involve closer relationships with local schools,
colleges and local government bodies

Women’s/Girls; To encourage girls into the game of rugby by using
different forms of the game with an emphasis on fun and fitness.

Minis/Youth; To encourage children from the age of 5 upwards into the
game, demonstrating a seamless move through the club, eventually
providing an opportunity to play in adult rugby if desired.

Access to Finance; To identify local sponsors and local/national funding
opportunities to assist in development of the club as a local ‘community
service’

Support from within the Club; To raise the profile of the Club within the
local community and seek opportunities to make the club facilities
available to the community.

Coaching/Refereeing; To identify people, both male and female, willing
to be qualified RFU Coaches and Referees and then provide support to
them in achieving these qualifications. This needs to be an annual
programme to ensure that the Club has sufficient coaching expertise in
order to improve and maintain the playing standards across the Club.
It is essential that our Club is viewed positively in the Community and that we can
demonstrate that we can offer the game of rugby to all ages and sexes in a well
managed and controlled way through good management and qualified coaches. We
would want to known as a Club that promotes good sportsmanship and fair play,
both on and off the field.
We would also want to be known as a club that is welcoming to all, players,
members and spectators and that we would like to be at the heart of our local
community.
4. Code of Conduct
We review the Club Code of Conduct, which is printed in our Club Handbook and in
our home Match Programme on an annual basis. The code of conduct is managed
by all club officials and applied equally to all players, coaches, spectators and
members.
5. Health & Safety Policy
The health & safety management of the clubhouse is vitally important, as we need to
demonstrate a duty of care to all users of the clubhouse. We need to verify and
address the following items in order to ensure that all the necessary steps are being
taken to ensure a safe environment exists:
a. Ensure there is a health & safety policy and that it is actively used and
communicated.
b. Identify responsibility for health and safety including co-ordination of a
health and safety management programme.
c. Carry out regular risk assessments and implement actions for risk reduction
d. All hazardous substances are clearly identified, controlled and stored.
e. Accident and emergency procedures are documented.
6. Child Protection Policy
The RFU instruction on Child Protection is fully implemented in the Junior section of
the club and a Child Protection Officer is an appointed member of the Youth
Committee.
7. Volunteer Recruitment Plan
a. Attracting new Volunteers
We need to develop a plan to actively attract new volunteers into the club
that is targeted at the new parent base that is comes each year with young
player new starts and from all areas of the local community.
b. Succession planning
Within each club committee, each committee position has a job description
that includes a responsibility to identify a replacement and complete a
suitable handover with that person to ensure management continuity of that
committee position.
8. Club Referee Development Plan
We have a number of qualified referees, who operate on the CB referees panel, but
we do need to continue to encourage more players and parents to take up this
challenging but rewarding alternative option to playing. The club have hosted both
refereeing and coaching courses in the past and having a local course on offer
would be beneficial to having more club volunteers taking up the opportunity. A
target to aspire to is for there to be a qualified referee available at each Junior age
group and at least 3 club referees qualified to level 11 and above, that are willing to
have their names on the county refereeing register.
9.
Coach Development Plan
a. Club Coaching Structure
We have a club wide approach to coaching where the policy, approach and
playing style is defined and then implemented by all of the coaches at all
levels within the club.
b. Numbers and qualification levels
We need to develop and manage an ongoing programme to attract more
coaches of both sexes into the club and then take those coaches through
the RFU coaching qualification levels such that we have sufficient coaches
qualified at RFU level1, level 2 and level 3.
10. Gap Analysis
There is a need:

To increase the clubs involvement with the local community through closer links
with Schools, Colleges, Universities and other local organisations.

To improve the club facilities using all avenues of funding and financing which
are available to us.

To provide the opportunity for girls and women to play rugby

To ensure adequate health & safety processes are in place.

To develop a Volunteer recruitment plan

To identify people who have an interest in becoming a referee.

To develop a Coaching recruitment and development plan

To improve PR

To improve fundraising

To improve communication
11. SWOT Analysis
Strengths
Weaknesses
S1 The current facilities
S2 The organisation
S3 The Senior Teams
S4 The Clubs financial situation
S5 The Lytchett 7’S
S6 The Volunteers
S7 Strong Committee
S8 Good links with the RFU
S9 Good relationships with the land owners
S10 Largest RFC in local area
S11 Willingness to succeed
S12 Organisational skills
S13 Coach & Managers skills
S14 Welcoming friendly Club
S15 Good Pyhsio support
S16 Current sponsors
W1 Lack of structured social program
W2 Under- utilization of the Facilities
W3 No successor planning
W4 Inadequate building security
W5 Grounds maintenance
W6 Lack of fund raising
W7 Lack of professionalism
W8 Lack of continuity
W9 Lack of advertising & PR
W10 Collection of membership fees
W11 Cash flow
W12 Losing players to other clubs
W13 Poor communication within the club
W14 Poor communication with outside bodies
W15 Lack of ‘Openness’
W16 Lack of management ‘Scrutiny’
W17 Poor levels of ‘Housekeeping’
W18 Lack of SOP’s
W19 Lack of a formal H&S System
W20 Lack of control systems
W21 Lack of parental control
W22 Website requires a revamp
W23 Restrictive Planning Permissions
W24 Adherence to Job Descriptions
W25 LMSCT
W26 Club perception
W27 Lack of a Business Plan
W28 Lack of a budget
Opportunities
Threats
O1 To have more players at all age levels
O2 To grow the club
O3 To utilise the skills of the members
O4 Increase the usage by Caravan Clubs
O5 More involvement with community events
O6 Increase fund raising
O7 Increase advertising
O8 Increase utilization of the facility
O9 Rugby camps
O10 More youth involvement with Senior Teams
O11 Improved website
O12 Improve email
O13 More Sponsorship
O14 Fully documented management systems
O15 To secure the Clubs future at Lytchett
O16 Benchmarking with other Clubs/Groups
O17 Women’s/Girls Rugby Teams
T1 Loss of the Facility
T2 Loss of funding
T3 Local Clubs taking LMRFC Players
T4 Unforseen financial crisis
T5 Volunteer fatigue
T6 Personal injury claims
T7 Inapropriate/uncontrolled use of the facility
T8 Loss of income to other facilities
T9 Failure to implement plans
T10 Complaints from specific persons
T11 No documented system
T12 Current conditions of the facilities
12. Club Action Plans
Ref
S1
S2
S3
S4
S5
S6
S7
S8
S9
S10
S11
S12
S13
S14
S15
S16
Action
Follow current legal advice
Include Organisation chart in the Club systems
Maintain the Team strengths and build morale
Establish budget requirements
Improve PR and advertising of Lytchett 7’s
Improve communication and bring through more volunteers
To be defined in Clubs documented systems
Continue to build links with RFU and other bodies
Continue to build relationship
Improve PR and advertising
Build upon success
Implement training programs
Implement training programs
Continue to build the Friendly Club atmosphere
Maintain current personnel and develop successors
Secure existing Sponsors and attract new.
Ref
W1
W2
W3
W4
W5
W6
W7
W8
W9
W10
W11
W12
W13
W14
W15
W16
W17
W18
W19
W20
W21
W22
W23
W24
W25
W26
W27
W28
Action
Define roles and responsibilities, appoint volunteers
Advertising, PR, improve communication
To be incorporated in the Clubs Management Systems
Audit, review, identify improvements and implement
Define requirements, roles and responsibilities
Improve/increase fund raising events and activities
Appoint Training Officer, Identify training needs and programs
Include within Clubs documented Management System
Improvement plan for all advertising/PR/Communication
Define roles and responsibilities, include in Clubs Systems
Financial reviews, establish budget
Develop exit reviews, analysis, improvement plans
Identify ways to improve communication within the Club
Identify ways to improve communication with external bodies
Identify ways to improve communication within the Club
Include reviews/checklists/ SOP’s in the Clubs Systems
Include audits/reviews/checklists/ SOP’s in the Clubs Systems
Include audits/reviews/checklists/ SOP’s in the Clubs Systems
Include H&S audits/checklists/ SOP’s in the Clubs Systems
Include audits/reviews/checklists/ SOP’s in the Clubs Systems
Include audits/reviews/checklists/ SOP’s in the Clubs Systems
Benchmark with other Clubs and redesign website
When Clubs future is secure, budget for and change PP’s
Include Job descriptions/audits/reviews/ in the Clubs Systems
Follow current Legal Advice
Improve perception with PR and communications
Documented Development and Business Plan
Club management system to include budget & finance reviews
Responsible
SP,JL,DJ,DM
JL
Managers & Coaches
Treasurer
FMch
JL
Completion target
Q3 2013
Q3 2013
Continuous
Q3 2013
Q2 2013
Continuous
Q3 2013
Committee
FMch
Everyone
Continuous
Responsible
Committee
FMch
JL
FMch
Completion target
Q3 2013
Q4 2013
Q3 2013
Q3 2013
Q3 2013
Q3 2013>
JL
FMch
JL
Treasurer
JL
JL, FMch
JL, FMch
JL, FMch
JL
JL
JL
SP, JL
JL
JL
DM AP
JL
JL
DM,DJ,SP,JL
F Mch
JL
JL
Q3 2013
Q4 2013
Q3 2013
Q3 2013
Q3 2013
Q3 2013
Q3 2013
Q3 2013
Q3 2013
Q3 2013
Q3 2013
Q3 2013
Q3 2013
Q3 2013
Q3 2013
Q4 2013
Q3 2013
Ongoing
Q3 2013
Q2 2013
Q3 2013
Continuous
Ref
O1
O2
O3
O4
O5
O6
O7
O8
O9
O10
O11
O12
O13
O14
O15
O16
017
018
Action
Improve PR/Communication/Coaching/Training/Volunteers
Club business systems, general improvements throughout
Improve communication and awareness bring in volunteers
Encourage more Caravan bookings
Improve PR/Communication and involvement with local events
Improve and increase fundraising activities
Improve advertising/ PR/ communication
Improve advertising/ PR/ communication
Establish Rugby Club opportunities & promote RWC 2015
Define roles and responsibilities, implement new organisation
Redesign Clubs website to more user friendly format
Improve the Clubs email systems
Improve PR/Communication and attract more sponsorship
Draft, agree, formalise Clubs documented systems
Follow legal guidance and work with relevant eternal bodies
Benchmarking with other Clubs and organisations
Promote school/ college/ university links
Develop Women’s/Girls teams
Ref
T1
T2
T3
T4
T5
T6
T7
T8
T9
T10
T11
T12
Action
Follow legal advice and recommedations
Follow legal advice and recommedations
Improve morale and team bonding
Create budget and establish Back up Fund levels
Improve communication and bring in new volunteers
Implement H&S Syatem include within Clubs systems
Roles, responsibilities, SOP’s within the Clubs syatems
Improve Advertising, PR and communication
Defined responsibilities and reviews in Clubs systems
Defined responsibilities and reviews in Clubs systems
Fully documented Club Management systems
Defined responsibilities and reviews in Clubs systems
Responsible
Completion target
JL +
Q3 2013
JL
HD
F Mch
F Mch
F Mch
2015
2013>
Q4 2013>
Q4 2013>
Q4 2013>
FMch
JL
DM,DJ,SP,JL
DM,DJ,SP,JL
JE
2013>
Q3 2013
2013
2013>
2013>
Responsible
DM,DJ,SP,JL
DM,DJ,SP,JL
Completion target
2013>
2013>
Treasurer
FMch
SP, JL
JL
FMch
JL
JL
JL
JL
Q3 2013
2013>
2013
Q3 2013
2013>
Q3 2013
Q3 2013
Q3 2013
Q3 2013
--- End of Document ---
Document ref: D&BP 01/2013/rev.3
Issued: 02/12/2013
Authorised: J Laidler