CharltonParkRFC

Welcome to the 2010/11 season

Another season is upon us. We can all now breathe a sigh of relief that the boring sunny Saturday afternoons of summer are over.



There is little doubt that the greatest challenge facing the club at the present is attracting playing members. This year we will be reaping the benefit of the first of Bert Duffus’ youth and I know there are under 17s who will make a big contribution to the club – in fact they already were at the end of last season. However, it is our policy not to induce players with pay promises when our loyal members don’t get anything. We are a ‘club’, not a bunch of disparate mercenaries – as so many players seem to be these days..However, we would like you the members to introduce players so we will give you £100 if you bring a player in, at any level, and he plays a minimum of six games. You need to register yourself with Colin Wooster; already we have a list!



We have been revamping the committee structure in order to manage our ever-increasing business and to better meet our development plan. We now have sub-committees who take responsibility for finance, playing, youth & community and facilities. Each has a budget agreed by the full committee. This means hopefully that it is the people with the expertise who make the plans and take the responsibility. This has encouraged new volunteers, and it is really good to have Grant Parker and Terry Read on the playing group, parents and neighbours on the youth s-c and Bill Hamel (a new VP), Nick Burwell and Wayne Knight on facilities. Anyone else wanting to contribute would be welcomed; please contact Nick Hollier or Andy Potts. We still want to revamp the development plan – if you would like to contribute please say.



We should also give our thanks to our increasing number of sponsors and donors, listed on page , and particularly to ALPHATRACK, whose logo will appear on the first team shirts this season. Stuart Sharp has taken on the task of overseeing club sponsorship and anyone interested should contact him. The club has benefited by the equivalent of £60.000 over the past two years and we would like to think this can be increased.



This season we have an blend of promising youth from our successful under 17s, and hard experience, committed to success. Cazzer will be the first team captain again, Andy, Sam and Simon provide exciting training and coaching, and it is great to see that Ally Young and Neil Smith are also going to support them. We want more coaches, refs and first-aiders and the club will pay any fees for courses. We would not only like to target promotion but also further honours in the Kent Metropolitan Leagues but most of all we hope every player experiences success and enjoyment, and encourage you all to use the gym and club training as well as the bar to achieve this end.