In normal times the Chairman begins their report by reflecting upon the previous season but, playing wise not much happened apart from starting and stopping training for all teams in 2020-21. Individuals though, have been able to progress their rugby careers with an increasing number of our players progressing to RGC and English Premiership Academies. We wish them well but trust they will remember where they began their rugby careers. We have also seen in the last couple of weeks, Wrexham Women’s Rugby return to Bryn Estyn Lane!!

That doesn’t mean though that nothing has happened in the club since last year’s AGM. We have taken the opportunity to undertake some developments off the fields. You may have noticed that we have erected more substantial fencing and gate on the bridle path side of the club trying to make our site more secure. It is after all an area for rugby playing and training not a dog exercise yard or a motorbike track. We wanted to paint and repair the stand but when we had the necessary survey done, we were made aware that the brickwork needed significant attention and then the lockdown put a halt to any works taking place. We had to erect security fencing to make the site secure but, in the meantime, we are exploring further possibilities in that we may be able to incorporate extra secure storage etc into the “strengthening” works or remodelling.

You may also have noticed that we have replaced the projector and screen with new large TV system and following the success of the Lions’ deal with Sky we have committed to a 12-month trial to show Sport on the big screen on regular occasions beginning with yesterday’s Premier League Football and the Rugby Championship.

The big news for me over the Summer, was that Jim and Heulwen have decided to retire after 11 years’ service. We will miss them greatly as you don’t really realise all the extras they did until they finished last month. We also accepted that Sue in the kitchen was not returning but have been fortunate in finding Jess as her replacement. The bar was more of an issue but thankfully Rich Watkins of the Fat Boar came forward with an offer to help and hopefully help us further develop the use of our bar area. The discussions are at an early stage but for now Rich is supplying us with bar staff and ongoing advice. In the New Year we are looking to announce exciting developments in our relationship.

I would like to thank the other members of the board for their efforts in these difficult times and in particular Sion Lloyd-Jones who is stepping down from his sponsorship role, I believe to focus on his playing career!

I am sure that Roger will present to you with quite a healthy financial picture of where we are at. A number of our existing sponsors have continued their support during lockdown, some have for understandable reason taken a year off but they and new supporters are now on board. Wrexham Rugby Club thanks them for their support but more are always welcome for our growing club!

We have been trying to create the notion of Wrexham Rugby Club is one club, a community club that is for everyone to play rugby regardless of age, sex, or ability. We have excellent playing facilities, but we want to keep improving, We have excellent coaches from Under 6s through to veterans, our senior coaches are as good as any in North Wales and they are keen to develop our homegrown coaches and the Wrexham way of playing. We are looking to form our own academy with greater links between Seniors, Youth and older Junior sides. I thank all of the coaches and team managers for all that they do for our players. I am pleased to report that we now have replaced Rob the Physio with Victoria stepping up to look after the 1st Team and Leeanne joining us to support the 2nd team. Our sides of all ages have had success since rugby has returned and I’m sure that it won’t be long before our Women’s team achieves success. It is amazing how far they have progressed in such a short time and hopefully next season when all the local talent can play for us, we will be a force to be reckoned with in North Wales.

I believe that if we are to become the best Community Rugby Club in North Wales, we must analyse what more can we do as members and supporters of the club to help our club improve. Your board, the coaches and team managers etc are all volunteers, none receive payment for all that they do for the club. They are all paid up members of the club who receive no benefits in kind either, contrary to what some members apparently think. They are people who have stepped forward and offered their time and skills to provide opportunities for others to play rugby. I paraphrase JFK, “Ask not what my club can do for me but what can I do for my club”. You don’t have to be a board member to empty bins, collect rubbish, corner flags and post protectors. If you see an issue, try to put it right rather than for example send me an email about the overflowing bin. For some it is easy to moan but they don’t volunteer the solution. The changing rooms are left in a mess with litter scattered around, they don’t worry, the cleaners are paid to clean, but we end up spending money for extra hours that could be better spent elsewhere. We can all do that little bit more to help our club be the best club, “One Club, Our Club!”. We are always looking for volunteers so please if you can please do so. It will help create ownership of our club. If you are not sure who to speak to ask your coach, team manager or anyone on the board

Finally, 20 years ago we very nearly ceased to exist, but we manged to firstly stabilise and then begin the journey back for Wrexham Rugby Club to the top of North Wales Rugby. It would be nice to be there by 2025 to celebrate our centenary in style. I am standing for re-election this year but have decided that after 25years on the committee and board of Wrexham Rugby Club that it is time to look for new blood to lead the club forward. I believe that the club is building a successful but sustainable future but that we need to realise that we are a business and need the right people/person with the business acumen to lead us forward. It’s time to start looking for him or her to take the helm.

Regards

Gareth

Chairman Wrexham Rugby Club.