News from the Chair.....Jan 25

“The way to get started is to stop talking and begin doing”

The start of a new year is always a good time to take stock and set plans for the upcoming 365 days, and whilst 2024 was great for club improvements and amazing participation by members in bringing them to fruition, we are hoping that 2025 will allow us to further enhance both our social and playing facilities. Details to be announced soon, so watch this space!

Across the Christmas period , the festivities also brought the opportunity to raise funds for good causes, whilst enjoying each other’s company. The Christmas Raffle, as always, was brilliantly organised by Marina Macgee and raised £1356.50 with support from the Members Lunch. The annual charity game was also a great day out at the club with the rugby clubs of St. Albans turning out at Cotlandswick and raising £1100 for JOCA, a charity that focuses on helping clubs to support players with mental health challenges.

Unfortunately, the January weather so far has meant 2 weeks of postponed midweek activity for all levels at the club. Thankfully, the forward planning by the club committees have meant that we have been able to utilise the AWP at Harpenden and the leisure centre at Cotlandswick to ensure that we get as much training on as possible. It has also meant that we have been to protect our pitches for the weekends.

For any teams wishing to use the clubhouse for inside training, please make a request to the mini and junior chairs to ensure the clubhouse is free from outside hires during the week which may clash. For any active sessions, please clear the hall of furniture and sweep the floor afterwards for the next guests. Please encourage all who attend, including parents, to enter by the changing rooms so that as little mud etc as possible gets into the hall. We are looking into suitable matting for the field to bar entrance to alleviate most of the problem.

We are the envy of a number of clubs in the area and are often asked how we achieve our success. The headline quote at the top of this newsletter is a testament to the spirit that our club community shows at all levels of club life. So many of our members give time and energy to improve facilities and to ensure the club and teams get the best experience out of the game that we can provide. Seeing the results of all your hard work is greatly satisfying and appreciated by all members and visitors. Positivity and participation are paramount in going forward, let’s make 2025 even better.

Finally, I end this edition of the newsletter on a sad note. For members who knew him, Ron Laycock, a stalwart of our lower sides in the 60s and 70s recently passed away. Ron played in the heady days when the club ran 5 regular sides and he was a true Old Vee. He played when the club ran 5 sides regularly. Our thoughts are with his family.

Regards,

Ian ”Shanks” Graham