Vees April Newsletter
Vees April Newsletter
“BACK TO THE FUTURE”
WITH ENTHUSIASM AND HOPE
I hope you are safe and well.
At last we will be able to resume some normality from the 29h of March. It will be good to see you all back, from Easter Sunday onwards outside facilities can be used, but only the toilets are available inside. More details will be sent out to you in the near future. There are Government and RFU guidelines to be followed, these will be sent out to you as soon as we receive them.
After April 12th the club will be open for indoor activities, and from mid May the clubhouse will be available for function hire, so please spread the word.
Your committee and other volunteers have been working hard on researching improvements to the club. To this end the kitchen has had a new floor laid, we are have having a French trench fitted outside to help with drainage. There are volunteer groups researching floodlight improvement, communications, and finalising a five year plan, and a social events group is being formed. Thanks for the positive input and enthusiasm of all those involved.
Maintenance has to to be done on clubhouse and pitches. To this end we have to replace bar store coolers, water softener, ice machine (essential for first aid as well as drinks, the fans in toilets and showers and a new water heater for all facilities at the front part of the clubhouse. The “Raise the Roof” fund is providing essential money to redo the roof, with work starting soon.
Outside pitches have to be cut and marked. Thanks to 83 year old Peter Field, a long time member, on his efforts over the years cutting and marking the lines.
Lastly a big thank you again to all of you who have worked hard to keep the club running over these very trying times. Let’s hope this time we stay open without interruption into September and have a full season of rugby.
Stay safe.
Regards Ian “Shanks” Graham Chair
To All Parents, Carers and Guardians,
GOOD NEWS - We are returning to rugby at the club again on Sunday 4th April 2021. We understand that this is Easter Sunday, and some people may prioritise religious activities over rugby and cant attend this week, however, for those that can attend, our coaches are available to take Rugby sessions! The RFU have also taken the decision to extend the season until 31st May 2021 so there will be a bit more rugby at the club to come!
The key points you need to be aware of for the restart of rugby at the Vees are:
- Minis (Under 6's to Under 12's) 9.30am to 10.45am Start and Finish Times
- Juniors (Under 13's - Colts) 11.30am to 1pm Start and Finish Times
- At least one parent to be in attendance during the training session per child / family in case of emergency/injury. This applies to all age groups including the Colts. Any parent who is unable to stay and supervise their child must have nominated another adult (not the coach) to be responsible if their child is injured or needs support in any other way.
- Register on NHS track and trace which can be found around the clubhouse.
- All players have a temperature check on pitch.
- Children to bring their own personal water bottles. Refill from outside tap.
- Only toilet facilities available (No food or drink facilities) until further notice.
- All parents are required to maintain social distancing at the side of the pitches.
If you or any member of your family have had COVID, or have been told to isolate due to contact with somebody who has had it, please do not come to the club until the isolation period has passed and you have returned a negative result.
We look forward to seeing you all back at the club on 4th April, where we will be starting at RFU Stage D1 until 12th April.
John and Colin
Co-Chairs Mini and Junior Section.
A brief early history of Verulamians RFC (formerly known as the Old Verulamian RFC)
Part 2 - Continued from March Newsletter
Up to 1969 the Club’s membership was entirely from “old boys” of the school but to keep the Club viable the “old boy” rule was abolished and OV’s became an “open” club. This was the time that the all-white strip was abandoned and the royal blue shirts with the prominent gold “V” on the front adopted.
Towards the end of the 70’s saw the expansion of the Clubhouse with new brick extensions, a new relocated bar, improved catering. At this time the Club was regularly fielding five XV’s with six when the universities were on holiday.
The Club became to centre of some culinary repute and many functions. Geoff Brookfield, the BBC’s chief broadcasting mast engineer and culinary expert, with Ian Graham gave birth to the Medieval Banquets held at the Club, fifteen courses (if facilities you could manage them all) with about one hundred diners sitting down to the feast. In the mid60’s the Club hosted the Hertfordshire County 7’s, the Hertfordshire RFU County Ball in a marquee and provided a venue for “The Zombies” a 60’s pop group (still touring) made up of old boys of the school. Lead singer Colin Blunstone (still a member of the Club) played many games for the 1st XV.
During the 50’s the Club started the tradition of touring widely and in 1966 when to Brussels. Since then there have been many tours to “foreign parts” including France, Spain, Portugal and Germany. Whilst results recently have not been as good as before the Club were Hertfordshire RFU 7’s winners in 1966 and 1969 and Herts Presidents Cup winners in 1973.
Thanks to Tony Charlwood for this history of the Club.
Further history from 1973 onwards to follow.
Next month we begin the history of the Minis and Juniors.
Senior Training
Senior training will begin on Thursday 1st April from 7.30pm. The focus will be on conditioned games, fitness and enjoying our rugby.
I am sure new recruits will be very welcome. Any questions please contact George Harding at gcharding1@gmail.com
Premium Force are so pleased for all Club Members that there seems to be light at the end of a dark tunnel and that Rugby can make a restart.
For the next month, any orders placed over the website or over the phone will be subject to free delivery on all items. Please use code VRFCFREEFurthermore a special discount of 20% off all Rugby balls will be available for the same period. Please use code VRFCBALLS
For those unaware, we have large stocks of skiwear and accessories available online and although out of season, all items
are a minimum of 50% off and your voucher code will enable you to take and additional 10% off. Please use code VIFCSKI
Good luck to all returning to play
Mark Townsend
Premium Force 07973 326633
Paul produced this photo and mini autobiography at my request. Please could some more Vees produce something similar about themselves or about their best Vee friend.
Please email to Nicola for inclusion in future issues.
Mini and Junior Subs Refunds
All Mini and Junior parents should have received an email advising them of the process for claiming their subs refund. This is being paid in recognition of the stoppage in rugby this season due to Covid. If you, or anyone yo
Hi, my name is Paul McGoohan and I am the Club Secretary and Safeguarding officer amongst other roles. I have been a member of the club since I was 17 years old some 36 years ago. I played my way through the teams from the 5th Team up to the 1st. I have forged many friendships over the years and have kept in touch with many even though they have moved away from the area, but as many of us say once a Vee always a Vee.
u know, hasn’t received their email please get in touch with me and I will resolve it for you.Nicola Diplock nicoladiplock24@gmail.com
Specific Volunteer Requests
Urgent - Club Data Officer
To take on the RFU GMS system and master it. This is a computer based job. Basic computer skills required. Attention to detail, tenacity and time are the main components for this job. Job holder will be required to hold a DBS certificate - the Club will apply for this for you.
Contact Nicola for more details
Mental Health First Aider
Rob Lines has trained as a Mental Health First Aider and would like to expand our offering in this area at our Club. If anyone would like to also train as a Mental Health First Aider and work with Rob in this area please contact him at rob.lines@spacelabs.com
Volunteer Strimmers
To work on the banks and car park, outside the front of clubhouse, round the rugby posts and anywhere else volunteers think needs TLC. Once every 3 weeks or so would be fine starting in April. There were a lot of strimmer stars with their own strimmers at our work days last year. If you can help please let Shanks Graham or David Trounce know. Petrol can be refunded. Thanks in anticipation.
Shanks 07803677213
David 07752591440
Sponsors Wanted
We are looking for three individuals or groups to sponsor flags for each of our flagpoles at £100 each.
Verulamians RFC, Herts RFU and Union Jack or flag of St George
If you are interested in this opportunity contact Shanks on 07803677213
I hope that you are enjoying this newsletter. If you want it to continue I really need more articles and photos. Short is fine.
My email address is nicoladiplock24@gmail.com