Dear Members
On behalf of Chingford Rugby Club, I would like to take the opportunity to welcome you backt o the club this weekend following our season break. Since my last membership letter lasts eason, we have seen some changes around the youth area. Once again, we had anotherp ositive season within our ever-growing youth section. Numbers have grown again makingo ur numbers the strongest we have seen in some years. It has been pleasing to watch the formation of the rugby tots which will hopefully pave the way for a new rugby generation att he bottom of the youth. As always, the youth section is nothing without the efforts of commitment given to us by our coaches and volunteers. As always, a big thank you goes out to
all those involved.
Last season we referred to as the rebuild/rebirth of Chingford RFC. I am pleased to have been part of the overall challenges that the club has been up against and am excited moving forward. Again, I thank the Seniors team’s success in their achievements and also forming some stability within the club. As we move into this season, once again we look forward to supporting them on their journey and look forward to welcoming new players and members across the board.
I mentioned in my letter last year that the committee and I would be focusing on restructuring the business as well as aiming to improve the facilities around the game of rugby. In relation to the clubhouse and taking the bar in house we have had many cash injections on and around the club house. From last season we have seen the following facility improvements to name a few,
Car park resurfacing (Phase 1 & 2)
Carpark Fencing reinstatement. (Completed October/November 23)
New Security camera system (September 23)
New flood lights to training pitches (completed May)
Carpark bollards/security works (first phase)
Container roofing repairs (Completed August)
Club house roof repairs (completed August)
On the facility front I can confirm that we have just agreed and signed off the following
improvements which are likely to start being carried out over the next few months certainly before Christmas.
New goal posts on the training pitches.
White lining to carpark areas.
Carpark resurfacing phase 3 (Pitch side)
New alarm system and contracts.
New installed external enclosed bin waste and stock storage area
Replacement of spectator barrier on main pitch, complete with gates and full closure to the back of the Rugby Club.
With the above mentioned we are working to make further improvements around the club.These will be announced at the appropriate times. I also refer to the separate letter sent regarding the No Dogs policy. This action is a huge path on our progression to the club and facilities moving forward and I kindly ask that all members regardless of status be respectful and supportive of this.
In terms of sponsorship, I thank all those who have partnered with us. Moving forward with our new pitch side duralock fencing that is being installed in October we have the opportunity for more advertising and pitch side sponsorship. I ask if anyone is interested or knows of a company interested in working with us, please contact our sponsorship secretary Fiona on sponsorship@chingfordrfc.co.uk
In relations to membership, I urge that all memberships are completed on GMS by Sunday the 8h of September as per methods last season. Registrations are to be completed individually as always on the GMS platform. If you need any assistance with this, please speak to your coach or feel free to pop into the club house for help.
In relation to youth membership fees (U7s-Colts) we ask for Membership to be paid via GMS but as always subs fees to be paid direct to our bank account. In addition to membership this year’s youth sub fees will be remaining at £90 for this season as per last. As always, we ask for this to be paid in full by the named date. Due to the cost of living we too are experiencing increases in equipment and kit just to name a few. Should any of you have financial difficulties as always myself and James Moore are open to private discussions and try to look at ways to help. In the past other members have sponsored members facing difficult times.
For existing members, the bank account details have changed.
Please see below the necessary details
Please use your child’s name and age grade for a reference.e.g. JSmithU10
Bank Details:
LLOYDS BANK
Chingford Rugby Football Club
AC: 18812762
SC: 30-99-50
Please see below the pricings on GMS for membership options
Junior Membership (individual U7 +) - £100
Parent/Guardian 1 Child (U7s +) £150 (full voting rights)
Rugby Tots (U6’s) £50 (No voting rights)
Senior full member £130 (full voting rights)
Senior Player £200
Student Senior Player £100
Senior Social member £70 (No voting rights)
I ask that any direct debits to the old account be cancelled.
On a final membership note we would like to address the membership matter in hand. The membership is a vital part of the club’s income. We like any other organisation experience large overheads from running utility costs to equipment. In the past we have suffered abuse from some members that have not paid. I have had lengthy discussions on this and have decided that moving forward with this matter we will be stricter behind the scenes with our priorities. We will operate a ‘no pay no play’ attitude from a playing aspect. As mentioned before if anyone has any financial issues, please discretely come to us direct to resolve. I also ask old members who are not paying to please come and support us in some form of capacity on the membership platform. As we start the season and start issuing membership cards in October this will have cost effects on the bar as only those with memberships cardswill be entitled to bar discounts.
Finally, I would like to address the topic around the life members of the club. After muchb ackroom discussions, we will be putting a plaque up in the club house commemoratingt hose members who contributed some time ago. Along with this will also name the honorary members. As of this season we kindly ask for those active life members to contribute to themembership of the club buying a social membership. This will include voting rights. In themany years that have passed since that option was available, we as a club are now in a different position. With the fast-modernising world and our ever shocking increasingrunning costs it has proved how important the membership revenue is to the club.
On a final note, I look forward to seeing you all at the club over the season and will continuet o enjoy our clubs journey.
Mark Rabey
Club Chairman
