Chairman's Update - Team News, Youth Chair, Tower Hamlets

Hello All,

In the run up to the Christmas and New Year festivities I and the rest of the Committee just wanted to update you on a few bits and pieces.

Team News

Firstly congratulations to Venus who won their first game of the season 37-12 on Sunday against Old Dunstonians, obviously all their hard work is paying off, with tries being scored by Ruth Hartley, Michelle Ryan, Louise Norris and Caroline Dielemen, who also added a successful conversion. Keep up the good work ladies.

Preceding the ladies’ victory, on Saturday the men also won their friendly game organised against East London on Millwall Park. Congratulations all and let's hope we can continue our winning ways into the New Year. Please read our Treasurer’s (turned satirical commentator) match report on the blog.

We have 3 games scheduled for this weekend so if you haven't done so already please drop an email to selection@millwallrugby.com with your availability. It would be a great boost to the Club to get all three teams out before the Christmas break.

Management Committee

Youth Chair, as you may know we were very sorry to receive Matt Shorrock’s resignation a couple of weeks ago, as Matt had moved off the Island and was preparing for his family’s move to Australia next year, he felt he just couldn't commit to the role fully. We are all really sorry to see Matt step back, but I wanted to thank him for all his hard work and effort over the years! Our loss is definitely Sydney's gain.

On a brighter note the Committee and I are very pleased to announce that following a recommendation by the Youth section, on Monday night we unanimously co-opted Scott Vinnacombe to the Club Management Committee in the role of Youth Chair.

LBTH

A couple of weeks ago Andrew Hesselden and I met with representatives of the Council and the RFU to talk about Millwall and Rugby in Tower Hamlets. The meeting was very positive, the Council received our ideas well and there initial response was very favourable.

Here are a couple of the key points that were discussed:

• The importance of the Club in the local community and the health and social benefits we provide at no cost to the taxpayer.
• How vital to our short and long term survival access to good training and playing facilities is. The problems that we’ve had this year around securing those facilities.
• We also discussed some short and longer term options for the development / provision of facilities, including temporary/permanent lights on Millwall Park, the feasibility of a 3G (IRB Approved astro turf) Pitch/Training area.
• The willingness of the RFU to invest in Rugby in Tower Hamlets by helping Millwall and LBTH to develop quality facilities.

I’m looking forward to providing more of an update in the New Year and will hopefully be able to provide some more tangible outcomes.

Players Meeting

Men's Coaching - At the players' meeting on 26th November you told us you'd like to see Dave Roberts back involved with the club, in particular with the First XV.

Since then, Randall and Andrew H have been in touch with him to talk about whether he'd be interested in doing that. We are hoping to work something out for Dave to come in as our First XV Team Manager and as a Coach.

This would be within the new coaching development and coordination structure we put in place this summer ie. working with any replacement Director of Rugby/Head Coach as and when that may happen. Whilst we work out the details Dave R is going to be coming along to games and training to meet the players, and get stuck in. More on this to follow soon!

The Social Scene

Christmas Social in the Clubhouse - we have arranged a late licence for this weekend so please come and help celebrate the last games of 2011.

New Years eve in the Clubhouse - we have also arranged a late licence so if you feel like avoiding the crowds in Trafalgar square or trekking across London in the wee small hours feel free to pop in and celebrate the New Year.

More details to follow.

International Tickets

Six Nations -

Thanks to all of you who requested and paid for Six Nations tickets, as soon as we receive the Tickets from the RFU we will get in touch and let you know how to collect them.

England vs Barbarians –

A separate invite will be sent out but we’ve just received a letter from the RFU with details for the game scheduled on the 27^th of May at Twickenham, the great news is that the RFU are doing a 2-For-1 offer and the Club will also receive £5 Cashback on any Category 1 tickets ordered by the 31^st of January.

Category 1 after discount – £20 Adults / £10 Juniors

Category 2 after discount - £12.50 / £10 Juniors

More details to follow but if you’re interested in the meantime let us know on internationaltickets@millwallrugby.com

Also a big thank you to all the people who put their time and effort in to the Club. Without you we just wouldn’t survive!!

If anyone would like a virtuous start to the New Year, we are always looking for volunteers and or sponsors so please get in contact with me or any other members of the Committee with any help or suggestions. It doesn’t need to be a lot of time / effort or money every little bit helps.

I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing you around the Club in the coming weeks.

Regards,

David Leftley

Chairman

Millwall Rugby Club