Club Update Christmas 2021

We hope everyone is well and looking forward to the Christmas and New Year period. Sorry that there has not been a general update on the club for a while but as things return to normal again we have all been very busy getting through registration and ensure we have replenished worn out kit.

It has been great to see all age groups from seniors down to U6s enjoying themselves again out on a rugby pitch and playing competitive fixtures against other clubs.

We are happy to say the club is in a good state financially going forward after the terrible few years we have had and our normal revenue streams are starting to pick up again.

The season so far has been great for all with the seniors top of the table, having played 7 won 7 and also through to the semi-final of the D&W First XV Plate competition. Both the U15s and U13s have been having good seasons to date though both slipped up recently with rare loses. The colts are having a challenging season but this will turn as most of the lads are 17 playing against 18 year olds but next year they will be in a stronger position with a year of colts experience behind them. It is a joy also on a Sunday morning to see so many in the mini section enjoying themselves with great numbers and playing opposition again.

The club has now received its allocation of 6 Nation International tickets for the England home games and we will send out an email to all members shortly detailing how you can be entered into the draw to have the opportunity to buy these.

I would like to draw your attention to some of the things we have already planned for the rest of the season, with the return of some old favourites and some new ventures we are taking on.

The first event will be the Annual Memorial match will return on the 28^th December 2021 meet at about 1100ish for a noon kick off. For those not familiar with this event, we field two teams from present and past members to play a match in memory of all those who have been involved with the club but sadly are no longer with us. This is generally well attended by present and past players and is a great chance for all to catch up with some old friends. Although no new measures have been announced as yet by the Government, we will be constantly reviewing the situation and there may be a need to postpone the game at short notice, dependant on the current guidance from either the Government or RFU, to ensure the safety of all our rugby and family members.

On the weekend of 2-3^rd April 2022 we have added a new event with in conjunction with Burleigh Travel we will be holding a Mini & Youth festival over the weekend for teams from U6s through to U16. Burleigh Travel advertise this and do most of the organising, we simply provide the facilities and a warm welcome to all the visiting teams. Burleigh have sold this event out as clubs look to get back to touring weekends at all age groups and are expecting around 40 visiting teams over the weekend. This is a great opportunity to show off our club to all these teams by providing a warm welcome, as well as having the potential to significantly increase the revenue into the club.

This will be closely followed by our own annual 7s tournament on the the weekend of 30 April – 2 May 2022. This will be the 40^th Anniversary of our 7s tournament and we will be planning to make it one to remember. Again, for those unfamiliar with this event there is a senior competition on the Saturday, Ladies and Colts competitions on the Sunday and finally the Youth competition on the Monday. We also ensure there is entertainment at night for those teams which chose to camp, and we are planning bands for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday night this year.

The final major event planned is the relatively new annual Ascot Night on 30^th July 2022, which is a great night of horse racing with a twist – the twist being after the horse auction the owner finds a rider, who dawns the horse suit and takes part in the actual fun packed race of either flat or hurdles all determined by the luck of a dice. If you have never attend this in the past I can well recommend it as a good fun evening, with a hog roast and band to conclude the night, after the racing is finished.

There will be more details available for all of these events closer to the time, but as usual can I just remind everyone, these events do take a lot to organise and put on, and I appeal to anyone who wishes to help in any way, either with organisation or help at the events, to let any committee member know and we will put you in contact with the lead organiser for each event, to swell the numbers of the very few volunteers who continually plan and execute these much needed club fund raisers every year.

Stay safe and have a great Christmas and New Year.
Kieran Donnelly (Chair) and the LMRFC Committee