Chairman’s Report
Introduction
This is my first Report as your Chairman, having taken over from Steve Eades following the AGM last year. This year has seen much change, both within the BRSC Committee and on an off the field of play. This Report aims to reflect on the past season and looks forward into the future for BRSC.
Last Season
Hopes were high when we kicked off the season with two wins at Leeds and at home to London Irish, but we had already lost the influential Butch James to an injury whilst playing for SA in the Tri-Nations. Perhaps this was an omen as the season has been blighted by the loss of key players throughout, none more so than Olly Barkley who was cruelly injured in an accident by the aforesaid Butch at Gloucester of all places, not a happy hunting ground for Olly!
An early loss to Biarritz in the European Cup put us on the back foot in that competition, and despite a good win over the Italian newcomers, Aironi, back to back losses prior to Christmas to Ulster all but extinguished any hope of further progression, which was finally put out in the winter sun of Biarritz in January.
The Premiership season has been overshadowed to a certain extend by events off the playing area, the clarification of Sir Ian McGeechan’s role and the decision of Steve Meehan to leave at the end of the season have been significant, but with a final push towards the top six and European qualification beckoning, all is not lost, though I imagine that most of us felt that with the arrival of Lewis Moody, Simon Taylor and Sam Vesty combined with the optimism from the end of the 09/10 campaign we would have safely negotiated a place in the top four.
Off The Field
As I said earlier this has again been a time of change with regard to the BRSC Committee, six new Committee members joined those remaining from the previous year to kick off the new season following the 2010 AGM.
After an initial meeting where we worked out our various roles and responsibilities we were invited by Nick Blofeld to hold our meeting at the end of October in Farleigh House. Though at the time all was very much work in progress the potential to have all facets of the Club under one roof and in such stunning surroundings was obvious to all.
Over the period some members have decided that they no longer wished to continue to serve on the Committee and I would like to thank, Penny and Kate Dale, Georgina Barratt and Tom Riley for their sterling efforts on behalf of the club. Particularly Penny and Georgina who had both served with distinction over a number of years, their contribution has been immense.
This being the case the Committee decided to redistribute the various responsibilities and I would like to pay tribute to them for their unwavering efforts and for the time they have given up in ensuring that the Club has progressed forward on a firm footing.
I would also like to thank Kelvin Brunton for administering the Allez- Bath website
The Committee has met on a monthly basis and have routinely been joined by either Nick Blofeld or Jeremy Wilton and in this way cementing the close relationship between BRSC and Bath Rugby enabling us to get across your various messages to the Club at a high level. Their continued attendance has been appreciated by all.
Over this season we have reviewed and updated the Constitution where necessary, a copy of which can be found on the Allez Bath website and on the Noticeboard in the Clubhouse. I thank Kevin Lawrence for his hard work in leading the charge on this piece of work.
We also decided after much discussion to move the AGM to the end of the season rather than the beginning of the next when the happenings of the last term have been dimmed by the summer sunshine. Moving the AGM to the end of may gives the new Committee time to bed down before the new season starts and a longer time to think about and arrange events for the Autumn. I trust you will agree with this change and the reasons for it.
We also discussed the content and frequency of the Newsletter and decided that a bigger Newsletter with more wide ranging articles twice a season would be something that we we would like to try. You should have received the latest offering and your feedback would be appreciated.
The Community Foundation the shirt raffle would not have happened without the valiant efforts of many volunteers such as Doug Gibbs, Dave White, Hughie and Wendy Armitage, Jimmy Deane & the Bath Ladies Rugby Team.
A cheque in excess of £12,000 was presented to the Community Foundation at the final match of the season making the overall contribution £100K since it’s inception.
Social Calendar
The season’s Social Diary kicked off in mid November with a return of those excellent raconteurs, David Trick and Ollie Redman to provide a hilarious and sometimes irreverent view of life in the amateur days of the game.
The 30th November saw Nick Blofeld provide what was to become a regular Briefing Session, this time with Sir Ian McGeechan, who provided an intriguing insight into the playing side of the club and his views on the game.
December saw the return of Stocky’s Christmas Quiz, as always an enjoyable evening made a little more special by the attendance of a very healthy contingent of first team and Academy squad players.
Early February saw a departure from the norm in that we enjoyed a “Meet the Brewer” Evening when the Head Brewer and team from Wadworths came to the clubhouse to talk about the wide range of tastes of beers around the world with numerous samples of Wadworths products available for tasting by the audience. A super evening enjoyed by all who attended.
February 15th should have seen the return of Nick Blofeld, but ended up an “Evening without Nick Blofeld”, who due to unforeseen circumstances could not make the meeting. Jeremy Wilton and Brad Davis ably stepping into the breach at the eleventh hour.
Following on from the theme of the person named to host the event not being available we held “ Belly’s Bingo” Evening without Duncan Bell! who was unable to make it on the night. In true Front row fashion David Flatman stood in at the last minute and did a great job, ably “supported” from the floor by Ross Batty, Will Spencer, Ollie Woodburn and Ben Mosses as it turned into another enjoyable evening in the Clubhouse.
Last, but certainly not least on the Social calendar was the Annual Race Night, brilliantly arranged by Jan & Mike Warrington, a packed Clubhouse enjoyed a great night’s racing in the company of Olly Barkley, David Barnes, Chris Cook, James Tyas and Kane Palma-Newport
I would like to thank Dean and Kirsty and the team for their hard work during our events here at the Rec and for their understanding when we increase numbers attending at the last minute as we regularly do.
One disappointment has been the low turn out for some events. Whether we have not advertised them well enough or whether some of the events have become a little tired I’m not sure, but if anyone has any bright ideas for new ventures then do not hesitate in talking to any member of the committee.
Membership
Membership has again dipped during the year from 993 in 09/10 to 867 this year. Whether this is associated with the Membership Fee being raised to £7.50 for an adult, we haven’t sold ourselves well enough or a general tightening of the belt caused by the countries economic situation I am not sure, but the Committee’s ambition is come out on the offensive next season and get the figure above 1,000 again by raising the profile of the Club and attracting back those who have drifted away over the years.
Coach Travel
As we reach the end of the travelling season we would like to take this opportunity of thanking all who have travelled on the BRSC coaches this season.
It has been a very difficult season, with the financial restraints for many of us and the wonderful co-operation from Sky and ESPN who seem to have enjoyed moving dates and kick-off times at their but not our convenience !
We have, however, managed to run a coach to all Premiership games with your help.
Our new venture of coach and air travel turned out very successfully but after a lot of frustration, telephone calls etc. The situation would appear to be the chicken and egg. To get the very cheap flight tickets we need names and passport details but obviously you - as our travellers - would like to know the cost before committing to the trip. What we really require are 30+ travellers prepared to book before actually knowing the final sum ! As a group we would never have a problem booking a hotel at a good price, the problem lies with the air travel.
We must have the most unique raffles held in any part of the country, where those buying tickets also supply all of the prizes. A magnificent sum of £1,350 will be handed to our Charity for this season “HELP FOR HEROES COMBAT STRESS” at our first home game of next season.
Again, thanks to everyone who purchased raffle tickets and supplied the prizes. Thank you also to Jackie in the Club Shop who provided Club merchandise as prizes on all of our coaches
The Future
Our aims for the future are as follows:
The four aims for the future are intertwined. In raising the Profile of the Club this should provide the impetus for the others to follow.
The last Newsletter was probably the best Newsletter ever produced by the Club, and many Members I know share this view. This is vital in promoting ourselves to a wider audience. Plans for next edition are in place with more players and bath Rugby Staff signed up to produce articles.
Presentations on the pitch to Long Serving players and coaches, and the Community Foundation help to raise the profile especially to those people who never come to the Clubhouse end of the Ground, and there are many!
More and better discounts help, especially in this stricken times. This year we have added 6 more, about 30% including significant companies such as Wadworths and Silcox, the Furnishers, when 10% is quite a saving and worth a £7.50 outlay to anyone!
These actions will stabilise the Club’s finances and help to provide better services in the future.
Lastly a plea to all. If you have any good ideas which will assist in these aims please talk to me or any of the Committee. We are always keen to listen.
Barry