chelmsford
rfc
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fundraising events, plus other funding
from the Rugby Football Foundation, The
RFU’s Community Club Development
Programme, Chelmsford Borough Council,
The Foundation for Sports and Arts and
the Essex Environment Trust. The formal
opening was on 8th September 2006 by Dr
Syd Millar CBE, the then Chairman of the
International Rugby Board and ex Irish
international with 37 caps and a British &
Irish Lions player.
SiP: What do you believe could be some
of the biggest challenges the club may
face in the next 5 years?
SB: Firstly to stay in London One North,
too many teams from our division have
come straight back down, so we need to
stop that trend, which will not be through
the lack of trying. To maintain our large
mini and youth sections and to ensure that
as many of these youngsters move through
to the senior section. In this way, four plus
senior men’s teams and a ladies team can
be maintained.
Should England be successful in this
year’s Rugby World Cup, then we would
expect an influx of schoolchildren coming
to the club, as in 2003 we saw a 28% rise
joining the club by way of Minis/Youth
and in 2007, a 17% rise in the number of
Minis/Youth players. This would mean
the need for more coaches and as with
most clubs there is always a need for more
volunteers. The age group of those who
actively support the club, volunteering,
and generally being active in the club is
getting older. Younger volunteers are
required.
SiP: What are the clubs ambitions for the
next 5 years?
SB a) To consolidate our position in
London One North (level 6)
b) To provide greater and better coaching
for all age groups so that more teams gain
success and more players improve their
standards and gain representative honours
c) To prepare for our centennial
celebrations in 2019/20
d) To enhance our place in the community.
“At the moment the club is on a high with the 1st VX having won
the London 2 North East League (level 7). With such a large
group of young players, the energy levels have been fantastic.”
30 Issue 08