Presidents Report
Another season rolls by so time to sit back and congratulate ourselves.
The 1st XV managed their highest ever Eastern Counties League position
and shared the Norfolk Plate with the Crusaders. The Tigers, under the
continued inspired leadership of Kevan Pywell, had a good solid season
and the Regulators, after a very shaky start, settled down in the second
half of the season and managed to put out a side on a semi-regular basis.
So what can we read into this?
The most obvious thing is that we, as a rugby club, lack ambition.
Having effectively won nothing all season, peoples' impression is of
a successful season. The lst XV, continues to field two or three players,
who will not train. The Tigers, despite Kevan Pywell's leadership and
encouragement, every week include seven or eight players who never train,
and the Regulators, who provide the first step for our youth into senior
rugby, have cancelled as many as they've played.
Furthermore, the 1st XV, seen as the club standard bearers, on whose
performance our reputation is based, have been in the same league for
around five seasons and have seen clubs pass us by on a regular basis
(Beccles, Felixstowe, Mersea Island & Billericay) to occupy leagues
one, two or more above ours. Billericay in particular, who were in our
league two seasons ago, and who we played this year in the 1st round of
the Tetley Bitter Vase, ended their season at Twickenham in the final
of the competition. Now there's ambition!
David Joseph (Coach)
Bits and Pieces
Nominations forms are currently in the clubhouse, please think carefully,
fill this form in and give to a club official as soon as possible.
We may have to employ someone to help with the cooking which will result
in an extra £1 charge per person per home match or subs raised from
£10 to £20. Please let the committee know what you want to
do.
Is anyone interested in organising a millennium event, 31st December
1999? If so please come forward as it needs to be organised. this summer.
Presidents Report
1999: A fitting finale?
Well here I am writing another end of year missive that this time will truly
be an end of term report. As last year I shall also submit this for the
Lineout. This does seem ironic as for the first titne ever I was ahead of
schedule with a submission but only saw Sharon once - and on that occasion
did not have it on me. However, for an those who studiously wade through
all the highly dubious polysyllable words and hyperbole I can must you will
be pleased to know this is also my last. For various reasons I am on a full
time course for a year and must dedicate my time to passing the exams. Anyone
got any spare chalks and slates?
As regards the Lineout Sharon and Charlie have completed 2 years as Editors.
Having been involved in some way with this publication - surely the best
Club Newsletter in the Eastern Counties - I know how difficult it is to
produce regular copy. You as members are needed to send in snippets, comment
and suggestions. Chasing the submissions is not easy and we owe a debt
of gratitude to all those who undertake this. So thank you to our current
incurnbents. I am, and always have been, proud of the Lineout. Let's continue
supporting them and giving us all something to read. Send in your thoughts,
funny stories, memories or even polite complaints. The Lineout will become
ever more interesting and rewarding and you never know - you may even
get a response to something you say!
This year has been my 4th as President and I have been inordinately grateful
for and proud of this time representing you all. I may have not been the
most well travelled President but I hope to have represented the club
well within all I have done. For the most part the club has continued
to develop during this period and thanks to the players, coaches and committee
given excitement and entertainment to those of us on the sidelines.
This year has been, I am told, our most successful in the Eastern Counties
League. In addition sharing the Plate Final after 2 outright victories
cannot be bad. I shall not steal any of the Captain's/Manager's/Coaches
thunder except to say it was great!
Similarly the Tiger's have again played to and achieved their customary
high standards. This is easy to expect but not necessarily easy to bring
about. Furthermore despite all adversity the Regulators have continued
through the season and claimed some valuable scalps. Next year may be
a difficult one for us all with players retiring and others moving away.
Whether we can still progress has yet to be proven and will depend on
you but for now Well Done.
It is with sadness that we said farewell to Annie Blizzard recently.
This is an exciting time for her and I know you will want me to formally
thank her again for all she has done over the years and wish her well
for the future. Annie good luck and keep in touch. We will truly miss
you.
In like vain last years coach has 'hung up his boots'. Some people do
not know just how much David has done for the club with coaching at local
schools with brother Gary and leading Sunday morning training assisted
by all too few of us. This is a tiring commitment and hopefully soon we
will see the next batch of young players coming through from the endeavours.
David I hope we will continue to see you frequently at all events.
I cannot let this moment pass without sincere thanks for and recognition
of our very own 'Slowman' Mark Frost. Despite all adversity Frostie has
always come back and taken up a place in the lst XV and led us to one
of our 4 Plate Finals. 1 know how much Mark loves the game and how much
he will miss playing - and what that feels like. Thank you Mark for all
that you have given.
In order to continue our progression we need to improve certain facilities.
The floodlights are a serious hindrance and if, I believe, we are to entice
youth players we need the permanent fixtures. The good news is that the
cable is in and plans approved. The bad news is that the price for the
base is in excess of £2000. How do we raise this money? Is there
a cheaper option? Can you attract some sponsorship? We need to deal with
this now and prepare for the autumn. If you have any ideas please contact
the committee. This was a key objective for last year. Please do not let
us lose the momentum now.
This brings us to this years AGM. Here is where next season starts. Have
you considered what you cando? Will you complete what you have taken on?
These questions need an answer and only you can give it.
Employment Section
Person wanted to produce the Broadland P.FC newsletter (the
Lineout) on a quarterly basis to a relatively high standard. Approximately
two evenings per quarter are needed to produce the newsletter. Club officials
are slowly adhering to the deadlines, but some chasing is required, if
you can be bothered. The ideal person would be someone who could also
do the photocopyi ng and stuffing/mai1ing of envelopes to remove this
burden from Sue. If you are interested in this vacancy, speak to Sharon
or Sue.
1999 Tour Quotes
"A tyre perhaps!"
Chalky's response to the question, "Do you have anything
in rubber to fit me?" asked by Invers at the Newcastle branch of
Ann Summers.
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"Who won the boat race yesterday......today......tomorrow?"
Sean O'Kane discovering one of the many side effects of alcohol
over-indulgence.
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"F* * * * * *g Hell!!! It's Gorillas in the mist!!"
Observation by Ted Lawler during a particularly foggy tour
game at Hartlepool Rovers RFC.
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"Urgh! Egh! Spltt! Yukk! Owww Urgh! Owww!"
The Wookie on sampling the delights of crushed green chilli
paste by the teaspoon full.
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" What's your policy on streakers?"
Anon (not for long!) testing the water at West Hartlepool
prior to the event carved in Broadland history for all eternity.
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A G M REPORT - 17.5.99
Thirty one members took the time and trouble to attend
and vote on important issues.
Subscriptions and Match Fees - 1999/2000
All the above subject to some reduction in case of
proven hardship, special rates apply.
Election of Officers
You will note three roles have yet to be taken up and it is URGENT that
we have some volunteers to take the positions on - please consider if you
can help.
At the AGM retiring president A Ruddick was presented with a silver engraved
inkwell and pen and was made an Honorary life member of the club.
More Job Vacancies
2nd XV MANAGER
If Gordon Skinner can do it so can you. Volunteers please!
3rd XV MANAGER
A really important role as -we must encourage the youth players and try
to fulfil a complete fixture list this year.
CLUBHOUSE MANAGER
Must be able to organize and run the bar, keep an eye on the clubhouse
in general and also organize the food each week. We are going to try to
hire someone to run the kitchen but it still needs organizing. Very, very
important.
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
If any one is interested in taking the job on please let Sue, Sharon or
Charlie know as soon as possible.
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