As we enter a new decade and halfway through our season, time to give you a brief update on the clubs activities. A lot has been happening! A lot to do!!

You may recall that the club was running a six-figure deficit on its running costs, despite being in the black due to the last of the land sales, but that money would only last 4 years. Urgent action was desperately required and still is, but lots of changes were made structurally and we are seeing some benefits.

A Management board was set up and various sub-groups with existing and new volunteers were created to focus on the key areas. The Committee could then concentrate on delivering rugby and the trustees on giving a financial overview

Membership
Surprisingly we found a large number of people who were not members but were enjoying the club facilities. There has now been a welcome boost in Membership revenue and we have some 475 playing members at the club. A fabulous effort here and special thanks to Lou Goodall, our first female Chair, has also made some real progress on structuring the rugby committee as well as the general management and is having a very positive impact.

Sponsorship
A group headed by Richard Deal now coordinates this, ensuring our sponsors are better thanked and appreciated. The result is that sponsorship has significantly increased. We now have fantastic links with The Good Exchange who will match fund Community Projects at the Club, which means sponsors can now directly support a specific project if they wish. Thank you to The Good Exchange.

Commercial
Adam Pricket, Rob Harris and Steve Gibbs gave us the best analysis of the Club's finances and areas of success and loss that we have had for a very long time. Reading them was not great but we are now able to analyse and put in a structure. Rob Harris has been appointed for six months to do exactly that, with lots of help and we are halfway into this. Numerous improvements have already happened and we are starting to see the benefit. This means tackling marketing, our conferencing and facilities use, better quality food for the Juniors on Sunday especially has improved, management of beer sales and wastage, improving utilities and the structure of the building and general all-round efficiency.

The Gym which was losing money was relocated to the Langdon Lounge. That is now close to breaking even and new discounted membership packages for club members are just being launched.

The old gym area has been let to a Charity called Interakt on a potential 10-year lease. The charity offers independent living opportunities for those with some disability. I really hope we can support and work alongside and embrace this excellent charity as a Community Rugby Club. They are paying a commercial rent so this is also a significant financial asset to the Club. We have virtually cleared a loss and generated an income crucial to our survival. Double benefit!!

An Events group has been set up to ensure that all our events and fundraising days are better supported. An events diary will be on the website. Every team level in the club was challenged at the beginning of the season to organise one event in the season, to raise funds for the Club. Very disappointing response so far. It is our club and we need to support it. It's not too late for you to organise something!!

The 100+ Club has doubled in size and the match forecast also brings invaluable money to the club. Thanks, Sarah Thorne.

Events coming up - monthly Quiz Nights, Pig Race evening - 15th Feb, the Six Nations international matches are all televised at the Club - book a table on 8th Feb or 7th March and bring your team; Celebrity pop-up Chef fine dining evening - the first one on Friday 6th March.
The new Bar on the Hill is going well and the sale of second-hand kit has created some innovative welcome income. Thank you to those volunteers.

There are other initiatives going on and I am hoping we will have a Beer and Gin festival to coincide with the National Super 7s tournament on the weekend of 13th June with a big family Fun Day on the Sunday, and BBQ and Dance on the Saturday night. Lots of help will be needed for this event. This could be an event to bring the whole club together but is only in the planning stage at the moment.

This letter is not about the individual teams but about how many we have played. That is a real result. The coaches and managers do an amazing job and there are some great successes, notably the Stags and Ladies riding high in their leagues. The Blues have wonderful support, play some great rugby and the home matches are always a highlight at the Club, arguably the best-supported club in South West Premier. Last week 14 of the starting team all came through the Youth section at Newbury. That’s some accolade to be very proud of.

Remember this Club needs your help and your feedback (lots to improve but constructive comments welcome), but most of all it needs your involvement and support and to have fun here! It’s a members club with an amateur ethos for its players and wants to play its role in the community. It provides an amazing rugby and coaching facility. It's our responsibility as current members to keep it.

Thank you to all the valued volunteers who give up their time because they love this game and Club. We are turning the corner but not quite round it yet!

Have a great rugby year in 2020.

David Jones - President