Wolverhampton Rugby Union
Football Club
Chairman’s Report
2012/2013 Season
Ian Kendrick
Introduction
I would first like to reiterate my vision for the club. We should aspire
to be the most admired rugby club in Staffordshire and the
surrounding areas.
Now, the beauty of such a vision is that being admired can mean
many things to many people. We could be admired for the results we
achieve on the pitch, the spirit in which we play the game, the
financial management of the club or even the atmosphere we create
in the clubhouse.
So, I think this year we have a lot we could be admired for and we
should certainly be proud of.
The Rugby
I will not go into detail too much about the rugby but I will talk about
the highlights as I see them.
It was a pleasure to watch the first team this year as they showed
good determination going forward and a well organised defence, even
on a cold and wet Saturday afternoon at the end of November at
Aston Old Edwardians. The last few minutes of a great cup run against
Laurentions showed how far the team have come and they are very
capable of competing against good teams. A saddening sight was to
see Lordswood Dixonians drop out of the league after only a few
games being unable to field a team.
The second team also played some good rugby, winning their league
but more importantly giving competition to those first teamers who
should not rest on their laurels. I had one game for the seconds
against Leek but I decided it was far too quick. Taxi for Kendrick!
The third team also had an excellent season with a cast of hundreds
involved. Chris Driscoll made us all pay dearly for any minor
indiscretion. This made over £600 in fines for which the team have
purchased balls for each of the Mini/Junior section teams for next
year. This is a fantastic way of the club making connections across
the teams.
The mini and junior side of the club appears to be as strong and
vibrant as ever. It’s good to see so many senior players now
becoming coaches on a Sunday morning and again the first team
players are helping out as well.
The under 11’s Staffordshire tournament was a pleasure to watch with
our lads winning without a try being scored against them. The
tournament was extremely well organised and the positive comments
off a lot of other teams was very pleasing.
The ladies are still there and I look forward to them getting more
competitive.
So my messages for the rugby side are; do more of the same as its
not broken, but I would like to see if we can get a fourth team out. I
would like to see a greater mobility between the second and third
team, as there are some players who should go up and there are
some that should not be too proud to play lower down. Remember we
used to have six teams. Every player should think “If I don’t make
myself available, do my friends possibly have to play one down”
The Social Side
I have really enjoyed the atmosphere in the bar when the first team is
winning; it lifts the spirit of the club. The best afternoon was after the
first team had won but then England unexpectedly beat New Zealand
at Twickenham.
The Former Players is a strong and growing group but I think I will
delay my membership for another year. It is good to maintain the
links with the club and particularly some of the more senior members
of the club.
Club Development
This year has been a difficult year as I was hoping to stand here with
more positive news.
Changes in personnel at South Staffs Council meant that our original
good work in getting verbal agreement on development ensured that
planning permission was rejected by the planners as being
“inappropriate” development in the Green Belt. This also allowed them
to question the Marquee for the summer events. This has been a very
tiring and disruptive process which has cost the club money to
proceed, with very little options to do anything else.
Discussions were subsequently held to understand their objections
and where there was extra detail required. We have now submitted a
revised proposal for which we have received a recommendation to
approve the plan, but will it will have to go to planning committee.
We have also applied for a grant of £50,000 from Sport England for
the inspired facilities fund. We are awaiting the outcome of this
decision.
Planning permission is one thing; building and paying for it will be the
next challenge.
At long last we have new signs down the drive as well. It’s only a
minor thing on the face of it, but so important to the image and
identity of the club.
We will be redecorating the club after about 4 years over a couple of
weekends in the July. We have a grant for £250 for materials for this
off RBS.
We will have online membership registration next year and the facility
to spread the payments over 12 months. Membership fees will be held
firm for the 3rd year in a row.
Recognition
A club like ours in only good if the collective membership devotes
time and energy to the club. So I would like to say a few words of
thanks.
I would first like to thank those really active members who have
supported the club this year in however small way they could. If you
have had one more drink here or picked up a piece of litter, it all
helps.
I would then like to thank the committee for their support as we have
worked together well this year. I would particularly like to pay tribute
to two people. Neil Jones has once again almost lived here with the
training sessions and match day attendances. Also Kevin Round for
the dynamo he has become whenever we say we have an event to
organise.
I would like to thank all the coaches and age reps who give up their
time so generously for the children of the club and they are very well
supported by Chris Cooper, Neil Harris and Tina Rowney.
I would like to thank the Former Players for their social and financial
contributions to the club. In particular, a big thanks to Ralph Dawson,
Jill Tonkinson, Raz Astbury, Steve Bowden and youthful Matty
Howells.
A thank you to my wife Carol and family for putting up with the time
spent down here but it is a big draw after 33 years now.
Finally a tribute to two very senior members of the club that I had the
pleasure of knowing personally those that had sadly passed away this
year. Both Vic Hall and Ian Creed were influential people here at
Wolverhampton and their presence will be missed.
Many thanks for a year for a Chairman to be proud of.