Message from BRFC Chairman

“It is not enough that we do our best; sometimes we must do what is required.” (Winston Churchill)

A year ago I was unexpectedly given the opportunity to accept the role of Chairman of Bracknell RFC following the decision of Ian Hallam, my predecessor not to stand for re-election following 10 years of dedicated service to the club. I was extremely fortunate that 12 other friends and colleagues were willing to give up their spare time and join the club Executive as we all shared a common mission for the club:-
‘To achieve consistent success both on and off the pitch supported by a sustainable business model which has the delivery of excellence and valuing our members at its core’

Twelve months on, I feel that now is an ideal time to reflect on the things that we have achieved, the things that haven’t been as successful as we would like and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead of us all.

Following the enormously successful Beer & Wine Festival in the summer, we started the season hoping to provide a club where players aged 5-65 can enjoy their rugby in an environment where everybody is encouraged to realise their potential; we also hoped that we could provide pitches and training facilities that matched our on-field aspirations and a family-friendly clubhouse where all felt welcome. The opening of the new Outdoor Training Space in partnership with FW Urban Gyms and the investment in improving the approach to the club and pitchside-access funded by a generous grant from Bracknell Forest Borough Council have significantly improved the external appearance of the club. Following a huge amount of time given by Dave Ryan and others, we are finalising a new lease with the council in order to secure a significant grant from Sport England in order to undertake some much-needed work on Pitch 2 to address the drainage and state of the playing surface. We have also managed to secure use of the 3G pitch at Garth Hill College on Sundays to give everyone greater space and an opportunity to train when the ground is frozen.

Following several meetings with the Council we are also seeking permission to increase the amount of storage at the club (we need planning permission for additional container space and the limitations of being located in a designated ‘Heritage Park’ make this less than straight-forward) and also are discussing ways in which we may be allowed to improve the lighting on Pitch 3. Options including additional mobile lights on the far side are being explored but again we need permission from the leaseholder before this can progress.

One of our greatest limiting factors on Saturdays, Sundays and training nights remains the amount of parking for cars. With more than 100 registered Senior and 400 Minis, Juniors and Academy players, the 70 spaces at the front of the club are never going to be enough. We are very grateful to Afton Chemicals who have kindly agreed this year to allow us to use their car park at the weekends (a very short walk away through the underpass in Bants Bridge Road) but recognise that when all teams are at home then this is still not sufficient capacity. With the Council unable to help provide any additional space locally despite our requests, if anybody is aware of other alternatives that do not adversely impact upon our residential neighbours then do please let us know.

We are very aware that we haven’t got everything right inside the clubhouse particularly regarding the food on Sundays. The appointment of a new Clubhouse Manager over the summer was not the success that we all hoped and so we are now seeking a replacement who can help deliver the quality of service in an atmosphere to which we all aspire. I know that this is a source of frustration to many parents but I hope you all recognise that the whole Executive are equally frustrated. Attempts to improve the quality and nutritional content of the post-match meals on a Sunday as well as providing simple snacks for non-players have unfortunately not been successful – the most recent events suggest that we should return (at least temporarily) to providing simpler but potentially more popular options ie sausage and chips.

All community sports clubs are dependent on volunteers and I wanted to take the opportunity to say an enormous thank you to all those who give up their free time for the benefit of the members of the club, whether as coaches, age-group managers or in other capacities. I do want to say a special thank you to the members of the Executive (see below) and other key roles including Simon Newman (Bar Manager), Andy Johnson (1st XV Manager), Deborah Dunks (Club Shop Manager) and Dave Ryan (he has successfully applied for several grants on the club’s behalf); I also want to thank their wives, husbands and partenrs who both allow their ‘significant others’ to give up so much time and also are often roped into giving up their time for the club as well.

However, my greatest thanks must be reserved for Steve Ward, the club’s Commercial Chairman. As per the recent announcement, after 47 years at the club, starting as a Colts player before representing the 1st XV and being a key member of the Executive for over 40 years, he has decided that the time is now right for him to stand down from his role. Steve has helped generate significant investment for the club from which we have all benefitted.

The club will always need more volunteers and I ask everyone to consider (individually and/or with your friends) getting involved however you can.

We currently have 4 vacancies on the Executive (including members of the Commercial Team and a Communication Role) and are seeking other volunteers to help work on key projects including the 2017 Beer & Wine Festival, Nat West Force Days and organising the Sportsman’s Dinner. Please help in whatever way you can – future investment in the club’s playing facilities is dependent on raising money and will benefit all players of whatever age. Please complete and return the attached ‘Volunteers Form’ to either:
Ian Wilson (Minis & Juniors), email: miniandjunior@bracknellrugbyclub.com
Gill Exon (Hon Secretary), email: secretary@bracknellrugbyclub.com
or myself, email: chairman@bracknellrugbyclub.com
if you are able to help.

Clive Field
Chairman on behalf of BRFC Executive

Executive Committee as at February 2017
Ray Brown – Vice Chairman
Nick Stone – Finance
Gill Exon – Hon Secretary
Mark Findlay & Andy Dunks – Facilities
Ian Wilson & Daimon Evans – Minis & Juniors
Martin Radford & Ben Nowak – Rugby
Vacancy x 3 – Commercial
Vacancy - Communications
Jonathon Dance – President