In addition we intend to have 1 further full pitch available along with an additional 2 junior pitches. Again these pitches have to be sown and cultivated but this is an important development on site and all three new pitches should be ready for the 2005-2006 season. In the meantime we are grateful to Cathedral School, who continue to help the club, allowing access to their pitches. In addition we have a new agreement with Bishops school, which will allow the use of their pitches when we have too many teams at home to cope or indeed if the weather deems our pitches unplayable. We are a long established City Club that is committed to the development of Rugby Football, within the county. We welcome new members of any age, at any time. Once again our main sponsor Jim Kenyon of the Spinning Dog Brewery and the Victory pub has contributed to our success.”
John Watkins was re elected as President along with Spencer Goodall as Secretary. Simon Smith stood down as Treasurer after 5 years hard work and Andy Tanner was elected in that role. Keith Llewellyn was also elected as membership secretary.
Wilf Rees was elected as first team captain and a vote of thanks was given to outgoing skipper Andy Johnson for all the hard work he had done over the last two years.
Wmfre Dafis was elected as an Honorary Life member, to join only John Butler and Jim Lawrence in such a position. The club members recognise the tremendous amount of work Wmfre has done over the last 30 years and without people such as Wmfre the club would not survive. We would like to thank Andy Johnson, who has done a tremendous job under difficult circumstances and look forward to working with Wilf on the field.
The RFU’s Community Rugby & Operations Director Terry Burwell said: “We are delighted to make this award to Hereford RFC. The club is key to the local and regional development of rugby union and we are committed to making sure that the club continues to provide increased opportunities for all who wish to participate in rugby”.
Burwell added: “The Community Club Development Programme represents a new way of working for the RFU, whereby we are involved in the initial selection of projects that should receive funding based on our own strategic plans. Hereford RFC has already invested in resources to increase club membership and more young people, by actively working in the local communities and in particular Schools.
This further investment will help us to achieve our vision of more people enjoying their rugby at better clubs that are open to all.” Why not come down and join Hereford Rugby Club whatever your age or ability.
Chairman of Hereford RFC Guy Griffiths added “ We are delighted to receive this Grant from the RFU and particularly on a personnel note as I played Rugby with Terry Burwell in Northampton for a year when I moved away from Hereford. I know he fondly remembers the occasion when we both played against Hereford back in 1986 and suffered a bruising defeat! With ever increasing numbers of both Senior and junior members wanting to train and play, this facility will give us the most modern system of floodlighting available today at a cost of over £40,000. This will mean that virtually the whole of Wyeside can be floodlight for games and coaching. After our initial enquiry about the grant, Hereford City was chosen by the RFU as it considered it an area that had not had its fare share of Investment for Sport. This system is the most modern available and considers all the relevant factors such as light pollution. The plans have been with the council for some 4 months now, and after several meetings and discussions we have been promised a response from the planners in the next couple of days. After all, to be given that amount of money as a grant is quite a coup for the Hereford City area that costs the hard pressed ratepayers nothing and will provide this type of much needed facility.
Already we have 5 junior and Youth teams needing to attend in the evening and this grant makes it possible.
I would like to thank all those members of the Club who have helped gain this award over the past year. In particular Robin Davies and Frank Dullahan, past players and officials of the Club who asked me over a year ago if there was anything they could do to help the Club progress, now the attitude of the players had changed for the better. I asked them to apply for this grant and they have been successful, after many hours of filling in forms and meetings.
If there are any more past or present members out there, that would like to put something back into the Club, please do not hesitate to contact me. Ask Frank & Robin- they actually enjoyed doing it!”
Ben will be hoping to shake off injury problems whilst Sam has been putting himself through a punishing training regime to get above 11 stone. Following reconstructive surgery to a cruciate ligament injury which has seen him out for most of the season, first team flanker Matt Pritchard will be hoping to join them in the beginning of the summer.
The boys will be hoping to publish a web diary which should be available on the club website.
Important notices:
• knock out competition after dinner on the club’s three full size snooker tables
• Ladies are most welcome to attend (the more the better!)
• Please see Andrew Johnson for tickets
"As you know we know have a link with Australian Club Eastern Suburbs ACT in Canberra, Australia. We are fortunate to have Jimmy Crompton here and Steve Scott arrives on Wednesday 17th December.
"We are keen to send one or more of our players over there as an exchange. Whilst you would probably have to find your own airfare, you would be met off the plane and found accommodation. You would then be set up with employment with which to pay for your accommodation and be able to save some money.
"The Australian season lasts from April to October but you would not necessarily have to be there throughout. This is an ideal opportunity for any young player to broaden his horizons under the guidance of another Club, and then spend some time exploring Australia, should he wish to.
"If you are in the least bit interested please let me know within the next month and I will be able to provide you with more information.
"Don’t forget this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for you!"