Bridgnorth RFC

Dear Valued Club Member,

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL & A HAPPY, HEALTHY & PEACEFUL NEW YEAR

Before the year is drawn to a close, we should reflect upon the positive news in 2023:

• Our 1^st team finishing 2^nd in the Midlands Premier League, for the 2022/23 season, for the first time ever.
• Our Women finishing 3^rd in their league, for the 2022/23 season.
• Our U16s won the North Midlands Plate, an U18 player was selected for the England Academy Pathway, 2 played for Midlands West RFU Academy in the Gallagher Premiership U18s league, more than 14 boys and girls represented Bridgnorth at County, North Mids or Academy level (U14s-U18s)
• Continued success within the M&J section, with 270 players signing to play for another season during 2023/24. In particular, we have driven more growth amongst the girls, which is heartening. We continue to partner with the Star Scheme, a charity that supports kids to play rugby (more than 10 playing as a result of Star Scheme)
• A good start to the 2023/24 season for the 1^st team, who sit 3^rd in their league and for the Women who are top of their league, with no games lost as of yet.
• Huge strides have been made in the construction of our new Club House, which looks set to be occupied by us from the beginning of February 2024.
• A good start to the fund raising needed for the cost of construction of our New Club House, with the meter reading just under £500,000 as I write (this includes the sale proceeds from The Bull Club House, which we sold on 23^rd October 2023). However, we’ve still got a long way to go, so please do as much fund raising as you can; any and all initiatives/efforts are to be applauded.

We as a Committee must pass on our thanks to all of the players, coaches, physios, supporters & sponsors for their dedication, determination and loyalty.  However, we must remember that no competitive games of rugby could be played without a Referee, so at all times we must remain grateful & respectful to our referees, irrespective of their decisions and most especially when we don’t agree with them; if in doubt, say nowt!

We would also like to sincerely applaud the hard work and never ending commitment of our wonderful band of volunteers; we are truly blessed to have so many fabulous people involved with our chosen sport of rugby.                

THANK YOU.

Finally, as we look forward to a New Year in 2024, both Liz and myself must move on to pastures new, following the AGM in August 2024, because constitutionally we are no longer allowed to act as Secretary and Chair respectively, so we would urge you to think about whether you or any of your friends/family members could consider devoting enough time and energy to either of these roles.  Please don’t hesitate to call either or both of us if you want to understand a bit more about what is involved.

Karen Sawbridge - Chairman  

Alun Stoll - President

Phil Jefferies - M&J Chairman           

Liz Rochelle - Secretary