Hoping you are all keeping safe and well. At least the weather has been kind to us whilst in lock-down.
We wanted to provide you all with an update on where we are as a club.
No one knows at the moment when rugby in the community will get back to normal.
There are some rumblings of what may happen but things continue to remain vague at this stage.
It seems that some of the restrictions regarding individual training are being lifted, but we at Old Yardleians Rugby Club have no plans to open the club house for training at the present time. This situation might change quite rapidly though.
Regardless of when we return, we do need to start thinking about the future of the club from different perspectives.
1. What do we need to do for a “normal restart” of playing in September or later?
2. What do we need to do to plan for a different type of rugby season?
3. How to we carefully manage our finances following reduced and unpredictable future income?
With these issues in mind we have secured a £10,000 grant from local government to bolster club funds during the period of lock-down. This funding has primarily safeguarded the financial position of the club, having lost significant revenue streams over the spring and summer with continuing standing costs still needing to be paid. The club has also had a partial clean-up during lock-down, undertaken by a few individual members, following distancing guidelines.
Do remember it is imperative that anyone with keys does not enter the club at present, without first contacting Bill Collins.
A few club updates for the time being:
• The Mini/Junior section have held excellent video award ceremonies for the various age categories. Well done to all those involved.
• Kevin Grant is standing down as Director of Rugby but Adam Madeley has agreed to take on the role next season.
• Mick Brennan has agreed to become club captain.
• We plan to hold the AGM as soon as social distancing rules have been relaxed sufficiently.
• The current committee will continue in their roles until we manage to hold the AGM.
When we know more about a return to rugby the committee will issue a further statement.
In the meantime we welcome any suggestions and more importantly any offers for help regarding club maintenance.
Norman Goody on behalf of the Committee - 1st June 2020