Welcome to Andover Rugby Club and the 2023/2024 new Season upon us, the rains have come and the grass is growing once again all ready for a busy year ahead.
I have been associated with the club for over 25 years, from father on touch line (four children all playing), manager of Girls squads for two years, Executive member in a number of roles and now Chairman of our wonderful club and finally Principal Coach for the U6’s (with ever increasing numbers these are future)
Big thanks to our Saturday volunteers who spend endless hours keeping the pitches and our grounds in the best condition we can achieve (Steve Clarke, Joe Craven, David Griffiths, Simon Pape, Jamie Cockerell & Shaun Rule)
Our other Exec committee members this season are Past player, Captain and Chairman Jim Howcroft as President, David Griffiths Past President, Stewart Andrews DOF, Andy Waite DOR, Sarah Dunne Academy Chair, Michael Francis Pollin Head of Education & Development and Carl Sievewright as PR & Sponsorship and Harry Foxwell Hon Secretary.
We have also co-opted a number of important positions to assist us in taking the club forward. We have Charlie Waite, Club Captain, Matt Moore Coach Co-Ordinator, Conor Green Ladies Head Coach, Shaun Mair Club Safeguarding Officer, Sarah Barber Ladies Player Rep.
We are experiencing extreme increase in costs in running the club but our main aim is increase our memberships in all age groups both academy and Seniors and give the best opportunities we can in playing the wonderful game of rugby. We still aim to keep the Club as one of premier clubs in the county, improve our facilities and deliver all the skills and values that rugby can give to all ages (male and female) with whatever resource we can provide.
We try to keep membership in line with running costs and this season 2023 /2024:
- Senior Mens £300.00
- Ladies £150.00
- Girls & Mens Youth £120.00
- U6’s £85.00
- U7-U12’s £108.00
- U13’s – Colts £120.00
We have introduced a ‘Supporters membership’ which is a minimum contribution of £75.00 per year and have reduce the Pre-match Supporters lunches to a total of 4-5 including our Christmas Dinner and would like to increase our numbers coming to the games and the pre match dinners.
We are always looking to bring more people in to help, our parents, volunteers and coaches have been fantastic, but every year we need to build on the success of last year.
We are also looking for more sponsorship across the whole club to bring in much needed funds to keep the club running in these difficult times with costs increasing week on week.
Watch this space as we have increased our sponsors and looking at new ways to promote them with team, kit, Player, and Position sponsorships. Discuss more with carl@andoverrfc.co.uk if you feel you can help us along this journey.
We are using social media to promote the club and have launched a new web site supported by Tide55 and Tommy Gentleman’s team.
Again welcome and Good luck in the 2023 / 2024 Season ahead.
